by Sandra Murphy
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Twelve Angry Librarians. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.
Charlie Harris is acting as interim library director at the college, a job he thought he’d like. It takes him away from his research work which is a shame and involves way too much paperwork. He can still bring his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, to work with him which is a good thing. Saying no to the cat would be a deal breaker.
One of the most hated things about being interim director is making a speech at the Southern Academic Libraries Association annual meeting. Charlie thought he’d only have to introduce the college president, and then would be able to sit down. Apparently, they expect more.
The keynote speaker is Gavin Fong. If there’s a way to offend someone, Gavin does. In fact, he once was aggressively forward with Charlie’s girlfriend (later wife) and Charlie punched Gavin in the nose. He’s reminded of the fact when he receives a short email from Gavin saying he’s sure Charlie will recommend him as the new director because he wouldn’t want it to get around that he punched Gavin—even if it was many years ago. It seems Gavin has no friends at all. Anyone who speaks of him has a tale to tell, and none of them are flattering.
When Gavin gives his keynote speech, it’s on a hot topic, and he takes the contrarian side as always. Before he can make everyone angry, he signals for his bottled water, takes a drink, and then convulses and dies. There are very few people who are not in the suspect pool. Of course, the woman who handed Gavin the bottle of water is a prime suspect. Charlie is high on the list too, especially since they’d re-enacted the punched in the nose scene when Gavin got too Gavin-ish again.
On the home front, Charlie’s daughter is pregnant which is great news. On the other hand, since she won’t work for a while, her husband might take a promotion which would be out of town, not such good news. Charlie’s son and daughter-in-law are also expecting their first child. If Charlie takes the director’s job, he’ll work more hours and miss out on being Grandpa. Helen, Charlie’s lady friend who owns a bistro restaurant, says they need to talk too. That’s never a good thing. His job decision will affect her too. First, he has to be cleared of murder and make sure that none of his college friends did it either.
This is book eight in the Cat in the Stacks series which gets better and better. Charlie and Diesel are a delight. His boarders entertain and provide a listening ear as he dissects the case for motive, means, and opportunity. Charlie’s relationships with his adult children and Helen ring true and are enviable. As in real life, things keep changing, and it’s how one reacts to the change that makes all the difference.
James also writes the Southern Ladies mysteries, three so far, a spinoff of this series featuring the Ducote sisters who are Southern to the core, funny and feisty, just as older ladies should be.
To enter to win a copy of Twelve Angry Librarians, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “librarians,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 18, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
A library, a cat and a mystery…what’s not to love? Thank you for the giveaway.
Sounds interesting! Would love to win a copy! Thanks for offering!
I love this series. I’m currently reading Arsenic and Old Books.
I love this series thanks for sharing. breannaherron(at)icloud(dot)com
A hero who loves books and cats! What’s not to love! DElholm@prodigy.net
This book is interesting, I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the chance.
This is a great setting for us mystery loving book lovers. Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I’d love to read this!
anything with a cat I love! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
Can’t wait to read this – I’m next on the hold list. Our local library could use lots more books, and if I won it, I would donate it to the library (after reading it, of course).
Love this series!
Love the cover and the story sounds interesting…I would love to read. Please enter me…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Would love to win this book.
I really enjoyed the books I have read in this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Looks like a fun series! Will definitely check it out
When I saw the cover I knew I had to get this cozy!
Wonderful author!
Charlie and Diesel are such a delight. Looking forward to reading of their latest adventure.
kpbarnett1941@aol.com
I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great author and great book cover! I am a cat person! Thanks for offering this! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
I just got the first of this series and even though I’d have a long way to go, I’d sure love to win the latest book! barbie17 (at) gmail (dot) com
Looks good.
raineybird at yahoo.com
this is one of my favorite series
I love this series, and would be so happy to win a copy of Twelve Angry Librarians.
maforbes231@yahoo.com
I love the cat on the cover.
Tcuevas@iccable.com
Very nice review. Sounds like a fun read. Please enter me in the contest. Libraries are my favorite place to be.
satuitbrook1636 at gmail dot com
Love this series! Would be great to have the latest book.
Love cat copies would like a chance to yt? This one
Can’t wait to read the latest!
Love this series. Diesel is my favorite.
I have to get all my books through the library. This one has been on hold for months! It would be wonderful to have my own copy! I read and have read all her books. Love the cats!
I have devoured every book in both series since discovering the first Charlie and Diesel mystery on the New Books table of my library. Knowing the odds of find such compatible new author from the hundreds out there, I feel blessed to have found Miranda.
i would love to win this book. pick meeeee pick me thanks for a chance
Just the title makes me smile and …. wonder what’s up!
read a couple of these great books with my Tabbikat on my lap
This is an awesome series. Love the library and cat storyline.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
WOULD LOVE TO READ! SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BOOK! calicolady60@hotmail.com
We have a winner!