The Pawful Truth: A Cat in the Stacks Mystery By Miranda James: Review/Giveaway

Aug 3, 2019 | 2019 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Pets, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Pawful Truth, and a link to purchase it from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

You’d think auditing a college class on the history of England from the end of the Roman occupation until the Norman conquest would be a safe enough pastime. Somehow, Charlie Harris manages to land in the midst of yet another mystery. Perhaps it was because he didn’t take his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, to class with him.

A short confrontation between the professor and the only other “mature” student, Dixie Belle, puts a sour note on the day’s lecture. Charlie is surprised to see Dixie at his office the next day, asking him to be her study partner. Something seems off to him, and he declines. Although Dixie seemed determined to do well in the class, she’s not at the next session. It’s not long before Charlie finds out why. Her body was found in her apartment, and the police are calling it a suspicious death. mystery

Charlie’s no stranger to murder investigations. After all, Haskell, a police officer, is one of his boarders. That, and Charlie is endlessly curious, and in the past, has contributed information to a reluctant Kanesha Berry, police detective and the daughter of Charlie’s housekeeper, Azalea.

This case is baffling. There are rumors of infidelity, but it’s hard to pin down which spouse and which supposed lover might be involved. Dixie had a bad reputation, but details are sketchy. There are suspects, but it’s almost impossible to sort the truth from rumors.

Charlie has his hands full with Diesel, a new kitten named Ramses, two grandbabies to enjoy, his volunteer work at the public library, and his part-time job at the college. When a second body turns up, it’s closer to home and has Charlie’s full attention. The question is, will Charlie be on the killer’s radar too? This time, danger comes within a whisker of changing everything.

This is book eleven in the popular series. Charlie’s life is changing, becoming more enriched, as he makes time for lifelong interests, spends more time with his significant other Helen Louise, and enjoys living close to family.

James also writes the Southern Ladies mysteries, a spinoff featuring the Ducote sisters, An’gel and Dickce, who always liven up the page. Miss Dickce manages to help Charlie without An’gel’s interference. It’s good to see her on her own.

Although readers can start the series anywhere, the antics of Charlie and Diesel will pull you into Southern life. Reading all of the books will be a must. Diesel will insist.

To enter to win a copy of The Pawful Truth, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “pawful,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 10, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode went up this week!

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:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won’t see coming.

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.

29 Comments

  1. I love this series. Thanks for the contest. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
  2. College can be dangerous! Count me in!

    Reply
  3. Enjoyable series and lovely giveaway.

    Reply
  4. This is one of my very favorite cozy mystery series!

    Reply
  5. I just love this series. I would have loved to take my cat with me to work when I used to work. Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  6. Sounds like a really fun series, please enter my name in the draw. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com

    Reply
  7. Would love to read Miranda’s book! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  8. Love this series! Can’t wait to read “The Pawful Truth”.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  9. Love to wim

    Reply
  10. I have assigned Miranda James as our August author for my reading group.

    I have only read one of this series so far. I have book one on order.

    karen94066 at aol dot com

    Reply
  11. Great mystery series. Memorable characters. Collect all the books in the collection. Judith
    judithlb(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  12. Great mystery series. Memorable characters. Collect all the books. Judith
    judithlb(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  13. Great mystery series. Collect all the books. Judith
    judithlb(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  14. Great series. Have enjoyed every book.

    Reply
  15. Love this series.

    Reply
  16. This is such an interesting and constantly evolving series!! Just love all the recurring characters. Please keep on writing this series AND the Southern Ladies as well. Thanks for this contest!!

    Reply
  17. Dean James, aka Miranda James, is one of my favorite writers. This is a great series.

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply
  18. This sounds like a fun book. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  19. Love this series. Anxiously awaiting
    the next installment.
    thanks for the chance to get it soon.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  20. Love this series. Thanks for the chance.

    sclickner at juno dot com

    Reply
  21. I love Miranda James Cat in the stakes series. It’s the pawful truth. Lol
    Pun intended.
    Joannlowehunter@aol.com

    Reply
  22. I love both of Diesel’s series – so much so that this year we adopted a Maine coon mix from a local rescue group. He is a lovable beastie and stole our hearts from day 1.

    annopossum @ yahoo.com

    Reply
  23. I love Charlie and Diesel. It is such a great series. Can’t wait to read the new adventure.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  24. A cat and a mystery. Awesome! Thanks for the contest

    Reply
  25. I love this series. Lovely review! Thank you for this fabulous chance. Happy reading and writing. xxx ???

    Reply
  26. We have a winner!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

podcast