Scan barcode
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
2.0
Number twelve in the Cat in the Stacks series has a semi-famous stage actor coming to town to appear in a play at the college. Charlie's daughter is set to play the female lead and she's spitting mad because she's worked with this actor before and he's a nightmare. Of course he winds up dead and while you'd think the suspects are plentiful, they actually aren't. But, as usual, Charlie's determined to get to the bottom of this.
There were a few things that bothered me. The two pranks that happened during the play rehearsal were repeatedly referred to, but the pig's ears at the reception were ignored. After the murder, no one seemed concerned that the pitcher and glass(es?) were missing. The motives of the suspects were flimsy and none of them really made sense.
I'm having a hard time keeping reading these, but I do semi-enjoy them and that's been hard to come by for me with cozies. The voice for this series is just weird. It feels like the writer/narrator is a super proper 80 year old woman. Everyone is so very proper about things, even the not-yet-30 daughter if Charlie. The writing is feeling rather repetitive too. A lot of times it feels like the author needs to invest in a thesaurus. I don't know guys. I'm almost caught up with this series. I'm to the point that I can get the new ones as ARCs, so I guess I'll keep reading.
There were a few things that bothered me. The two pranks that happened during the play rehearsal were repeatedly referred to, but the pig's ears at the reception were ignored. After the murder, no one seemed concerned that the pitcher and glass(es?) were missing. The motives of the suspects were flimsy and none of them really made sense.
I'm having a hard time keeping reading these, but I do semi-enjoy them and that's been hard to come by for me with cozies. The voice for this series is just weird. It feels like the writer/narrator is a super proper 80 year old woman. Everyone is so very proper about things, even the not-yet-30 daughter if Charlie. The writing is feeling rather repetitive too. A lot of times it feels like the author needs to invest in a thesaurus. I don't know guys. I'm almost caught up with this series. I'm to the point that I can get the new ones as ARCs, so I guess I'll keep reading.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
I always enjoy time with Charlie and Diesel and the rest of the characters in this fun series! There was a slow build to the mystery this time - I don't think the murder happened until I was 40% or so into the story. The motives for the suspects weren't ultra strong, either, so Charlie had to really dig for nuances. There are - as always - some great animal moments in the book and there was one scene that cracked me up because it was so unexpected in some ways.
I was mostly satisfied in the end - I didn't feel like the "pranks" were well resolved in the end. Remember that I read an early copy - there were still some edits done after the fact, so this might have been addressed already. But technically there were 3 pranks, yet the first one was often forgotten. I thought maybe that was a plot device and in the end the "forgotten" prank would be a big part of the reveal, but it wasn't. In fact, I felt like the prankster was never really tied to the first prank very well. It felt like an unresolved thread for me and I was distracted by it. Hopefully that was tightened up in the final edits.
Overall, this was a satisfying Charlie and Diesel story - this has been a must-read series for me since book one, and it remains so. (LGBTQ+ - both for the ongoing series characters and also for this particular story.)
I always enjoy time with Charlie and Diesel and the rest of the characters in this fun series! There was a slow build to the mystery this time - I don't think the murder happened until I was 40% or so into the story. The motives for the suspects weren't ultra strong, either, so Charlie had to really dig for nuances. There are - as always - some great animal moments in the book and there was one scene that cracked me up because it was so unexpected in some ways.
I was mostly satisfied in the end - I didn't feel like the "pranks" were well resolved in the end. Remember that I read an early copy - there were still some edits done after the fact, so this might have been addressed already. But technically there were 3 pranks, yet the first one was often forgotten. I thought maybe that was a plot device and in the end the "forgotten" prank would be a big part of the reveal, but it wasn't. In fact, I felt like the prankster was never really tied to the first prank very well. It felt like an unresolved thread for me and I was distracted by it. Hopefully that was tightened up in the final edits.
Overall, this was a satisfying Charlie and Diesel story - this has been a must-read series for me since book one, and it remains so. (LGBTQ+ - both for the ongoing series characters and also for this particular story.)
nonna7's review against another edition
4.0
I always look forward to the latest edition of Charlie and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel. They are always an enjoyable diversion. There’s a new cat in the mix, Ramses, but he’s still a silly adolescent and hasn’t attained the gravitas that Diesel exhibits. If you are unfamiliar with the series, Charlie is a retired librarian who retired from his job in Houston and moved back to his hometown after inheriting his late aunt’s house. The house came with a housekeeper, Athena, whose daughter, Kanisha, is chief of police and doesn’t like her mother working as a domestic despite the fact that it’s her mother’s choice. Kanisha doesn’t appreciate the fact that Charlie seems to get in the middle of way too many of the murders in town, but she has come to appreciate his point of view in some cases. This latest adventure has a well known actor who has seen better days coming to town to do the lead in a college production. The play is a murder mystery and many people in town are looking forward to it. The actor is somewhat temperamental and not known for his sexual fidelity to his current partner. This is complicated by the fact that his current partner is the ex wife of his valet and hairdresser. The three travel together on less than amicable terms. Charlie’s daughter has the star role and her husband is the director. She had some success as an actor but is now teaching drama at the college. When the star is murdered during the play suspicion falls on her. Charlie is determined that she will not become the scapegoat for the real murderer. This book was a fun, quick read. It was just the thing I needed for my pandemic mood right now!
gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition
• “I have diversity! I have two (2) black characters one is a housekeeper and the other is a cop!!! Even tho this is abt Mississippi!”
• “gay people? Also cops”
• this book was god awful author did 0 research abt anything he wrote on!!!!
• “gay people? Also cops”
• this book was god awful author did 0 research abt anything he wrote on!!!!
jferrell526's review against another edition
5.0
Charlie's daughter is starring of the University play. The male lead is murdered on stage opening night. Charlie struggles to find who threatened the life of his daughter. Once again Miranda has brought Charlie and Diesel into the center of a murder that they must help solve.
nutti72's review against another edition
3.0
If you like your cozies with a cast of eccentric characters in a charming small Southern town, than the Cat in the Stacks series is for you. This latest mystery focuses on a a college production of an unknown playwright. The lead actor, Luke is brought in from NYC, and he is not a likeable guy. Trouble ensues for Charlie, his daughter Laura who is playing opposite Luke, and Charlie's son-in-law directing the play. Of course, Diesel must play an important role in the book. Thanks Netgalley for eprepub.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
Another really fun and enjoyable mystery in the Cat in the Stacks series. This is another great example of a typical cozy mystery. Charlie Harris is such a lovely amateur sleuth to follow. He's smart and loving and will do anything for his family. Including insert himself into the murder investigation when he fears for his daughter's safety. His Maine Coon cat Diesel is a wonderful sidekick and makes me wish I had a furry friend that I could take everywhere with me and who had good sense of judgement when it came to people. I especially love the cast of characters that surround Charlie and support him even when they wish he would stay away from murder.
_
This series is well written and easy to read; and this book is no exception. As a reader, you are easily pulled into the story because of the flow and the mix of every day happenings with the dramatic suspense of murder. The over the top new characters balance the logical recurring ones. I was surprised by the ending and how everything played out. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
_
Thanks to the publishers for a free copy; I am happy to give my honest thoughts.
_
This series is well written and easy to read; and this book is no exception. As a reader, you are easily pulled into the story because of the flow and the mix of every day happenings with the dramatic suspense of murder. The over the top new characters balance the logical recurring ones. I was surprised by the ending and how everything played out. I am already looking forward to the next installment.
_
Thanks to the publishers for a free copy; I am happy to give my honest thoughts.
whatjuliareads's review against another edition
3.0
Not his best, but still enjoyable. I suspect there might have been a change in editor or some glitch in the process.
As always, a charming, squeaky clean mystery with Southern charm and plenty of furry friends to go around. Beginning to take on an almost generational feel to the series, the grandkids afoot, which is sweet. I'd like to see some wedding bells for some of our more unsung heroes in the stories - it's definitely their turn, right?
As always, a charming, squeaky clean mystery with Southern charm and plenty of furry friends to go around. Beginning to take on an almost generational feel to the series, the grandkids afoot, which is sweet. I'd like to see some wedding bells for some of our more unsung heroes in the stories - it's definitely their turn, right?
jesslady's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed most of the book but the ending was very abrupt.