Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are embroiled in a new mystery when a cold case suddenly heats up in the latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.Charlie Harris is busy enjoying his new grandson when a mysterious man with a connection to Charlie’s family starts visiting the library, bringing with him troubling questions about an unsolved murder…Charlie may be a … murder…
Charlie may be a proud new grandfather, but he and Diesel still have work to do at Athena College and the small Mississippi town’s public library. He’s too busy to deal with true-crime writer Jack Pemberton, who wants Charlie as the subject of his latest book–and who won’t take no for an answer.
A more appealing proposition for Charlie is spending time helping a kind, elderly man navigate the library’s genealogical database. But he’s shocked when he learns that the visitor’s search is focused on a member of his own family: his late aunt’s husband.
Charlie befriends the man and considers inviting him to stay in his home, but he’s soon given reason to question that notion. Jack is certain that Charlie’s new houseguest was involved in a shocking homicide that took place years ago in a small town near Athena. As this cold case heats up, Charlie and Diesel have to uncover a killer who may already be too close to home…
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Claws for Concern is the ninth book in the ‘Cat in the Stacks’ cozy mystery series written by Miranda James. The books take place in a small town in Mississippi where a librarian, Charlie Harris, solves crimes in his spare time. In this caper, the story is a little too close to him. After chatting with a strange gentleman in the library, Charlie finds the guy following him around. That’s when Charlie learns the guy was related by marriage to his deceased aunt. Is the house Charlie’s called home for six years possibly in jeopardy? Does this cousin-of-sorts have a claim?
Meanwhile, Charlie is hoping to shine light on his girlfriend’s addiction to work. Helen Louise was supposed to go into semi-retirement to spend more relaxing moments with Charlie, but she’s struggling. Then, Charlie’s daughter has her baby and Charlie’s learning to be a grandfather. Luckily, his son’s baby isn’t due for 2 more months, or he’d have a houseful. Especially when Charlie decides to be friendly with the cousin and consider offering him a place to crash. That’s when Charlie learns the guy might’ve killed his employer and family twenty years ago. Could Charlie be related to a killer?
Let’s not forget an author who wants to write a book about Charlie’s involvement in true crimes. Just when Charlie decides against it, he sees the value in partnering with the author to solve the 20-year-old case involving his cousin. What will Deputy Kanesha do now? Nothing, as the crime happened in a different county. But she might not be pleased about Charlie’s new friendship with the author who wants to interview Kanesha too. So much going on! Great story…
Overall, this was a solid book. It’s written slightly differently in terms of solving the case. The murder happened a long time ago, and a new murder doesn’t actually occur to help find new clues. Charlie and the writer must work together, along with various friends and family who know the victims, to decide what’s going on. I liked the style but missed Kanesha. Seeing the Ducote sisters as wonderful… I can tell the real-life author misses writing for them, and I hope he can bring that series back soon. It’s my favorite of the two, although I do adore this one. Onward to #10 this week, and then I’m ready to read the one Miranda James just released earlier this month. I hope these never end…
A cozy with the main character being a male is very refreshing. Add to that the fact that he is a librarian and it is even better. Eve though the cat, Diesel, plays a major part he is just one memorable character among many.
I wish I could give this book 10 stars! As all the other books in this series, this one is highly entertaining and keeps you guessing right to the end. Magnificent writing, Miranda James!!
I love the voice this book is written with. We read the book from Charlie (our protagonist)’s point of view and he always has a calm and gentle presence to him. Books in this series are ones I want to read slow and savor. The plot of Claws and Concern was a little heaver than some cozies (it may feel that way for me because children are among the murder victims of the cold case). I was left feeling a bit sad at the end of the book, but it brought out real emotion, which is a testament to James’s talent as a writer.
https://cozyexperience.com/claws-concern-book-review/
I’ve read this whole series and have enjoyed all the books. They are nice cozy mysteries with nothing graphic. Diesel, the cat, is very lovable. So are Charlie and his family. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing till the end.
Love Diesel and Charlie! These are sweet cozy mysteries and I love them – the author develops characters you can’t wait to revisit
These are really entertaining books. Always enjoy.
It’s back to Athena, Mississippi for fans of Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks series, and this time Charlie and Diesel have a surprise visit from a previously unknown relative who brings with him the secret to a quadruple murder from decades in the past. As with the rest of the series, Claws for Concern is cleverly written and oozes southern charm. Loved it!
Charlie’s grandson has been born, and he’s delighted to be spending time with this addition to the family. But he soon begins to get drawn into another mystery. First a true crime writer wants to write about some of Charlie’s past cases. Then there’s the mysterious man in the library asking questions.
This is definitely a slower book in the series as it took a while for us to figure out exactly where the mystery might be. There is one in the book, and I enjoyed it once Charlie started investigating. As always, the characters, both new and old, shine. I loved getting to spend more time with the usual gang, and most of them get at least an appearance. We also get to see some characters from the author’s other series, which was a lot of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
This is one of the best series I have read .I highly recommend this book .start with book 1.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This is one of my favorite cozy series. That cat on the cover, Diesel, always makes me smile and now remember my own big kitty Wiley who passed away January 17. Diesel is a little bit more intuitive than Wiley was but he comes darn close.
This time Diesel and his person, Charlie Harris, take on a cold case when a man at the library asks for help just after telling Charlie he is the son of his late aunt’s husband. Charlie and Diesel are enjoying a new baby and fielding inquiries from a man that wants to write about all the mysteries Charlie has solved. While not interested in being the feature of a book, Charlie and the author team up to solve one together, even if it means putting his newly found relative behind bars.
I loved everything about this story. The mystery really didn’t take hold until about halfway through the book, but this reader was drawn in and entertained from page one. James’ writing style makes it feel like you are having a conversation with Charlie or watching everything right over his shoulder. When the mystery is revealed Charlie takes us along as he visits everyone that could have the answers he needs to solve it. When his daughter and son-in-law observe a crucial “accident” it gives Charlie what he needs to press for even more answers.
Miranda James is a fantastic storyteller. Her characters are engaging and feel like friends or neighbors you like to spend a lot of time with. Charlie relationship with Helen Louise is moving along nicely now that she is getting more help at her restaurant. His daughter recently gave birth to his first grandchild and his son’s wife is due soon. Diesel is already a good baby minder, he feels it is his job to watch over that child and alert everyone if the baby barely makes a sound. Charlie’s housemates are also top-notch and of course his housekeeper Azalea is the one who keeps everyone in line.
This is a wonderful addition to this series. I do recommend you start at the beginning but this story does stand on its own.
If you are looking for a comfortable, cozy mystery to curl up with, look no further than Claws for Concern, or any other Miranda James story.
Claws for Concern by Miranda James is A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. It is July in Athena, Georgia and we find Charlie Harris along with his Maine Coon cat, Diesel volunteering at Athena Public Library. Charlie notices the gentleman, who has been coming into the library for the last week, has returned. The man wants to look at the local phone books to locate Delbert Collins. Delbert was married to Charlie’s Aunt Dottie. Charlie discovers the man is Bill Delaney, and he is the son of Delbert Collins. Del never knew about Bill, and Bill did not find out about his birth father until after his mother passed away three months ago. Charlie wants to get to know Bill better and is going to invite him to stay with him. Then Charlie learns that Bill was entangled in a murder investigation. The multiple homicide investigation went cold and was never solved. Charlie teams up with true crime writer, Jack Pemberton to resolve the twenty-year-old case. Jack wants to write a book about Charlie (and Diesel) regarding a few of his past cases (his sleuthing prowess). Accompany Charlie, Jack and Diesel as they delve into the case and uncover a killer.
Claws for Concern may be the ninth book in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone. I like the author’s writing style (conversational and comfortable) and the characters are developed. Diesel is a smart, lovable cat who enhances the book (I enjoy his manner of speaking and interacting). I do not understand, though, why Charlie feels the need to have someone watch Diesel (a catsitter) when he cannot take the cat with him. This happened a couple of times in the book. I thought the pace, though, was a little slow (especially in the first part of the book). The mystery does not start until the halfway mark. The first half of the story is devoted to Charlie’s daily activities (eating, walking, spending time with girlfriend, volunteering at the library, talking with daughter, watching grandson, etc.) as well as meeting Bill Delaney and talking to Jack Pemberton about his book idea. There was a lack of action through the whole book. There is questioning, looking up records and speculation (ho hum). The mystery had some interesting points, but it was not compelling. There was a lack of suspects which made identifying the culprit a simple matter. The wrap up at the end could have used a few tweaks (it was lacking). I had eagerly been anticipating Claws for Concern after reading Twelve Angry Librarians last year. Unfortunately, Claws for Concern was not of the same caliber as its predecessor. If you are new to A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series, then I suggest starting with Murder Past Due. Readers looking for a light, pleasant cozy mystery will be pleased with Claws for Concern.
Murder in a cozy mystery doesn’t always happen on page four. Author Miranda James offers readers a cold case twenty years old. This made for an even more thrilling case to try and solve for series lead, Charlie Harris, and for readers!
With CLAWS FOR CONCERN, there’s not much I can say other than what I say each time I read a book in the Cat in the Stacks mysteries. Author James has created an excellent plot that draws the reader swiftly into the story. With the same consistent style, the author’s writing held me spell bound as I joined Charlie and Diesel in their investigation of the decades old case.
A fun addition to the series for readers is the presence of Charlie’s new grandson, and his and Diesel’s interaction with the baby. Charlie is such a proud Grandfather, I could feel the love oozing of the pages. And Diesel’s fascination with the baby brought a smile to my face.
A great addition to this series, CLAWS FOR CONCERN is written proof of why readers continuously return to the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.