The author of the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series is back with more Southern charm and beguiling mystery as Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel must find a killer in a room full of librarians… Charlie is stressed out. The Southern Academic Libraries Association is holding this year’s annual meeting at Athena College. Since Charlie is the interim library director, he must … library director, he must deliver the welcome speech to all the visiting librarians. And as if that weren’t bad enough, the keynote address will be delivered by Charlie’s old nemesis from library school.
It’s been thirty years since Charlie has seen Gavin Fong, and he’s still an insufferable know-it-all capable of getting under everyone’s skin. In his keynote, Gavin puts forth a most unpopular opinion: that degreed librarians will be obsolete in the academic libraries of the future. So when Gavin drops dead, no one seems too upset…
But Charlie, who was seen having a heated argument with Gavin the day before, has jumped to the top of the suspect list. Now Charlie and Diesel must check out every clue to refine their search for the real killer among them before the next book Charlie reads comes from a prison library…
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Twelve Angry Librarians is the 8th book in the ‘Cat in the Stacks’ mystery series written by Miranda James. In this caper, ~55ish Charlie Harris, a librarian at Athena College in Mississippi, is working as the interim head of the library when a conference comes to town. Charlie meets a few old friends, some not so friendly anymore, and an enemy from his college days. When the enemy ends up dead, Charlie must solve the case before someone he knows is wrongfully accused of murder… like himself!
I enjoy the relationships in these books. Charlie has two grown children who are both married and expecting babies soon. His wife has passed, but there is a new woman in his life. We have a few good friends at the library, and then there is his tepid alliance with the local deputy who handles murder investigations in the small town. Let’s not forget Diesel the ~30 lb. Maine Coon cat who knows exactly when to trust and not to trust. The evolution throughout the books is strong, and I find myself coming back quickly to all the series this author has written. I’m hopeful to finish the next two in this series so that I’m current by the fall to read the newest one when there is an ARC.
In this case, the suspects are aplenty. The deceased was loathsome. He had to be punished, and I love when Charlie decked him… even if violence doesn’t solve problems. This was the only way the bad guy would learn his lesson. Go Charlie! Go Miranda James! Thanks for making me laugh and cry all at the same time. I would love to see a TV series with Charlie and Kanesha, the deputy, butting heads. Plus, I’m a fan of cozy college campus mysteries. 4.5 stars and a definite recommendation from me!
This was the first book I’ve read in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery Series, but it won’t be my last. A charming and entertaining book from beginning to end!
A Little About the Book
Charlie Harris is enjoying his role as interim director at the Athena College Library, but things hit a bump in the road when the Southern Academic Libraries Association comes to town for their annual meeting and the keynote is given by an unagreeable colleague. When this man ends up dead, Charlie, and his trusty coon cat, Diesel, decide it’s time to ask a few questions and get to the bottom of what really happened.
Stuff You Should Know
Sub-Themes: animals (cats), male protagonist, middle aged protagonist, library setting
Can You Start The Series in the Middle? This was the first book in the series I have read and I had no problem picking it up. I did not feel at all left behind in any back stories.
Marie’s Thoughts
I was looking forward to reading this one. It is the first cozy mystery I’ve ever read with a male protagonist and I enjoyed it. Charlie was a strong character and someone you wanted to root for. It was a fast read that pulled you in. Once I started I had the book completed in 48 hours.
https://cozyexperience.com/twelve-angry-librarians-book-review/
Well. I never saw THAT coming. This is one of the first times with this series that I had no idea who the killer was -OR- the why. How delightful!!!
This is a series by Miranda James that is delightful. The whole series is about a librarian and his Maine Coon cat. The first one in the series is “Murder Past Due”. The setting is a small town in Mississippi which has a small college. Charlie, the librarian is retired but works part time in the archives and rare book section of the college library. Since he grew up in the town, he knows just about all the people. I recommend the starting with the first book and reading all of them in order.
read all just waiting for the next one.
I love the characters and the setting. The mystery is realistic and it is a nice change to have a cozy with a male amateur detective.
I like the Miranda James mysteries. It was an enjoyable book with lots of detail.
This is a nice easy read to curl up on a rainy day and enjoy.
Love the characters and the cat.
loved this book
enjoyable
Love Diesel the Maine Coon Cat. Great stories, easy cozy.
If you’ve never read one of the Cat in the Stacks mysteries by Miranda James, prepare to be snared. Who wouldn’t adore a Maine Coon named Diesel? And who could resist a gentlemanly librarian named Charlie? Throw these two together with murder and a riveting tale ensues.
In Twelve Angry Librarians, it appears that every librarian in the south (and perhaps beyond) is angry at Gavin Fong. And no one could argue they lack good reason. The man has been intentionally obnoxious to everyone. Worse, at the Southern Academic Libraries Association annual meeting, he is touting the idea that the librarians, with their degrees and reader empathy and desire to assist, are on their way out. Soon to become obsolete. And he seems quite happy with that prognosis. So much so that no one weeps when he dies rather messily in the midst of that particular speech.
But would someone really murder him for his intolerable posturing? And, if so, how do you screen out ‘simply everyone’ to get to the real killer? What appears to be an impossible task has become paramount for Charlie who recently, and very unwisely, allowed Gavin to goad him into a public and blistering quarrel.
Twelve Angry Librarians was this reader’s first Cat in the Stacks Mystery but I’ll definitely go back for more!
I enjoyed this book so much I looked up some pf the older ones
Love this series and, of course, Diesel. Includes family and an array of characters that are believable and likable. An easy escape read.
My husband and I both love this series. There are many “COZY” mysteries but few and by far not enough with men as the main characters. Wished more of this style would be written. We have went through the Nero Wolf, the one where the gentleman has to cats that help him.
I love this series! Great characters, interesting mystery, and a wonderful cat.
I finished reading it, but was somewhat disappointed. I have read many in this series, think this will be my last. Just seems like there is too much filler and not enough substance.
Enjoyable characters, meeting old friends and one soon to be late not-friend. Near-retirement issues share the main character’s concern, as well as murder at a conference he attends. I had to keep reading till the end to teach the satisfying conclusion.
The main character Charlie ends up into another murder investigation. Love the interaction between Charlie and his cat a Maine Coon. This book is a page turner and keeps you wondering who was the murderer really is. There was no end of suspects. Trust me you will enjoy!