Classified as Murder (Cat in the Stacks Mystery)

I picked up Classified as Murder unsure of whether I'd really like it or not. Since so many, if not most, cozies have women as their main characters, I wasn't sure how I'd like one with a male main character, the idea was just so different from what I've gotten used to expecting in cozies. I'm happy to say that Charlie Harris completely won me over. Charlie is masculine certainly, but he's a gentleman to the core--he could actually lighten up a lot and still be a gentleman. His Maine coon cat Diesel was a super added treat. What a cat! I loved the Southern setting and flavor of this book, and I found the rare books thread that runs through the book very interesting. I found Classified as Murder to be well written and the mystery to be well plotted. The writing was excellent and the characters quirky enough to be interesting, but not over-the-top silly. I loved Diesel's role in the book and Charlie's son Sean's appearance in the book. It's nice to know he's likely to be a recurring character in future books. The possibility of a romance is another nice touch. There's humor in the book, and it feels very natural. Sean has a poodle named Dante, so even dog lovers have pal in this book. This cozy has something for everyone, female or male, dog or cat lover. I think cozy mystery readers will really enjoy this book. Don't let the fact that guys run the show put you off this series. These are good guys, and I can guarantee that even if you aren't a cat lover, you will love Diesel. In fact, I loved Diesel so much that I'm considering a Maine coon cat as my next pet! I'm also really looking forward to the next book in the series.

I enjoyed this cosy mystery, full of eccentric Southerners. Miranda James/Dean James can certainly write a story with charming characters that continues and doesn't just drag in the middle. A lot has been said here about the cat, Diesel. For me, he was "this close" to being too human and not cat enough, but the author seemed to know the limit. The pace is absolutely Southern. The story is sweet, but not sickeningly so. I felt, like other reviewers, that the character I know least about at the end is our narrator/protagonist, Charlie...perhaps because he's still finding himself? I will get the next in the series to see how that is progressing. I recommend this for a slow, rainy weekend or (for me) a nice book to read while recovering from a surgery. Nothing too dramatic, but a nice, steady pace that keeps you coming back for more.

I had let way too much time pass since I read the first in this awesome series, and I hope not to let that happen again. I absolutely love Charlie. He's great dad, rare book cataloger, librarian and just all around nice guy, but he definitely won't take lip from anyone. I'd love to just hug Diesel, he's such a sweet cat and so darn smart. I love how he always manages to sniff out a clue or tell Charlie something important. I enjoyed getting to know Charlie's son Sean in this book. I knew Charlie was a widower with two grown kids, but it was nice to focus on one of them, since he was probably going to move to Athena. This author excels at writing crazy families into the mysteries, meaning the family that Charlie was working for this time--a good example would be the other series Southern Ladies' first two books. Great sense of humor too, and I'm so glad Cat in the Stacks still continues on! In an ironic twist at the end, the killer was revealed. Sean and Charlie made good sleuthing buddies, and I'm looking forward to him working with his dad from time to time. Maybe we'll get to meet Charlie's daughter Laura eventually.

This was truly a cozy mystery. I loved it! The main character had a cat as his side kick. I am now reading Miranda James second book.The cat is in this book too. I’m sure I will read all of Ms. James’ books. They are lovely stories.

Great book so far.

Charlie Harris is a widower who works part-time in the University of Athena’s Archive section. Charlie owns a Maine Coon cat named Diesel. Diesel is loved by the town. He accompanies Charlie to almost everywhere he goes on a leash. Charlie takes on a job doing an inventory and classifying a rare book collection for an elderly man. This man, James Delacorte thinks someone is stealing from him. After Charlie and Diesel start the job, James is found dead in his private library. The police enlist Charlie to aide in the investigation especially after a second body is discovered. In addition to the murders, Charlie discovers a copy of Poe’s Timberland missing. Which one of the family is the culprit of the murders and taking the valuable copy? Enjoyed this story with lots of twists and turns. Plus enjoyed Charlie’s son, Sean role in working with his Dad to make sure he stays safe until the culprit is found. The reader will also meet Dante, the dog who comes to live in Diesel’s territory. A good read. This is book # 2 in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone. A Kindle Unlimited Customer.

I usually read cozies with female amateur sleuths, and I am not a cat lover, so I was a little hesitant to read the first book in this series. However, the reviews were good, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm now on my 3rd or 4th book in the series and plan to read until I am up to date. Charlie are Diezel are quite lovable. What I like about this series: 1. The main character is not pushy and doesn't try to outwit the police or to belittle the police. 2. Other than the murder, there is very little violence. Charlie does not end up being chased/beaten/endangered because of his nosiness (as some female protagonists do). 3. The setting is endearing. The reader feels as if he/she is part of the town. The only part of the books about which I must suspend belief is that Diezel is allowed in so many public and private buildings. Although he is a lovable feline, I'm not sure the health department would allow him in a French café. Nevertheless, the series is entertaining. I highly recommend it.

Pleasant cozy, beach read. Not a bad mystery, a few twists, a bit obvious, but not bad. Some of the twists come with too little involvement of the character providing the twist. I also agree with at least one other reviewer who stated that the main character seems more like a woman than a man. The interactions between Charlie and "his" son seem more like that of a woman and her son. Also, there were at least three times when she talked about Charlie blushing. Coming on, what guy is going to admit to blushing? He is going to describe it some other way and the situations were barely blush inducing for a woman, let alone a man. Also, this guy is supposed to be a college librarian, he would never commit some of the grammatically errors used by the author. It is Sean and me or Diesel and me, it is NOT me and Sean, me and diesel. Please get the grammar correct. Especially someone as educated as this person is supposed to be!

The book is in good condition and the price was excellent. Will use this company again.

I like Diesel, the cat!

It's a non stop reading! I did enjoy reading the second book of this series

A good read

If you're a cat person, you will almost undoubtedly enjoy this book more than those who don't know the joy of a furry feline owning them. You never own a cat. It owns you. The three year old Maine coon cat named Diesel is no exception. He owns Mr Charles Harris who works as a rare book cataloger in the college library. Harris is approached by the wealthy Mr. James Delacourt to catalogue his own extensive rare book collection as he believes some of them have been stolen. Harris readily accepts with only one condition. Diesel must be allowed to accompany him while he works in Delacourt's library in his mansion. Next Harris meets the cast of usual characters, family members,and household help including the butler. Sean Harris, his son returns from Los Angelos with a secret and a new puppy named Dante. His is a lawyer now without a job and offers to help his Dad do the sorting at Delacorte's home where they discover several valuable manuscripts missing. But the worst is yet to come, when Harris finds Delacourt dead in a chair in his office. Charles and Sean are determined to prove his murder and find his killer. The cat and the puppy add delightful humour to the story.