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Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Book Review: Twelve Angry Librarians by Miranda James (Cat in the Stacks Mysteries #8)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Strong mystery; delightful characters
Cons: None
The Bottom Line:
Face from Charlie’s past
Murdered at a convention
Delightful again





Murder at the Librarian Convention

I spent last year working my way through the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, and I loved every minute of it.  By catching up, it meant I was ready for Twelve Angry Librarians, the eighth in this series, and the series is still going strong.

As this book opens, Charlie Harris is still working as interim director for the Athena College library.  The college is hosting the annual Southern Academic Libraries Association convention, and as part of his job, Charlie will be involved in the weekend event.  Unfortunately, that means interacting with Gavin Fong, the keynote speaker.  Gavin and Charlie were in graduate school together years ago, and Gavin was an arrogant jerk back then.  Unfortunately, Gavin hasn’t changed a bit in the intervening years.

Charlie is hearing rumors of Gavin’s bad behavior before the keynote address, but the last thing he expects is for Gavin to fall over dead after taking a sip of water during his speech.  Charlie doesn’t want to be involved in yet another murder case, yet he finds himself drawn in again as he learns more about people who might have wanted Gavin dead.  Can he figure out the truth?

I have praised the books in this series for the fast paced, tension driven plots, and this book is no different.  I was captivated from the first chapter and always had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the end.  The murder happens after several motives and suspects are set up, and the author does a wonderful job of building the tension from the very beginning.  The solution to the mystery is wonderful.  It was completely logical, yet I never saw it coming.

The reason I love this series are the characters.  I will always complain that we could see more of the supporting cast, but that’s a minor issue.  We do get a sub-plot involving Charlie’s daughter Laura and her husband Frank.  I loved the scenes we did have with the series regulars.

Of course, this does leave us plenty of time to get to know the suspects in the case, and they are strong.  I never had a hard time keeping everyone straight, and I could see several of them as the killer at one point or another in the book.

Then there’s Diesel, Charlie’s Maine Coon cat.  Because so much of this takes place at a convention, Diesel isn’t in every scene like usual.  Don’t worry, he still has plenty of page time, and he is as charming as ever.  His many fans (and I’m one) will be pleased.

I’ve gotten so used to visiting these characters every couple of months that I am going to go through serious withdrawals now that I am up to date.  If you haven’t started this series, you need to fix that today.  And if you are anxiously awaiting your next visit with Charlie and Diesel, you’ll find that Twelve Angry Librarians hits the spot.

Once you are charmed by Diesel, you'll want to read the rest of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries in order.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Tuesday, February 28th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 2/28.  You will have until midnight on 3/5 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 3/6.

57 comments:

  1. Mark, Thanks for all your wonderful reviews! I am still catching up with this series, so thanks for the chance to win. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. I love this series and need to catch up on Charlie and Diesel's adventures!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  3. I have got to give this series another chance. I read the first one years ago and wasn't blown away so never picked up any more in the series. It sounds like a great series and I love when there's a supporting cast I really want to see more of. Great review!

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  4. Thanks for the great review! I'm en route to the library to reread the first few books! Sarah.adamson@gmail.com

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  5. I really enjoy this series! Thank you for the review and the contest.
    debprice60@gmail.com

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  6. Thanks for the chance! I need to catch up on this series!
    edtercross7304atyahoodotcom

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  7. Great review! I am a sucker for libraries AND cats, so would love to win this book. aut1063@gmail.com

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  8. Please enter me!
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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  9. I love this series so much! I would love to win! sarah2323 at gmail dot com

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  10. I'm adding this series to my wishlist , how have I missed it up till now ? Thanks for the review, I love learning about a series to get hooked to !
    kathambre@yahoo.com

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  11. Wonderful review thank you
    Penney penneyw(AT)sbcglobal.net

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  13. Thanks for the review! I haven't started this series yet, but have it bookmarked (pun intended!!!) to try, and your review makes me want to add it to the top of my TBR pile! Nicole :-)
    nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

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  14. Excellent review as usual... I have found some beauts because of this blog & this one sounds like a peach- Thanks! Have a Fantastical day 🤓
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. A great series - I'd love to win this copy and see what mischief Charlie & Diesel have stumbled into now. rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  16. I'm embarrassed to say that I have not read any of Dean James/Miranda James books! I would love to win a copy of Twelve Angry Librarians -- I think I'll start at the beginning and read them in order as you suggest, and if I win, save this one for last. I enjoyed your review, and am heading over to Amazon right now to find Book #1 of The Cat in the Stacks Mysteries!

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  17. Oops, I got so excited about the giveaway that I forgot to leave my email address. It is: bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  18. Loved this post! Thanks so much for your heads up on this read. I have not had the pleasure of reading this author yet. So hope this will be a start. The synopsis on his books have been most intriguing. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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  19. Thanks for the chance to win! kristilewis.lrc@gmail.com

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  20. love your books thanks for chance. janngrogan@yahoo.com

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  21. Happy to have a chance to win a copy: callieann48103@comcast.net

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  22. Thanks for the chance to win! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  23. This looks like a great read. Thank you for the chance. Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

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  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. I have every book in this series except Twelve Angry Librarians. I haven't read the series yet. norbert8bubba(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. Thank you for the review, this sounds like a great series. I will be checking out the first book of the series to get acquainted with the characters.
    ceciliayoung(@)gmx.com

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  27. Would love to read! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  28. would love to read this one sounds right up my alley!

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  29. I am going to have to start this series! Thanks for the giveaway. MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com

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  30. This was such a great review, so thank you for that. I really liked the first books in this series so winning this book would give me the investor to catch up on the ones missed which I would love to do. Thank you so much. Cynthia B. ceblain@tmlponline.net

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  31. Seems like I have been waiting a long time for this book. bessert57@gmail.com

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  32. Nice review - definitely putting on my list to read!
    Debbie.erickson14@gmail.com

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  33. Thank-you for the review. Haven't read this series, yet.
    kckendler at gmail dot com

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  34. This was an awesome review, very helpful and insightful. I have been wanting to start this series so would love to win the newest book as an excuse! barbie17 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  35. I have throughly enjoyed this series and his other ones, I would love a copy of the new book if you'd pick me.
    waltkbarbw@gmail.com

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  36. I'm a retired librarian, so I know I would love this series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  37. I'd love this for our library!
    Florence.evans60@gmail.com

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  38. Mark I am so glad that you reviewed this one and have the print copy to give to someone. I would love to read and post reviews on goodreads and amazon then give to a new library who has not very many cozies. ptclayton2@aol.com

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  39. I would love to win. Thank you for the chance.
    angelbear19662000@yahoo.com

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  40. I don't know how I missed this series. It sounds like one I would really enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway!
    mittens-831 at aol dot com

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  41. Great review! I need to catch up on this series! Thanks for the opportunity. chatcozy1 at gmail dot com

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  42. This is a giveaway I'd love to win!! Thanks for offering it! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. Nice review, thanks! I would love to read this book. My email address - ramosp@comcast.net

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  44. I love this series and would love to win a copy of Twelve Angry Librarians, Thanks for the chance. vlhcats@gmail.com

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  45. Really enjoyed your review. I love this series and I can't wait to see what Charlie and Diesel are up too. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  47. Wonderful review! I love this series. Thank you for the giveaway. hcalhoun78@yahoo.com

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  48. I love everything about this long-running series! So generous of you to offer a review copy to your readers! katecollier14610 AT gmail DOT com

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  49. Sounds like another great ride. Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. What a wonderful review! I've been meaning to get started on this series and I think now I'll have to bump it to the top of my list. My mom keeps telling me how good it is as well.
    bpwoodfield (at) gmail (dot) com

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  51. Great column. Would love to read this.
    quickchangeus@yahoo.com

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  52. MY CAT SPOT IS A BOOK LOVER.
    RSAXE@UTOLEDP.EDU

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  53. Mark, thank you so much for this fabulous review!

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  54. I so enjoy this series. Thanks for the giveaway contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  55. I love this series and look forward to reading this. Thanks so much for the chance! eswright18 at gmail dot com

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  56. One of my favorite series. I'm so looking forward to reading this latest addition to the series. Thank you for the chance to win. robbfan141729(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  57. I love this series and love Diesel. What an amazing kitty. Thanks for the chance to win.
    scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

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