By Katie Neal
Six Cats A Slayin', opens a new window, by Miranda James, is the 10th entry in the Cat in the Stacks, opens a new window cozy mystery series featuring college librarian Charlie Harris and his dependable sidekick, the Maine Coon cat Diesel. It’s the Christmas season, and Charlie has a new neighbor, the mysterious but nosy and irritating real estate agent Gerry Albritton, who rubs him the wrong way when she flirtatiously invites him to a party to celebrate the holiday. She’s a bold and pushy sort who won’t take no for an answer.
Gerry quickly makes an enemy of the entire neighborhood when she begins to distribute flyers advertising that she’s buying up houses. The neighbors don’t like the too-bright, garish light display on her front lawn either. Charlie asks around and discovers that Gerry may not really be who she says she is. Her past is shrouded in mystery. When Gerry is murdered at her own party, the neighborhood kicks into full gossip mode. Nobody liked her, and suspicion swirls around the jealous wife of one of the party-goers. But who really killed her?
Adding to the mystery of Gerry’s murder, Charlie opens his front door one morning to find a box of five kittens on his doorstep. Where did they come from? Charlie is flummoxed, but Diesel takes it in stride. He appoints himself as their protector and guardian.
A varied cast of characters inhabit this light, cozy mystery set in small-town America. Cats also play a role, including the chatty Diesel, so if you’re a cat lover and a fan of stories with a bit of intrigue and an easy-going, non-threatening mystery, this book may be the perfect holiday treat for Santa to put in your stocking.
Talking Books, opens a new window customers, ask for book DB 94075 to request this title.
