Claws for Concern

Written by Miranda James

Narrated by Erin Bennett

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 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 . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781515976509

Reviews for Claws for Concern

[aztwinmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charlie and his Maine coon cat, Diesel, are looking into a cold case involving a cousin (by marriage). Charlie never even knew his uncle had a son, so meeting Bill is a major surprise. When he learns Bill is an alcoholic and suspected of killing an entire family twenty years before, Charlie doesn’t know what to think. Then Bill is deliberately run down and now Charlie wants to know why. A true crime mystery writer has approached Charlie about using his experiences in a new book and they team up to investigate the cold case. The identities of the murderer is not too much of a surprise, but the story is enjoyable. Diesel especially is a great character!

[newsieq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Librarian Charlie Harris, who volunteers with his hometown library in Athena, Mississippi, meets a new patron who turns out to be his cousin. Bill Delaney’s father married Charlie’s late aunt. Bill is a bit down on his luck and Charlie is inclined to invite him to stay at his home. But he thinks better of that idea when he learns that police in a nearby town suspect, but can’t prove, that he killed the Barber Family (mother, father and two sons) twenty years ago.About the same time, a true crime author, Jack Pemberton, approaches Charlie about the possibility of using one of Charlie’s amateur sleuthing “cases” as a subject for a book. Charlie isn’t so sure he wants the notoriety that would go along with such a book. But Jack and Charlie agree that they will look into the yet unsolved case of the Barber family murders. I love this series and all its recurring characters – and it’s interesting that the author incorporates Jack Pemberton into the story. Jack is a character straight from the pages of another mystery series written by Jimmie Ruth Evans, one of Miranda/Dean James’s pen names. I thought, however, that the author relied a bit too much on coincidence in this book AND the witnesses were all just a bit too talkative and actually had helpful information. One witness (who wasn’t interviewed by police at the time of the crime) was a man who kept a journal that provides a key piece of evidence – and who converted his youthful writings to a searchable database to make it incredible easy to retrieve. Too much to believe!Still, the story was interesting and there’s not much the author can do keep me from reading this series. After all, Miranda James is one of the few cozy-mystery writers I’ve read who knows to use possessive case before a gerund.

[lhaines56 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting. The folks go away for a book related retreat (what???). My only question is what happened to the marriage proposal between out main character and the lady who runs the cafe???. Forget their names at present.

[catherine_dilts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was going to be disappointed, because I thought I guessed the killer halfway through the book. I was surprised by the ending, and can say this is another excellent installment in the Cat in the Stacks series.

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very consistent cozy mysteries. No real surprises.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is only the second Cat in the Stacks Mystery I have read, but I really enjoyed it and had no trouble following this story. Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon Cat Diesel are well known for helping the police solve crimes. He receives a letter from Jack Pemberton, a writer of true crime, asking if they can meet to talk about a project. Charlie is not really interested. Meanwhile, Charlie meets a lonely gentleman at the library where he volunteers. It turns out that this man's father was married to Charlie's aunt. As more facts come out, Charlie finds out that he was a suspect in a multiple homicide 20 years earlier. It also occurred in the town where Jack Pemberton is from. When Bill Delaney is the victim of a hit and run that appears to be deliberate, Charlie and Jack begin investigating the cold case to see if they can either clear Charlie, or prove that he did it.

Charlie and Diesel are a delightful pair who love people, food, Charlie's grandson and justice. They work well together as Diesel is an excellent judge of character. I have read many cozies where the amateur sleuth is intrusive and often rude putting themselves at risk, but not so with Charlie and his friend Jack. They work well together and both have good intuition. Will they find out who killed the family? Will Bill be guilty? Is Bill in danger? This is a well paced story with a good plot line. The investigation did not occur until about halfway through the book, but I still very much enjoyed this story and the characters in it. I will definitely look for more books in this series and from this author. I received this book from the First To Read Program, the comments and review is my honest opinion.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charlie is approached by a writer, Jack Pemberton, who wants to include Charlie’s escapades with murder in a new book. Meanwhile, Charlie makes the acquaintenance of an elderly man who has a connection to Charlie’s family. Before long, Charlie and Jack find themselves embroiled in a cold murder case that may induce the murderer to strike again. Of course, the star of this series is Diesel, the Maine Coon cat that goes nearly everywhere with Charlie. The charm of this series lies in the well-developed and likable returning characters, and in the engrossing story that author Miranda James always manages to keep fresh and intriguing.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[lisaksbookreviews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[kathl33n-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am very on the fence with this rating. This book is the ninth in the series but the first that I have read. I immediately liked it. The writing was really comfortable and the characters felt easy and familiar. My problem, which almost made me give up around 70 pages, is that nothing happened in that first third of the book except the main character's wanderings through his everyday life. The murder, in this case an old one from 20 years ago, didn't come out in the story until almost the halfway point. This is a pet peeve of mine. Cozies are short and I want my murder right up front. My other pet peeve is when the murder to be solved is in the past. I like my dead bodies fresh :) But, I forged on, and in the end, I wound up really liking this. The mystery was actually very solid and the outcome surprised me. Thank you to Berkley books for providing me with an advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[pattylouise_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Claws For ConcernByMiranda JamesWhat it's all about...Charlie and his much loved Maine Coon Cat...Diesel...are sleuths...they both like being involved in crime solving. This is my first venture into this series. Charlie is sort of semi retired and volunteers with Diesel at his local library. In fact...Charlie and Diesel are mostly always together. When Charlie goes to bed...Diesel is right next to him with his little kitty head on his own pillow. However...I shouldn’t refer to Diesel as little...he is huge for a cat...he weighs nearly 40 pounds and can stretch his kitty body out to almost four feet! Why I wanted to read it...I loved the title of this book and I was in the mood for a nice Southern cozy mystery. I certainly got what I wanted when I read this book. What made me truly enjoy this book...Charlie meets an “almost” relative at his library. This leaves Charlie and the man he meets with lots of unanswered questions. While learning about this relationship an old unsolved crime involving this man comes to light. Events begin to happen based on this...some really dangerous situations and tons of unanswered questions about the past. Charlie...along with Diesel...starts to investigate. Charlie just can’t seem to help himself. Why you should read it, too...Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries should truly enjoy this one. It’s well written and while not exactly a page turner for me...it was a pleasant reading experience. I think I might want to read another book of Charlie and Diesel’s adventures just to get a better feel for them. Although Charlie is really remiss in the way he feeds sweet Diesel. “I received an advance reader’s copy from the publisher and NetGalley through Amazon. These are my honest thoughts.”