Arsenic and Old Books

December 22, 2014
In James’s diverting sixth cozy featuring librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel (after 2014’s The Silence of the Library), Mayor Lucinda Long donates a set of Civil War–era family diaries to the archives of Athena College in Athena, Miss. Interest in the volumes is surprisingly high—so high that they disappear from Charlie’s locked office. Politics enters the picture when rumor has it that the diaries contain a Long family secret that could affect the race Lucinda’s son, Beck, is running against an old family rival for the state senate. Soon the books mysteriously reappear, and everyone’s attention turns to the murder of an unpopular Athena faculty member who was involved with the diaries. What could be so shocking in the Long family history that someone would kill for it? Once again, series fans will learn that the library holds more than dusty tomes, besides enjoying a visit with their favorite oversized cat. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

February 1, 2015

When college librarian Charlie Harris takes possession of a set of Civil War-era diaries from the mayor of Athena, MS, they become the focus of a political and tenure battle that results in the death of one of the interested parties. In this sixth series entry (after The Silence of the Library), Charlie and his feline companion Diesel are once again drawn into Southern family scandals.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
Lucinda Beckwith Long, mayor of Athena, Mississippi, delivers four diaries to Charlie Harris, librarian and archivist at Athena College. The diaries were kept by an ancestor of Lucinda's husband and cover the Civil War period. Almost before he can complete their accessioning, Charlie receives a phone call from a reporter demanding a look at the material; a visit follows from an unpleasantand untenuredmember of the history faculty insisting on exclusive access, with threats to call in favors from the mayor, with whom she went to school. Then, in a short space of time, the diaries are stolen from Charlie's office, the faculty member is killed in a hit-and-run, and the diaries are returned. When he is able to read the returned diaries, assisted by his cat, Diesel, Charlie figures out their significance and works with Deputy Chief Kanesha Berry to identify the killer. Diesel talks as much as Koko, from Lilian Jackson Braun's the Cat Who series, which should delight Braun's fans looking for a new cat to follow.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)