Out of Circulation by Miranda James is the 4th book in the “Cat in the Stacks” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, January 2013

Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the librarian with a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel. He’s returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but when a feud erupts between the town’s richest ladies, the writing on the wall spells murder.

The Ducote sisters are in a tiff with Vera Cassity over the location of this year’s library fund-raising gala, and Charlie would rather curl up in a corner than get into the fray. It seems everyone–even his housekeeper, Azalea–has it in for Vera. And at the gala, she gives them good reason, with a public display of rancor aimed at anyone who gets in her way.

But those bitter words wind up being her last. When Charlie discovers Azalea standing over Vera’s dead body, it’s up to him–with a little help from Diesel–to clear Azalea’s name, and catch a killer before his last chapter is finished.

When his housekeeper becomes tangled in a murder, Charlie dons his investigation cap and in the process uncovers some deep dark secrets, one of which will lead to the apprehension of the killer.

WOW! I could not put this book down once I started. I always get a sense of home coming every time I make a visit to Athena where I get to spend time with Charlie, Diesel and the rest of the gang, especially when there’s a murder mystery to solve. The author did a great job in keeping me glued to the pages as I had to know what was going to happen next. A lot of warm felt emotions were played out in this story, especially when the killer was revealed. This is the best book ever in this magnificent series and I can’t wait to see what adventures the Harris clan will have on our next visit.