A Cat in the Stacks

If you read my review of the Southern Sisters Mysteries, you might be wondering were Diesel came from.  In Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James, we meet Charlie Harris, Athena College archivist and part-time librarian. Diesel, his Maine coon cat, is as much a part of the library as the rare books. When Charlie speaks to him, he almost seems to understand what is being said.

In Arsenic and Old Books Mayor Long brings Charlie four volumes of a diary written by Rachel Afton Long from the 1820s through the Civil War and beyond. With the mayor's son Beck running for the Senate, she wants the public to know about the long-storied history of the Long family, and she feels the journals will help promote their successes. Charlie is skeptical especially as Beck's opponent is a member of the Singletary family, historic rivals of the Long family.

Two people vie for exclusive rights to the diaries: history professor Marie Steverton and journalist

Kelly Grimes. Before either of them can present their case, the volumes are stolen. Also missing from the College's archives is a memoir written by Rachel's granddaughter-in-law Angeline McCarthy Long. Is this a simple coincidence or is there something more going one?

When Marie is killed by a hit and run driver, Charlie discovers the missing diaries in his office once again. To further complicate matters, the mayor returns with an as yet undiscovered additional volume of Rachel Long's dairies.

As Charlie reads through the diaries, he discovers some contradictory entries and seeks to find the answers to the puzzle.

History has always fascinated me, and Southern history is so much more important to the families than those of us from the North. History, family secrets and intrigue going back several decades leads to murder and disgrace. I enjoyed this book very much,

The first book in the series is Murder Past Due.