Charlie signs up to audit a class at his university. By the second session one of the students has been murdered and by the third session the lecturer has also been murdered.

Despite references to Jessica Fletcher in the book, nobody has drawn the obvious conclusion: if Charlie enters your social circle, get out fast. ( )

I can't help but repeat, "I love Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel as created by Miranda James, a pseudonym used by Dean James." To my absolute delight, there's a new furry resident in the house named Ramses. As he is quite ensconced in the family routine at Charlie's house I can't wait to read, Six Cats a Slayin' (Book 10 in the series) to learn "how" his initial arrival came to be and Diesel's reaction to his current role that he is proudly and devotedly carrying out as protective big brother as I somehow missed purchasing the novels in series order.

It's always exciting when there's a new twist in the revelation of the murder within the murder mystery or a new twist in the life of the amateur sleuth or the reveal as the suspect list narrows to one. In this novel, there's a new twist in each as I've identified which gives me an all new appreciation for the series.

I also think this novel may encourage other "mature" adults that yearn for more knowledge in a subject they are already passionate about or a subject that they've always wanted to learn to pursue the idea of auditing a college course following the example of Charlie Harris. When an individual that loves a character reads such an inspirational example, the character becomes a role model and helps the mindset turn from, "I can't. I wouldn't be accepted." to "Yes, I could do that too. I can! I will! I'm going do that!"

And of course, any review of this series would not be complete without expressing delight for the appearance of all the secondary characters that are so dearly loved and appreciated for each of their unique personalities that have been created by the author from Azalea, Charlie's housekeeper and mother of Chief Deputy Kanesha Berry, to Haskell and Stewart with his poodle Dante, and Charlie's dearest friend and love Helen Louise Brady, owner of a French bistro on the town square in Athena, and to Melba Gilley, Athena College library director’s administrative assistant to name just a few. ( )

When Charlie Harris decides to audit an Early Medieval History college course, all he expects is to learn something new. But when one of his classmates is murdered, Charlies has a few theories as to who the killer is although he tells the police that he will only give them information, not try to solve the murder himself. But when a second murder occurs, Charlies can’t help but get involved but he needs to be careful or he will be in very real danger.

“The Pawful Truth” is the nicely done eleventh book in Miranda James’ (pen name for author Dean James) Cat in the Stacks cozy mystery series. I love the fact that this series has a male as the amateur detective – this doesn’t happen often and Charlie is a great character – a loving father, grandfather, boyfriend, and he isn’t afraid to get involved in solving mysteries even if his family isn’t too happy about it. I also love the supporting characters in the book particularly Charlie’s housekeeper Azalea (my mouth waters just reading the descriptions of the meals she cooks!) and her daughter Chief Deputy Kanesha Berry who is very good at solving crimes but still welcomes Charlie’s help from time to time. And of course there is Diesel, Charlies Maine Coon Cat who is a much loved character in this series. Mixed in with the great characters is a great mystery with plenty of suspects, some twists and turns, and a nicely done sense of danger at the end of the book.

“The Pawful Truth” is a nicely done mystery by Miranda James. ( )

Charlie’s decision to audit a college course puts him in the thick of things when a classmate is found dead. There are several people involved, as well as some extra-curricular activity among some of the professors. Things get complicated, and there is more than one dustup between the main culprits. Charlie finally gets on the right track with a little detecting help from his friends. Unfortunately, Charlie puts himself in danger, wanting to trap the suspect. But it is his Maine Coon cat Diesel who saves the day - and Charlie’s neck. Author Miranda James has written another marvelous cozy, the eleventh in this delightful series. The characters are engaging and quite real, the plot is intriguing, and the cat acts like a cat, smart and adorable. Highly recommended for all mystery readers. ( )

The Pawful Truth by Miranda James is the eleventh A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. There is background information in the first half of The Pawful Truth to aid those who are new to A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. Personally, I suggest you begin with Murder Past Due. I always enjoying picking up the latest installment in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. Charlie Harris has always been interested in medieval history, so he decides to audit Dr. Carey Warriner’s class. While Dr. Warriner is a captivating instructor, his behavior outside the classroom leaves a lot to be desired. The green monster seems to have taken a hold on Dr. Warriner with regard to his lovely wife, Irene. After two people end up murdered, the Ducote sisters (on the board of Athena College) visit Charlie. They want him to delve into the case to help Kanesha Berry wrap it swiftly. I thought The Pawful Truth was well-written and the pace moved along steadily. Athena, Georgia is a small Southern college town with charming shops and some quirky residents. I like the cast of characters which includes Charlie, Diesel, Melba, Azalea, Helen Louise, Stewart, Haskell, the Ducote Sisters, and, the newest member, Ramses. I like that Charlie is an older protagonist along with his love of books. He is a good man who loves his family, friends and fur babies. Charlie’s family is included so we can find out how his daughter-in-law is doing after her bout with postpartum depression. I can tell that the author has cats from the way she describes their behavior especially Ramses. When Ramses uses Charlie’s leg for a climbing tree, she perfectly described how it feels to have those sharp little claws digging into your leg. I just love Diesel’s little chirps. Those two cats are such charmers and their antics had me chuckling. The mystery had several viable suspects and there were good clues. It is a whodunit that can be solved before the solution is revealed, but that did not deter my enjoyment of this cozy mystery. I did feel there was to much speculation and repetition of case details. I did like seeing more of Miss Dickce Ducote. She has a mischievous side that likes to come out now and then. We also get to meet to two new ladies who are administrative assistants at the college, and they provide some helpful information. The Pawful Truth has rampant gossip, two suspicious deaths, a curious kitten, a distrustful spouse, a tolerant Maine Coon Cat, and an admittingly nosey librarian. ( )