Miranda James is one of the authors on the Cozy Mystery site who writes under a number of pseudonyms including Honor Hartman, Jimmie Ruth Evans, & Dean James. “Miranda” is also one of my favorite non-female Cozy Mystery writers >>> yes, “she” is actually Dean James, a fact that is not a spoiler since he announces it on his own site for the Cat in the Stacks series.
The sleuth in this series has some things in common with the author including living in Houston, Texas (at one time or another) In the sleuth’s case, Charlie has returned to his hometown in Mississippi. Charlie and Miranda are also cat lovers and librarians.
Murder Past Due is the story of Charlie and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, who need to solve a murder after the return of his long-ago high school classmate, Geoffrey Priest, the now-famous writer, for a function at the small college they also both attended.
Charlie lives in Athena, Mississippi, in the large house left to him by his Aunt Dottie a year or so ago. Charlie had been widowed some time before he left Houston and has two adult children who do not live in the Mississippi town. More importantly for the series, Charlie has the Maine Coon cat, Diesel, as his nearly constant companion. Diesel is a quite unusual cat, not only for his 25-pound size, but for his allowing Charlie to walk him on a leash. Diesel is also very affectionate and quite empathetic. Diesel is really more like a dog than most cats are!
Charlie takes it upon himself to help solve the murder not only because he found the body >>> that alone would have been enough in most Cozy Mysteries >>> but also because his housekeeper’s daughter is the Deputy Sheriff in charge of the investigation. And, his student boarder, Justin, was involved with the victim just enough to make him a prime suspect.
This is a Cozy Mystery series where the cat theme really is prominent. Diesel doesn’t seem to have any magical powers, but he sure is well-behaved and is so, so empathetic. Anytime anyone needs some comforting, Diesel is right there for them. Diesel also goes with Charlie everywhere including to Charlie’s part-time job as the college library’s archivist. Diesel even attends the victim’s memorial service. Miranda James somehow makes all this seem plausible. It is a delight to read about Diesel and Charlie. If you like stories with a heavy dose of a lovable cat, you will love this series!
The book is a fun, light read with memorable characters. Sometimes, just when I start to think that all of my favorite Cozy Mystery authors are women, I am reminded of Miranda James (Dean James) along with several other men authors I really enjoy reading, and I realize that whether the author is a man or a woman, a great story with interesting characters is really what it is all about. There are seven books already published in this series, and the eighth is scheduled for 2017. I look forward to reading about Charlie and Diesel for many years!
As always, if you’re interested in seeing more highlights of some of the most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Rob says
Danna: I love this series and I don’t like Cats that much but the writing is very light, entertaining and fun. I have read all of the Cat in the Stacks series and the Southern Ladies series that branched off from it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, I do intend to look at the Southern Ladies series as well eventually – but not too soon since there are so many great authors that deserve a look like this.
Jay says
Oh, the Southern Ladies Series is well worth reading! 80 and 84 year old sisters Miss An’gel and Miss Dickse Ducote are hot-tickets in the social graces, nosing around, helping the needy, and solving murders. Delightful.
Candy Walden says
I love this series wonderful books who could not fall in love with Charlie and Diesel. I’m on my second book looking foward to the rest. Will check into the Southern Series.
Barbara says
I am currently reading this series. I just checked out No Cats Allowed from the library. It is indeed a great series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbara, it’s always great to find that a series this popular is as good as its reputation suggests.
Pat says
Our Maine coon was almost as well trained as Diesel, we trained him to the leash and was a great companion. I enjoyed this series so much that I emailed Miranda James and received a reply almost immediately. Great reads and and a responsive author, great combo.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pat, Maine Coons must be a relatively well behaved breed of cat – I haven’t heard of too many leash-trained cats before! Glad to hear that Diesel isn’t necessarily the complete outlier I would have expected.
Lisa says
Love this series! Just finished the 3rd one.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lisa, I hope you continue enjoying the series! I wish that my reading schedule would allow me to continue with this one – but unfortunately my time is so limited these days that lately it feels like I’ve just been reading the first in every series I try.
Mg says
Cat in the Stacks is one of my favorite series!
The spin off series of the two sisters introduced in the Stacks series is also great!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mg, I’ve heard that as well – another series that I’m hoping to get around to sooner or later!
Julie says
One of my favorite cozy mystery series. I am always waiting impatiently for the next book in the series. I love Diesel and Charlie and all the other assorted characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julie, well I hope that you enjoy it as much as you hope – I know it’s always frustrating to wait on a new book from a favorite author. At least you will have something to look forward to in February!
Shirley says
Love listening to this series and reading his new series “A Witches Cat Mystery” under one of his other names, Delia James.
B says
Hi Shirley! I’m not sure if you will see this but I wanted to put it out there so others are not confused. Delia James is not Dean James and as far as I can tell they are not related. Danna has a page for Delia James listing her Witch’s Cat mysteries. Unless there is a secret that I’m unaware of these are two separate authors and not another pseudonym. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
B, that’s correct – I should have caught that and responded myself, but I’m pretty sure that you are right and Delia James and Dean James are not the same person. (It gets so hard with some authors keeping all the pen names straight – Dean James is unfortunately one of those!)
Shirley says
Thanks Danna and B. This site is the best.
Margaret StashEmpress says
I’m not that into “cat” series — particularly not the “heavy duty” ones. 😉 I do love his Simon Kirby-Jones series (written as Dean James) and wish he had continued those!!!!!!!
NikkiL says
Love this series. I always stop at Murder by the Book bookstore when I’m in Houston. It was there that I discovered this series. I’m not a cat person but I love Diesel and his very proper owner.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
NikkiL, a lot of people have goot things to say about Murder by the Book store. I don’t get to Houston too often, but I’ll definitely try to stop in the next time I’m there.
Petie says
Absolutely love Dean James & all his series of books. While he was here in Houston at his MURDER BY THE BOOK store, my twin sister Katie and I would always make it a point on our ‘twin week-end’ to visit the store. What a great guy and just as nice. His books never fail to put a smile on our faces just like being with him in person.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, I keep intending to visit Murder by the Book, but I don’t get out to Houston too often. I’ll have to take the time some time when possible.
stellans says
This is my favorite non-female authored cozy series too! I also enjoy his Southern Ladies series. I’d love to find some of the Jimmy Ruth Evans books on Kindle some day.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stellans, I definitely agree with you – this is sure a good one!
Linda Cooper says
Danna, I didn’t think I would like the “Cat in the Stack” series. I thought ” Oh no! another cat story!!’ Don’t get me wrong. I love cats. I’ve had a few of my own over the years . But I have two little dogs now. Plus my daughter has an allergy to cat dander. But there are so many Cozies with cats and dogs on the front covers of the books that I just thought ” Oh no , another cat story!!!!’
But then one of the books, ( I can’t remember which one) had an American Civil War theme in it. After to reading that one particular book I was hooked! I had to find all of the other books in the series and read the whole series!!!
That series has cured me. I am reading all Cozies with cats and dogs on the front covers!!!!
There sure has been lots of good books for those of us who frequent your web site. I don’t always post a lot but I do check you out almost everyday. Love your site and I love reading the postings from the other people.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, well I’m glad that you’re giving cat and dog Cozies a chance – avoiding anything with a pet theme is going to definitely limit your options in the Cozy world! And whether you post every day or just when the mood strikes you, I’m always glad to hear from site visitors!
Lenora says
Just discovered Cat in the Stacks last year and it is one of my new favs! Have read every book in the series. Thanks for spotlighting Miranda James.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lenora, I’m always glad to discover a common interest in an author, and one as good as Miranda James seems to have a lot of fellow enthusiasts!
keytickler2003 says
I absolutely adore this series! I had a cat very much like Diesel and still miss him every single day. He was a big lover and although he didn’t go everywhere with me, he had most of Diesel’s endearing qualities….a big purr, an affectionate, and laidback temperament, and a big, furry body that loved to cuddle with everyone. Even if you don’t like cats (perish the thought), you’ll enjoy this series with its very loveable feline star.
Stephanie Brodersen says
Above you had written this, howrver when i click through I don’t see this author in any form on the list?? This popular series is the next of the most popular and most recommended series that I’m taking a look at.
I’m confused and I am loving this series!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stephanie, whoops, this one should be added now, thanks!