[Poll Tally] No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks, #7) – Miranda James - 3 stars

[Linda C]

Let me begin by saying this is one of the best cozy series for mystery plotting and having an MC that does not act stupid while looking into a murder. He is at the scene or talking to suspects in a legitimate capacity. Things progress logically. When the Library Interim Director is killed Charlie works upstairs and is around when things happen. He passes things along to the Detective handling the case. Secondary characters are believable and provide needed information. All great things for a good cozy.

However, I have had it with the snide remarks about non cat lovers. I have put those comments under a spoiler so as not to offend any cat lovers extraordinaire here. (view spoiler)[Over the years anyone who has made any remark about the cat being in an establishment that normally doesn't allow them, has been humiliated publicly for their concerns and told to leave by management. Not the way to run a business. In this book Charlie alludes to Diesel as having been his companion everywhere for years and that now “I couldn't suddenly start leaving him at home...he would be unhappy...I would certainly be unhappy at work, worrying about him.” Really? Many cat and dog owners, even those who consider pets like their kids, do not take them everywhere they go. When Charlie is contemplating quitting if he cannot bring Diesel to work, he acknowledges people might question his decision. His response to himself “Those who would question, however, were not people I particularly cared to know.” So, if his son were to say, “Hey Dad, maybe you should leave Diesel with Azalea for the few hours you are at work. You're only working part time.” Oops, sorry son I don't think I want to know you anymore. Then there are these: Diesel can tell good people from bad; he can calm those stressed; and he eats people food from your hands at the table (where do those hands go then!). Also Charlie works in rare books, a place where researchers and staff often have to wear white gloves. Definitely no cats would be around these materials. (hide spoiler)] There are also a few things about library management that I found questionable here and I know that Dean A. James (AKA Miranda James) was a medical librarian for 20 years, but this library lacked a lot of checks and balances that many libraries handling this size budget would have in place. So in the end, it's Good-bye, Charlie to this series. Though I don't think Charlie would care if this non cat-lover leaves.