Requiem for a Mouse - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Requiem For a Mouse (Cat in the Stacks Mystery #16) by Miranda James

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  At last, Charlie and Helen Louise’s wedding is only a month away. They’re busy preparing for the big day, and the last thing Charlie needs is a new mystery to solve. Enter Tara Martin, a shy, peculiar woman who has recently started working part-time at Helen Louise’s bistro and helping Charlie in the archive. Tara isn’t exactly friendly and she has an angry outburst at the library that leaves Charlie baffled. And then she abruptly leaves a catered housewarming party Charlie’s son Sean is throwing to celebrate his new home in the middle of her work shift. Before ducking out of the party, Tara looked terrified and Charlie wonders if she’s deliberately trying to escape notice. Is she hiding from someone?

When Tara is viciously attacked and lands in the hospital, Charlie knows his instincts were correct: Tara was in trouble and someone was after her. With the help of his much beloved cat, Diesel, Charlie digs deeper, and discovers shocking glimpses into Tara’s past that they could never have predicted. Will they catch the villain before Charlie’s own happily ever after with Helen Louise is ruined?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the books in this series that I've read so of course I couldn't resist picking up this newest book!

My Impression:  I feel like it's been awhile since I checked in with Charlie and Diesel so I was so excited to catch up with all the fun characters that inhabit the world of Athena, Mississippi (which I'm pretty sure is loosely based on Oxford, MS - home of Ol' Miss).  Ramses, the younger much more mischievous cat, is in fine form terrorzing toddlers and providing some comic relief when he appears on the page.

The mystery is one of my favorite kinds of mysteries.  Yes, Charlie and crew are investigating who would have wanted Tara dead but they're also investigating Tara.  Who is she and what is she hiding?  In the time that they've known Tara she's been a closed book and to figure out who wants to hurt her they have to figure out who she is.  I love digging into the past and once the mystery got going I was hooked.  There is a bit of a slower start and the mystery is definitely a "slice of life" so there's lots of talk about food, what the cats are up to and Charlie's day.  This could feel a little frustrating for new readers but if you're a fan of the series it feels like catching up with friends.  

If you're looking for a cozy relaxing bookish series with cats this is a fun series to try!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I missed the beginning books of the series so I"m looking forward to reading those and will be picking up anything else by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like a bookish cozy and enjoy a slower "slice of life" pace this is a series I think you'd enjoy.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *