He has won the Agatha and Macavity Awards for his non-fiction and has twice been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biographical work. Miranda James is a pseudonym for Dean James, the author of over twenty books, both mystery fiction and non-fiction. You don’t have to read the first two books in the series to be able to enjoy this one, but as with all cozy series, part of the fun is getting to know the characters and visiting with them again in each new book. If you like cat mysteries and have not read this series, I highly recommend it. He’s just a thoroughly lovable cat who is an integral part of the story. I like that he is all cat: he does not talk except for his chirps and wharbles, and he does not solve the mystery. And of course, there’s Diesel. I fell in love with the cat in the first book in this series, Murder Past Due. It is well-plotted, and the protagonist and the secondary characters are multi-dimensional and likable. This cozy mystery makes for a leisurely and enjoyable read. With a little help from Laura’s brother Sean, and his faithful cat, Charlie follows a twisted trail of secrets and lies. She is not helping her case when she steals a thumb drive from the crime scene.Ĭharlie knows Laura didn’t kill Connor, and sets out to find the real killer to clear his daughter’s name. When Connor is found murdered, Laura is the prime suspect. Much to Charlie’s dismay, he learns that Lawton is Laura’s former boyfriend. Charlie’s daughter Laura has also returned to Athena to teach at the college. Charlie Harris’ first encounter with Lawton does not endear him to the man.

But File M for Murder is also a highly entertaining mystery : Famous playwright Connor Lawton, known not just for his plays, but also for his abrasive personality, returns to his hometown of Athena for a semester at the local college as writer-in-residence.

No cats allowed by miranda james