For the best experience, we recommend reading the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries in publication order. Because the characters grow, form relationships, and face life changes that carry over from one book...
For the best experience, we recommend reading the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries in publication order. Because the characters grow, form relationships, and face life changes that carry over from one book to the next, following their journey chronologically ensures you won't encounter major character spoilers.
Cat in the Stacks Main Series in Publication Order
The main series consists of the following 17 novels. Note that while some databases record the fourth book as a late 2012 release, official publisher records list its publication in January 2013.
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Murder Past Due (2010)
Classified as Murder (2011)
File M for Murder (2012)
Out of Circulation (2013)
The Silence of the Library (2014)
Arsenic and Old Books (2015)
No Cats Allowed (2016)
Twelve Angry Librarians (2017)
Claws for Concern (2018)
Six Cats a Slayin' (2018)
The Pawful Truth (2019)
Careless Whiskers (2020)
Cat Me If You Can (2020)
What the Cat Dragged In (2021)
Hiss Me Deadly (2023)
Requiem for a Mouse (2024)
Something Whiskered (2025)
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The Southern Ladies Mysteries Spin-Off
The vibrant Ducote sisters, Miss An'gel and Miss Dickce, are introduced in Out of Circulation (Book 4) as close friends of Charlie Harris. They eventually branched out into their own spin-off series, the Southern Ladies Mysteries (also called the Southern Sisters series). While this spin-off is optional, reading it alongside the main series adds wonderful flavor to the town of Athena.
We recommend starting the spin-off after reading Book 4 of the main series. The four spin-off novels are:
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Bless Her Dead Little Heart (2014)
Dead with the Wind (2015)
Digging Up the Dirt (2016)
Fixing to Die (2017)
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Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The only exception is the festive tenth book, Six Cats a Slayin', which takes place during the Christmas season. However, it still fits best when read in its publication slot between Claws for Concern and The Pawful Truth to keep character arcs aligned. There are no co-authored books or standalone novellas in the series, making this a very straightforward reading path.
Frequently Asked
QWhere should I start reading the Cat in the Stacks series?
You should start with the first novel, Murder Past Due (2010). Reading the series in order is highly recommended to follow the personal growth and changing relationships of librarian Charlie Harris, his family, and his cat Diesel.
QWhat is the spin-off series and when should I read it?
The spin-off is the Southern Ladies Mysteries starring the Ducote sisters, An'gel and Dickce. They are introduced in the main series book Out of Circulation, so you should read that book before starting their spin-off.
QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?
No, the storyline progresses naturally in publication order. The only holiday-themed book is Six Cats a Slayin', which fits perfectly when read in its release order.
QHow many books are in the Cat in the Stacks series?
As of 2025, there are 17 full-length novels in the main series. The latest installment is Something Whiskered, published in July 2025, which takes the cozy mystery to Ireland.
QWho writes the Cat in the Stacks series?
The series is written by Dean James, a former medical librarian who uses the pseudonym Miranda James.
QAre there any short stories or novellas in this series?
No. Unlike some other cozy mystery series, the Cat in the Stacks series consists entirely of full-length novels with no official standalone novellas or short stories.
