Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Blog Tour Stop: The Silence of the Library by Miranda James

Please join me in welcoming the author behind Miranda James, Dean James to Debbie's Book Bag today. Dean is here promoting his book, The Silence of the Library. Enjoy this guest post about his inspiration for his latest book in the Cat in the Stacks series. Don't forget to check out my review following the guest post and the publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Silence of the Library, see details at the end.

I blame Nancy Drew...

        I blame Nancy Drew for my life of crime. Reading it and writing it, that is.
I was ten when I borrowed The Secret of Shadow Ranch from a cousin. It was the first mystery I ever read, and I was hooked. Then, to my delight, I discovered this was only one of a long series of adventures in which Nancy solved mystery after mystery. Just as exciting, I soon found other amateur mystery-solvers: the Hardy Boys, the Dana Girls, Judy Bolton, Trixie Belden, and many more. By the time I began reading adult mysteries, my love of the amateur detective was completely entrenched.
When I decided I wanted to write a mystery myself, I knew my main character would be an amateur. After all, I’m not a policeman, or a lawyer, or a private detective. But I do have a healthy dose of curiosity about the world around me and the people in it. Charlie Harris, the sleuth in my “Cat in the Stacks” series, is just like me in that respect. He’s also about my age (fiftyish, if you must know), he’s a librarian, he grew up in Mississippi, and he has a Maine coon cat. That’s as far as it goes, however. (I have two cats, by the way, neither of which is a Maine coon. Also, Diesel is much better behaved than my two.)
I wanted to incorporate my knowledge of, and love for, these juvenile series books into one of my own books, and in the new book, The Silence of the Library, I have done so. I created a series character in the mold of Nancy Drew and the other girl detectives and called her Veronica Thane. The author of the series, Electra Barnes Cartwright, was inspired by Mildred Wirt Benson (the first writer, aka “Carolyn Keene”, of the Nancy Drew series, Margaret Sutton, author of the Judy Bolton series, and Julie Campbell Tatham, the original author of Trixie Belden. In fact the book is dedicated to their memories.

The most fun part of writing this book for me was the “excerpts” from the first Veronica Thane book. I reread some of my favorite girl detective stories from the 1930s to get a sense of the style in my head, and off I went. I hope readers will get a kick out of this aspect of the story. Of course, The Silence of the Library includes murder – a subject that usually didn’t come up in the classic juvenile series books. But when you get a number of rabid book collectors together, with hints of a rare and highly collectible volume, something deadly is sure to happen.


The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Stacks - Book 5) by Miranda James

Publication Date: 01/28/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425257282
ISBN-13: 978-0425257289

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Miranda James on the WEB: websitefacebook, goodreads

Books in the series

Murder Past Due (2010), Classified as Murder (2011), File M for Murder (2012), Out of Circulation (2013), The Silence of the Library (2014)

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.




Synopsis:

Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the librarian with a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel. He’s returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but a celebrated author’s visit draws an unruly swarm of fanatic mystery buffs…and one devious killer.

It’s National Library Week, and the Athena Public Library is planning an exhibit to honor the centenary of famous novelist Electra Barnes Cartwright—creator of the beloved Veronica Thane series.

Charlie has a soft spot for Cartwright’s girl detective stories (not to mention an extensive collection of her books!). When the author agrees to make a rare public appearance, the news of her whereabouts goes viral overnight, and series devotees and book collectors converge on Athena.

After all, it’s rumored that Cartwright penned Veronica Thane stories that remain under wraps, and one rabid fan will stop at nothing—not even murder—to get hold of the rare books…


Thoughts:

The Silence of the Library is the fifth book in the Cat in the Stacks series by author Miranda James. Long time fans of the series always enjoy a visit with librarian, Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon Cat, Diesel. This title is a nod to the girl detective series like Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon and will make cozy readers nostalgic for the reads of their childhood. James always delivers a mystery that is entertaining and full of surprises and this one is no different. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

As always with this series, I love the fact that we have a hero, rather than a heroine. Too many cozy mystery writers believe that the protagonist has to be female for cozy readers to enjoy. Miranda/Dean James proves that theory wrong. Charlie Harris is a well beloved character who has a different perspective on amateur sleuthing perhaps because of his gender. I thought James did a wonderful job of developing this character and continues to delight readers with his antics.

Diesel the Maine Coon Cat is always a favorite with this series. He doesn't have magical abilities or anything like that. He is just a companion, a partner in crime, if you will and he adds a certain flavor to book that is unmistakable. Charlie practically takes Diesel everywhere with him and that includes sleuthing. Diesel is as big as a small dog and would be hard to go unnoticed. I just think Diesel adds something to story that is hard to describe but easy to understand.

The main reason I was so taken with this particular book in the series, was the girl detective theme that James uses. I was a huge fan of girl detective stories when I was young and it led me to books by authors and like Agatha Christie and then to the cozies I enjoy as an adult like The Silence of the Library. That homage or nod to the authors like Mildred Wirt Benson and Julie Campbell Tatham was simply magical. I loved the nostalgic feel this book gives off and I know many cozy readers will as well.

The mystery aspects of this novel were very well written. I always enjoy the fact that James allows Charlie to have his own way with the investigation. He doesn't have to resort to going behind the backs of authorities and he doesn't sleuth where sleuthing isn't warranted. He knows the right questions to ask to the right suspects or witnesses or even killers. This was one was a little hard to figure out which is a good thing and I didn't have it until the last couple of chapters. The suspect list was believable as well. Rare book collectors are definitely a breed of their own and James did a wonderful job of bringing that world to life for the reader.

What I didn't like:

There weren't any huge glaring mistakes with this one. James as usual provides a very succinct mystery that is beautiful in it's simplicity and still complex enough to keep the reader glued to the pages. 

Bottom Line:

If you are a fan of this series, The Silence of the Library is easily my favorite so far. James delivers a cozy that is entertaining and harkens back to the girl detectives of old. His style and prose make readers want to continue reading about Charlie and Diesel. Definitely, a keeper!

The Silence of the Library is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!



About the Author:


Miranda James is a pseudonym for Dean James, the Agatha Award-winning author of several works of mystery nonfiction as well as four mystery series including the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series.


Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Silence of the Library by Miranda James.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, February 12th.

1. Please leave a comment describing any book signings or special author events you have been to.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

18 comments:

traveler said...

I have attended a few author talks and book signings. interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

Our area of the country doesn't attract authors that I read. Usually it is someone that I haven't heard of or I just don;t read that genre,like how to get ahead in business.

But!! I did go to a cunseling convention in the past and will always of have memories of it. If I had brought my books, they would have signed them. The outstanding authors were Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique) and Alex Haley (Roots). I loved them both.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Karen B said...

Back in the 60s-70s I happened to walk into a bookstore a few times that was having an author signing. A tight schedule and 2 or 3 kids with me meant I didn't stay!

NoraA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NoraA said...

In the past few years I've attended an number of readings/signings. I've been to crowded ones (Charlaine Harris)and intimate ones (my friend Clea Simon)and then there's the latest one I attended. An evening with Larry Block, talking about his latest Burglar book.

I was actually the first in line for a signing of his new book and 3 that I'd brought from home. I handed him my business card and told him I was sure he would get a kick out of my tagline (World Class Pain in the Ass)and he certainly did laugh. In fact he signed it to me and added "World Class" to the inscription. Definitely a wonderful evening.

FYI I needed to do the address page 2x, the first time didn't take my address.

lag123 said...

I once attended a book signing for Lucy Buffett (yes Jimmy's sister). She was signing for the release of her cookbook at Barnes and Noble. I stood in line for hours.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Elizabeth Schroedle said...

I have never attended a book signing or an author event. Oh, how I want to but life and work keep getting in the way.

bn100 said...

Haven't been to anny

Dotty Kelley said...

I've gone to a book signing or two but didn't have the time or patience to wait in line for hours, so I left.

Sue Farrell said...

I live in the north woods of Minnesota so book signings or author events are far and few between. The only ones I've noticed locally are for children's books---and I don't have children so I have had no interest.

Nancy said...

It's been a while, not a whole lot of those in my town. A few years back our library had one that I went to after he gave a talk about writing.

Linda said...

I attend the author events at murder by the book in Houston - every chance I can. Especially the cozy Mystery authors.

Angela - Bookaunt said...

I have not had the pleasure to meet an author in person yet, but hope to some day. I have done online interviews though through my blog.

Anita Yancey said...

I have not gone to any book signings or special author events. They are usually held to far away or are happening when I can't attend. But I hope to go in the future.

ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

Karin said...

I have never been to any book signings.

Sounds like a good book.

Brooke Showalter said...

I haven't been to any book signings or author events. :( I live in a small town, no big cities nearby, and haven't experienced anything like that before. I would love to, though!

Carol M said...

I haven't been to any book signings.

holdenj said...

I went to an awesome one last summer for Craig Johnson. He writes the Walt Longmire mysteries and was a great speaker too!