Classified as Murder by Miranda James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 stars to Miranda James‘s Classified as Murder. I very much enjoyed this classic cozy tale. It is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story with all the key elements from a family of potential killers, a mysterious theft, and more going on that anyone realizes!
Story
James Delacorte, a single and eccentric octogenarian, hires Charlie Harris, eccentric librarian extraordinaire, to uncover a potential book thief in his own family. James suspects his ruthless family may be stealing from him, but he doesn’t suspect they’d go as far as killing him. But it happens! And right before he dies, James amends his will adding in a codicil to have Charlie inventory the library and become the collection’s custodian for Athena College in their small Missisippi town. When a second death occurs, Charlie realizes there’s more going on that everyone realizes… Is is the secretive grand-niece, the manipulative grand-nephew, the loony in-law, the mean sister or the loyal butler?
There’s also a good sidestory introducing Charlie’s estranged son back into the fold forcing Charlie to determine how to heal old wounds from when his wife passed away and his kids felt a bit neglected.
Strengths
1. It’s a classic whodunit with all the remnants of an Agatha Christie tale.
2. Seeing more of Charlie’s relationships with his family, you learn to like him even more. I want to see what happens to him in the future.
Weaknesses
A bit of an abrupt end. I would like to hear more about what happens next with the book collection, the family who has to move on and the new houseguest. Perhaps that’s in book 3 of the series.
Final Thoughts
Charlie Harris grows on you. His herd of helpers is building. His relationships are expanding and gaining depth. I’d like to learn more about the town and how it all comes together. Book 3 will move up on my “To Read” list.