REQUIEM FOR A MOUSE

The Athena College library’s new employee seems to be harboring a secret that the longtime librarian and his Maine Coon cat are eager to crack.

The doldrums of mid-January can’t keep Charlie Harris down, particularly now that he’s only a month away from his long-anticipated wedding to Helen Louise Brady. His workload at the library has recently been lightened with the hire of hardworking Tara Martin, an odd duck who’s weirdly reclusive and prone to fits of rage. Charlie and his frequent feline co-worker, Diesel, have long experience when it comes to dealing with mercurial moods, so they’re more than capable of handling Tara, though it’s doubtful whether her blend of hard work and challenging temperament is a fit for her other part-time job at Helen Louise’s bistro. With someone so clearly on edge, it’s only a matter of time before the dam breaks, and Charlie wonders if that’s what he’s seeing when Tara darts off in the middle of a housewarming party for his son, Sean. Even though Charlie’s right on her heels, no one knows where she went until Charlie spots her, shivering and obviously terrified, hiding out in the property’s root cellar. What’s spooked her so badly? Charlie’s determined to find out, but before he can convince her to divulge whatever’s under her skin, Tara goes more seriously missing. Expecting the worst, Charlie enlists Diesel’s help in his investigation. He’s determined not to stop until he learns the truth—as long as it doesn’t interfere with his upcoming nuptials.

In a world of cozies, an older male investigator stands out.