I enjoyed reading ARSENIC AND OLD BOOKS by Miranda James. It is packed with suspense throughout which will leave it hard for you to put down. With loveable characters that you would feel at home with, this novel is a must to put on your list to read. Miranda James starts it out at a great pace with all the events happening at a reasonable rate. I felt with such a great storyline the last chapter could have been extended a little more without the quick explanation of by whom and why the murder took place. I personally like my suspense to last until the end with that "Oh my, what will happen to them" as the main character gets himself in a bind. However, all in all it is still a great read I would recommend as long as you do not mind the lack of suspense at the end.

The main character, Charlie, works in Athena College's archive when the mayor approached him with her husband's ancestor's diaries from the civil war. She, along with her husband is donating them to the college in hopes that the students at the school could use them. Once the word gets out about the diaries everyone, it seems, want to read them first. Including those that might have a hand at seeing the mayor's son not making it to the senate seat. What could be in these diaries that are worth killing for?

Overall ARSENIC AND OLD BOOKS is a brilliant storyline with the most entertaining characters that gives you that cozy up on the couch feeling that I usually love from a cozy mystery. Plus this novel has a bonus short story at the end! Miranda James' A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series has many more adventures ahead I'm sure and I look forward to the next one.