SOMETHING WHISKERED by Miranda James

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SOMETHING WHISKERED
Miranda James

Reviewed by Ruth Castleberry
Posted July 25, 2025

Helen Louise and Charlie are spending their honeymoon in Ireland with Helen Louise’s family. Naturally, Diesel is with them.

Unfortunately, just as they arrive at Castle O’Brady, Helen Louise’s Uncle Finn falls to his death from the roof, landing right in front of the car Helen Louise is driving. Everyone succumbs to shock as today happens to be the Baron’s 100th birthday.

As the garda (Irish police) begin questioning folks about what happened, the thought of suicide comes up, which Father Keoghan firmly denies as a possibility, saying Finn O’Brady is too devout even to consider it. All the family and staff at the castle maintain that Finn would never go to the roof by himself as he feared heights.

Of course, Charlie and Diesel begin investigating at once. Rumors began circulating about who might have lured Finn up on the roof and then pushed him off. The autopsy reveals that Finn had consumed magic mushrooms, making him easily influenced.

The difficulty facing Charlie and Diesel is determining who had motive and opportunity. As usual, family members and staff make good suspects, and the long list of individuals makes for an interesting assessment and consideration. Charlie and Helen Louise keep busy tracking down relationship details that may prove helpful.

An interesting feature of the castle is that it is said to be haunted by ghosts. One such ghost is Fergal, a pet cat who develops a friendship with Diesel and Charlie.

Miranda James spins an intriguing mystery, combining familiar folks with new characters, in a suspense-driven story that makes an excellent addition to her Cats in the Stacks series. But the best part of this novel is Ms. James’ loving yet perceptive portrayal of Diesel, Charlie’s feline sleuth. The trip to Ireland makes for an intriguing departure in setting for Charlie, Helen Louise, and Diesel.

SUMMARY

A dead baron, an Irish castle, and two unexpected ghosts . . . Charlie Harris, Helen Louise Brady, and his feline friend Diesel find themselves hot on the trail of not one but two mysteries in this delightful Cat in the Stacks Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Miranda James.

Charlie Harris and his wife, Helen Louise Brady, have arrived in Ireland for their three-week honeymoon. After a few days in Dublin, they head west to County Clare, ancestral home to Helen Louise’s extended family, the O’Bradys. Her cousin, Lorcan O’Brady, is the current owner of Castle O’Brady, which he runs as a bed-and-breakfast with his wife Caoimhe and daughter and son-in-law, Bridget and Rory Kennedy.

Upon arrival at the castle, the newlyweds are shocked to see a body falling from the roof. The dead man is centenarian Finn, Baron Brady, Lorcan’s great-uncle. Lorcan becomes the new Baron Brady. But how did the late baron come to plummet to his death? Was someone in a hurry for Lorcan to assume the title and ownership of the estate? Or is there another reason for wanting Finn dead? Charlie and Helen Louise find themselves asking these questions and more as they realize the local garda won’t be able to solve the crime alone—Charlie and Helen will have to investigate themselves.

Meanwhile, Charlie’s feline friend Diesel is home in Athena, Georgia, and encounters his own mystery, one unknown to his human hosts. The spirit of Charlie’s grandmother lingers on in the attic of the old farmhouse, and Diesel plans to find out why.