Miranda James Books in Order (Complete Reading Guide)

The best way to read Miranda James is by publication order, starting with the beloved Cat in the Stacks Mysteries. James, the pseudonym of author Dean James, is widely recognized for charming cozy mysteries that feature bookish themes, gentle humor, and clever whodunits. Below, you’ll find all her reading orders explained, complete book lists, and FAQs.

Publication Order

Miranda James is best known for her Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, but she has also written the Southern Ladies Mysteries and College Town Mysteries. Here’s the complete publication order.

Cat in the Stacks Mysteries

This series follows Charlie Harris, a widowed librarian in Athena, Mississippi, and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, who has a knack for being present when murders occur.

1. Murder Past Due (2010) – Charlie discovers that a bestselling author’s return to town ends in murder.
2. Classified as Murder (2011) – A wealthy collector’s death reveals dangerous secrets.
3. File M for Murder (2012) – A visiting playwright’s murder shakes Athena’s college campus.
4. Out of Circulation (2013) – A library feud turns deadly.
5. The Silence of the Library (2014) – A mystery author’s visit sparks a real-life whodunit.
6. Arsenic and Old Books (2015) – A donation to the library hides a poisonous history.
7. No Cats Allowed (2016) – A new library director’s strict rules end in murder.
8. Twelve Angry Librarians (2017) – A library conference becomes the scene of a deadly debate.
9. Claws for Concern (2018) – An unsolved crime resurfaces.
10. Six Cats a Slayin’ (2018, holiday mystery) – Christmas turns deadly in Athena.
11. The Pawful Truth (2019) – A college professor’s secrets unravel after her murder.
12. Careless Whiskers (2020) – A community theater performance ends in tragedy.
13. Cat Me If You Can (2020) – A writers’ retreat turns into a murder scene.
14. What the Cat Dragged In (2021) – A family mystery resurfaces when a hidden diary is found.
15. Hiss Me Deadly (2022) – A visit to a friend ends in a sinister case.
16. Blessed Is the Busybody (2023) – Charlie and Diesel face another twisty case.

Southern Ladies Mysteries

This spin-off features sisters An’gel and Dickce Ducote, aristocratic Southern ladies with a knack for solving crimes.

1. Bless Her Dead Little Heart (2014) – A houseguest turns up dead at the Ducote mansion.
2. Dead with the Wind (2015) – A wedding celebration becomes a crime scene.
3. Digging Up the Dirt (2017) – A gardening project uncovers secrets better left buried.
4. Fixing to Die (2017) – Ancestral family drama leads to murder in Mississippi.
5. Claws for Alarm (2020) – The sisters uncover mysteries tied to their wealthy circle.

College Town Mysteries

Set in a small college town, this short series centers on an English professor solving murders among faculty and students.

1. By Book or By Crook (2015)
2. Booked for Trouble (2015)

Chronological Order

For Miranda James, the chronological order aligns with publication order. Each mystery builds upon the characters’ lives and relationships. While every book can be read as a standalone, following publication order ensures you catch references and character growth.

Recommended Reading Order

Most readers agree that the best reading order is publication order:

• It follows the natural progression of character development.
• Series like Cat in the Stacks include long-running themes and relationships.
• While spin-offs can be read independently, cozy fans enjoy alternating between them.

So, the recommended order is:

1. Start with Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.
2. Move to Southern Ladies Mysteries for a fun spin-off.
3. Add the shorter College Town Mysteries for variety.

Complete Book Series List

Here’s a checklist of Miranda James’s works:

• Cat in the Stacks Mysteries (16 books, 2010–2023; ongoing)
• Southern Ladies Mysteries (5 books, 2014–2020; ongoing)
• College Town Mysteries (2 books, 2015; complete)

This list provides a full overview of every title to date.

Upcoming and Latest Release

The most recent book is Blessed Is the Busybody (2023) in the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries. The series remains active, and new releases are expected in 2025 and beyond.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about Miranda James books in order.

How many books has Miranda James written?
As of 2023, there are over 20 books across three series.

Is the Cat in the Stacks series finished?
No, it is ongoing with new installments published regularly.

What order should I read Miranda James books?
Read in publication order, starting with Murder Past Due.

Do the series overlap?
The spin-off Southern Ladies Mysteries takes place in the same world but with different lead characters.

Are the books suitable for all ages?
Yes, they are cozy mysteries with lighthearted storytelling and minimal violence.

Who is Diesel the cat?
Diesel is Charlie Harris’s loyal Maine Coon cat, a fan-favorite character in the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.

Related Series You May Like

If you enjoy Miranda James, you may also like:

• Sherry Harris’s Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries (see Sherry Harris books in order)
• Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lover’s Mysteries (see Jenn McKinlay books in order)
• Elizabeth Penney’s Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries (see Elizabeth Penney books in order)
• Paige Shelton’s Scottish Bookshop Mysteries (see Paige Shelton books in order)

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