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macyinretrograde's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
CAT ABOUT TOWN by Cate Conte
The First Cat Cafe Mystery
Maddie James has left her juice bar in San Francisco in the capable hands of her business partner as she returns to Daybreak Island in New England to be there when her grandmother dies. After the funeral Maddie is concerned about her grandfather, especially when she discovers he's not doing well financially and the chamber of commerce leader is trying to coerce him into selling the family home. Maddie's not about to let anyone threaten her family and warns the man off, publicly. It's only a few hours later, as she chases after her new cat friend, that they come across his body, murdered in a tent on the Food Stroll. Maddie realizes she could be the number one suspect, but could her grandfather, the former Chief of Police, really be suspect number two?
Familial love with an interesting dynamic, secondary characters with depth, and an orange cat you can't help but love combine with humor to make a fine mystery. CAT ABOUT TOWN is a solid start to a new series. When the mystery is solved we are left with plenty of avenues still to explore and, indeed, a new beginning prepared for the next book.
Cate Conte has created a wonderful world for her Cat Cafe Mystery series. An insulated island that gets jam packed with tourists in the summer months yet becomes nearly desolate in winter is the perfect place for murder. It's a place where neighbors know each other, but not necessarily the strangers. It's also a place with varied ideas about growth and a place where people could get desperate. I look forward to seeing and learning more about the secondary characters, especially Damian and the Leopard Man. But my favorite aspect of the book is JJ whose charm is completely captivating!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Cat Cafe Mystery
Maddie James has left her juice bar in San Francisco in the capable hands of her business partner as she returns to Daybreak Island in New England to be there when her grandmother dies. After the funeral Maddie is concerned about her grandfather, especially when she discovers he's not doing well financially and the chamber of commerce leader is trying to coerce him into selling the family home. Maddie's not about to let anyone threaten her family and warns the man off, publicly. It's only a few hours later, as she chases after her new cat friend, that they come across his body, murdered in a tent on the Food Stroll. Maddie realizes she could be the number one suspect, but could her grandfather, the former Chief of Police, really be suspect number two?
Familial love with an interesting dynamic, secondary characters with depth, and an orange cat you can't help but love combine with humor to make a fine mystery. CAT ABOUT TOWN is a solid start to a new series. When the mystery is solved we are left with plenty of avenues still to explore and, indeed, a new beginning prepared for the next book.
Cate Conte has created a wonderful world for her Cat Cafe Mystery series. An insulated island that gets jam packed with tourists in the summer months yet becomes nearly desolate in winter is the perfect place for murder. It's a place where neighbors know each other, but not necessarily the strangers. It's also a place with varied ideas about growth and a place where people could get desperate. I look forward to seeing and learning more about the secondary characters, especially Damian and the Leopard Man. But my favorite aspect of the book is JJ whose charm is completely captivating!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
whatjuliareads's review against another edition
3.0
I love cat cafes and cozy mysteries with plucky heroines, so this one seemed like a no brainer for me to like. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I love the premise, some of the characters were lovely (I do love a story where the grandparent isn't a doddering fool, and doesn't capitulate to the "wisdom" of the lead character, as often happens - most of my friends are seniors, and they won't budge an inch even when I, the much younger friend, is making perfectly logical sense!). I enjoyed that there was some emphasis put on how badly animal non-profits are funded, and how much it turns into a labour of love.
The mystery itself wasn't all that engaging, and, unfortunately, the whole thing seemed a bit dated. It felt very late 2000s early 2010s with its references, and it was published in 2017. So in the right ballpark, but it just felt like the author was channeling youth culture and kind of... aimed a bit far left? I also found the conclusion just too tidy and the love triangle less than exciting (why is it always the clean cut guy and the edgy guy with *mysterious secrets we don't know about*).
Also, straight up, if a guy stares at me for ONE MINUTE too long, I'm out of there, possibly filing a restraining order. A minute is a long time for someone to just stare at someone. That's some purposeful shenanigans!
The mystery itself wasn't all that engaging, and, unfortunately, the whole thing seemed a bit dated. It felt very late 2000s early 2010s with its references, and it was published in 2017. So in the right ballpark, but it just felt like the author was channeling youth culture and kind of... aimed a bit far left? I also found the conclusion just too tidy and the love triangle less than exciting (why is it always the clean cut guy and the edgy guy with *mysterious secrets we don't know about*).
Also, straight up, if a guy stares at me for ONE MINUTE too long, I'm out of there, possibly filing a restraining order. A minute is a long time for someone to just stare at someone. That's some purposeful shenanigans!
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. I really like finding new-to-me authors via BookBub. I get a daily email from them with a nice selection of titles and authors they put together for me. Sometimes it's a miss, most times it's a hit. This is a hit.
C.A.T. [I just realized the title did this...I might be a bit slow] has all the marks for a good cozy: main character coming back to her hometown to help, there's a helpful critter, a couple of potential love interests, a skeevy power of the town, a nifty small town on the east coast.
Maddie is a likable character, I could see being friends with her. She is drawn into the investigation honestly. That is a biggie with me. I hate it feeling forced, but this one is nicely done. Maddie has to help find the perpetrator so that the police will stop looking at her grandfather.
Maddie is smart, she's an entrepreneur, she likes animals, she's nice. An excellent combo.
I am definitely getting the rest of this series.
I can definitely recommend this book and author.
C.A.T. [I just realized the title did this...I might be a bit slow] has all the marks for a good cozy: main character coming back to her hometown to help, there's a helpful critter, a couple of potential love interests, a skeevy power of the town, a nifty small town on the east coast.
Maddie is a likable character, I could see being friends with her. She is drawn into the investigation honestly. That is a biggie with me. I hate it feeling forced, but this one is nicely done. Maddie has to help find the perpetrator so that the police will stop looking at her grandfather.
Maddie is smart, she's an entrepreneur, she likes animals, she's nice. An excellent combo.
I am definitely getting the rest of this series.
I can definitely recommend this book and author.
klnlong's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a well-plotted cozy mystery with a charming setting and inviting characters. It did not read as a first in a series as the writing and pace kept me engaged and turning pages until the very end. I think the author also did a terrific job of using this book to set up the Cat Cafe theme for future books. I was delightfully entertained by Maddie, her Grandpa and JJ, and will be back to see what this author has in story for this series.
A full review will be posted on my blog closer to release date.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
A full review will be posted on my blog closer to release date.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
sandra_foriers's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0