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nicrtay's review against another edition
4.0
"It seemed everywhere I turned, someone wasn't telling the truth about something."
Finding a new cozy mystery series to start is a daunting task, mainly because there are so many from which to choose.
But I'm glad I chose this one.
So far, there's nothing particularly interesting about Maddie, but authors tend to lose me when they try to make their heroines particularly interesting. A lot of heroines are hard to deal with in first-person - especially if the novel has a romance angle - but at no point did I find Maddie's internal monologues overdramatic, unrealistic, or hard to swallow. So far, she seems like a great heroine and I'm looking forward to continuing her story.
Not to be a downer, but I'm pretty sure one doesn't have this many men thrown at their feet by walking around town with their cat on a harness. If you can prove me wrong here, I'll be ecstatic.
As I'm only one novel into this series, I know I shouldn't set up camp with a specific love interest yet. But the tent is already pitched and I'm comfortable.
I don't know. I'll hold my breath or something.
Finding a new cozy mystery series to start is a daunting task, mainly because there are so many from which to choose.
But I'm glad I chose this one.
So far, there's nothing particularly interesting about Maddie, but authors tend to lose me when they try to make their heroines particularly interesting. A lot of heroines are hard to deal with in first-person - especially if the novel has a romance angle - but at no point did I find Maddie's internal monologues overdramatic, unrealistic, or hard to swallow. So far, she seems like a great heroine and I'm looking forward to continuing her story.
Not to be a downer, but I'm pretty sure one doesn't have this many men thrown at their feet by walking around town with their cat on a harness. If you can prove me wrong here, I'll be ecstatic.
As I'm only one novel into this series, I know I shouldn't set up camp with a specific love interest yet. But the tent is already pitched and I'm comfortable.
I don't know. I'll hold my breath or something.
laura_de_leon's review against another edition
4.0
A nice cozy mystery. I look forward to reading more in the series.
morgan_evernight's review against another edition
4.0
Cute murder mystery with a side of cat
I listened to this book through audible, and I want to start off by saying the narrator did a good job!
I picked up the book because of the title and cat on the cover :) (cat nerd!!!).
It's a cute hometown novel / murder mystery with many enjoyable characters and a cute cat. The main character is multifaceted, adding a lot of interesting side quests to the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how many of these side stories continue in the series.
I listened to this book through audible, and I want to start off by saying the narrator did a good job!
I picked up the book because of the title and cat on the cover :) (cat nerd!!!).
It's a cute hometown novel / murder mystery with many enjoyable characters and a cute cat. The main character is multifaceted, adding a lot of interesting side quests to the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how many of these side stories continue in the series.
denisebryan's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
carrie_and_non's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Warm and Cozy
leasummer's review
5.0
This was a really good mystery I couldn’t put down. The cast of characters are interesting. The cat is the star of the show! I didn’t guess who the murderer was, which is always fun. Already got book 2 this was such a good one.
drokka's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.75
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Cat about Town by Cate Conte is the first novel in A Cat Café Mystery series. Madalyn “Maddie” James has returned home to Daybreak Island for her grandmother’s funeral. At the cemetery, Maddie spots an orange cat peeking around a gravestone. Later at Grandpa Leo’s beautiful old Victorian home, he tells Maddie that Frank O’Malley is trying to force him to sell the house. Frank has big plans for the island which include a transportation rental center on Leo’s property (tearing down their family home). Maddie arranges to meet Frank at a local restaurant and heated words are exchanged. After walking around town, she ends up at her grandmother’s grave where she meets up with the orange cat again. The cat follows Maddie to the Food Stroll where she meets up with her friend, Becky Walsh. Suddenly, the cat takes off with Maddie quickly following behind him. She finds her furry friend under a table staring at a deceased Frank O’Malley. The police put Maddie and her grandfather, Leo at the top of the suspect list. Maddie and her new feline companion, J.J. (who is being hailed a hero) set out to discover Frank’s killer. Will the killer strike again before Maddie uncovers his identity?
Cat about Town started off at a good pace and I was intrigued by the story. The further I progressed into the book, the more mundane it became. It seemed like the author had followed a formula or outline for a cozy mystery. We have our female protagonist, two male suitors, a cute cat, nasty guy who gets himself murdered, our suspects, rude investigator, protagonist investigates to clear her name or that of loved one, life threatened, and bad guy apprehended. I liked the addition of the mysterious benefactor and the idea of a cat café. I not heard of cat cafes prior to this novel. I am giving Cat About Town 3 out of 5 stars. The murder of Frank O’Malley was easily solved. There is some misdirection, but the killer’s identity was not a shocker. There is a little twist that will surprise most readers (I would say more but it is a spoiler). I do wish the author had not given Maddie two beaus. The last thing I want (or readers need) is another love triangle in a cozy mystery. I like how close Maddie is with her grandfather, Leo. They have a sweet relationship. I wish there had been less repetition of case details and more solid content (less fluff and romance). I will read the next book in A Cat Café Mystery series. I am curious to find out more about the mysterious benefactor and see the development of the cat café.
Cat about Town started off at a good pace and I was intrigued by the story. The further I progressed into the book, the more mundane it became. It seemed like the author had followed a formula or outline for a cozy mystery. We have our female protagonist, two male suitors, a cute cat, nasty guy who gets himself murdered, our suspects, rude investigator, protagonist investigates to clear her name or that of loved one, life threatened, and bad guy apprehended. I liked the addition of the mysterious benefactor and the idea of a cat café. I not heard of cat cafes prior to this novel. I am giving Cat About Town 3 out of 5 stars. The murder of Frank O’Malley was easily solved. There is some misdirection, but the killer’s identity was not a shocker. There is a little twist that will surprise most readers (I would say more but it is a spoiler). I do wish the author had not given Maddie two beaus. The last thing I want (or readers need) is another love triangle in a cozy mystery. I like how close Maddie is with her grandfather, Leo. They have a sweet relationship. I wish there had been less repetition of case details and more solid content (less fluff and romance). I will read the next book in A Cat Café Mystery series. I am curious to find out more about the mysterious benefactor and see the development of the cat café.