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leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book in this series. This time there’s lots of famous people, cats of course and large animal rescue drama. I didn’t see the whodunit coming but that ended in a splash, which I enjoyed.
zttd's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nannersbooks's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Claws for Alarm is the 5th book in Cate Conte's cozy Cat Cafe mystery series. Released 27th July 2021 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a lighthearted island small-town cozy full of whimsy, a cat cafe, and eccentric small-town characters. Out-of-towner celebrity influencer Jillian blows into protagonist Maddie's orbit like a hurricane. Readers are clearly invited to take an instant dislike to her (which is handy since her role is mostly as Victim Number One) and I found my antipathy so extreme as to make me question reading past the first chapter.
The pacing and narrative are cleverly handled and although this is the 5th book in the series, it works well as a standalone. There are some relationships and developments which will slightly spoil earlier books in the series if read out of order, but nothing egregious. I found the dialogue glib and slightly unnatural occasionally but nothing which yanked me out of the story. The resolution and denouement are complete and mostly satisfying. There were some of really out-of-character actions on the part of protagonist Maddie with which I disagreed strongly and it colored much of the read for me.
Four stars. This is a very light and easy cozy and is both entertaining and diverting.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Claws for Alarm is the 5th book in Cate Conte's cozy Cat Cafe mystery series. Released 27th July 2021 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a lighthearted island small-town cozy full of whimsy, a cat cafe, and eccentric small-town characters. Out-of-towner celebrity influencer Jillian blows into protagonist Maddie's orbit like a hurricane. Readers are clearly invited to take an instant dislike to her (which is handy since her role is mostly as Victim Number One) and I found my antipathy so extreme as to make me question reading past the first chapter.
The pacing and narrative are cleverly handled and although this is the 5th book in the series, it works well as a standalone. There are some relationships and developments which will slightly spoil earlier books in the series if read out of order, but nothing egregious. I found the dialogue glib and slightly unnatural occasionally but nothing which yanked me out of the story. The resolution and denouement are complete and mostly satisfying. There were some of really out-of-character actions on the part of protagonist Maddie with which I disagreed strongly and it colored much of the read for me.
Four stars. This is a very light and easy cozy and is both entertaining and diverting.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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
4.0
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
Claws for Alarm is the fifth book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series and while not a cat person, I find that I really enjoy the series. The characters are well-written and diverse. There is someone for all readers to relate to and enjoy. Maddie has settled into her new life and I think readers can see that as the series has progressed. I would love to see someone introduced in terms of a relationship with Maddie's grandfather. I like that Maddie is stubborn and at times a bit impetuous, but I love her passion for protecting rescues and getting them adopted.
The book has a good pace and it kept me turning pages. There are a number of outsiders introduced in this book that impact the identity of the killer and the list of suspects. The author does a great job of crafting some red herrings to distract the reader and in the case of this reader, it worked. I did not guess the killer's identity and this person was nowhere on my radar. I love when an author surprises me when the killer is revealed.
This is a fun, cat-themed cozy mystery that takes the reader on an entertaining trip to Daybreak Island and JJ's House of Purrs. Fan of the series will certainly enjoy this installment.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The book has a good pace and it kept me turning pages. There are a number of outsiders introduced in this book that impact the identity of the killer and the list of suspects. The author does a great job of crafting some red herrings to distract the reader and in the case of this reader, it worked. I did not guess the killer's identity and this person was nowhere on my radar. I love when an author surprises me when the killer is revealed.
This is a fun, cat-themed cozy mystery that takes the reader on an entertaining trip to Daybreak Island and JJ's House of Purrs. Fan of the series will certainly enjoy this installment.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
librarypictures's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
pussreboots's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amanderz58's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
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