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Cat Cafe Mystery #3
The Tell Tail Heart: A Cat Cafe Mystery
Welcome back to the charming New England coast, where Maddie James’s cat café is at risk of becoming a crime scene for the purrfect murder. . .
Maddie is hoping to have some downtime during Daybreak Island’s off-season to tackle her to-do list. Her grandfather’s house-turned-cat-café is under construction and she’s also scoping out places to open a juice bar on the island. On top of that, her relationship with adorable dog groomer Lucas has taken a pawsitive turn. But easy is getting harder every day for Maddie, especially when a big-name writer who’s on the island working on a new project winds up floating in the canal. This, on the exact same day an eccentric woman shows up at the cafe claiming Maddie’s cat, JJ, is hers. As the investigation into the dead writer picks up, Maddie realizes that even the neighbors she’s known all her life might be keeping secrets that go deep into the heart of this small seaside town. Meanwhile, a killer remains at-large...and on the prowl.
Maddie is hoping to have some downtime during Daybreak Island’s off-season to tackle her to-do list. Her grandfather’s house-turned-cat-café is under construction and she’s also scoping out places to open a juice bar on the island. On top of that, her relationship with adorable dog groomer Lucas has taken a pawsitive turn. But easy is getting harder every day for Maddie, especially when a big-name writer who’s on the island working on a new project winds up floating in the canal. This, on the exact same day an eccentric woman shows up at the cafe claiming Maddie’s cat, JJ, is hers. As the investigation into the dead writer picks up, Maddie realizes that even the neighbors she’s known all her life might be keeping secrets that go deep into the heart of this small seaside town. Meanwhile, a killer remains at-large...and on the prowl.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
167 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
July 19, 2019
Things on Daybreak Island have gotten quieter now that it has entered November and the season is officially over. Maddie James is delighted to find that she still has a few locals who drop into her cat cafe. But she’s really surprised about the man who came in, paid for a week in advance, and spends most of his time working on his laptop surrounded by the cats. However, things get interesting when a woman shows up and announces that she believes JJ, Maddie’s cat, is really her cat. Naturally, the encounter upsets Maddie, but it is soon pushed to the back of her mind when a body is found floating in the water next to the yacht club. With a Nor’easter approaching the island, will that interfere with the investigation into the death?
I found it fun to visit this island during the off season, not that it keeps the book from being any less exciting. In fact, there is quite a bit happening here, and it takes some time for Maddie to unravel what relates to the murder and what is just red herring. By the time she does that and we reach the exciting climax, everything makes perfect sense. One of the minor characters in the series really steps into the spotlight with this book, and I enjoyed getting to learn more about him. The suspects are strong, and I loved spending time with the series regulars again. I’m already anxious for the next book to see how the ending of this one is resolved. This is another fun, charming entry in the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I found it fun to visit this island during the off season, not that it keeps the book from being any less exciting. In fact, there is quite a bit happening here, and it takes some time for Maddie to unravel what relates to the murder and what is just red herring. By the time she does that and we reach the exciting climax, everything makes perfect sense. One of the minor characters in the series really steps into the spotlight with this book, and I enjoyed getting to learn more about him. The suspects are strong, and I loved spending time with the series regulars again. I’m already anxious for the next book to see how the ending of this one is resolved. This is another fun, charming entry in the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 20, 2020
Great story with a wonderful cast of characters. Lots of mystery to ponder about, and wonder what’s up with Grandpa Leo and Leopard Man! Part of a fantastic cozy series I highly recommend.
February 4, 2020
I've enjoyed the previous books in this series so I was looking forward to catching up with the characters in this book. I have to say, this was not my favorite book so far. I love the characters and enjoyed learning more about Leopard Man and his backstory. I thought the mystery was solid and kept me guessing. It came together in a climactic reveal where Maddie once again finds herself in danger. What I didn't care for was Maddie's attitude in this book. At times, it felt a bit like she was having a temper tantrum when the police or her grandfather wouldn't reveal clues or evidence. I also felt like the relationship between Maddie and her Grandfather was off in this book. It just left me wanting a bit more. There is a bit of a cliffhanger dealing with Lucas and what I am hoping is not the potential for a love triangle, which I do not enjoy.
I will be back to see where the author takes the characters in the next book.
I will be back to see where the author takes the characters in the next book.
April 4, 2023
Het is laagseizoen op Daybreak Island en Maddie hoopt wat vrije tijd te hebben om haar to-dolijstje af te kunnen werken. Haar opa’s huis, dat werd omgetoverd tot kattencafé, wordt verbouwd en Maddie hoopt een locatie te vinden voor een nieuwe sapjesbar. Bovendien heeft haar relatie met de superlieve hondentrimmer Lucas een positieve wending genomen.
Maar al snel is het gedaan met de rust. Een bekende schrijver, die op het eiland verbleef om te schrijven, wordt dood in het kanaal gevonden. En op dezelfde dag verschijnt er een excentrieke vrouw in het kattencafé die beweert dat Maddies kat JJ eigenlijk van haar is. Terwijl het onderzoek naar de overleden schrijver vordert, realiseert Maddie zich dat zelfs de buren, die ze haar hele leven al kent, geheimen bewaren…
Dit is inmiddels het derde deel van de 'Kattencafé' serie en ook nu was het weer een leuk verhaal om te lezen. De bekende schrijver, Jason Holt, komt dagelijks in het kattencafé van Maddie, maar niet veel later wordt hij dood in het kanaal gevonden. Meteen verdenk je verschillende personen, maar het motief voor de moord blijft onduidelijk. Ondertussen is er dan ook nog die vervelende vrouw die JJ, de kat van Maddie, wil. Ze beweert namelijk dat het haar kat is.
In dit deel leer je verschillende personages weer wat beter kennen, dus dat was ook natuurlijk interessant. Verder was ik ook heel erg benieuwd wie de moord op de schrijver had gepleegd. Tot het einde blijft de werkelijke dader goed geheim gehouden en uiteindelijk viel alles op z'n plek.
Dit derde deel vond ik misschien ietsje minder spannend dan het vorige deel, maar het was zeker weer leuk om gelezen te hebben en de sfeer van het eiland is ook weer goed op papier gezet. Het vierde deel ligt ook al weer klaar om gelezen te worden!
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
Maar al snel is het gedaan met de rust. Een bekende schrijver, die op het eiland verbleef om te schrijven, wordt dood in het kanaal gevonden. En op dezelfde dag verschijnt er een excentrieke vrouw in het kattencafé die beweert dat Maddies kat JJ eigenlijk van haar is. Terwijl het onderzoek naar de overleden schrijver vordert, realiseert Maddie zich dat zelfs de buren, die ze haar hele leven al kent, geheimen bewaren…
Dit is inmiddels het derde deel van de 'Kattencafé' serie en ook nu was het weer een leuk verhaal om te lezen. De bekende schrijver, Jason Holt, komt dagelijks in het kattencafé van Maddie, maar niet veel later wordt hij dood in het kanaal gevonden. Meteen verdenk je verschillende personen, maar het motief voor de moord blijft onduidelijk. Ondertussen is er dan ook nog die vervelende vrouw die JJ, de kat van Maddie, wil. Ze beweert namelijk dat het haar kat is.
In dit deel leer je verschillende personages weer wat beter kennen, dus dat was ook natuurlijk interessant. Verder was ik ook heel erg benieuwd wie de moord op de schrijver had gepleegd. Tot het einde blijft de werkelijke dader goed geheim gehouden en uiteindelijk viel alles op z'n plek.
Dit derde deel vond ik misschien ietsje minder spannend dan het vorige deel, maar het was zeker weer leuk om gelezen te hebben en de sfeer van het eiland is ook weer goed op papier gezet. Het vierde deel ligt ook al weer klaar om gelezen te worden!
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
August 1, 2019
I always love to read an update in this series, and this was no exception. Maddie James is just enjoying the off season, but still attracting in a few regulars to her Cat Cafe. Although she doesn't realize it, one of her customers is a famous author, and when he is found floating in the harbour, Maddie unravels the clues to catch the killer!
The biggest disappointments in this novel is Grandpa and Lucas. The first doesn't seem to trust Maddie, and in the end I think his explanation was flimsy at best. Then the whole Lucas situation is just confusing and left so up in the air that I wonder where the next book will go. The cats are great as always, but we're never really sure on where JJ came from either. So many unanswered questions by the end just really frustrated me, but I'm sure to pick up book four now.
Still a good series with a really unique setting. Always love to see cozy mysteries that focus on cats, and this one goes one step further by having them in a cafe! Looking forward to more. Four stars.
The biggest disappointments in this novel is Grandpa and Lucas. The first doesn't seem to trust Maddie, and in the end I think his explanation was flimsy at best. Then the whole Lucas situation is just confusing and left so up in the air that I wonder where the next book will go. The cats are great as always, but we're never really sure on where JJ came from either. So many unanswered questions by the end just really frustrated me, but I'm sure to pick up book four now.
Still a good series with a really unique setting. Always love to see cozy mysteries that focus on cats, and this one goes one step further by having them in a cafe! Looking forward to more. Four stars.
November 22, 2019
I started to feel bad that I only gave it 3 stars, until I read other reviews and realized I wasn’t alone in my feelings about this book.
Maddie acted like a spoiled brat throughout this installment. Craig and grandpa were doing their jobs, but it only served to tick her off because she felt she was left out of the loop. She was sullen, moody and all around unlikeable. Poor JJ was relegated to a barely there always sleeping prop. For a new business owner, she hardly ever spent time doing the work necessary to keep it running.
This just wasn’t one of my favorites.
Maddie acted like a spoiled brat throughout this installment. Craig and grandpa were doing their jobs, but it only served to tick her off because she felt she was left out of the loop. She was sullen, moody and all around unlikeable. Poor JJ was relegated to a barely there always sleeping prop. For a new business owner, she hardly ever spent time doing the work necessary to keep it running.
This just wasn’t one of my favorites.
April 15, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
A dead author, a crazy lady, and a big storm really throws Maddie James's life off kilter. The person who she now knows is a famous author had been coming into the cat café for days working quietly with a cat on his lap. Then a strange woman comes in, has weird eye contact with him, and then proceeds to tell Maddie that her cat JJ, the face of JJ's House of Purrs, belongs to her. So she has lost one of the few paying customers she has during the off-season, she has to protect JJ from being stolen, she has to run the café while the renovation continues, and the Nor’easter coming could shut down the ferry and wreak havoc on the island. Oh, yes there is also a murderer on the loose.
Maddie's sister Val is busy too planning a huge Thanksgiving celebration for an island legend who also ropes her in an investigation of their own. They even get Maddie involved. Both investigations may be connected which could make things on Daybreak Island very interesting.
______
I am so happy to return to this series. It is really character driven with Maddie, her former police chief grandfather, sister Val, and Ethan, Maddie's business partner, and now Val's boyfriend. They all usually work together like a well-oiled machine for the most part.
Maddie inherited her grandfather's zest for investigations but this time he is keeping her out of the loop. This adds a whole different dynamic to the story. I felt for Maddie because of the strain created by her grandfather holding back and keeping secrets. Maddie's boyfriend Lucas was away for most of this story too which made the strain even harder.
I really enjoy that a character mentioned in previous books took a bigger role in this story. We were able to learn much more about him and his past and how he fits into life on the island.
The mysteries were all tangled together along with just a bit of real-life happenings. The book flowed nicely with several twists and red herrings. I knew early on who I wanted the guilty party to be but it took time for all the clues to fall into place to make my wishes a reality. It was fun to follow along with Maddie but I missed the closeness of working with her grandfather. She has a vivid imagination and theories that don't pan out but when the clues start to come together and facts are revealed Maddie's stubborn streak reared its ugly head which sets up a very dramatic ending that could have gone so wrong, but I liked it :-) .
You would think Daybreak Harbor would be quiet in the winter with hardly any tourists or businesses open but Cate Conte proved that wrong. She whipped up quite a mystery and through in a Nor'easter to top it off. The Tell Tail Heart was an entertaining read with a very satisfying ending until you reach the final sentence. Yes, a cliffhanger. That just means I need to read A Whisker of a Doubt soon.
A dead author, a crazy lady, and a big storm really throws Maddie James's life off kilter. The person who she now knows is a famous author had been coming into the cat café for days working quietly with a cat on his lap. Then a strange woman comes in, has weird eye contact with him, and then proceeds to tell Maddie that her cat JJ, the face of JJ's House of Purrs, belongs to her. So she has lost one of the few paying customers she has during the off-season, she has to protect JJ from being stolen, she has to run the café while the renovation continues, and the Nor’easter coming could shut down the ferry and wreak havoc on the island. Oh, yes there is also a murderer on the loose.
Maddie's sister Val is busy too planning a huge Thanksgiving celebration for an island legend who also ropes her in an investigation of their own. They even get Maddie involved. Both investigations may be connected which could make things on Daybreak Island very interesting.
______
I am so happy to return to this series. It is really character driven with Maddie, her former police chief grandfather, sister Val, and Ethan, Maddie's business partner, and now Val's boyfriend. They all usually work together like a well-oiled machine for the most part.
Maddie inherited her grandfather's zest for investigations but this time he is keeping her out of the loop. This adds a whole different dynamic to the story. I felt for Maddie because of the strain created by her grandfather holding back and keeping secrets. Maddie's boyfriend Lucas was away for most of this story too which made the strain even harder.
I really enjoy that a character mentioned in previous books took a bigger role in this story. We were able to learn much more about him and his past and how he fits into life on the island.
The mysteries were all tangled together along with just a bit of real-life happenings. The book flowed nicely with several twists and red herrings. I knew early on who I wanted the guilty party to be but it took time for all the clues to fall into place to make my wishes a reality. It was fun to follow along with Maddie but I missed the closeness of working with her grandfather. She has a vivid imagination and theories that don't pan out but when the clues start to come together and facts are revealed Maddie's stubborn streak reared its ugly head which sets up a very dramatic ending that could have gone so wrong, but I liked it :-) .
You would think Daybreak Harbor would be quiet in the winter with hardly any tourists or businesses open but Cate Conte proved that wrong. She whipped up quite a mystery and through in a Nor'easter to top it off. The Tell Tail Heart was an entertaining read with a very satisfying ending until you reach the final sentence. Yes, a cliffhanger. That just means I need to read A Whisker of a Doubt soon.
January 26, 2020
I really wanted to like this book and I didn't hate it but it was just...meh. Kind of bland.
At first, I thought the pacing was quite slow but that wasn't it. It moves at a steady pace and I like the fact that the mystery is the dominant story line. The romance doesn't derail it (unlike in some cozies). And the mystery is decent. Complex but not too convoluted. And I was intrigued and interested but...I didn't really care for any of the characters. They were kind of bland. Vanilla. Uninteresting. And that's when I started to lose interest and the story dragged and became boring.
And the main heroine although not obnoxious is rather...silly and immature. Spoiled. Either crying at the drop of a hat or throwing hissy fits like a teenager. The supporting characters indulge her way too much. She thinks the world evolves around her. She's annoying. Spoiled. And that was a drag.
At first, I thought the pacing was quite slow but that wasn't it. It moves at a steady pace and I like the fact that the mystery is the dominant story line. The romance doesn't derail it (unlike in some cozies). And the mystery is decent. Complex but not too convoluted. And I was intrigued and interested but...I didn't really care for any of the characters. They were kind of bland. Vanilla. Uninteresting. And that's when I started to lose interest and the story dragged and became boring.
And the main heroine although not obnoxious is rather...silly and immature. Spoiled. Either crying at the drop of a hat or throwing hissy fits like a teenager. The supporting characters indulge her way too much. She thinks the world evolves around her. She's annoying. Spoiled. And that was a drag.
July 14, 2019
One of my fav series. Maddie James opened at cat cafe in her grandfather's house on Daybreak Island. Tourists are mainly gone now and the cafe has plenty of cats, but fewer customers. There is one customer who pays in advance for a week and quietly works at his computer. Turns out he's a best selling author, and then he turns up dead. Did the odd woman who came in claiming that Maggie's cat JJ, is her missing cat have something to do with it? Or Maddie 's friend, Leopard Man, have another dangerous secret? well plotted and an excellent fun read.?
August 6, 2019
I love this series! Including The Tell Tail Heart. The characters are endearing and engaging, the cats adorable, and the mysteries are challenging for this armchair sleuth.
I couldn't imagine spending a winter on Daybreak Island, subject to nor'easters and other storms that could keep one from leaving the island at all for days at a time. It would be fun for a while except for folks who get stressed when feeling confined.
Speaking of confined, there is at least one person who needs to be confined, possible two or three, for the creepy stuff going on. First, the writer who has spent many hours at JJ's House of Purrs, the cat cafe she recently opened, is found dead in the canal. It was only hours after Maddie's sister Val told her the man in her cafe is the renowned author, Jason Holt. And only hours after a strange lady had a staring contest with him when she was at the cafe.
It is the same strange lady who told Maddie, owner of and partner in the cat cafe, that JJ is not Maddie's cat, but her Pumpkin that she lost a few years ago. Maddie's partners in the cafe are her grandpa Leo and her former business partner when they lived in California, Ethan. She moved back to Daybreak Island after her grandmother died, and she and JJ adopted each other at the cemetery after a visit to her grandma's gravesite. Nobody is taking JJ from her!
Maddie is busy already overseeing the remodel of the first floor of the family home, which will be almost entirely used for the cat cafe while the family lives on the upper floors. She is over her 10-cat limit by one, then her close friend from the shelter drops off a carrier full of adorable kittens. Yet she has the insatiable curiosity that her grandfather, the retired police chief, helped him through his years on the force and now as he does PI work.
Maddie's sister Val has a VIP client for her new party planning business. The wealthy Ava-Rose hired her to help plan her Thanksgiving party to be held at the yacht club, closed except for special events through the winter. Only board members and the skeleton staff have access to the building, and Ava-Rose has discovered a crime. Somebody has been stealing valuable, hand-carved ship replicas that are part of the club's history. Ava-Rose was "staking out the joint" from her vehicle to see who might enter the club when she saw Jason Holt and the island's only vet, Dr. Drake, having a heated discussion. Holt walked away and Dr. Drake left in his car. Moments later, she hears a vehicle rev up, a thump, and speed away. Sadly, she didn't see the car, nor did she see Holt at the time as he was in the canal.
Maddie comes up with several suspects. And does she have a vivid imagination, trying to determine who might have killed Holt and why, and how to keep the creepy lady away from her JJ! One person that the police want to see is Leopard Man, the sweet older man who is a friend of Grandpa and the family, who speaks in Shakespearean quotes and dresses as a leopard. Then there is the vet, who was there talking with Holt that night, and the creepy lady who had the stare down with the author. As if that isn't enough, Holt's former writing partner and Holt's soon-to-be ex-wife arrive. Both stop at the cat cafe after hearing the author spent much writing time there. Crimes from 40 + years ago seem to have a tie-in, but how?
As if these aren't enough to keep a gal busy, Maddie's boyfriend Lucas goes to a pet-grooming convention off-island, and doesn't come back as planned. The last we hear of him, he has to take another trip and will explain everything when he returns.
This fabulous book is a must-read for those who love cozy cat mysteries, appreciate a protagonist who is challenged with a slight lack of confidence in relationships, and complex crimes begging to be resolved. As well as JJ, the adorable boy who needs to be kept safe. I enjoy the interactions and friendships between characters, the mysteries and historical tie-in, and how almost everything is resolve and tied up with a bow...everything but the cliffhanger! While I already look forward to the next novel, the cliffhanger isn't why...
I couldn't imagine spending a winter on Daybreak Island, subject to nor'easters and other storms that could keep one from leaving the island at all for days at a time. It would be fun for a while except for folks who get stressed when feeling confined.
Speaking of confined, there is at least one person who needs to be confined, possible two or three, for the creepy stuff going on. First, the writer who has spent many hours at JJ's House of Purrs, the cat cafe she recently opened, is found dead in the canal. It was only hours after Maddie's sister Val told her the man in her cafe is the renowned author, Jason Holt. And only hours after a strange lady had a staring contest with him when she was at the cafe.
It is the same strange lady who told Maddie, owner of and partner in the cat cafe, that JJ is not Maddie's cat, but her Pumpkin that she lost a few years ago. Maddie's partners in the cafe are her grandpa Leo and her former business partner when they lived in California, Ethan. She moved back to Daybreak Island after her grandmother died, and she and JJ adopted each other at the cemetery after a visit to her grandma's gravesite. Nobody is taking JJ from her!
Maddie is busy already overseeing the remodel of the first floor of the family home, which will be almost entirely used for the cat cafe while the family lives on the upper floors. She is over her 10-cat limit by one, then her close friend from the shelter drops off a carrier full of adorable kittens. Yet she has the insatiable curiosity that her grandfather, the retired police chief, helped him through his years on the force and now as he does PI work.
Maddie's sister Val has a VIP client for her new party planning business. The wealthy Ava-Rose hired her to help plan her Thanksgiving party to be held at the yacht club, closed except for special events through the winter. Only board members and the skeleton staff have access to the building, and Ava-Rose has discovered a crime. Somebody has been stealing valuable, hand-carved ship replicas that are part of the club's history. Ava-Rose was "staking out the joint" from her vehicle to see who might enter the club when she saw Jason Holt and the island's only vet, Dr. Drake, having a heated discussion. Holt walked away and Dr. Drake left in his car. Moments later, she hears a vehicle rev up, a thump, and speed away. Sadly, she didn't see the car, nor did she see Holt at the time as he was in the canal.
Maddie comes up with several suspects. And does she have a vivid imagination, trying to determine who might have killed Holt and why, and how to keep the creepy lady away from her JJ! One person that the police want to see is Leopard Man, the sweet older man who is a friend of Grandpa and the family, who speaks in Shakespearean quotes and dresses as a leopard. Then there is the vet, who was there talking with Holt that night, and the creepy lady who had the stare down with the author. As if that isn't enough, Holt's former writing partner and Holt's soon-to-be ex-wife arrive. Both stop at the cat cafe after hearing the author spent much writing time there. Crimes from 40 + years ago seem to have a tie-in, but how?
As if these aren't enough to keep a gal busy, Maddie's boyfriend Lucas goes to a pet-grooming convention off-island, and doesn't come back as planned. The last we hear of him, he has to take another trip and will explain everything when he returns.
This fabulous book is a must-read for those who love cozy cat mysteries, appreciate a protagonist who is challenged with a slight lack of confidence in relationships, and complex crimes begging to be resolved. As well as JJ, the adorable boy who needs to be kept safe. I enjoy the interactions and friendships between characters, the mysteries and historical tie-in, and how almost everything is resolve and tied up with a bow...everything but the cliffhanger! While I already look forward to the next novel, the cliffhanger isn't why...
May 27, 2022
The cats are incidental—set dressing—not a big part of the story. This protagonist seems kind of stupid & with no self control. How many times does she think she shouldn’t do/say something “but just can’t help it”! By the end I was just getting annoyed with her. And the writing is full of holes & illogical things & continuity of story errors. e.g. Someone putting a bite of food in their mouth twice. e.g. She goes to the hotel alone, goes straight to the elevator, & then “we” enter when the doors open. e.g. The bad guy wants $5M from the people he’s tied up & she thinks “they don’t seem like the kind of people to bribe”. That’s not a bribe! If he was bribing them, HE’D be giving THEM money! Wanting money FROM them is blackmail or extortion! e.g. How do you just reach for & release a car trunk from the outside?? Just because they left the car unlocked? If it was the hatch of a hatchback, SUV, minivan, or wagon, maybe—altho the light would come on as soon as you released it. As far as I know, the only way to release a trunk from the outside is with the key or the remote. And if the person in the trunk was not tied—as was apparently the case, since they got out, took the tire iron with them, & used it as a weapon—why wouldn’t they just pull the emergency trunk release that has been in the inside of trunks for exactly this reason for years now?! This book is copyright 2019, it’s not like it was written before that happened! And rental cars are always newer cars, so it’s not like the CAR was too old to have that! e.g. Someone tells a rescue/shelter that they think they have their animal, any experienced rescuer would ask 2 questions: “Was the animal microchipped?” And “Do you have any photos of them?” Yet none of these people asked either of those questions. These aren’t typos, this is just sloppy writing & apparently no proofreading. Oh & JJ sleeping all the time? A bit of a joke about cats, I suppose, but this cat is only 3 years old, & he’s acting more like he’s 23! It’s nice that she takes him out with her sometimes, but I’m not sure why—all she does is leave him sleeping under her chair or in the car. And from his ears-down reaction to the people at the library, it doesn’t seem like he enjoys that, either. There are better cozy mysteries, I won’t be reading more of this author. Try Eva Gates/Vicki Delany (same person).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
I want to send the main character to the doctor for anxiety because she has a tendency to catastrophize. If this was 50 pages shorter I probably would have given it 3 stars.
November 11, 2021
The modern day mystery after lots and lots of starts and stops ends up dredging up a much older mystery. This cold case brings to mind all the Dick Francis mysteries my mother used to read. The investigation into the cold case also answers the question to the identity of the Cat Café's benefactor.
Throughout the book I found Maddie unnecessarily clueless. She seems to spend a lot of time demanding people explain things to her — things I swear she knew in previous volumes. It seems that she had to act as the clueless companion to a host of other sleuths.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm...
Throughout the book I found Maddie unnecessarily clueless. She seems to spend a lot of time demanding people explain things to her — things I swear she knew in previous volumes. It seems that she had to act as the clueless companion to a host of other sleuths.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm...
January 26, 2022
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
The Tell Tail Heart
Cat Café Mystery #3
By Cate Conte
ISBN 9781250072085
www.cateconte.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Welcome back to the charming New England coast, where Maddie James’s cat café is at risk of becoming a crime scene for the purrfect murder. . .
Maddie is hoping to have some downtime during Daybreak Island’s off-season to tackle her to-do list. Her grandfather’s house-turned-cat-café is under construction and she’s also scoping out places to open a juice bar on the island. On top of that, her relationship with adorable dog groomer Lucas has taken a pawsitive turn. But easy is getting harder every day for Maddie, especially when a big-name writer who’s on the island working on a new project winds up floating in the canal. This, on the exact same day an eccentric woman shows up at the cafe claiming Maddie’s cat, JJ, is hers. As the investigation into the dead writer picks up, Maddie realizes that even the neighbors she’s known all her life might be keeping secrets that go deep into the heart of this small seaside town. Meanwhile, a killer remains at-large…and on the prowl. (From Goodreads)
Review:
Third in one of my favorite “cat cozy” series, we are treated to adorable cats ready for adoption at JJ’s House of Purrs, the island’s new cat café. The characters are mostly delightful and realistic. The mysteries are well written and challenging, especially when some possible suspects are too kind to be considered while others seem too unlikable to not be bad guys. This is a fun and fabulous read for any time of year, whether at the beach or snuggled in with cats and hot cocoa in the deep of winter.
Daybreak Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, isn’t a popular winter destination. The delightful James family, including Grandpa Leo and Val, and Maddie’s California business partner Ethan, welcomes us to a new chapter in the Cat Café as the first floor of the family home is being remodeled to focus on the café. We are also welcomed to a new mystery – several, actually – and there is one man who is happy to be here during the off-season.
Jason Holt is a famous author of thrillers who is usually a summer visitor to Daybreak. Maddie is familiar with his novels but had no clue that the man who paid $100 a day, a week in advance, was the famous writer until her sister Val told her. It’s hard to imagine that the handsome man who sat with Jasmine, a sweet kitty waiting to be adopted, on his lap as he typed away is the same well-known writer that her mother can’t wait to meet!
A woman came in to spend an hour at the cafe. She met JJ, the orange cat who adopted Maddie last summer and told her that JJ is actually her Pumpkin that she lost a couple years ago. Maddie is upset at the thought of someone trying to take away her rock, her friend after whom the café is named. The older woman and the writer exchange what appear to be glares of recognition. Thankfully Grandpa, retired Police Chief, came into the room and escorted the woman out.
Despite the fear that the woman might break in and steal JJ, Maddie and boyfriend Lucas go out. She sees the woman who claims JJ is hers talking with a friend of the family, Leopard Man. He is the island’s “quirky character” who dresses in leopard garb. When they head for the movie theater, a street near the yacht club is blocked by police cars and lights. The only thing Maddie can learn from Craig, an officer she used to date in high school, is that a man was in the canal.
Maddie and Lucas go back to the family home to snuggle with JJ and a good movie. When they were almost home, Leopard Man ran into the street. He wants to see Maddie’s grandpa, so they give him a ride and he awaits Leo’s return. Later, Leo gives strict instructions that they are to tell no one that Leopard Man has been here. The next morning, they learn that the man in the canal, who was indeed dead, was none other than the author, Jason Holt. Leo shares another secret: Holt had been murdered; it looked like a hit and run. And they hear that Leopard Man is being sought by the police.
Val, who just opened her new business as a party planner, had been at the yacht club with the wealthy Ava-Rose. Val and Maddie’s mother had suggested Ava-Rose hire Val for her Thanksgiving party planning. Ava-Rose is distracted with a mystery, also, that she wants Maddie’s help to solve. Someone has been stealing valuable ship reproductions from the club. The club is closed for the season except for special events. She has a secret, also. While “staking out” the club, the 80-something lady saw Dr. Drake, the island’s veterinarian, meet and talk with Jason Holt. It looked as if the conversation grew heated, and Drake left in his car. Minutes later, she heard a car racing, a thump, and the car take off.
I am impressed with the author’s paintings of the characters! I feel as if I got to know Maddie, Val, and Leopard Man even better, and could almost picture them, along with Lucas, Ethan, and Leo. I could tell that it is hard for Maddie to trust others, as she waffles on her thoughts of Leopard Man and at least one of the possible suspects. Lucas, who she realized she began to rely on, suddenly does something out of character, and she wonders whether they are still in a relationship.
So many mysteries, so many secrets, so many suspects! Is there an overlap between who the suspects are and what they are involved with? While murder trumps theft, there is at least one person who might be involved with both. Research that Maddie and her friend, Damian, does shows just enough information to be dangerous, including hazardous to Maddie as she asks questions and jumps to conclusions. It is a challenging set of circumstances, and I definitely had much to mull over as I tried to reason out whodunit. I will say that the resolutions are stunning, and much of the end is satisfactory with all but one of the mysteries, or secrets, is cleared up. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and those earlier in the series!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
The Tell Tail Heart
Cat Café Mystery #3
By Cate Conte
ISBN 9781250072085
www.cateconte.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Welcome back to the charming New England coast, where Maddie James’s cat café is at risk of becoming a crime scene for the purrfect murder. . .
Maddie is hoping to have some downtime during Daybreak Island’s off-season to tackle her to-do list. Her grandfather’s house-turned-cat-café is under construction and she’s also scoping out places to open a juice bar on the island. On top of that, her relationship with adorable dog groomer Lucas has taken a pawsitive turn. But easy is getting harder every day for Maddie, especially when a big-name writer who’s on the island working on a new project winds up floating in the canal. This, on the exact same day an eccentric woman shows up at the cafe claiming Maddie’s cat, JJ, is hers. As the investigation into the dead writer picks up, Maddie realizes that even the neighbors she’s known all her life might be keeping secrets that go deep into the heart of this small seaside town. Meanwhile, a killer remains at-large…and on the prowl. (From Goodreads)
Review:
Third in one of my favorite “cat cozy” series, we are treated to adorable cats ready for adoption at JJ’s House of Purrs, the island’s new cat café. The characters are mostly delightful and realistic. The mysteries are well written and challenging, especially when some possible suspects are too kind to be considered while others seem too unlikable to not be bad guys. This is a fun and fabulous read for any time of year, whether at the beach or snuggled in with cats and hot cocoa in the deep of winter.
Daybreak Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, isn’t a popular winter destination. The delightful James family, including Grandpa Leo and Val, and Maddie’s California business partner Ethan, welcomes us to a new chapter in the Cat Café as the first floor of the family home is being remodeled to focus on the café. We are also welcomed to a new mystery – several, actually – and there is one man who is happy to be here during the off-season.
Jason Holt is a famous author of thrillers who is usually a summer visitor to Daybreak. Maddie is familiar with his novels but had no clue that the man who paid $100 a day, a week in advance, was the famous writer until her sister Val told her. It’s hard to imagine that the handsome man who sat with Jasmine, a sweet kitty waiting to be adopted, on his lap as he typed away is the same well-known writer that her mother can’t wait to meet!
A woman came in to spend an hour at the cafe. She met JJ, the orange cat who adopted Maddie last summer and told her that JJ is actually her Pumpkin that she lost a couple years ago. Maddie is upset at the thought of someone trying to take away her rock, her friend after whom the café is named. The older woman and the writer exchange what appear to be glares of recognition. Thankfully Grandpa, retired Police Chief, came into the room and escorted the woman out.
Despite the fear that the woman might break in and steal JJ, Maddie and boyfriend Lucas go out. She sees the woman who claims JJ is hers talking with a friend of the family, Leopard Man. He is the island’s “quirky character” who dresses in leopard garb. When they head for the movie theater, a street near the yacht club is blocked by police cars and lights. The only thing Maddie can learn from Craig, an officer she used to date in high school, is that a man was in the canal.
Maddie and Lucas go back to the family home to snuggle with JJ and a good movie. When they were almost home, Leopard Man ran into the street. He wants to see Maddie’s grandpa, so they give him a ride and he awaits Leo’s return. Later, Leo gives strict instructions that they are to tell no one that Leopard Man has been here. The next morning, they learn that the man in the canal, who was indeed dead, was none other than the author, Jason Holt. Leo shares another secret: Holt had been murdered; it looked like a hit and run. And they hear that Leopard Man is being sought by the police.
Val, who just opened her new business as a party planner, had been at the yacht club with the wealthy Ava-Rose. Val and Maddie’s mother had suggested Ava-Rose hire Val for her Thanksgiving party planning. Ava-Rose is distracted with a mystery, also, that she wants Maddie’s help to solve. Someone has been stealing valuable ship reproductions from the club. The club is closed for the season except for special events. She has a secret, also. While “staking out” the club, the 80-something lady saw Dr. Drake, the island’s veterinarian, meet and talk with Jason Holt. It looked as if the conversation grew heated, and Drake left in his car. Minutes later, she heard a car racing, a thump, and the car take off.
I am impressed with the author’s paintings of the characters! I feel as if I got to know Maddie, Val, and Leopard Man even better, and could almost picture them, along with Lucas, Ethan, and Leo. I could tell that it is hard for Maddie to trust others, as she waffles on her thoughts of Leopard Man and at least one of the possible suspects. Lucas, who she realized she began to rely on, suddenly does something out of character, and she wonders whether they are still in a relationship.
So many mysteries, so many secrets, so many suspects! Is there an overlap between who the suspects are and what they are involved with? While murder trumps theft, there is at least one person who might be involved with both. Research that Maddie and her friend, Damian, does shows just enough information to be dangerous, including hazardous to Maddie as she asks questions and jumps to conclusions. It is a challenging set of circumstances, and I definitely had much to mull over as I tried to reason out whodunit. I will say that the resolutions are stunning, and much of the end is satisfactory with all but one of the mysteries, or secrets, is cleared up. I highly recommend this cozy mystery and those earlier in the series!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
July 18, 2021
4 stelle e mezza
La storia è buona, non sono riuscita a venire a capo del mistero e il libro si lascia leggere con piacere, l'unico problema è la protagonista che continuava a inventare teorie una più strampalata dell'altra, senza contare il suo agire un po' troppo impulsivo.
La storia è buona, non sono riuscita a venire a capo del mistero e il libro si lascia leggere con piacere, l'unico problema è la protagonista che continuava a inventare teorie una più strampalata dell'altra, senza contare il suo agire un po' troppo impulsivo.
January 15, 2023
I really didn’t enjoy this book. So much so that I almost want to go back and change the review from “A Whisker of a Doubt,” which I read before this one.
Maddie has no character growth at all. Maybe that’s okay for some kinds of books. Cozy ones, easy plot, etc. But her inability to respect people’s boundaries irritated me a lot. That and she has a pattern of calling people she dislikes “crazy” and “lunatic” without knowing their situations. Similar to “Whisker,” the character Maddie continuously calls insane and loathes to a worrying degree is an older woman. (In “Whisker” the older woman she hated suffered from dementia; in “Tell Tail Heart” the woman seems to suffer from depression and possibly PTSD.)
Maddie has no sympathy except for when it suits her and even when she displays sympathy there is no feeling or empathy or real compassion.
She does love and is compassionate for cats though. However, as someone who also loves felines, I feel like if someone who was disdainful of cat lovers already would feel confirmed in their distaste.
Some lines that really made me dislike Maddie (slightly misquoting as I returned my copy to the library):
- “She stood in the road and was glad someone stopped for the crazy girl with a bloody lip. … That was a good thing about living on a small island! It was one of her grandpa’s friends.” // Seriously? I live in a city and I’d like to think if a girl or woman (or anyone really) looked injured and/or in distress, someone would pull over to help. At least stop and ask what’s going on and call the police.
- “Maddie almost felt pity for Thea (the woman Maddie has beef with in this book), but mostly relieved because there was no way Thea could take JJ (Maddie’s cat but possibly once Thea’s kitten) away if she were in prison!” // Good god, first of all, Maddie was already told that Thea had given up her claim on JJ—valid or not.
- (While being confronted with violence by the murderer) Maddie thought to herself, “No! This definitely isn’t how I planned it!” // …I didn’t realise she had a plan. It kind of felt like maybe she wanted to get murdered herself. She called her grandpa and her ex boyfriend, one a retired police chief and the other a beat cop. Why didn’t she call 911? She could have given a tip off and they would have responded. If she really didn’t trust them, she could have gone to wait at the ferry docks—the only way on/off the island! To make sure he didn’t leave.
Additionally, multiple typos and discontinuity made the story difficult to follow. Nearly didn’t finish but I’d sink in a few days and was about 200 pages in when I wanted to chuck the book away from me.
I was hoping the ending and solve might be some consolation but alas. It was extremely rushed and didn’t make much sense.
Rather, it made some sense that the culprit was the writing partner but I didn’t really sus out how Maddie figured it out :)
Maddie has no character growth at all. Maybe that’s okay for some kinds of books. Cozy ones, easy plot, etc. But her inability to respect people’s boundaries irritated me a lot. That and she has a pattern of calling people she dislikes “crazy” and “lunatic” without knowing their situations. Similar to “Whisker,” the character Maddie continuously calls insane and loathes to a worrying degree is an older woman. (In “Whisker” the older woman she hated suffered from dementia; in “Tell Tail Heart” the woman seems to suffer from depression and possibly PTSD.)
Maddie has no sympathy except for when it suits her and even when she displays sympathy there is no feeling or empathy or real compassion.
She does love and is compassionate for cats though. However, as someone who also loves felines, I feel like if someone who was disdainful of cat lovers already would feel confirmed in their distaste.
Some lines that really made me dislike Maddie (slightly misquoting as I returned my copy to the library):
- “She stood in the road and was glad someone stopped for the crazy girl with a bloody lip. … That was a good thing about living on a small island! It was one of her grandpa’s friends.” // Seriously? I live in a city and I’d like to think if a girl or woman (or anyone really) looked injured and/or in distress, someone would pull over to help. At least stop and ask what’s going on and call the police.
- “Maddie almost felt pity for Thea (the woman Maddie has beef with in this book), but mostly relieved because there was no way Thea could take JJ (Maddie’s cat but possibly once Thea’s kitten) away if she were in prison!” // Good god, first of all, Maddie was already told that Thea had given up her claim on JJ—valid or not.
- (While being confronted with violence by the murderer) Maddie thought to herself, “No! This definitely isn’t how I planned it!” // …I didn’t realise she had a plan. It kind of felt like maybe she wanted to get murdered herself. She called her grandpa and her ex boyfriend, one a retired police chief and the other a beat cop. Why didn’t she call 911? She could have given a tip off and they would have responded. If she really didn’t trust them, she could have gone to wait at the ferry docks—the only way on/off the island! To make sure he didn’t leave.
Additionally, multiple typos and discontinuity made the story difficult to follow. Nearly didn’t finish but I’d sink in a few days and was about 200 pages in when I wanted to chuck the book away from me.
I was hoping the ending and solve might be some consolation but alas. It was extremely rushed and didn’t make much sense.
Rather, it made some sense that the culprit was the writing partner but I didn’t really sus out how Maddie figured it out :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2019
Half way thoughts:
Cate Conte is another author who does not worry too much about details. Her protagonist, Maddie James, seems a bit of an airhead. When a famous author leaves a notebook behind in her cat cafe, Maddie tells her grandfather to toss it in the Lost and Found box conveniently located by the front door. A stupid thing to do considering how valuable the unpublished book of a best selling author would be, she knew who it belonged to and furthermore, he had pre-paid a week in the cafe and was likely to be back the next day (had he lived). Then when the author is murdered, it takes Maddie some time before the bulb goes on in her head and she remembers the notebook. Who could have taken it? The author's former co-writer said it contained something they had been jointly working on. Local eccentric Leopard Man, on whom the police also seem to have their eye, was also in the house. The author's ex had also shown up, but Maddie thinks she appears to be grieving and it does not enter her head that it might have been she who took the notebbook. A lot of things do not occur to Maddie.
When Maddie follows a woman she suspects is up to no good, and finds him at a trailer with Leopard Man and her grandfather, the straight arrow retired police chief of Daybreak Harbour (on an island just off the coast of Massachusetts) she does automatically think that she should trust her beloved grandfather. Really, Maddie, you know him well enough to know that he could be quietly trying to work things out behind the scenes.
Ok, done reading. The storyline seemed to be rather far-fetched. Odd how all the characters somehow ended up together on a small island in Mass after so many years. We learn about the Leopard Man's interesting past (and the potential for an interesting future).
In spite of the absurdity of the story and the characters, I will continue to read this series. I have to love the idea of someone opening a cat cafe in their home. :)
The book also left us with a relationship cliff hanger. Is Lucas, Maddie's groomer boyfriend, coming back?
Cate Conte is another author who does not worry too much about details. Her protagonist, Maddie James, seems a bit of an airhead. When a famous author leaves a notebook behind in her cat cafe, Maddie tells her grandfather to toss it in the Lost and Found box conveniently located by the front door. A stupid thing to do considering how valuable the unpublished book of a best selling author would be, she knew who it belonged to and furthermore, he had pre-paid a week in the cafe and was likely to be back the next day (had he lived). Then when the author is murdered, it takes Maddie some time before the bulb goes on in her head and she remembers the notebook. Who could have taken it? The author's former co-writer said it contained something they had been jointly working on. Local eccentric Leopard Man, on whom the police also seem to have their eye, was also in the house. The author's ex had also shown up, but Maddie thinks she appears to be grieving and it does not enter her head that it might have been she who took the notebbook. A lot of things do not occur to Maddie.
When Maddie follows a woman she suspects is up to no good, and finds him at a trailer with Leopard Man and her grandfather, the straight arrow retired police chief of Daybreak Harbour (on an island just off the coast of Massachusetts) she does automatically think that she should trust her beloved grandfather. Really, Maddie, you know him well enough to know that he could be quietly trying to work things out behind the scenes.
Ok, done reading. The storyline seemed to be rather far-fetched. Odd how all the characters somehow ended up together on a small island in Mass after so many years. We learn about the Leopard Man's interesting past (and the potential for an interesting future).
In spite of the absurdity of the story and the characters, I will continue to read this series. I have to love the idea of someone opening a cat cafe in their home. :)
The book also left us with a relationship cliff hanger. Is Lucas, Maddie's groomer boyfriend, coming back?
November 26, 2020
Maddie James continues to keep her cat cafe open even with construction happening all around it. Along with her grandfather, she’s making her cafe a success and she’s even considering opening a juice bar. Her relationship with Lucas is growing stronger. Things have never been better for Maddie.
Then a woman enters her cafe claiming that Maddie’s cat, JJ, actually belongs to her. The woman sounds crazy. There’s no way Maddie is going to hand over her beloved JJ. Maddie doesn’t want to make a scene, but she wants this woman gone. On her way out, the woman makes eye contact with a writer who has been coming into the cafe every day to work on his upcoming book. Maddie wonders if they know each other.
When the writer turns up dead, Maddie is determined to find out if it was an accident or murder. She can’t help but remember that the crazy woman trying to take JJ away from her might be connected to the dead writer. Maddie intends to find out.
This is the third book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series and it might be the best yet. I’m always a sucker for a cozy mystery with a cat and this one has plenty of those. The regular characters are well developed and always fun to re-visit.
The plot moved along at a nice pace. I did have my suspicions about the real culprit but I enjoyed the journey of putting all the pieces together. The mystery stands alone in this book, but getting to know the characters and their relationships really help to enjoy this series even more.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.
Then a woman enters her cafe claiming that Maddie’s cat, JJ, actually belongs to her. The woman sounds crazy. There’s no way Maddie is going to hand over her beloved JJ. Maddie doesn’t want to make a scene, but she wants this woman gone. On her way out, the woman makes eye contact with a writer who has been coming into the cafe every day to work on his upcoming book. Maddie wonders if they know each other.
When the writer turns up dead, Maddie is determined to find out if it was an accident or murder. She can’t help but remember that the crazy woman trying to take JJ away from her might be connected to the dead writer. Maddie intends to find out.
This is the third book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series and it might be the best yet. I’m always a sucker for a cozy mystery with a cat and this one has plenty of those. The regular characters are well developed and always fun to re-visit.
The plot moved along at a nice pace. I did have my suspicions about the real culprit but I enjoyed the journey of putting all the pieces together. The mystery stands alone in this book, but getting to know the characters and their relationships really help to enjoy this series even more.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.
May 24, 2019
I read the first book in this series and fond it pleasant but with some character and plot development issues. This one is really better and I read it as fast as I could.
The book is engaging and entertaining, I really liked the cast of characters, both human and feline, and the setting.
The plot is complex, full of twists and turns, and it keeps you guessing till the end.
It was great to see how the characters and their relationships evolved and learn more about the Leopard Man.
I look forward to reading other installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The book is engaging and entertaining, I really liked the cast of characters, both human and feline, and the setting.
The plot is complex, full of twists and turns, and it keeps you guessing till the end.
It was great to see how the characters and their relationships evolved and learn more about the Leopard Man.
I look forward to reading other installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
July 24, 2019
After much internal debate, I've decided to go with two stars; it just didn't quite make three stars for me. It really was just "it's fine," "it's okay." The B plot could have been interesting by having it tie into the main plot. The whole romantic sub-plot has always been iffy for me; now it's apparently a triangle? Some things were never explained sufficiently. I don't know. I'm just meh about it.
September 13, 2020
A crime solving cat cafe owner and her family are at it again as a thriller writers ends up dead after working at the cat cafe. Mayhem ensues, talk to cat-napping (and not the sleeping kind) and the first storm of the season have everyone on edge. Engaging and interesting, this is a fun series.
May 26, 2020
A very cute series, one which I'm going to have to go back and start from the beginning, since I never read them.
September 5, 2020
Am I the only one who wants Maddie and Craig to get together?
September 24, 2020
I think this might be my last in this series. I love a good cozy mystery bit Maddie is so unlikeable. She pass her nose in everyone's business in such a rude way.
October 11, 2022
Such a good mystery with so much depth to the story. Love it!! Can't wait for the next!
January 21, 2024
Het derde deel van de serie over het kattencafé viel een beetje tegen. Het was wel aardig, maar dat was het dan ook. Bovendien stoorde ik me aan de wat slordige vertaling en andere taalfouten, weggevallen woorden, of juist dubbele. Toch zal ik ooit deel vier nog wel eens lezen, als ik het toevallig tegenkom, maar hard zoeken zal ik niet.
September 17, 2023
Love this series. Great cha. Lots of twists and turns. Great mystery
April 7, 2024
Good read but Maddie took stupid risks.
June 24, 2019
I adore this series and was thrilled to receive this book for review. I am a fan of the previous books in the series. This book can be read as a stand alone. I do recommend the series for your reading enjoyment . This series is pure catnip for cat lovers ! JJ the cat has a prominent place in this series as a well loved cat as he should be.
Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher . My opinions are my own.
It is always delightful to return to Daybreak Island. I love the author' descriptions of the charming island and life on a island. It is currently off season and our favorite protagonist Maddie is hoping for some quiet down time as she builds her cat cafe in her Grandfather's old house and is trying to open a juice bar.
When a murder occurs of a writer who was visiting the island Maddie begins to investigate as she is a talented sleuth who has solved prior murders. Much to the chagrin of her boyfriend Lucas who does not want her involved in another murder. Maddie soon finds the locals are hiding secrets that go back for years that does not help her build a suspect list.
In the meantime she is contending with a woman who claims JJ is hers and Maddie is devastated that she may lose him. That was hard to read as a cat Mom ! All is well and the book has a very pleasing conclusion. I loved the flow of the author's well crafted writing and the sleuth is always enjoyable with many twist and turns to keep the reader guessing. This is a very enjoyable read that I highly recommend for all cat lovers and those that love cozy mysteries . All the charcters are likable and the descriptions of the island are sublime. A very well crafted mystery, lots of love for animals makes this a winning series .
Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher . My opinions are my own.
It is always delightful to return to Daybreak Island. I love the author' descriptions of the charming island and life on a island. It is currently off season and our favorite protagonist Maddie is hoping for some quiet down time as she builds her cat cafe in her Grandfather's old house and is trying to open a juice bar.
When a murder occurs of a writer who was visiting the island Maddie begins to investigate as she is a talented sleuth who has solved prior murders. Much to the chagrin of her boyfriend Lucas who does not want her involved in another murder. Maddie soon finds the locals are hiding secrets that go back for years that does not help her build a suspect list.
In the meantime she is contending with a woman who claims JJ is hers and Maddie is devastated that she may lose him. That was hard to read as a cat Mom ! All is well and the book has a very pleasing conclusion. I loved the flow of the author's well crafted writing and the sleuth is always enjoyable with many twist and turns to keep the reader guessing. This is a very enjoyable read that I highly recommend for all cat lovers and those that love cozy mysteries . All the charcters are likable and the descriptions of the island are sublime. A very well crafted mystery, lots of love for animals makes this a winning series .
July 30, 2022
maybe i'm biased because i haven't read the other books in this series, but my goodness it was genuinely so frustrating to read, and i would've put it down if i wasn't stuck in a hospital for 9 days. the main character was so unlikable and unrelatable, would not stop whining, and wondered why she got in trouble when she was sticking her nose into things that didn't concern her at all. on top of all this i feel like this book was 75% fun facts about maddie and her family and the island and 25% mystery, and for most of the read i was wondering when things actually got good or mattered. maddie's "researching" was just her googling and it was so incredibly frustrating to read. and it's a "cat cafe mystery" but the cats have literally NOTHING to do with the plot whatsoever, besides the one lady who shows up and tries to take maddie's cat. that wasn't even a relevant plot point, or an important conflict, and that entire "issue" was never resolved, and was honestly just a waste of time. i don't even remember half of the character's names because they were all built up to matter and be important and then have no importance at all to the story, and the ones that did matter showed up for so little time that when the book ended i just felt disappointed. please don't waste your time reading this.
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