Purrder She Wrote

Cat Cafe Mystery #2

by Cate Conte

Second in the paws itively charming new feline mystery series set off the New England coast, where curiosity leads to some killer small-town secrets....

It’s the grand opening of Daybreak Island’s cat café, where customers can get cozy with an assortment of friendly felines—and maybe even take one or a few home. Co-owner Maddie James is purring with excitement over her new warm-and-fuzzy venture. . .until she becomes entangled in a petty drama between one of her volunteers, an ardent animal-rights activist, and a wealthy woman who insists on adopting a calico kitty—right this instant. The catfight that ensues is bad enough for business. But when the snubbed socialite is found dead with a tell-tale catnip toy on the scene, suspicion lands squarely on Maddie’s staffer. Now, with her reputation and her career prospects on the line (to say nothing of her budding romance with a handsome pet groomer) Maddie must do whatever ittakes to solve the crime—before her nine lives are up.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cats, Cozy, Audiobook, Animals, Fiction

310 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 31, 2018

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote by Cate Conte is the second book in the cozy Cat Cafe Mystery series. In this series Maddie James had returned home to Daybreak Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts, to attend her grandmother’s funeral and got caught up in her grandfather’s troubles. She hadn’t planned on staying with her own business across the states but when a solution of opening a cat cafe in her grandfather’s place came to her Maddie was all in.

Now with the cafe opening Maddie is glad she is back with her family and running another successful business, her business partner had even joined her to help get things up and going. Things start off pretty busy for the new cat cafe when one of Maddie’s volunteers happens to get into it with a wealthy patron. To make matters worse after leaving the lady sends to the local police to investigate.

After everything is calmed down and the police are satisfied it was just a mutual disagreement with no need for the law Maddie forgets all about the incident. That is until she and her grandfather get yet another visit from the law, this time with the news that the very same patron had been murdered the night before. With Maddie’s staff in question she can’t let the crime stay unsolved for long so she begins to look into the matter herself.

Again the Cat Cafe Mystery series had all of those cozy elements you would hope to find in this genre, likable characters, frisky felines, and a murder to solve. Maddie again has her hands full with plenty of suspects as she tries to clear another person she knows. In the first book I warned it had the makings of a love triangle going on but that seems to be fizzling out and the hopes on one love interest although the “romance” is barely touched on in favor of the crime solving. And of course again I’ll look forward to seeing where the series goes next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Jeffrey Caston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well....

I didn't care for this one. For a number of reasons. Just bear in mind these are just one reader's opinions.

First. I don't know how to put this diplomatically, but to me, compared to the first book, Maddie and her entire family quickly devolved into an unappealing and unsympathetic group. I don't mind dark. And I don't mind brutal, morally corrupt characters, even if the protagonist. (Two seconds looking at my TBR list will tell you that.) But for a cozy mystery, in my mind, you need a likeable, sympathetic character who is good-hearted and forthright. To me, they fell short, and Maddie in particular. Yes, the part with the sister and her husband would understandably rankle her and cause most people to come to a sibling's defense. But the methodology was out of place here. Compare how it is dealt with here to the Sloan Krause mysteries. Maddie admits to points of her own dishonesty. The family came across to me, as snobbish, entitled, and willing to make threats to get what they want. Again, if I were reading a horror novel or a fantasy series, that might work, but here I was at a point where I wasn't really concerned with whether Maddie succeeded in her endeavors, be it the mystery or the new business.

Second. NOT ENOUGH JJ! I wanted more of the cat that was a character in the first book. A companion. A cat, who in their own way helps solve the mystery. I didn't get that here. Poor JJ was more window dressing than anything. He pops up only occasionally and has minimal involvement in the story at best.

Third. The myriad of personal conflicts weren't handled particularly well. For example, when Maddie has the discussion with Gigi and Gigi makes a suicide attempt, I didn't have an issue with that idea per se, but other than a few blase references, I felt like any sympathetic cozy-mystery protagonist would have acted a lot differently than Maddie did.

Fourth. Maddie's sleuthing is awkward at best. This is a soft issue, since this being only the second book, maybe she develops into something more believable and effective.

Fifth. The murder weapon/means of killing. Ummm... would that have physically worked? I'm not sure.

I have the fifth book in paperback because I got it for personal reasons related to my own cat. I may skip 3 and 4 and go right to 5 and see how I feel. Maybe I'll like it better actually reading the words on a page. Who knows.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The Daybreak Island cat café is open and the response is fantastic. People can come in by appointment to play with a cat and can even offer it a furever home. Plus they can have a cup of coffee and a delicious baked treat themselves as well. Except one guest wants to take home a cat today, as in right now. One of Maddie’s volunteers knows the woman and her history with cats and they get into an argument about her fitness as a pet owner. The woman leaves but is later found dead with a catnip toy, handmade by the volunteer, stuffed in her mouth. Maddie’s volunteer becomes the prime suspect, but Maddie can’t believe she’s guilty and decides to do some investigating on her own.

The theme for this series is such a wonderful idea and the setting of Daybreak Island sounds like a great place to visit.

What I really love about this series though is the characters and their relationships. Maddie Day is a strong protagonist and I love the relationship she has with her grandfather. He is still trying to find his way after losing his wife and the cat cafe is a great project where he and Maddie can work together. She has also inherited his love of investigations and finding the truth. Maddie’s partner Ethan handles the kitchen and the food and he has great ideas for expanding on what they have started together. He also gets a surprising romantic interest in this installment. A certain pet groomer is interested in Maddie too, so there is love in the air on Daybreak Island.

The mystery is in a “cat”egory all it’s own. Thr victim was not a nice person and many suspects come to light. Twists and turns keep the pace moving right along, but you could have knocked me over with a feather as the real killer was being revealed. It was so cleverly written, a total surprise.

These characters are fun, the mystery is tight, and all the subplots work. Drama, romance, cats, and comedy come together in all the right amounts to make this book “A Perfect Escape”.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the title “Purrder She Wrote”. 😊 JJ’s House Of Purrs on Daybreak Island is having it’s grand opening as book two begins. Protagonist Maddie James and her business partner, Ethan, are excited with the turnout and already making plans for expansion. Grandpa Leo, a retired police chief, also has a stake in the Cat Cafe. When a disgruntled customer has a cat fight with one of the cat rescue’s volunteers, the sharp claws come out. Volunteer, Adele, is later accused of murdering the customer, and the gang struggles to clear Adele’s name which is difficult due to her troublesome disposition.

My favorite character in this book is J.J., aka Junkyard Johnny, who is Maddie’s cat. He’s the purrfect leading man for this story. I enjoyed the plot which deals with several characters who are experiencing lots of emotional problems that make them appear suspicious. Book two didn’t quite peak my interest as well as book one immediately did; however, the killer was well concealed to me. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next story.

I reviewed a digital ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. Thank you.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s opening day for Maddie James’ new cat café on Daybreak Island. However, the day has hardly started when Adele, one of her volunteers, gets into a shouting match with socialite Holly over one of the cats. When Holly turns up dead, naturally Adele becomes a suspect. Maddie is sure the police are missing something. Can she figure out what it is?

I love the setting of this series. Daybreak Island is a place I’d love to visit – between the murders, of course. The mystery gets a bit sidetracked early on here due to some strong sub-plots, but I was enjoying those sub-plots as well, and things get back on track before too long with a surprising ending. The suspects are all strong, but it’s the main characters who made me excited to return to this series. They are all fantastic, and spending time with them was as enjoyable as spending time in the setting.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series but my first read. It can perfectly fine be read as a stand alone.

I am not a total cat person (due to allergies) but I loved the setting, characters and cats this mystery came with. It was a very engrossing story and makes me looking forward to the next book in the series.

There is a lot going on here with a wide variety of different personalities but nothing is overwhelming - it is just perfect.

I am glad this book caught my eye and I will definitely go back and read the first book.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that St. Martin's Press and the author provided me with an advance copy.

[Silvie Klokgieter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eindelijk is het zover: de grote opening van het kattencafé op Daybreak Island, waar klanten gezellig kunnen kletsen onder het genot van een kopje koffie of thee, in gezelschap van een heel assortiment vriendelijke katten. Mede-eigenaar Maddie James kan haar geluk niet op, tot ze verstrikt raakt in een drama tussen een van haar vrijwilligers, een fervente dierenrechtenactiviste, en een rijke vrouw die erop staat een lapjeskat te adopteren – en wel nu meteen!

De ruzie zelf is al slecht genoeg voor de zaken, maar als de diepbeledigde dame dood wordt aangetroffen met een kattenspeeltje naast zich, is het personeel van het kattencafé hoofdverdachte nummer 1. Met haar reputatie en carrière op het spel (om nog maar te zwijgen van haar ontluikende romance met een knappe dierentrimmer) moet Maddie alles doen om de misdaad op te lossen – voordat haar negen levens op zijn.

Dit is het tweede deel met Maddie James in de hoofdrol en eindelijk is het kattencafé geopend. Echter vindt er hier al snel een ruzie plaats tussen twee vrouwen en niet veel later wordt één van deze vrouwen dood aangetroffen. Meteen wordt er iemand verdacht, maar zit diegene werkelijk achter deze moord?

'Negen levens in het kattencafé' is een heerlijke cosy crime. Je proeft de gezellige sfeer in het kattencafé, maar tegelijkertijd vraag je je af wie de moordenaar is en wat de reden van de moord is.

Je leest ook meteen weer wat meer over Maddie en haar liefdesleven en over haar kat: JJ. Tijdens het lezen verdenk je steeds verschillende personen, dus dit vond ik ook weer goed en mysterieus.

'Negen levens in het kattencafé' was voor mij zeker een succes. Binnenkort ga ik het derde deel lezen, want in maart komt zelfs al het vierde deel uit!

Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote by Cate Conte is the second in her Cat Cafe series and was a strong addition to this new series.

On opening day of the Cat Cafe, Maddie is thrilled until she has to referee a squabble between a spoiled local socialite and one of her volunteers. But the rest of the day goes well until the police show up. It seems that some one has murdered that particular socialite and the police are looking at her volunteer.

The pace is smooth and swift with the usual twists and several suspects for Maddie to consider. Ms. Conte also added more detail to each of the characters so that I felt like I got to know Maddie, her family and friends much better in this book. I also enjoyed meeting Maddie's partner, Ethan, in this book. He seems to be a solid young man who is smart and definitely business savvy. I hope to get to know him better as this series progresses since Ms. Conte seems to have a romance in mind for him. An enjoyable afternoon read and I look forward to reading more in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Minotaur Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book in this series did not actually involve a cat cafe, so I decided to follow up with book two in the hopes of more cats.

However, despite this book actually having a cat cafe, there is very little cat interaction. Almost all of the cafe activity consisted of, "I got up early and cleaned litter boxes before we opened, Gigi helped me clean litter boxes", and "the litter boxes had already been cleaned".
There may even be less cat interaction than in the first book.

If it seems like I'm focusing on cats too much, it's because the main character, Maddie, is a self-centered, judgmental, self-appointed martyr who thinks EVERYONE needs her to fix their lives AND resents it.

"My entire family had fallen back into...coming to me to solve everything...my sister's life was falling apart (not really), my mother wanted me to save the day (she asked you to call your sister), my dad wanted me to help him run his professional life (help plan ONE party), Craig wanted to get back together with me"
and then later in the book the author actually has Maddie's mother say, "I wish you'd give yourself more credit."
I wanted to throw the book in a overflowing litter box. (But it's a library book).

She is so egotistical as to believe that someone attempts suicide because she has questioned them about their motive for being at a party.
It's all about me me me me me me!!!!!!!

It can't be because *spoiler alert* 1. your dad died unexpectedly, causing financial difficulties, causing you mother to be shunned socially and necessitating that you drop out of college, and a strained relationship with your mother, concern that your friend and mentor may be the murderer, and that you unintentionally made your mother lose most of her business.

Maddie's "method" of "investigating" the murder consists of making snap judgments and broad characterizations and deciding that anyone could be the killer, no matter how minor the motive is. She gets annoyed when anyone in her small town asks about the murder because she doesn't want bad press for the cafe, but she has no problem questioning and accusing just about everyone she trips over.

Her grandfather used to be the Chief of Police, her family has lived on an island where everyone knows everything within minutes, and her best friend is a reporter, yet she knows nothing about any of the major scandals peripheral to the murder.

If I had a cat cafe, not only would Maddie's application to adopt a rescue cat be permanently denied, I'd bar her from the premises.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are going well for Maddie James with her new cat cafe. She and her business partner are really making things work. Of course they have a little help from Maddie’s grandfather and a few devoted volunteers. The goal is to give people a chance to grab a cup of coffee, a pastry and adopt a cat. Or, at least, play with one. The cat cafe has many too choose from.

When a wealthy woman demands to adopt a cat, one of the volunteers gets her back up and refuses. It seems this woman has a past that is not conducive to adopting a cat and this volunteer definitely will not allow it. They fight in the middle of the cafe. Maddie does her past to defuse the situation, but later things take a terrible turn. The wealthy woman is found dead with a catnip toy stuffed in her mouth. Of course Maddie’s volunteer is the prime suspect.

Maddie’s new business will close very quickly if she can’t solve this crime. She’s sure her volunteer is innocent and she will do everything she can to prove it. Unfortunately, there are many suspects, not to mention some personal issues get in her way. Still, Maddie is determined.

I loved the first book in this series and I love the second one even more. Admittedly, I’m a cat lover so I was excited to see a cozy mystery series based on a cat cafe. The characters are colorful, including Maddie’s own kitty JJ (aka Junkyard Johnny). I would have liked to see JJ more involved in the story, though. There’s, also, some romance with a hint of a triangle involved, too.

The plot is fast-paced and grabs you right into the story. There were quite a few twists and turns along the way. I was totally taken off guard when the killer was revealed. I didn’t see that coming. Well done.

I don’t think it matters if you didn’t read the first book, but it’s always fun to start at the beginning. Fortunately, it’s a new series and this is only the second book, so you don’t have too many to catch up with.

There is so much potential for this series to become one of my “must read” cat mysteries. I’m so looking forward to the next book.

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie James, her California business partner Ethan and of course, JJ the leashed cat, have teamed up to open the Cat Café, to facilitate adoptions while providing its human guests with something light to eat or drink. On opening day, prominent socialite, Holly Hawthorne Hill, thought she can just bypass the adoption process because of her family's name. The situation escalates into a screaming match with one of the volunteers. When Holly is found murdered, the investigation immediately circles around the Café-- the last kind of publicity needed on opening week.

I enjoyed the book very much. The mystery had several layers with multiple suspects but not too complicated. It shows a lot of character development--especially Maddie's immediate family, how they relate to each other and work together to get through several plot twists within the book other than the actual murder mystery. I also liked the romance developing between Maddie and rock singer Lucas, as well as another couple very close to Maddie.

*** Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book one in this adorable new series, I couldn't wait to dive into the sequel to see how the new cat cafe was coming along. I loved every second of this read, from the charming descriptions of the kitty cafe to the antics of the cats themselves. This cozy was a well-plotted, delectable mystery, filled with characters that I cheered for (and a I few I had to jeer). The protagonist, Maddie, has so many obligations to juggle that it would make the average person's head spin--yet she handles it all with class, panache, and a touch of sass. And, in her spare time, she solves the murder. A satisfying read all around. Can't wait for book three!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only two months had passed since the last book and it was still summer on Daybreak Island, MA. Maddie's business partner Ethan had joined her in the cat cafe venture, while they still had the juice bar business thriving in San Francisco. Ethan took to the town and people like a natural and everyone loved his baking and his coffee that they served to the people who came to play with cats or look at cats to see if they wanted to adopt one. The business seemed to have taken off really well.

When the murder of a wealthy socialite occurred after that woman and Maddie's volunteer Adele had words about the woman wanting to adopt a cat, the police zoned in on Adele for the murder. Adele had trained a young college-age girl to work with the cats. Her name was Gigi and she took up the slack and worked hard. Maddie thought she seemed a little odd and even scared when it came to her mother, Felicia, who had asked if she could do catering there at the cafe. Along with trying to snoop around to clear Adele's name, Maddie had the construction project on her plate, the hospital gala that her dad had pleaded with her to help him with and driving the van for her animal control friend Katrina delivering pet food to those on the neighboring islands who couldn't make ends meet. Maddie also wanted to know what her daddy's-boy-brother-in-law had to do with all this mess, since he was the one who called in the murder.

There was a really fun twist at the end during the showdown which for a change didn't seem dangerous. I had randomly thought of the person who was the killer but I had nothing at that point to back it up. But it definitely wasn't who I had hoped it would be. Adele obviously came back to work and now the construction could begin in turning the garage into a cafe and making some changes inside the house--which was all provided for by the unknown benefactor whose other stipulation was to remain anonymous, so I guess we readers will probably not find that out either--although I still am suspecting someone in particular. The first stipulation was that Grandpa and Maddie turn the house into something to benefit stray cats.

I just love Grandpa even more in this book. He's so fun and sneaky in how he does his own little investigating using his man cave for an office, but he loves his family like crazy and would do anything for them. I liked getting to know Maddie's parents a little better too. They're really nice people and if it wasn't for having to always please rich people on the hospital board that employed him, I think her dad would be a lot more relaxed! We got to know her middle sister, Val, pretty well in this story. I hope her friendship with Ethan continues because it sure seems they're more suited for each other than Val and Cole!

I'm going to have a really hard time waiting for the next book--in the back of this book it says it comes out summer of 2019. I do have plenty of other cozies to read, but I could easily have binged into a third book! ;)

[Gail C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced digital copy of Purrder She Wrote by Cate Conte. In this second book of this series, Maddie, the protagonist is trying to balance the responsibilities of her newly opened cat cafe, a socialite’s murder which was first reported by her sister’s husband, a volunteer who has all the makings of “crazy cat lady” and another volunteer who appears to be extremely fragile. Add to that, she’s trying to avoid sabotaging her budding relationship with a new boyfriend while resisting the interests of an old boyfriend all against the backdrop of a dad who has asked her to take on coordinating a gala at his hospital at the last minute and committing to her animal rescue friend to help drive for a new “pet meals on wheels.” Whew. It’s a lot to be happening in the pages of one book and still have time to sprinkle clues and red herrings for readers who are trying to solve “who done it.”

Perhaps because there is so much happening, the characters came across as somewhat one dimensional to me. This is also the second in a series, and while the mystery seems self contained it feels as if I might have a better sense of the characters if I had read the first book in the series before reading this one. There are several secondary characters I would like to get to know better, particularly Maddie’s grandfather and her business partner. Can’t say the same for her father who comes across as self-centered and willing to sacrifice his family and family relationships for his job as the head of a non-profit hospital. It’s hard to like someone who seems to put his job before the welfare of his entire family.

As for the mystery, it felt as if Maddie eventually solves it more from intuition rather than actual information she has received and therefore shared with the reader. Throughout the book she is running from one suspect to the next, based on suspicions and incomplete information and the only reaches the correct solution because of a random thought she has than any puzzle-solving based on amassing clues and information.

The concept of a cat cafe is one of those things that has come into its own in the past few years, and provides a good setting for a book series, I would just like to have more depth to the characters and perhaps the cats than I found here. I also applaud anyone who shows adoption as a positive way to add pets to the home and I wouldn’t object to seeing more of the personalities of the cats who are featured in this series.

If you are interested in reading this series, I suspect you would do well to start with the first book in the series to see if it provides you with more in-depth clues as to the personalities are the primary and secondary characters. It may also be a series that improves over time as the character’s personalities grow and deepen.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote
Cat Cafe Mystery, Book #2
Cate Conte
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Second in the paws itively charming new feline mystery series set off the New England coast, where curiosity leads to some killer small-town secrets....

It’s the grand opening of Daybreak Island’s cat café, where customers can get cozy with an assortment of friendly felines—and maybe even take one or a few home. Co-owner Maddie James is purring with excitement over her new warm-and-fuzzy venture. . .until she becomes entangled in a petty drama between one of her volunteers, an ardent animal-rights activist, and a wealthy woman who insists on adopting a calico kitty—right this instant. The catfight that ensues is bad enough for business. But when the snubbed socialite is found dead with a tell-tale catnip toy on the scene, suspicion lands squarely on Maddie’s staffer. Now, with her reputation and her career prospects on the line (to say nothing of her budding romance with a handsome pet groomer) Maddie must do whatever it takes to solve the crime—before her nine lives are up. (Goodreads)


Review:

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place in the cat cafe. I could see all of the cats lounging in their cat apartments and in all of the nooks and crannies. The writing style allowed me to get a real feel for the characters through their words and actions.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Maddie is smart, caring and loyal. She does not like the fact that one of her volunteers is being accused of murder or the fact that her brother-in-law might somehow be involved. She is very willing and able to snoop around to find the killer. I enjoyed reading about her relationships with her family. She and her sister have some issues but they just may be able to work them out. And the relationship she has with her grandfather, Leo, is very special. Lucas seems like a great boyfriend and we will see how that progresses in the coming books. And J J, the cat is a star.

The mystery is well plotted and moved along at a steady pace. There are enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and it is not easy to solve. I did not figure it out until the reveal at the end of the book, which is fine with me.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Both of the books in this series are really great and I am looking forward to the third book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote by Cate Conte is the 2nd book in Cat Cafe Mystery series, and another fun addition. Maddie James, co-owner to the recently opened Daybreak Island Cat Cafe, is excited to finally be opened. The cafe lets you visit cats that you might want to adopt, or just play with, while enjoying some coffee and a scone. The grand opening is a success, except for an altercation between a cafe volunteer and a wealthy entitled women. When the women turns up dead, the volunteer is the prime suspect. Maddie is determined to find the real killer. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one, but I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this book/series for all cozy mystery and cat lovers.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was borrrrrring! NOTHING happens until the ahah mom where what’s her name realizes it is GiGis mom. No scary clues left around, no excitement, just meh meh. JJ (ugh that name!?) does nothing but ride around in a car all day. He doesn’t investigate anything. He isn’t a side kick. The book actually doesn’t have a lot to do with cats - pretty much all we learn about the cat cafe is that the cats need their crappers cleaned.

It actually stresses me out how disorganized the cat cafe is and how many people constantly knock on the front door!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is more of 3.5 stars. I struggled to get into the story. There is so much going on and I found myself getting confused.
This read as more of a first in a series, where the author is introducing the reader to the cast of characters.
I'm hoping the next book will be less confusing.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second is a series, I think the first one needs to be read to truly enjoy this book. Thrust into a Murder, the many characters were confusing and there was near enough scene with the actual cats. It didn’t make the main character very likable, more of a busybody. Yeah, read the first one in the series before this one.

[Bea]

3, maybe 3.5 stars

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maddie is not likeable at all

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Purrder, She Wrote, second in the Cat Café Mystery series! I envy the business that our protagonists are in, a cat café with adorable cats ready for adoption. Each character is designed with care; Maddie and Grandpa Leo run JJ’s House of Purrs. The café is named in honor of JJ, Junkyard Johnny, an orange tabby who rescues Maddie even as she rescues him right back. The mystery is finely planned and executed.
Grandpa Leo’s Victorian home has been in his family for several generations. An anonymous benefactor saved the family home from a shyster trying to take it with the stipulation that the home be used to benefit Daybreak Island’s cats. Maddie had worked at a cat rescue in San Francisco and knows the business well. She and Leo, retired police chief, turn the home into a cat café, with the cat quarters and café on the main floor. Their Grand Opening is underway with two volunteers and Maddie’s business partner from California, Ethan, to serve coffee and baked goods.
All is going well until Holly Hawthorne, from one of the wealthy island families, decides she wants to adopt a cat and take it home that day, sans the application required for all adoptions. She and volunteer Adele, who works two jobs to support herself and help the island’s feral cat population, have a loud disagreement. Maddie tries to calm the ladies, confirms the adoption process, and a very angry young woman leaves the Café without a cat. Cats Holly had adopted from Animal Control had not fared well, and Adele didn’t want another cat going to less than ideal circumstances.
Sergeant Mick Ellory comes to visit later to ask about the signature catnip toys. Adele makes and donates them for the café cats, and one for each cat to take to their fur-ever home. Katrina, who manages Animal Control, arrives. She is afraid that Adele may have finally lost it, as Holly has been found dead, choked with a catnip toy. Even before Adele finally confesses, Maddie knew something was off. Something was also off with Adele’s friend, Gigi, also volunteering at the Café. Maddie is determined to find the truth.
The characters are well defined. I like Maddie and her best friend Becky. Holly and her twin Heather were unquestionably not my favorites. Grandpa Leo and others are seen best through their decisive actions, love for cats, and rich dialog. Maddie’s lack of self-confidence is endearing, serving to make her more realistic. Discovering which of the two guys interested in her she will pursue is interesting; also interesting will be seeing whether Maddie’s sister goes back to her cheatin’ hubby.
The novel is so good that I can’t wait for the next one! The author provides such an in-depth knowledge of cat cafés that it sounds to be as enchanting a place to work as a bookstore or library. The mystery is very well-written with plot twists that continually change the suspect list. I was surprised at who the killer really is, as I had not even considered the person. JJ is a unique protagonist! He seems at times to be imparting wisdom to Maddie; he wears a harness and walk on a leash. Not many cats will see that as a positive trait but JJ loves the attention. This is a memorable “tail” in almost every aspect, and this crazy cat lady who smiles at the mention of the organic pet treat vendor highly recommends it!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this e-arc from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote by Cate Conte is the second A Cat Café Mystery. Maddie James is having the grand opening of JJ’s House of Purr’s, a cat café, on Daybreak Island. It is a chance for people to spend time with adorable felines and enjoy a snack at the same time. It is Maddie’s goal to find loving, stable homes for the cats in her care. The first day gets off to an explosive start when volunteer, Adele Barrows gets into an altercation with Holly Hawthorne. Holly wishes to adopt a cat and Adele has no intention of letting Holly get her claws into another innocent feline. Before Maddie ends up with a cat fight on her hands, she diffuses the situation. That evening Sgt. Mick Ellory stops by asking about the shop’s signature cat toys which are made by Adele and exclusive to JJ’s House of Purr’s. Unfortunately, someone used them to silence Holly forever. With Adele at the top of the suspect list and the shop the subject of hot gossip, Maddie, with the aid of Grandpa Leo, digs into the case. She will need to work in her investigating in between handling the café, spending time with her new boyfriend, listening to Ethan’s new ideas for the café’s kitchen, handling the hospital gala for her father, delivering for the new Pet Meals on Wheels program and dealing with her sister’s marital woes. Maddie will need to work in a cat nap or two if she is to keep up with her responsibilities. She will need to be stealthy in her investigation or Maddie may use up the last of her nine lives.

Purrder She Wrote is easy to read and has a steady pace. There is a lot going on in this book. I do not quite understand why the author felt the need to jam so much into one story. I would prefer she take the time to fully flesh out her characters. I would like to know more about Grandpa Leo and have him take a more active role in the investigating. I also could do with less of Maddie’s father who comes across as self-centered. He cares more about how events affect his career than his family. There was a great Emily Gilmore (of Gilmore Girls) reference in the book as well as one referring to Lord Voldemort. It was clever how the author included Stan and her pet treats from the Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. The whodunit was straightforward, and readers will have no problem identifying the guilty party. Maddie was intensely focused on solving the crime. She went from suspect to suspect to obtain information and kept in touch with her contact at the local newspaper for the latest news. There is speculation, rumors, and red herrings. I do wish that the case had been solved differently by Maddie (I would say more but I do not want to spoil it for you). There is some mild foul language in the story. Maddie is dating local pet groomer, Lucas Davenport but an old beau is also trying to capture her attention. Personally, I prefer the old beau over Lucas. I would prefer the romance to be less prominent in future books. I enjoyed the descriptions of the adorable felines and their antics. However, we do not need to know how often or when the litter boxes are scooped (no matter how necessary the chore). The cat café concept is unique, and I had not heard about them until I read Cat About Town (you should look it up online to see the various designs). While Purrder She Wrote is the second novel in A Cat Café Mystery series, it can be read alone. My rating for Purrder She Wrote is 3 out of 5 stars.

[RO G'ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote is the second installment in Cate Conte’s A Cat Café Mystery series. The storyline is well plotted and this book has a great cast of well-developed and affable characters. This steadily paced book has lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and there is no shortage of suspects. This is a clean read and the reveal in came as a surprise to me.

Maddie James and her California business partner, Ethan Birdsong, are excited about the grand opening of their new business, JJ’s House of Purrs, on Daybreak Island off the coast of Massachusetts. The cat café is housed in Maddie’s grandfather’s Victorian house and will sell food and beverages to humans while they spend time with felines who are available for adoption. Grandpa Leo, the former police chief of Daybreak Island, is a co-owner and lives in the house along with Maggie, her cat, JJ, and Ethan. Maddie’s parents and two sisters, Sam and Val, also live on the island. Things should run smoothly at the cat café because Maddie has prior experience as an adoption counselor, Ethan is great in the kitchen, Katrina Denning, the local animal control officer, provides cats for them, and they have two volunteers, Adele Barrows and GiGi Goodwin, to help with the cats. Holly Hawthorne, a prominent socialite, comes in on opening day, demanding to take a calico kitty home without going through the application process, gets into a shouting match with Adele Barrows, one of the volunteers, who says Holly isn’t fit to take care of herself, let alone a precious cat. During a party at the house Holly shares with her twin sister, Heather, Val’s husband, Cole, discovers Holly’s body, face down in the sand on the beach. Due to the recent confrontation between the victim and Adele, and evidence found at the scene, she becomes the prime suspect. With the help of her friend and local newspaper editor and reporter, Becky Walsh, and Grandpa Leo, Maddie begins to investigate, uncovers secrets, and discovers there are plenty of people with motives. Both Officer Craig Tomlin, her old boyfriend, and Lucas Davenport, the owner of a local pet grooming salon, are vying for her attention.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purrder She Wrote is the second in a fun new cozy series featuring cats, of course. The story begins as JJ’s House of Purrs, a cat café, celebrates opening day on Daybreak Island. The cat café is a place where folks can visit with cats waiting to be adopted, have pastries and coffee and fill out an application to take a cat home.

The story of how JJ’s House of Purrs came to be is told in the series debut, Cat About Town. This adventure starts with volunteer Adele arguing with Holly Hawthorne about adopting Georgia, a pretty calico. Adele accuses Holly of mistreating previous cats she had adopted. Maddie diffuses the argument and Holly leaves in a huff claiming she no longer wants the cat.

Later, that evening, as Maddie is celebrating the successful opening with family and friends, Katrina, Daybreak’s animal control officer and source of adoptable cats for Maddie, breaks in with news that Holly is dead, choked with a catnip toy made by Adele.

While Holly’s murder is the primary mystery, the book’s structure is multi-layered and well developed. Realistic and interesting characters, engaging situations, and enough red herrings to keep readers alert throughout populate this cozy. Daybreak Island and JJ’s House of Purrs, skillfully crafted by Cate Conte, is someplace readers will want to visit as often as Ms. Conte allows.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series which I thought was a terrific read. It did not read like a first book in a series to me at all. So I was interested in reading the next book in the series to see where the author would take the characters. It took me awhile to really get into this book. I like the character of Maddie James as well as her grandfather and JJ. I just thought there was too much going on and too many people wanting something from Maddie that she was stretched too thin. The mystery was good and there were plenty of suspects to choose from since the victim was not a nice person. The identity of the culprit was well concealed and that may have something to do with just how many things were going on in this book. I did not guess the identity until it was revealed. I am interested to see what the author does next in the series so I will return for the third book.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

After months of planning, the grand opening for the cat cafe is quite the success -- except for disagreement between a volunteer and a potential adopter. A disagreement that might have led to murder. Maddie James is determined to clear it up, but she has her hands full. Not only is her volunteer under suspicion, but her sister's unpleasant husband is an even better suspect -- if the police only knew. Entertaining and highly recommended!

If you are a lover of felines or well-done cozies, don't miss this series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky characters, an interesting storyline and cats. What's not to like? The second book in this series by Cate Conte kept me turning the pages. An enjoyable read that will please cozy mystery and cat lovers alike.

[Colinda Madelon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Net zo’n verhaal als boek 1. Maar eindelijk wel een kattencafé. Al blijven de katten de side quest van het verhaal, draait het hele verhaal op een of andere manier steeds om de hoofdpersoon, terwijl zij niks met de moord te maken heeft, en is het weer niet zo’n diepgaand plot. Misschien verwacht ik te veel van deze ‘cosy crime’ serie. En al met al leest het boek wel lekker weg ✨

Ik stoorde me in dit boek alleen enorm aan het feit dat vrijwel elke keer dat de hoofdpersoon ook maar iets at, het moest worden goedgepraat. En alle andere opmerking over lekker eten en aankomen. Waarom zit die toxische diet culture verwerkt in een ‘cosy’ verhaal? Het werkte voor mij totaal niet ontspannend…

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza
Sarà che la vittima era semplicemente odiosa, ma ho sperato che il colpevole fosse altrettanto odioso...