This was a nice start to a new cozy mystery series. It set up a possible love triangle, an eclectic cast of supporting characters and a cute cat concept to build on with the cat café theme. I look forward to revisiting this series soon and this will be an easy hand-sell at the store as cat cozies are quite popular!

Although I was a bit apprehensive about reading another book that has an animal as a character, I loved this book! It was a very nice 'first' in a series. I liked the characters, the description and the story. There were just enough twists and turns to keep it interesting until the end. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Looking forward to the second book in the series. Interesting town, both love interests were perfect.

A delightful cozy mystery debut! This is purrfect catnip for all cat cozy lovers.
Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, a small village off the coast of Massachusetts, She is looking forward to starting a new life when a wonderful orange Tabby enters her life. She opens a cat cafe and is thrilled to work toward cat adoptions and run her fun new business.
As Maddie opens her business her cat finds the dead body of the town bully and she decides to investigate when she is under suspicion. The town does not know her well and it is rumored she may have murdered the victim. She takes on the fight to save her reputation and her business.
Maddie is a smart , independent protagonist who finds she has a skill of solving crime. She soon is onto the suspect and finds herself in danger.
This book was so well crafted I never wanted it to end. I loved the location, the cats, and the sleuth.. The writing is fast paced and exciting to conclusion. I look forward to the next in series. The author knows cats and her cat characters here are done to perfection.
Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

Maddie James is a great character in this first book in the Cat Cafe Mystery Series. When she returns to her hometown, adopts a stray cat, and opens a business, she never expects to get caught up in a murder investigation. This story of what happens to Maddie next is a charming one. This book is quick and easy to read and quite entertaining.

Cat about Town by Cate Conte is the first novel in A Cat Café Mystery series. Madalyn “Maddie” James has returned home to Daybreak Island for her grandmother’s funeral. At the cemetery, Maddie spots an orange cat peeking around a gravestone. Later at Grandpa Leo’s beautiful old Victorian home, he tells Maddie that Frank O’Malley is trying to force him to sell the house. Frank has big plans for the island which include a transportation rental center on Leo’s property (tearing down their family home). Maddie arranges to meet Frank at a local restaurant and heated words are exchanged. After walking around town, she ends up at her grandmother’s grave where she meets up with the orange cat again. The cat follows Maddie to the Food Stroll where she meets up with her friend, Becky Walsh. Suddenly, the cat takes off with Maddie quickly following behind him. She finds her furry friend under a table staring at a deceased Frank O’Malley. The police put Maddie and her grandfather, Leo at the top of the suspect list. Maddie and her new feline companion, J.J. (who is being hailed a hero) set out to discover Frank’s killer. Will the killer strike again before Maddie uncovers his identity?

Cat about Town started off at a good pace and I was intrigued by the story. The further I progressed into the book, the more mundane it became. It seemed like the author had followed a formula or outline for a cozy mystery. We have our female protagonist, two male suitors, a cute cat, nasty guy who gets himself murdered, our suspects, rude investigator, protagonist investigates to clear her name or that of loved one, life threatened, and bad guy apprehended. I liked the addition of the mysterious benefactor and the idea of a cat café. I not heard of cat cafes prior to this novel. I am giving Cat About Town 3 out of 5 stars. The murder of Frank O’Malley was easily solved. There is some misdirection, but the killer’s identity was not a shocker. There is a little twist that will surprise most readers (I would say more but it is a spoiler). I do wish the author had not given Maddie two beaus. The last thing I want (or readers need) is another love triangle in a cozy mystery. I like how close Maddie is with her grandfather, Leo. They have a sweet relationship. I wish there had been less repetition of case details and more solid content (less fluff and romance). I will read the next book in A Cat Café Mystery series. I am curious to find out more about the mysterious benefactor and see the development of the cat café.

Book one in a new Cat Cafe Mystery series. This book was awesome I must admit. Set in a small town in New England we get to meet Maddie as she returns home for her grandmothers illness and subsequent death. She meets an orange stray during the funeral that she eventually adopts though she tries her best not to. This new friend finds a dead body, and as one of the suspects (along with her grandfather) she finds herself having to investigate to find the truth. Along the way she keeps getting sent some really cute articles that pertain to cat cafes which sounds like an excellent idea that I personally would really enjoy. The characters are easy to relate to as well as easy to get attached to even if they are trying to solve a murder. I think the cat may be my favorite of them all. The development of the story is smooth and keeps a steady pace which I rather enjoyed to be honest. Overall it is an excellent cozy mystery making it a must read for fans of that genre. I really enjoyed it so it gets 4/5 stars and I am really looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
There is a new cat in town and he is a winner. This is the first in a cat cafe series and although it takes the entire book to get to the cafe, it is a fun read. It's heartening when the reader likes all the characters who, while they fit the cozy format, still manage to be unique.
When Maddie returns to her hometown for the funeral of her grandmother, she is adopted by JJ, a very wily and talented street cat. It is very apparent that she is under his paw from the start and he helps her find a body and then track down the murderer. Since he was the one who found the deceased, a thoroughly reprehensible local bigwig, JJ is a hero after his story is splashed across the local newspaper. Walking with Maddie, he always causes a stir as he saunters in his harness.
He and some unknown (I have my suspicions) benefactor lead her inexorably to the conclusion that she should stay in town and open a cat cafe for the homeless felines of the island. I am already looking forward to future adventures. As for this book, I enjoyed the journey through the mystery and I can recommend to my friends who love kitty mysteries.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Maddie James comes to town for her grandmother’s funeral and to spend some time with her grandfather as they both grieve. The funeral has one surprise guest, a cute tabby cat that attached itself right to Maddie. Things go great until her new furry friend finds a dead body. Maddie finds herself reacquainting herself with the people of Daybreak Island and getting to know the new residents as she tries to find the person who was driven to kill the man that wanted to change everything about the Island. Turns out there are plenty of suspects.

Cate Conte has brought some truly lovable characters to this series. The relationship between Maddie and her Grandpa Joe is so heartwarming. She will go to great lenths to protect him and he her. As a cat lover I was taken in by the way Maddie accepted orange feline into her life complete with a leash to take him with her everywhere. It reminded me of the relationship between Charlie Harris and his cat, Diesel, in Miranda James Cat in the Stacks mystery series, one of my favorite series.

Daybreak Island is a wonderful setting. It is filled with history in the shops and the homes. You need to take a ferry to reach it and while it does have a tourist season most residents live there year round. I could easily picture everything thanks to the author’s terrific descriptions.

The mystery was top notch. A variety of suspects with means, motive and opportunity drew me deeper and deeper into the story.

The “cat cafe” has not come to fruition yet but this first installment gives us the backstory that has started to put the cafe in motion.

This series is off to a fantastic start! I can’t wait for my next escape to Daybreak Island. My virtual bags are already packed.

I love love love a cute mystery and animals! Wonderful book! I will be adding this to my collection!

“Cat About Town” is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. Maddie James, owner of a successful juice bar business in San Francisco, returns home temporarily for her beloved Grandmother’s funeral and is quickly caught up in investigating the murder of one of the town’s less liked individuals. Maddie is also very concerned about the health of her grandfather and, in addition, acquires a cat. One could more rightly say that the cat, a stray she names JJ, actually acquires Maddie.

There are a lot of characters introduced and whose background is given. This is common in first books in a series and sometimes slows down the progression of the plot. I realize that it is a necessity for the series to continue at a good pace and so I don’t let it trouble me too much.

I enjoyed the book, the whodunnit and some of the other “happenings” along the way. I’ll certainly be looking for more of this series in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Cat About Town by Cate Conte is the first book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series. I loved this book, and I am so happy I was able to start this series at the beginning. Maddie owns a successful business in California but has returned to Daybreak Island for her grandmother's funeral. She stays to help her grandfather adjust to life without his spouse. She discovers that her grandfather is being harassed into selling the family home. This situation gets more complicated when the harasser turns up dead, and her grandfather is the main suspect. I loved the setting, the writing style, and the orange cat named JJ (who reminds me of the JJ I used to have). I look forward to the next book in this series!

CAT ABOUT TOWN by Cate Conte
The First Cat Cafe Mystery

Maddie James has left her juice bar in San Francisco in the capable hands of her business partner as she returns to Daybreak Island in New England to be there when her grandmother dies. After the funeral Maddie is concerned about her grandfather, especially when she discovers he's not doing well financially and the chamber of commerce leader is trying to coerce him into selling the family home. Maddie's not about to let anyone threaten her family and warns the man off, publicly. It's only a few hours later, as she chases after her new cat friend, that they come across his body, murdered in a tent on the Food Stroll. Maddie realizes she could be the number one suspect, but could her grandfather, the former Chief of Police, really be suspect number two?

Familial love with an interesting dynamic, secondary characters with depth, and an orange cat you can't help but love combine with humor to make a fine mystery. CAT ABOUT TOWN is a solid start to a new series. When the mystery is solved we are left with plenty of avenues still to explore and, indeed, a new beginning prepared for the next book.

Cate Conte has created a wonderful world for her Cat Cafe Mystery series. An insulated island that gets jam packed with tourists in the summer months yet becomes nearly desolate in winter is the perfect place for murder. It's a place where neighbors know each other, but not necessarily the strangers. It's also a place with varied ideas about growth and a place where people could get desperate. I look forward to seeing and learning more about the secondary characters, especially Damian and the Leopard Man. But my favorite aspect of the book is JJ whose charm is completely captivating!

Maddie James returns to her hometown of Daybreak Island, near Massachusetts for the funeral of her beloved grandmother. Although she’s happy to see her sister, parents and grandfather, she can’t help feeling sad at their loss. Maddie agrees to stay in town for a little while to help her grandfather get through this difficult time. She’s living in San Francisco and successfully is an owner of an organic juice bar. Her partner is handling things in her absence.

When Maddie hears that a local business man is bullying her grandfather into selling his home, she’s furious and intends to let him know that’s not going to happen on her watch.

Maddie runs into a stray orange tabby who makes it known that he wants to adopt her. Maddie is more than willing to let him and names him JJ. When JJ discovers the dead body of the man harassing her grandfather, he quickly becomes the town hero. However, Maddie and her grandfather become the prime suspects in the man’s murder.

As Maddie snoops around town trying to find a killer, someone sends her newspaper articles about cat cafes. Maddie wonders if someone is trying to tell her something. Daybreak Island could sure use one of those and it would be the perfect business for her to start. First, she has to make sure she isn’t going to be spending the rest of her life in jail.

I’m so thrilled to find a brand new feline cozy mystery series. I can’t get enough of them. JJ is adorable…he doesn’t talk, has no special magical powers, he’s just a lovable kitty looking for a home and found himself one. Maddie puts a harness on him and takes him everywhere. They are the perfect match.

I think this is a great debut book for this series. The characters are vivid and come to life on each page - none of the stiffness that sometimes happens with brand new series. I felt as if I knew Maddie for years instead of just meeting her. She has a legitimate reason to snoop into this murder mystery.

The book combines humor with mystery and romance. She has two, possibly three men interested in her to make things just a bit more complicated for our heroine. I’m so looking forward to seeing what other situations she gets herself into. Excellent start to a new series. Great job!

I was excited to find another series that involves cats, and especially a cat cafe. This book does not disappoint! There is no cat cafe in this story, but instead it is the lead up to the creation of the cafe.

I love the relationship between Maddie and the orange tabby cat she eventually names JJ...they are able to communicate well with each other, and he helps her solve the murder mystery. I can't wait to read more about them in future books--and hopefully get to know other kitties as well.

There are many interesting people on Daybreak Island that I also look forward to learning more about as the series progresses, especially the two men who are vying for Maddie's attention. Her family is full of some quirky individuals, as well.

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves cozies and/or cats.

OK, I have to admit 2 things: 1-I wanted to read this because there was a cat on the cover! 2-I loved this book. It was fun, mysterious and downright cozy. I love cozy mysteries and this one included. It was well-written with well defined characters that you could relate to, talk to, maybe have tea with. And of course, there is a kitty in the book. But what happens with the kitty? You have to read this fun book to find out!

Maddie James is co-owner of a successful organic juice bar, Goin' Green, in San Francisco. When her grandmother passes away, she finds herself back in Daybreak Island. While home Maddie realizes that there are things going on in the tourist town that aren't on the up and up. Her grandfather is being bullied by the President of the Chamber of Commerce to sell his home and property. When her grandfather refuses, things being happening around the home.

Amid the chaos, Maddie bonds with a stray cat who becomes her companion during the stay in Daybreak Island. During set up of the town festival, the cat discovers the dead body of the bully in one of the tents set up through town. Of course the local police are involved but it looks like both Maddie and her grandfather may be suspects. Maddie and her new fluffy friend, JJ, take it upon themselves to flesh out who committed the murder.

There is a small love triangle brewing in Cat About Town but it really doesn't overshadow the main themes of the book. Both men are good choices for Maddie based on the scant interactions we've seen. It will be interesting to find out which direction the author takes this particular story line in future books. I hope Maddie figures out what she's going to do about it rather quickly.

I enjoyed Maddie's character. She's friendly, compassionate, and easy to relate to and the way she cares for her grandfather is wonderful. All of the secondary characters were well written, played their parts in the story, and, along with Maddie, were realistic and believable. The character development and world building was nicely done and the pacing of the book is steady. The book flowed along, was easy to read, and I enjoyed every bit of the story. The author did a great job setting the stage for this mystery and provided several potential suspects.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided to me through NetGalley.

Light, cozy mystery in an interesting new island setting. The ending left me wondering what will happen next...

This is a great book; this is the first book in the Cat Café Mystery series and is written by Cate Conte. Maddie James has arrived in Daybreak Island, just off the coast of Massachusetts, eager to settle down and start her own business―and maybe even fall in love. When a stray orange tabby pounces into her life, she’s inspired to open a cat café. But little does Maddie know that she’s in for something a lot more catastrophic when her new furry companion finds the dead body of the town bully. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.