A nice addition to the series that was fun to read in the heat of summer! Maddie was hoping for a quiet Christmas but nooooo. First her grandfather fell and she's been coopted to take his place event planning, then a rescue cat is stolen, and worst of all, her pal Becky is the prime suspect in the murder of her boss. Yikes. Luckily, Maddie's an ace amateur investigator and she's not fooled by the red herrings. This has good characters, a sufficiently twisty mystery or two, and gosh, the holiday season came early. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun cozy read.

Considering it is in the 90s and HHH here in Connecticut, it was great to read a book set in New England starting ten days before Christmas. Maddie is trying to get decorations up for the holiday decorating contest, trying to find homes for as many kitties as possible before the holidays and trying not to get involved in planning any of the town wide events as she had enough at Halloween. The best made plans get thrown on their ear when her grandfather falls off a ladder, trying to fix lights set up by an incompetent electrician, a rescue cat gets stolen out of their home, Becky's job maybe at stake and then the owner of the paper she works for is found murdered. Can Mel and company find answers to who this electrician really is? Can Katrina and Maddy figure out who nabbed their rescue cat? Who killed Donna, and can they keep Becky off the suspect list? Can all this happen in time for everyone to enjoy Christmas? You will want to join our team for this holiday romp! Thanks to #Netgally, #StMartinsPress, and the author for a chance to read. #ShockandPaw #CateConte #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Shock and Paw initially caught my attention because of the title. It was a charming play on Shock and Awe. When I read the blurb, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this series was centered around a cat cafe. So, I decided to read it. And I am glad that I did. This was a mystery that kept me on my toes.

Shock and Paw is the eighth book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but to avoid the confusion I encountered while reading, I recommend reading the first seven books before picking this one up.

The main storyline of Shock and Paw revolves around Maddie, the Christmas competition, the murder of the town paper’s owner, and fliers that promise designer cat breeds by a backyard breeder. It is up to Maddie to control the Christmas competition, solve who killed the paper owner, and determine who is responsible for breeding designer cats.

Shock and Paw did rub me the wrong way at the beginning of the book. I was slightly turned off by how preachy the author was about not breeding and adopting only. Listen, I rescue cats myself and fall into the adopt when you can category. I have seen the effect that cat overpopulation has. I have also seen what happens when irresponsible owners don’t spay/neuter their pets. But I agree with responsible breeding (aka breeding to breed standard with breeders who are checked often). So, to repeat myself, I was turned off by the dialogue between Maddie and her friends in the first chapter. Thankfully, I don’t judge a book based on what I initially read.

The storyline with Maddie and the Christmas competition was amusing. I felt for Maddie being pulled into it against her will. I also felt for her mother having to deal with someone who was not only new to the island but also new to the committee. Thankfully, Maddie was able to help smooth things over for the competition.

The storyline with the flyers advertising the breeding of designer cats was interesting. I won’t go into my feelings (see above), but I liked seeing Maddie’s commitment to discovering who was breeding and hoping to educate them. I will say that I was shocked at who it was and how it was tied into the murder.

The storyline of the newspaper owner’s murder was interesting. I did kind of figure out who the murderer was, but the motive wasn’t clear. Maddie’s best friend’s red herring was just that—a red herring—but it did add some extra context to the storyline.

The end of Shock and Paw was exciting. I liked how Maddie tied everything together, and I was truly surprised at not only who the murderer was but also how it was tied to the flyers. I also liked that the author ended the book on a positive note.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, NetGalley, and Cate Conte for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Shock and Paw. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

It’s the holiday season on Daybreak Island, and Maddie James is looking forward to stepping out of the limelight, watching the island’s Christmas decoration competition from afar, spending time with her boyfriend and family, running tours for visitors as part of the festivities and spreading holiday cheer through cute cats in jingle bell collars.

But trouble hits close to home when word gets out that Donna Carey, the publisher of the island’s only daily newspaper where Maddie’s best friend Becky is editor, may be selling the business. Becky is a diehard journalist and to her, selling the only newspaper on the island is a fate worse than death. She publicly opposes the potential sale, wreaking havoc on her relationship with her big boss.

Maddie is sympathetic, but she has her own problems - like getting pulled into a role on the Christmas event committee despite her best efforts to stay far removed and solving the case of a mysterious cat breeder trying to sell expensive designer cats as holiday gifts on the island. But then Donna winds up dead—electrocuted by her own Christmas decorations—and it appears to be more than an accident. To make matters worse, Becky becomes suspect number one. Maddie is thrown into another murder investigation in order to save her best friend from a Christmas behind bars.

It’s interesting that Maddie’s friends and family want her to not be involved, and then THEY involve her. I am not a fan of people, even fictional people, who do not accept their own actions. However, this is not a pet peeve and does not take away from the novel. It's the involvement that makes the story move forward.

It was a unique plot point for a cozy mystery, exotic cats. Unfortunately, the holidays are a good “scamming” time. It's also a sad time for shelter pets. This is a serious crime, a live is still a live, and I wish more people had humanity beaten into them. The mystery itself was decent. Though it does seem to go really quick once Maddie starts putting two and two together.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

Shock and Paw is the 8th Cat Cafe mystery by Cate Conte. Due out 20th Aug 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 320 pages and will be available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is an enjoyable and well written holiday themed small town cozy mystery with an appealing female protagonist. I had read the first couple of books in this series, then sort of lost track of it and hadn't read any of them for more than a year. I didn't have any trouble following the story or keeping the main characters straight in my head whilst reading. The setting is a small relatively isolated island community in New England which gives the author broad scope to pepper the narrative with "eccentric" local characters.

The denouement was perhaps a trifle heavily foreshadowed, but nevertheless well written and executed. The cats (as always) are delightful, are featured in central roles, and add a lot of whimsy to the story. With 8 books in the ongoing series, it would make a great candidate for a long binge/buddy read.

Four stars. This will appeal to lovers of small-town cozy mysteries (with lots of cats).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is the first time I have read a book in this series and found it enjoyable. The idea of a cat cafe sounds like heaven to me. Add in a little mystery and good friends, even better!


I received a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's Christmas time on Daybreak Island. Maddie James is content with working at her cat cafe and keeping out of all the planned activities even though she can see that many of them are in need of her organizational skills. However, when a stray cat found behind a dumpster is stolen from Maddie's third floor guest room, she finds herself involved in the catnapping.

Maddie's best friend Becky has come to her with concerns about her job at the local newspaper. The long-run family business is in danger of being sold by Donna who has run it for years. When Donna is found dead by Becky with Christmas lights wrapped around her throat, Maddie wants to clear her friend's name.

There are other suspects. The new head of the chamber of commerce has encouraged contracts to less than able contractors including Todd who is supposed to be doing electrical work for those who need help stringing lights and setting up their holiday displays. He has been getting lots of complaints and the local electrician has had to fix up his projects.

Also, it appears that there might be a group selling designer cats for enormous prices running on the island too. Donna had been looking into the crimes before her death.

This was a nice cozy mystery, eighth in a series, set on an island. There were a lot of characters, most likely introduced in earlier episodes, to keep track of. I like Maddie's curiosity and her love for cats.

Maddie and JJ are really challenged by murder and "designer cats" in this latest visit to our favorite cat cafe, JJ"s House of Purrs. Please see my complete review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com.

Shock and Paw
Book 8 in the Cat Café Mystery Series
by Cate Conte
Pub date: Aug 20, 2024

Donna Carey, owner and publisher of the local daily paper, is selling the business. Then she ends up dead. Maddie James, owner of the local cat rescue/café, is drawn into the investigation when her best friend becomes a suspect. To ensure the island has a Merry Christmas, Maddie must bring a killer to justice.
This is the first book I’ve read in the Cat Café series. There is enough backstory in Shock and Paw that I wasn’t lost while reading the book. The characters are a tight-knit crew that watch out for and take care of each other.
The mystery is one that kept me guessing. The murderer’s identity is well-hidden. As Maddie’s investigation continues, she learns that the dead woman was deeply involved in an investigation of her own, and it may have led to her death. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot; it kept me on my toes.

Shock and Paw is a well-written cozy mystery. It’s a fun and quick read. If you love cats and cozy mysteries, then this book may be for you. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Shock and Paw is part of a cozy series but I haven’t read any of the other books and it was easy enough to keep up with. Maddie James runs a cafe that helps get rescue cats adopted on Daybreak Island. It’s almost Christmas so there is a die hard Christmas light competition happening and someone is trying to sell designer cats. Both things are enough to stress Maddie out but then she stumbles upon the dead body of a friend. In a twisted case that has multiple possible motives and suspects, Maddie and her crew manage to track down a killer while still saving the Christmas light contest. Interesting characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing drives a light hearted, cozy mystery. The series is well worth catching up with all the past books. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Maddie and her cat JJ find themselves in a lovely cozy Christmas season. Everything is decorated and people are excited.

Donna announces that she is selling the only newspaper in the town and this causes a great deal of ire about this. Amidst all of the festive goings on she is found dead - electrocuted by her own decorations.

It is up to Maddie and JJ to solve this crime and save the Christmas season.

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday cozy that makes you want to climb right into the book.

Christmas is coming to Daybreak Island. That means twinkling lights, holiday music, craft bazaars, and, whoa, murder? Who'd kill newspaper owner Donna Carey? Why? But, I get ahead of myself. I mean, the murder doesn't even occur until the end of chapter 23, though there's no lack of activity before that. Maddie is trying her best to take some time away from organizing and making things happen but it doesn't seem to be working. She's too good at her job although, as you'll note, a good part of it is delegating and knowing who to call to do that delegated task. With a sizable cash prize being offered for the best decorated home, the competitive side of the community is in high gear. It doesn't help, however, that the man hired to deal with electrical needs/issues seems just as highly incompetent. It's when her grandfather, the retired police chief, is mildly zapped while hanging lights and falls from a ladder, however, that Maddie becomes involved. Many chapters later, Donna is found dead in her yard with a string of lights around her neck. And, oh, there's a stolen cat and designer cats for sale flyers taking up a good deal of Maddie's mind, too. Anyway, that where the investigation starts.

I won't detail the plot further but it's a fun one, even if it does take awhile to get to the expected murder. Unless you're only there for the murder, oddly enough it doesn't distract from the story. It's a full story, with a cast of distinct characters and, yes, cats. All seemed to have a backstory, even the incompetent electrician. Toss in Maddie's shadowy cyber expert/sleuth, oh, okay, hacker, family, cat cafe goings-on, newspaper drama, and, well, so much more, and there's never a down moment. I mean, they manage to turn even choosing a Christmas tree into an event. I liked the characters and sense of community of Daybreak Island, quirky as some were. Hey, Bernie is a gem. I'd hire him in a minute. And, even as a dog person, I fully applauded the devotion of not just Maddie to the cats in her care, but the passion they felt for righting wrongs, whether involving human or feline. Maddie definitely deserves the title Event Ninja.

Bottom line, a fun, full of activity story line that sucks you in and makes you care about not just Maddie and her family but those about her, including the pets. Seriously, she even has dogs of her own. You will feel sympathy at the beleaguered police officers dealing with her single minded focus on taking care of the cats at a murder scene, however. Yes, she's pretty intense. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sPaperbacks for giving me a sneak peek at Christmas plans for this small town on Daybreak Island. I always enjoy my visits to the Cat Cafe.

As a cat lover and cozy mystery fan, I was thrilled for the opportunity from NetGalley to read Shock and Paw, the eighth installment in Cate Conte's cat cafe series. This book is the third one I've read.
The first-person narrator, protagonist Maddie James, runs a cat cafe in a charming town on Daybreak Island, off the coast of Massachusetts. Her large, close-knit family and network of friends all make their appearances. And, of course, her adorable orange tabby mascot, JJ.
This story takes place at the beginning of the Christmas season. The Chamber of Commerce is putting on a holiday pageant and a contest with a huge cash prize for the best Christmas lights display. Competition is fierce. Maddie vows not to get involved in the event planning; she's still exhausted from running the Halloween festivities, which resulted in a murder.
However, after too many details slip through the cracks, including a new electrician who doesn't seem to know what he's doing, Maddie breaks down and agrees to help.
Like the last mystery I read in this series, the murder doesn't happen until halfway through the book. Therefore, many of the clues slip by because they don't yet have any significance.
While the reader wonders who will die and why, there is plenty of tension besides planning the big holiday event. The owner of the island's only local newspaper is thinking about selling to a large corporation, which worries Maddie's best friend, Becky, who will probably lose her job as managing editor if the sale happens. Someone keeps posting signs about exotic cats for sale, which angers Maddie and her friend Katrina, manager of the island's animal shelter. Maddie's ex-police-chief grandfather falls off a ladder after receiving an electrical shock while trying to rearrange the Christmas lights.
The victim turns out to be Donna Carey, the newspaper owner, who is found electrocuted with a string of Christmas lights wrapped around her neck. Becky, who finds the body, is the prime suspect, so Maddie has to plunge into the investigation to prove her friend's innocence.
Suspects abound, and I didn't figure out whodunnit until Maddie did
And yes, there's a connection to exotic cats...
Another fun read for cat lovers!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

I will post my full review once SMP address the insensitive comments of their employee.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It is Christmas season as Maddie looks forward to all the festivities with family and friends. But soon the mood is dampen when news of the local newspaper us supposed to be sold which will effect her best friend the editor job. This cause tension between them and soon the publisher is found dead. Evidence points to her friend as Maddie tries to stay out of things to no avail. Also there is a rogue breeder on the loose as her plate will be full. It’s one cozy that will keep you entertain.