Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

What an intriguing and delightful new mystery this is, the best in the series so far! The mystery is complex with many clues that somehow have to fit together. There may be a tie-in to a murder and disappearance from 40 years ago. Welcome to Daybreak Harbor, on the small but mighty Daybreak Island! The island off of Cape Cod includes several small, close-knit communities and sounds beautiful, particularly in October. The characters, including my favorites, are three-dimensional, engaging, and care about this island. I loved the cats that are part of the novel, including JJ, the cat who chose Maddie.

Maddie and her grandfather, Leo, run JJ’s House of Purrs, her cat rescue that works in conjunction with her cat café. The rescue has a special area built into the huge old family home and the café in the unattached garage. For an island, there has been an unlimited supply of cats in need of homes! The main source of all these cats is Katrina, the local animal control officer.

Maddie’s family is frequently involved with organizing Daybreak Harbor festivities. Her mom may get the town’s approvals and offer general suggestions, but her daughters handle most of the work. Maddie’s sister Val oversees each of the events throughout the almost two-week festival; Maddie and their sister Sam also have substantial roles to fill. The headliner talent grew up on the island. Now a nationally known psychic, Balfour has successfully helped police departments around the country solve cold cases.

One of Balfour’s firm requests is that he stay at the Inn at Lighthouse Point. The Inn has been in the owner’s family for several generations and is reputed to be haunted. One haunting is thought to result from the murder of a businessman on the sixth floor forty years ago in October. A couple weeks later, one of the maids who worked there went to a Halloween party and was never seen again. It is believed she, also, haunts the inn. Balfour wanted to stay in the suite from which the businessman fell. He also needs accommodations for his cat that travels everywhere with him, Balfour Junior. The sixth floor has only been used for offices for years and the entry to the elevator in that was sealed over.

Balfour’s mother still lives on the island and is thrilled to have him there. Some people, like Maddie, have mixed feelings about his presence, as she doesn’t believe psychics in general, or their foretelling of the future or making contact with those long deceased. Others are excited, either wanting their own future read or their loved ones contacted. Some want Balfour to solve the forty-year-old cases. Others do not want him there at all, or want the past to be examined. On the first night of the festival, it is a terrible shock when Balfour was found dead from a fall from the cliff the inn sits atop. In addition, his cat, Balfour Junior, was missing, and time was of the essence to find the pet.

Each character is defined through their realistic conversations and actions. Maddie is our protagonist; it has been interesting and fun to watch her and her friends grow through this series. Sufficient backstory is shared on each of the “regulars” for both new and returning readers to enjoy. Balfour and his visiting staff are also described as well as necessary for their roles.

As it is several chapters into the novel before the murder takes place, this reader, Maddie, and Leo became acquainted with Balfour in their meetings after his arrival. I had become invested in his character, sincerity, and lack of theatrics; thus, I was invested in the search. A stalker had followed him there, and his staff was upset following his announcement of a change to his business. He also had a good idea who was behind the cold murder case, a local. The suspect list was a work in progress, and Maddie and Becky, her best friend and local newspaper editor were researching several people, past and present. The author is adept at ratcheting up suspense without giving up the bad guy, so there were surprises regarding the present and the past. I was very satisfied with the resolutions, and highly recommend this cozy mystery and series!

Nine Lives and Alibis is book 7 in A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte.
I had the best time with Maddie James and this amazing little cozy mystery.
The mystery was well crafted and well developed it had me guessing wrong every time.
Nine Lives and Alibis is engaging and entertaining, I really liked the cast of characters. All the characters are likable.
Looking for a humorous, fun and entertaining cozy mystery with cats and greats characters this is for you.
I’m going to have to start the beginning.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I was hooked from the first sentence of the book to the last sentence of the book.

Wonderful characters with great chemistry with each other. The protagonist, Maddie is family ordinated, loves cats, and is intelligent. I loved the interactions between her and Becky, her best friend, as well as her interaction with her Grandpa Leo.

The plot was set around Halloween and was highly entertaining. The mystery was intriguing and had several surprises along the way. I loved the fact the author brought in a psychic to do readings in a haunted inn. Everything about the plot was spot on and created a perfect cozy mystery.

The authors style of writing was quick paced, full of story, and very little filler. Even though this was my first read in the series, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything in terms of following the story or what I assume would be regular characters. I highly recommend you give this book a read. I plan on going back and reading the rest of the series.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

Who is ready for Halloween in Daybreak Island? The town is preparing for its Haunted Halloween Festival. Maddie is on the committee to plan the event and help make sure it’s a success. The main attraction is a famous medium, Balfour, who is going to be staying at the local inn that is supposed to be haunted. The inn had a suspicious death and a missing person a month apart forty years ago. What happens when the medium is found dead? Was someone trying to stop the truth from being uncovered?
 
This was the perfect book to read get in the mood for Halloween. It has everything you want. There is a Haunted Halloween Festival, a medium, pumpkin carving, and a forty-year-old unsolved murder. This book is one of my favorites in the series so far. I took my time reading this because I did not want it to end. This book had some twists I did not see coming and made it more enjoyable.
 
I also love the crossover with Violet Mooney from Cate’s Full Moon Mysteries. I think that is a sign that I need to start that series asap!
 
This books comes out August 22, 2023. My copy is pre-ordered!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
 
My Rating:
 
FIVE PAWS!!!

Maddie is on the committee for a new Halloween event on the Island. With lots of planning and a medium highlighting the event, what could go wrong? I loved the tie with a past murder and the current event. These characters are so real and relatable and the cats are an added bonus. I loved the book and the plot twists were well done.
I received an Arc of this book in return for a review.

This was my first jump into this series (I know, I know...) but I so enjoyed it! It was so easy to get into the series and connect with the characters so I had no problem diving into the story with minimal confusion. I do wish I got to see more of the cat cafe, but for the 7th book in the series I love branching out and focusing on other parts of the town. The haunted inn was a perfect Halloween setting for this book and the ghost stories and cold cases + psychic visits just screamed fall cozy perfection. I had so much fun following Maddie, who is a smart, savvy, and caring character, investigate the various overlapping mystery threads. Her friends and family adding a lot of warmth to the story and this is a town I would happily visit during Halloweentime. There were twists and shocks in the most unexpected places that I really enjoyed. Oooh and seeing Violet Mooney featured (a nod to her other series that I LOVE) made me so sooooo happy! And the precious cats, what a fun center piece for the series. I really enjoyed this and can't wait for more of this series.

Actual rating 3.5, rounded up for fun cover and amusing tagline.

I'm not familiar with this author or the series, but it sounded like a fun and light read, and bonus points for a cat cafe. Sadly, the cafe doesn't really factor into this story, and I feel like I've missed a lot of important details by starting in the middle of a series. The story was interesting, though I feel like it was a bit overpopulated with unnecessary characters and some slightly unrealistic situations. Overall a fun read.

My thanks to St. Martin's, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this cat Café mystery, it is the time of Halloween. This year it shall be special, A man. Is coming to town, a medium, looking for ghots, gives readings and wants to solve old crimes. But he is murdererd. AMD so Maggie and her friends solve another Crime. Fun to read.

This is such a fun Halloween cozy mystery! I want to preface this review by saying that I am NOT a cat lover, but I loved this seventh book in the Cat Cafe Mystery series! In this story, Halloween has come to Daybreak Island and is celebrated with a week-long festival. It's the small island's first such festival and Maddie James, the Cat Cafe owner is excited to be part of the festivities. Maddie is hosting a cat costume contest and a cat parade, featuring the cafe's adoptable cats. The committee has even secured renowned psychic Balfour as the main attraction, offering readings, being the master of ceremonies at the parade and judging the costume contest.

There is a 40-year-old unsolved murder on the island, as well as a missing persons case from around that time. Maddie and her best friend Becky are hopeful Balfour may be able to get answers for the town. However, some of Balfour's team seem strange and possibly hiding secrets. A mysterious woman keeps showing up and making Maddie suspicious. Then, Balfour is found dead, and Maddie can't help but start asking questions.

What I really enjoyed about this book is that I could read it as a standalone, as I mentioned, I'm not a cat lover and have not read any other books in the series. I am now looking forward to starting the series from the beginning. The cast of characters, including Maddie's grandfather and friend Becky really drew me into the book and made it that much more satisfying. This was a great read, especially because it involves Halloween. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great Halloween themed cozy mystery.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers.

Nine Lives and Alibis by Cate Conte, the seventh in the Cat Café mystery series, is a delightful dive into mystery and the paranormal. Maddie James is excited to be working on the town’s Halloween celebration, at least until her younger sister invites Balfour, a famous psychic, setting off a series of events that culminates in murder. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Daybreak Harbor, the author’s descriptive prowess shines as she paints a vivid picture of this enchanting coastal town. The quaint shops, the breathtaking ocean views, and the tight-knit community all come to life, making Daybreak Harbor a character in itself and creating the perfect setting.

Maddie James is a compelling and relatable lead as she delves into the perplexing case at hand while keeping us engaged and invested. Balfour Dempsey, the renowned psychic, adds a captivating layer of mystique to the story. The interplay between the supernatural and the mundane is masterfully executed, leaving the reader both intrigued and curious about the mysterious events that unfold during the festivities. Each page turn reveals new clues, surprising twists, and an unfolding web of connections that keep you guessing until the final reveal. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal, this book is an absolute must-read.

I have to start out this review by saying that this is the first book I've read in this series. Normally, I read any cozy series in order because they all have some varying story arcs that are best enjoyed as they happen. It's long been my opinion that a reader can't gain a full appreciation for a cozy without following the characters on their journey. Because I truly believe that, I'm stoked to read the first six books in this series because this book was awesome!

Maddie gets roped into a leadership role in a Halloween festival that's happening on Daybreak Harbor (that's right, this book is set on an island- love!) The headliner is a psychic and son of a local. Some of the local business people who are serving on the committee for this festival are none too happy to have a psychic coming but little do they know just how crazy things are going to get.

This book has so much going for it. I love the seaside setting; the cat café (which we don't actually see much of) is really cool; the family home where Maddie lives with her grandfather, her sister and sister's fiancé, and now her own boyfriend is rowdy and fun; and Maddie has some interesting friends who may or may not be embarking upon a new relationship. There are quite a few characters, each with their own thing going. One would think that might be confusing for someone who's jumping into book seven of a series but I had no trouble keeping the characters straight because they were all well-developed and unique.

I also love books set at Halloween. Though I'm not really one to dress up or decorate I definitely appreciate others who do and this book had some adorable costumed cats going on parade for the holiday. Another thing I appreciate is communities that embrace animals. Maddie takes her cat, JJ, to the local nursing home, the newspaper, etc. and everywhere JJ goes the people love him. They also support the cat café and getting animals adopted into their forever homes. If Daybreak Harbor was a real place I would definitely be planning to visit!

Definitely a series for any cozy lover to check out!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I really wanted to read this book mainly because of the cover and the cat cafe. We don’t really spend too much time there so that was a bit disappointing. The story starts out slow and nothing really happens til close to halfway through. The story picks up pace and becomes a nice little cozy mystery. I hadn’t read the previous ones in this series but it didn’t really seem to matter.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Cate Conte combines two cold cases with a current murder to create a riveting mystery with her new Cat Cafe Mystery. See my full review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com

The Halloween spirit is alive and kicking in this cozy mystery. Mayhem and what ifs abound as one incident after the other takes place. Maddie has become quite the clever sleuth with a keen eye and penchant for finding clues. Not everything is what it seems is an understatement for this multiple mystery. The combined mysteries of the past intersect with the present day murder making for a twist filled investigation. A winding trail of clues lead to plenty of red herrings and a bombshell revelation. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing and throwing me off track until all is revealed at the end. We don’t read much about the other characters we’ve come to know through the series or the cat cafe as the murder takes center stage. A couple of surprises are in store for those familiar with Cate Conte’s other books. If you’re looking for a Halloween themed cozy with all the intrigue of an intricate mystery look no further.

Featuring a Haunted Halloween Festival, ghosts, a pet and human psychic, old murder and a new murder, this story has it all, and Maddie, owner of Daybreak Island's cat cafe, is right in the middle of it.

Having the new murder occur halfway through the story allowed the reader to gain an understanding of the plot and characters making it an enjoyable story. The cats are just an added bonus. Thanks to St. Martin's Paperbacks and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is book 7 in the Cat Cafe cozy mystery series and the first I've read. I do feel like I might've enjoyed this more if I started at the beginning, so I will definitely read more from this series at some point because it was super cute. Daybreak Harbor is celebrating the Halloween season with festivities and hoping to one-up the neighboring Salem Massachusetts. Maddie James is helping with all the planning. Maddie's younger sister, Sam, books a famous medium, Balfour Dempsey and his black cat, to come to town and to stay at the haunted Inn. Maddie's bff Becky books a secret session with him to help her solve two 40 yr old mysteries. But then Balfour is pushed off the cliffs and falls to his death. Now Maddie and her family are in the middle of a Halloween murder mystery. In the end, the murder is solved, and so are the 40 yr mysteries. No loose ends.

Out August 22.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes..

A murdered psychic and a missing cat means big mystery for Maddie! She has been working on Daybreak Island's Halloween celebration and she's intrigued by Balfour, who has come home with his cat and declared that he's retiring from the business to work cold cases. But that doesn't last long because someone pushes him off a cliff. Turns out there are a couple of old murders that someone doesn't want solved. There are red herrings but this one isn't too complicated. Maddie, her family (especially her grandfather), her cat, and the rest are fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.

island-life, funeral-home, medium, family-drama, family-dynamics, cold-case, ghosts, small-town, festivals, tourist-town, Halloween, stalker, murder-investigation, local-law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, innkeeper, cats, rescue-animals, series, cozy-mystery, psychics****

Seasonal entertainment read with cats in costumes, family, ghosts, and lots more! Publisher's blurb is a great hook but the story is even better than that. Loved it even though I haven't yet read the earlier in series.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thanks!

I have read other cozy mysteries by this author, but this was the first I have read in this particular series. I will be looking for the previous 6 books!

This is a Halloween themed cozy set on an island off the coast of New England. The characters are wonderful and well drawn. The murderer had me guessing until close to the end, and the solving of two cold cases was an extra bonus. There is a twist in that the victim was someone I liked, not the usual awful character that nobody will miss. This is a great weekend read, especially if you are a fan of Halloween, cats, and good mysteries!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Nine Lives and Alibis is the seventh mystery in the Cat Cafe Mystery series. It’s Halloween time in Daybreak Harbor and this year the town is going all out, even bringing in a famous medium and his cat, but when the medium turns up dead and his cat lost, Maddie finds herself on another case.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and while most cozy mystery series I pick up in the middle can be read easily as standalone, I feel like this one was much harder to read as a standalone. I did enjoy the characters in this series and the storyline, but I just couldn’t get into this book. I also expected there to be more cats since this was a cat cage mystery, but there didn’t seem to be many. Even though I couldn’t get into this book, I’m still going to start this series from the beginning and see if that helps me connect better with this book. I wouldn’t recommend reading this as a standalone, but I think this would be an enjoyable book to those who know more about this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!