In the seventh installment of Cate Conte’s popular Cat Café cozy murder mystery books, “Nine Lives and Alibis,” the quaint Daybreak Island is preparing for Halloween. However, it appears that this year’s festivities will be more eerie than enchanting. Cate Conte, a pseudonym for author Liz Mugavero, has a rich background in reporting and hails from a lineage of detectives. This former reporter, who also wrote the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries, has been nominated for an Agatha Award. Now, under the name Conte, she is the creative mind behind both the Full Moon and Cat Café Mysteries. Her latest work, “Nine Lives and Alibis,” combines the cozy charm of cats, crime, and confections with the atmospheric allure of autumn.
As Halloween approaches, Maddie James, the owner of JJ’s House of Purrs and an amateur sleuth, finds herself involved in the planning of Daybreak Island’s Haunted Halloween Festival. This year’s event is expected to be grander than ever to rival nearby Salem’s festivities. The festival will feature a pet parade, pumpkin carving contest, and a special appearance from the renowned psychic Balfour Dempsey. Despite some concerns from Jacob Blair, the owner of the Inn at Lighthouse Point, about the potential negative impact of Balfour’s presence on his hotel’s reputation, the psychic arrives in town with his entourage, including his cherished black cat Balfour Jr.
Balfour soon starts to unravel two unsolved mysteries from twenty years ago – the murder of a businessman found dead in an elevator shaft and the subsequent disappearance of a young hotel maid. Maddie’s best friend and eager reporter Becky Walsh aims to use her connection to Balfour to solve these cold cases for an exclusive story in the Gazette. However, Balfour’s sudden death becomes the main headline when he is found at the bottom of a cliff. Maddie, who found the body and felt a bond with Balfour during his short stay, feels compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
With a natural inclination for detective work, thanks to her grandfather – the former chief of police and recent widower Leo James, Maddie takes on the task. She enlists the help of Leo, Becky, and her live-in boyfriend Lucas to sift through a myriad of potential motives and suspects. The question remains: Can they apprehend a killer and save the festival, or will Halloween be a complete disaster?
Fans of Cate Conte will be thrilled to see the quirky crystal shop owner Violet Mooney, the captivating protagonist of Conte’s Full Moon Mysteries, make an appearance in this novel. “Nine Lives and Alibis” is a testament to Conte’s knack for crafting captivating murder thriller books for sale. Maddie, with her healthy skepticism balanced with admirable open-mindedness, is a particularly engaging heroine who strives to juggle her business, detective work, family, and romance.
“Nine Lives and Alibis” weaves together three intriguing mysteries in a masterful way. This spirited tale with its spooky undertones is the ideal way to welcome the fall season. So, whether you’re a fan of pumpkin spice lattes or any other seasonal beverage, prepare to immerse yourself in a superbly spun yarn that is sure to captivate fans of female detective titles and cozy mysteries alike.