1--What is the title of your latest release?
GONE BUT NOT FURGOTTEN
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
GONE BUT NOT FURGOTTEN, the sixth in Cate Conte's beloved cozy mystery series Cat Café, Daybreak Island has a killer on the loose…and this villain isn’t afraid to use their claws.
Maddie James has big plans for the summer season at JJ's House of Purrs. But when her friend, master meditator and Tai Chi teacher Cass Hendricks, brings a potential animal hoarding situation to her attention, Maddie must refocus her attention on the furry felines who may need a helping paw.
Cass has brought his Zen teachings to Fisherman's Cove—a tiny, working-class town on Daybreak Island—and one of his students, Laurel, has been on the receiving end more than one hissy fit from her neighbors, mostly because of her cats. When Maddie and Cass go to Laurel's to check out the situation, not only do they find a plethora of cats in need, but also a dead body. Laurel appears to have had an unfortunate accident falling down her stairs, but Maddie gets a sneaking suspicion that something more sinister might be behind her death. When she voices her concerns, she's horrified that it's Cass who falls under suspicion.
With Grandpa Leo's help, Maddie has to dig into the secrets this small community is keeping close to find out why Laurel really died before Cass is put behind bars . . . or the killer strikes again.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
This series takes place on a fictional island off the coast of Massachusetts. I wanted to create a place that was thriving during the summer season, had lots of ocean around it, but had some level of isolation where things would have to be a little different than a traditional city. This is a perfect place where I can have a cat cafe with a different model, and a setting that can drive the stories.
4--Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life?
Yes! I love Maddie’s spunk, her unconventional way of doing things, and her love for animals.
5--What are three words that describe your sleuth?
Cheeky, smart, determined
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
How hoarding can manifest itself in different ways for different people. And how well people can keep a problem hidden. So tragic and eye-opening.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I try to get as far as possible without editing, but usually somewhere in the middle I have to go back and refine the first half in order to keep moving forward.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
My writing snack is potato chips!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I just moved to a beachfront apartment (literally my dream), and my desk in front of a window with the view of an ocean. This is going to be excellent for my writing career because I never want to leave my desk now!
10--Who is an author you admire?
Just one? Dennis Lehane - hands down. I have been obsessed with him since the first book of his I read. Mystic River and Shutter Island are two of my all-time favorite novels.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Aside from Mystic River…I’d have to say We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. She writes about family tragedy with such haunting beauty.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
It was so amazing - I like to say after 10 years of work it happened overnight! I’d been writing, pitching, revising, pitching some more…and then one day an agent reached out to Sisters in Crime New England and asked for writers who would be interested in developing cozy mystery proposals with him. I answered the call, we worked on a proposal together, and within a month it sold, and I was off to the races.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mystery - of course!
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Shawshank Redemption has always been at the top of my list. I love a lot of 80s movies too like Dirty Dancing and Adventures in Babysitting.
15--What is your favorite season?
Summer because I love the beach, but I love Fall too.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
A nice dinner and a cozy night in is fun for me!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Oooh, so many! TV show: Bosch Legacy. Book: The Thursday Murder Club. Podcast: I’ve been bingeing business podcasts - two favorites are Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy and The Jasmine Star Show. I also love true crime podcasts. I just listened to both seasons of Paper Ghosts, which was great.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I LOVE sushi!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I love to walk with my doggies, and anytime I can sneak in a few minutes of reading I’m happy!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
My next Full Moon Mystery, WITCH WAY OUT, is out in March 2023, and I'm starting work on Cat Cafe #7 as we speak. Stay tuned!
Cat Cafe Mystery Series # 6
Maddie James has big plans for the summer season at JJ's House of Purrs. But when her friend, master meditator and Tai Chi teacher Cass Hendricks, brings a potential animal hoarding situation to her attention, Maddie has to refocus her attention on the furry felines who may need a helping paw.
Cass has brought his Zen teachings to Fisherman's Cove—a tiny, working-class town on Daybreak Island—and one of his students, Laurel, has been on the receiving end more than one hissy fit from her neighbors, mostly because of her cats. When Maddie and Cass go to Laurel's to check out the situation, not only do they find a plethora of cats in need, but also a dead body. Laurel appears to have had an unfortunate accident falling down her stairs, but Maddie gets a sneaking suspicion that something more sinister might be behind her death. When she voices her concerns, she's horrified that it's Cass who falls under suspicion.
With Grandpa Leo's help, Maddie has to dig into the secrets this small community is keeping close to find out why Laurel really died before Cass is put behind bars . . . or the killer strikes again.
Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Cozy [St. Martin's Paperbacks, On Sale: June 28, 2022, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250761576 / eISBN: 9781250761583]
CATE CONTE serves on the Sisters in Crime New England board; she is also a member of Sisters in Crime, National Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers' Association. She currently lives in Connecticut with her cats and one dog.
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