Kidnap at the Catfish Cafe — Patricia Reilly Giff

Max was a drop-in. He dropped into my life one summer day, nearly killing himself doing it. He was all skin and bones and filthy, all meow, with a look that said, "How about a handout? I'll take anything."

None of Minnie's money-making ideas have worked yet, but now she has a really brilliant idea -- a detective agency: You lose, I find. Her first case: to find Max's owner and to identify the "everything thief" -- who would steal anything, even a hot stove!

Minnie's brother, Orlando, owner of the Catfish Cafe, may not be sure of her latest scheme, but her new friends Cash and Kitty the Klutz are right behind her, helping her all the way.