So... there will probably be spoilers here for Cat Lady AND Downfall... so... reader beware.

Seems to be a popular thing to do. I've been on a horror game kick lately. I really enjoyed The Cat Lady on a "creepy" level. I even enjoyed the comedic aspects (reminded me a lot of Agnes' parts in Downfall.) I was downright impressed by the Maniac Mansion homage, the moment I saw the spiral staircase, I knew what was up. ;) Overall, a great game. I feel as if the story/narrative was hyped a little too much for my tastes, it felt a little flat near the end (then again I still feel nothing will ever compete with Silent Hill 2's finale.) Speaking of endings, I have a few questions that hopefully someone will be able to answer (I'm guessing Novotnus.)

1. Does this take place before or after the events of Downfall? I played Downfall earlier on in the year, maybe around January or so, and I sort of kind of remember the ending (there were multiple ones) and I'm assuming this is AFTER all of that since this apartment looks nothing like the apartment they investigated in Downfall.

2. What are the Cat Lady Endings? I'm assuming I best ended the game. Most walkthroughs and such out there never really mentioned "best, worst, etc." and didn't even really explain what went into getting a different ending. My ending seemed to be pretty upbeat, Mitzi was there, I was blogging, I was smiling and visit my kids grave, etc. It seemed a little overly cheesy and cliche when viewed in comparison to Downfall, and also most of the endings I got in Silent Hill games (then again, I had a knack for getting the ultra worst endings in Silent Hill games, haha.)

Random Complaint: I had to use a walkthrough a few times in the game... I first had to turn to one during the initial intro, damn, is that part clunky and not intuitive compared to the rest of the game. Then again at the door riddle section just because I kept doubting I picked the right answer (I would've been fine without checking.) Finally, I had to check during the Quiet Haven section because I was unaware that Misery was a Stephen King novel... seemed kind of silly to require you to have real world knowledge to solve a puzzle in game.

Heavy SPOILERS ahead. It's not really clear... The hole in Joe's floor was made by Billy Hookaway during Downfall epilogue... On the other hand, if The Cat Lady was taking place after Downfall, Joe wouldn't be around.
My theory:
Joe survived the events of Downfall and moved to another place (maybe he and Ivy owned two flats?) to repeat his cycle (it's possible only if we take Loyalty + Surrender ending as canon, because Joe and Ivy need to be alive). The worst: Susan uses the mask herself. Mitzi suffocates and dies before reaching The Eye of Adam. Susan kills or leaves Eye of Adam and moves on with her life, regreting taking the mask.
Bad: Mitzi and Susan reach The Eye of Adam. Susan doesn't oppose Mitzi killing Eye of Adam. Mitzi fires her gun blowing the place up and is killed along with Adam. Susan moves on with her life but regrets not stoping Mitzi.
Good: Susan convinces Mitzi to let Adam live. Susan and Mitzi live happily for 6 months, after that Mitzi dies of her cancer. Susan is happy she was with her firend in her last days and moves on with her life.
The best: Mitzi's cancer is cured due to spontanous remission. Susan and Mitzi remain friends and move on with their lifes. Do you need to know the author to solve the riddle? I think you only miss a hint :)
BTW, it's a great book - read it if you have a chance!

You do miss a hint. And by "a hint", I mean the only clue given as to what you were supposed to do. She says "Misery", examining the bookshelf only tells you that the shelf contains books by Stephen King, and I discovered no other clues by the time I found the book and gave it to her.

I assume this occurs when you blow out neither candle? Yeah. Same boat here. I feel as if you need to know Stephen King wrote Misery in order to solve the puzzle. Alternatively, I could've just examined everything and I still would've solved it, so it's not the biggest hiccup.

You need to pass every optional challange (answer all questions Liz asks you, solve doll's riddle, avoid breakdown after returning from the hospital, give the mask to Mitzi, refuse to blow any candle).