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Victoria Square Mystery #1
A Crafty Killing
The last thing Katie Bonner wanted was to become the manager of Artisans Alley. But when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found bludgeoned to death, she has no other choice. Business under Ezra has been faltering-but was it enough to provoke someone to murder? Only Katie can find the answer.
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
129 people are currently reading
4178 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Bartlett
65 books640 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her in her readers' hearts. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series, and now the Tales of Telenia fantasy saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works, and sign up for her emailed newsletter here: http://www.lorrainebartlett.com
She lives in Rochester, NY, with her husband and two cats.
She lives in Rochester, NY, with her husband and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
June 11, 2010
Well, I might be a bit prejudiced as I wrote the book. It's the first in the new Victoria Square Mystery series that's coming out under the name Lorraine Bartlett. It'll be available Feb. 3, 2011.
The last thing Katie Bonner wanted was to become the manager of Artisans Alley. But when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found lying at the bottom of a staircase, bludgeoned to death, she has no other choice. A collection of booths for artisans and craft sellers in a renovated applesauce factory building, Artisans Alley is the main attraction in the quaint Victoria Square shopping area. But business under Ezra had been faltering—enough to provoke someone to murder?
While the cops are proceeding by the book, Katie is investigating by the booths—for the answer to the killer’s identity lies in the hidden secrets of Artisans Alley itself.
The last thing Katie Bonner wanted was to become the manager of Artisans Alley. But when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found lying at the bottom of a staircase, bludgeoned to death, she has no other choice. A collection of booths for artisans and craft sellers in a renovated applesauce factory building, Artisans Alley is the main attraction in the quaint Victoria Square shopping area. But business under Ezra had been faltering—enough to provoke someone to murder?
While the cops are proceeding by the book, Katie is investigating by the booths—for the answer to the killer’s identity lies in the hidden secrets of Artisans Alley itself.
February 6, 2011
First off, in my humble opinion this book earns at the minimum six stars! I truly mean this as a dedicated and addicted mystery reader.
"A Crafty Killing" by Lorraine Bartlett, sounds like it would be a cute light mystery with a touch of romance. The title is solid but the book is just so much more. Now, I can't figure out what I'd title it but let's consider some of it's elements.
The book has a competent business manager who inherits an on-going business concern in the red, which just happens to be an artist co-operative. She inherits due to a murder and is thrown into the case due to the robbery/theft? of her new office. Her name is Katie Bonner and she is no fluffy maiden.
The book has elements of grand theft, petty theft, art forgery, murder, and jealousies abound. Yes, there is a gentle romance but it does have surprises as well.
This book is for persons who enjoy good, solid, valid, murders. The location is ideal and makes me interested in New York. When is a cozy not a cozy? When the book is a cozy plus more...it's "A Crafty Killing."
"A Crafty Killing" by Lorraine Bartlett, sounds like it would be a cute light mystery with a touch of romance. The title is solid but the book is just so much more. Now, I can't figure out what I'd title it but let's consider some of it's elements.
The book has a competent business manager who inherits an on-going business concern in the red, which just happens to be an artist co-operative. She inherits due to a murder and is thrown into the case due to the robbery/theft? of her new office. Her name is Katie Bonner and she is no fluffy maiden.
The book has elements of grand theft, petty theft, art forgery, murder, and jealousies abound. Yes, there is a gentle romance but it does have surprises as well.
This book is for persons who enjoy good, solid, valid, murders. The location is ideal and makes me interested in New York. When is a cozy not a cozy? When the book is a cozy plus more...it's "A Crafty Killing."
March 20, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
January 2, 2018
I liked this book very much. The mystery was multi-layered and the killer's identity kept me guessing until the very end. I live in Buffalo so I enjoyed the "local flavor" of the mystery set a little over an hour away--outside of Rochester, NY--right off Lake Ontario. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing what progress Katie makes in turning Artisans Alley into a profitable venture.
August 19, 2018
3 1/2 stars rounded down. This was a cute cozy however the narrator had a nasally voice and for the majority of the book she sounded bored as hell. It really made it hard to listen to.
May 20, 2015
Recently widowed Katie Bonner knew her husband had invested in Artisan's Alley, but didn't expect, when the owner was found murdered, that she would inherit half his estate and have to take over managing the nearly bankrupt institution. As she struggles to cope with the building, the vendors/artists, the other merchants in Victoria Square, and the detective who seems disinterested in investigating, Katie wonders if she will be able to save Artisan's Alley--and who might want to stop her.
Another one I picked up because it's hard to find cozy mystery audiobooks. The reader on this one is good, but I found the story and characters fairly blah. I had expected it would have a lot of information about arts and crafts, which do interest me, but this is really for people who like books about how to run a business, which doesn't interest me. The mystery was pushed to the side a lot of the time in favor of business and legal information (boring! at least to me), and I also felt the author included a lot of unnecessary extraneous detail, like all the steps Katie took in getting into her car and preparing to drive and then exiting the parking lot--nothing like that should be in a book unless it serves a definite purpose. If she was preparing to get in her car and it burst into flames, or if she tried to put on her seatbelt and found a snake instead, or if a parade float barrelled down the road and exploded in a sea of fireworks and confetti just as she was turning out of the parking lot, then yes, describe! If not, yawn. I didn't really like the characters, either, and there wasn't much pleasure or happiness in the book to balance the depression. So, not a winner for me.
Another one I picked up because it's hard to find cozy mystery audiobooks. The reader on this one is good, but I found the story and characters fairly blah. I had expected it would have a lot of information about arts and crafts, which do interest me, but this is really for people who like books about how to run a business, which doesn't interest me. The mystery was pushed to the side a lot of the time in favor of business and legal information (boring! at least to me), and I also felt the author included a lot of unnecessary extraneous detail, like all the steps Katie took in getting into her car and preparing to drive and then exiting the parking lot--nothing like that should be in a book unless it serves a definite purpose. If she was preparing to get in her car and it burst into flames, or if she tried to put on her seatbelt and found a snake instead, or if a parade float barrelled down the road and exploded in a sea of fireworks and confetti just as she was turning out of the parking lot, then yes, describe! If not, yawn. I didn't really like the characters, either, and there wasn't much pleasure or happiness in the book to balance the depression. So, not a winner for me.
May 8, 2011
As a new friend has said, another A,B,C mystery. Fairly formulaic, but I still enjoyed this book.
Find myself reading a lot of these A,B,C mysteries lately. Is this what the industry coming too? This bothers me a bit. While I find I like a lot of these books - I don't get excited about them or love them. They are all so similar.
They are easy reads for sure and I think that is one reason I keep reading them. They are great stress reducers - you can get into them and get away for awhile but not have to think hard.
The heroine is very likable and a strong woman. Always a plus in my opinion. Katie Bonner is trying to save Artisan's Alley, which her late husband was a partner in and invested their small nest egg, much to her dismay and the ruin of their marriage. Now, the other partner has died and Katie steps in, not only to save the business but find out what happened - maybe even to her husband as well? Was his death an accident, as she thought?
I guess Katie's meddling seems more like good business sense in this book, more than others. After all, she has to learn more about the business she was not a part of or involved in before. Not only is she an in interesting character, there are a few more in the town - her possible love interest - that also are good.
I did enjoy this and would continue the series.
Find myself reading a lot of these A,B,C mysteries lately. Is this what the industry coming too? This bothers me a bit. While I find I like a lot of these books - I don't get excited about them or love them. They are all so similar.
They are easy reads for sure and I think that is one reason I keep reading them. They are great stress reducers - you can get into them and get away for awhile but not have to think hard.
The heroine is very likable and a strong woman. Always a plus in my opinion. Katie Bonner is trying to save Artisan's Alley, which her late husband was a partner in and invested their small nest egg, much to her dismay and the ruin of their marriage. Now, the other partner has died and Katie steps in, not only to save the business but find out what happened - maybe even to her husband as well? Was his death an accident, as she thought?
I guess Katie's meddling seems more like good business sense in this book, more than others. After all, she has to learn more about the business she was not a part of or involved in before. Not only is she an in interesting character, there are a few more in the town - her possible love interest - that also are good.
I did enjoy this and would continue the series.
March 30, 2015
I've had this book for awhile now, just sitting on my TBR pile so I decided to read it, finally. Overall not a bad book, but not highly memorable, either.
I loved most of the characters. Katie came off as arrogant in some parts of the book, but by the end she was likeable, and I especially loved Rose, I thought she was really funny, and she reminded me of my grandmother.
The setting itself gave this book an extra star, I love stores like this and I loved how Katie became manager of a place like this.
The mystery was semi-good, I guessed who the killer was a bit before the reveal, but it was pieced together nicely.
Overall an enjoyable, quick read, that won't make it to my favorites shelf, but that can be blamed on it being the first book in this series. I will be looking for more in this series mainly for Rose and the setting.
I loved most of the characters. Katie came off as arrogant in some parts of the book, but by the end she was likeable, and I especially loved Rose, I thought she was really funny, and she reminded me of my grandmother.
The setting itself gave this book an extra star, I love stores like this and I loved how Katie became manager of a place like this.
The mystery was semi-good, I guessed who the killer was a bit before the reveal, but it was pieced together nicely.
Overall an enjoyable, quick read, that won't make it to my favorites shelf, but that can be blamed on it being the first book in this series. I will be looking for more in this series mainly for Rose and the setting.
March 23, 2011
This delightful mystery will engage your interest right away and you’ll cheer for the survival of Artisans Alley, which intrepid heroine Kate Bonner inherits a majority share in from her late husband. She quits her job and dedicates herself to the revival of this arts and crafts emporium. Can she find who killed the former owner, her husband’s business partner, before someone else dies? Can she improve the profitability of this historic site before hotel developers move in? Kate invites us into her world and we learn along with her what it takes to run an enterprise of this nature. Revelations about the characters come fast near the end and the killer could be any one of the residents of Victoria Square. As Kate digs deeper, she risks her life along with her livelihood. A charming debut!
October 30, 2017
This is a good start to a new (for me) series. I have read one book from the author's Booktown series, and didn't care for the lead characters at all. Katie Bonner, MC for this series, is fairly likable, although she spends a lot of time jumping to incorrect conclusion then trying to make up for them in the book. Also, she has that flaw exhibited by many cozy heroines of thinking she's smarter than the police investigating the crime, and that drives me nuts. Several of the other characters are much more appealing, especially Rose, whom I could adopt as a grandmother quite readily. The concept of the story is a good one, and the action moves along pretty well. I found the ending to be a little convoluted, but all-in-all, it was a pretty good read.
May 30, 2015
As with most 1st books in a series this spends some time setting the scene (ie where in the country/world our protagonist is based) and introducing us to the main characters (who will crop up to a greater or lesser extent in future stories). Allowing for these two constraints Lorraine Bartlett weaved a fascinating story that leads me to want to read more about Katie and the people of Victoria Square.
April 23, 2012
This book was a worth-while read, but that may be because I'm in the middle of a reading-intensive semester of business school, and I needed something mindless. I'm not sure I really like the main character (or even any of the secondary characters) very much. The book was slow, and the relationships seemed forced and unnatural.
January 22, 2011
This is the beginning of a wonderful series! I love the plucky heroine and if Victoria Square were a real place, nothing would stop me from visiting! Don't wait to pre-order this book!
January 28, 2021
Wasn't sure if I would like this book when I started it ... but, well, yes, I did! Great story!
September 4, 2020
You know how it is when you box up your “to read” pile for a few months while remodeling work is going on, but then one of the construction workers puts oily rags inside your house and they combust in an exothermic reaction and gut your house a week before the final inspection, and your “to read” pile, along with almost everything else you own, ends up staying in a cardboard box for the 40 months it takes to finally move home?
Just me?
Well, for those of you who haven’t lived through this, unpacking boxes you haven’t seen and barely remember after more than three years means finding a lot of things you forgot you own - some of which delight you, and some of which makes you question why you are ever allowed to leave your home unaccompanied.
At least finding the to read box, largely comprised of books which were passed onto me rather than purchased, has less emotional “WTH” baggage than unearthing items I acquired 100% willingly (and yes I’m looking at you unfortunate box of shirts I just unpacked straight to the donation pile).
Um...I may have distracted myself from the actual book part of my book review...
So I unpacked my to read box, and thought well since I went to all the trouble of moving these books instead of donating them, maybe I should actually read them.
Which is how I came to read A Crafty Killing.
Note to self, just because I have moved and stored a book doesn’t mean I should force myself to finish a book. Even in the midst of a pandemic, with so many entertainment options unavailable, life it too short for “cozy mysteries” that are less cozy and more “Seriously? This got published?”
I like a sweet little mystery where quirky amateurs stumble around and save the day. They can be a relaxing escape. But not when the author might as well have used a highlighter on the very obvious “plot point you will see was important” clues. And while I’m willing to look past some weakness in the logic of the story, when details like how humans actually experience emotions and what motivates multiple people are not well crafted, well, it ruins the reading experience for me. (I have examples, but if you decide to read the book despite my opinion I don’t want to ruin the details for you)
I see by other’s reviews that I’m in the minority on this opinion of the book. It’s nice that other people found pleasure in the story (though? Really?)
But there are so many better written cozy mysteries out there. (Dorothy Cannell. Simon Brett. To name just two authors). I’d recommend looking for a better crafted plot and writing style.
Just me?
Well, for those of you who haven’t lived through this, unpacking boxes you haven’t seen and barely remember after more than three years means finding a lot of things you forgot you own - some of which delight you, and some of which makes you question why you are ever allowed to leave your home unaccompanied.
At least finding the to read box, largely comprised of books which were passed onto me rather than purchased, has less emotional “WTH” baggage than unearthing items I acquired 100% willingly (and yes I’m looking at you unfortunate box of shirts I just unpacked straight to the donation pile).
Um...I may have distracted myself from the actual book part of my book review...
So I unpacked my to read box, and thought well since I went to all the trouble of moving these books instead of donating them, maybe I should actually read them.
Which is how I came to read A Crafty Killing.
Note to self, just because I have moved and stored a book doesn’t mean I should force myself to finish a book. Even in the midst of a pandemic, with so many entertainment options unavailable, life it too short for “cozy mysteries” that are less cozy and more “Seriously? This got published?”
I like a sweet little mystery where quirky amateurs stumble around and save the day. They can be a relaxing escape. But not when the author might as well have used a highlighter on the very obvious “plot point you will see was important” clues. And while I’m willing to look past some weakness in the logic of the story, when details like how humans actually experience emotions and what motivates multiple people are not well crafted, well, it ruins the reading experience for me. (I have examples, but if you decide to read the book despite my opinion I don’t want to ruin the details for you)
I see by other’s reviews that I’m in the minority on this opinion of the book. It’s nice that other people found pleasure in the story (though? Really?)
But there are so many better written cozy mysteries out there. (Dorothy Cannell. Simon Brett. To name just two authors). I’d recommend looking for a better crafted plot and writing style.
May 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. First, all the characters were variations of people I know; very believable characters made the story more intriguing. Second, the mystery was truly a murder mystery from the very first lines of the book. Third, there were LOTS of possible suspects (including the protagonist), and plenty of red herrings. Fourth, the book had several surprises, not necessarily in relation to the murder, though in retrospect perhaps I should have paid more attention to some of them. And finally, when the perpetrator was finally discovered it was someone who had been right under my nose the entire book, but was not ever on my list of suspects. Very well written.
July 26, 2023
I picked this one up on my recent McKay's trip. It's the first in a series and I bought the second one also. It was...fine. It's not to the same degree as this author's Booktown series, but the MC definitely feels older than she's supposed to be. I also wonder where any of the MC's friends and acquaintances from before the start of the book are. It's odd that she doesn't know ANY of these people, especially since her husband knew all of them. But other than her boss, she didn't know any of these people before the guy died.
Read
February 20, 2019The idea of this appealed to me a great deal, but I reached a point where a man thought it was a funny joke to scare a woman he hardly knew (the MC) who had just dealt with a murder and a break-in by pretending to hold her up in a dark parking lot, and the MC forgave him when he whined that it was just a joke. I couldn't get past it. Maybe all that gets fixed, but I couldn't get past it.
February 21, 2018
Less than a year ago, Katie Bonner thought her world was thrown into chaos. She and her husband Chad had separated because of money issues. They had been starting to get closer again as they were dealing with this problem when he was killed in a car accident as he was driving home from work as a teacher on a snowy afternoon. Things go even more out of kilter when their good friend, Ezra Hilton, is found murdered at Artisans Alley, a art collective in their town that he manages.
Ezra was definitely more of a friend to Chad, but Katie had stayed in touch with him after Chad's death. Even with this, Katie is really surprised to learn that Ezra chose her to not only be executrix of his will, but to also inherit half of his estate, along with a nephew who lived up in northern New York state.
This means that Katie is now the impromptu manager of the Artisan Alley. Not only does she feel like she is up to this task, she is also already working full-time as an assistant for a local insurance agency. With that said, she has no choice, at least until she can get the Artisan Alley out of the red. She finds herself being drawn into the community of Victoria Square, which is the center of town that is dedicated to a group of small business that exemplify a feeling of Victoriana in their small coastal town. The Artisan Alley is at the core of this community, and it is definitely struggling.
As she starts to try and get things in order, she is drawn into the center of the investigation of Ezra's death. This is largely because the local sheriff seems distracted and unable to fulfill the responsibility. the problem is that the more she learns, the more she seems to be drawn into danger to herself and others ... and it is particularly difficult to find out who is a friend or foe as she talks to the business owners of Victoria Square.
I picked this book up because I have become a huge fan of another series written by the author, though under a different name: Lorna Barrett's Booktown mysteries. This series has a lot of things in common with that cozy mystery series, and I will definitely be reading more books in the series. It is a little slow because this particular book is not only focused on the mystery itself, but is also working on establishing all of the characters and the broader series that will continue in future volumes. It is definitely worth digging through, though, as the mystery is quite strong, and Katie and the other characters are both interesting and fun. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the series.
Ezra was definitely more of a friend to Chad, but Katie had stayed in touch with him after Chad's death. Even with this, Katie is really surprised to learn that Ezra chose her to not only be executrix of his will, but to also inherit half of his estate, along with a nephew who lived up in northern New York state.
This means that Katie is now the impromptu manager of the Artisan Alley. Not only does she feel like she is up to this task, she is also already working full-time as an assistant for a local insurance agency. With that said, she has no choice, at least until she can get the Artisan Alley out of the red. She finds herself being drawn into the community of Victoria Square, which is the center of town that is dedicated to a group of small business that exemplify a feeling of Victoriana in their small coastal town. The Artisan Alley is at the core of this community, and it is definitely struggling.
As she starts to try and get things in order, she is drawn into the center of the investigation of Ezra's death. This is largely because the local sheriff seems distracted and unable to fulfill the responsibility. the problem is that the more she learns, the more she seems to be drawn into danger to herself and others ... and it is particularly difficult to find out who is a friend or foe as she talks to the business owners of Victoria Square.
I picked this book up because I have become a huge fan of another series written by the author, though under a different name: Lorna Barrett's Booktown mysteries. This series has a lot of things in common with that cozy mystery series, and I will definitely be reading more books in the series. It is a little slow because this particular book is not only focused on the mystery itself, but is also working on establishing all of the characters and the broader series that will continue in future volumes. It is definitely worth digging through, though, as the mystery is quite strong, and Katie and the other characters are both interesting and fun. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the series.
September 4, 2025
First in another series of Cozy Mysteries by Lorraine Bartlett writing as herself. Good first entry!
Read
October 11, 2019I'm glad i forced my way to the end. I really did not like the main character early on, but as you learned more about her you realize that she's still grieving, and that might explain why she's a bit of a bitch at times. In the end, i'll probably give book #2 a chance.
January 16, 2016
FIRST IN A BRAND NEW SERIES!
A VICTORIA SQUARE MYSTERY
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
A Division of Penguin Publishing
Release Date: February 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0425239853
ISBN-13: 978-0425239858
Artisans Alley is the cornerstone of Victoria Square. It is an old applesauce warehouse renovated into a collection of booths for artists and craft dealers to sell their wares. Because her husband emptied their savings account to become a partner in this business Kate Bonner's dream of buying a huge Victorian House down the street and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast are put on hold.
Then her husband dies in a freak car accident and she becomes the business parter of Ezra Hilton. She keeps her job at an insurance company and lets Ezra run the Alley. Hopefully she can recoup her investment and still open her B&B.
This plan goes awry when Ezra Hilton is found dead at the bottom of a staircase at the Artisan's Alley. It's ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma and a bloody mess. This means Kate has no choice but to manage the Alley and she learns that the place is in serious financial trouble. Can she turn the place around and make it profitable? Was the financial status of the business enough to drive someone to murder? Does that mean she is working side by side with the killer? Why is it taking so long for the police to solve this crime. These are all the questions that push Kate into doing a little investigating of her own. Adding the question is she putting herself in danger? Of course she is, it's a cozy mystery.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
I rarely say I LOVE the first book in a series because I feel you have to get to know the characters and the setting and usually the debut story just really breaks the ice and starts to get you involved in the characters and their lives with a good mystery thrown in. That being said this author is a master storyteller and she pulled me in and wouldn't let go. Everything you want in a cozy mystery is found in this story in the perfect amounts. The plot is genuine and authentic. The characters are real and believable. The setting is delightful. Victorian Square is a place you will want to visit again and again. I can tell already this is going to be an incredibly fun series, one you won't want to miss!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
A VICTORIA SQUARE MYSTERY
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
A Division of Penguin Publishing
Release Date: February 1, 2011
ISBN-10: 0425239853
ISBN-13: 978-0425239858
Artisans Alley is the cornerstone of Victoria Square. It is an old applesauce warehouse renovated into a collection of booths for artists and craft dealers to sell their wares. Because her husband emptied their savings account to become a partner in this business Kate Bonner's dream of buying a huge Victorian House down the street and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast are put on hold.
Then her husband dies in a freak car accident and she becomes the business parter of Ezra Hilton. She keeps her job at an insurance company and lets Ezra run the Alley. Hopefully she can recoup her investment and still open her B&B.
This plan goes awry when Ezra Hilton is found dead at the bottom of a staircase at the Artisan's Alley. It's ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma and a bloody mess. This means Kate has no choice but to manage the Alley and she learns that the place is in serious financial trouble. Can she turn the place around and make it profitable? Was the financial status of the business enough to drive someone to murder? Does that mean she is working side by side with the killer? Why is it taking so long for the police to solve this crime. These are all the questions that push Kate into doing a little investigating of her own. Adding the question is she putting herself in danger? Of course she is, it's a cozy mystery.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
I rarely say I LOVE the first book in a series because I feel you have to get to know the characters and the setting and usually the debut story just really breaks the ice and starts to get you involved in the characters and their lives with a good mystery thrown in. That being said this author is a master storyteller and she pulled me in and wouldn't let go. Everything you want in a cozy mystery is found in this story in the perfect amounts. The plot is genuine and authentic. The characters are real and believable. The setting is delightful. Victorian Square is a place you will want to visit again and again. I can tell already this is going to be an incredibly fun series, one you won't want to miss!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
February 11, 2012
Kate Bonner is still grieving for her late husband Chad, when his business partner, Ezra Hilton, the owner of Artisan's Alley, an art boutique in upstate New York is suddenly killed. Up until that time, Kate had a 10% financial interest in the business, but virtually no personal interest in its success or failure. While her husband was still alive, Kate had hopes of purchasing an old Victorian Home, just steps from Artisan's Alley, and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast. Those hopes were dashed when her now deceased husband put all of their life savings into Artisan's Alley. After Ezra dies, his lawyer informs Kate that Ezra had recently changed his will, making her the largest stakeholder in the company, and he also made her executor of the will, effectively cutting out his nephew, Gerald Hilton from having a voice in the future of the business.
Kate ends up quitting her dead-end job with an overbearing insurance broker she had worked for over the past six years to run Artisan's Alley. Whether she is doing it for Chad's legacy, or because she sees a future in the business, Kate is committed to saving it from financial ruin. As she starts to get to know the other tenants and business owners, her commitment to Artisan's Alley grows, and she knows that even though her dreams of owning a B&B have been dashed, this is her opportunity to make a fresh start. However, there are plenty of people who want to stand in her way, and as Kate starts to dig in to try to uncover what may have happened to Ezra, she discovers that several of the people she has grown close to, may have had a motive to kill him. Soon Kate has another death on her hands, and she must find the killer before it is too late.
A Crafty Killing is an intricate mystery with a cast of quirky characters, including a Colombo-esque detective, a group of highly-competitive (and even catty) middle-aged women, and a few who have long-held secrets to be revealed throughout the course of the book. I really enjoyed getting to know Kate and the people of Victoria Square and look forward to the next mystery n the series!
Kate ends up quitting her dead-end job with an overbearing insurance broker she had worked for over the past six years to run Artisan's Alley. Whether she is doing it for Chad's legacy, or because she sees a future in the business, Kate is committed to saving it from financial ruin. As she starts to get to know the other tenants and business owners, her commitment to Artisan's Alley grows, and she knows that even though her dreams of owning a B&B have been dashed, this is her opportunity to make a fresh start. However, there are plenty of people who want to stand in her way, and as Kate starts to dig in to try to uncover what may have happened to Ezra, she discovers that several of the people she has grown close to, may have had a motive to kill him. Soon Kate has another death on her hands, and she must find the killer before it is too late.
A Crafty Killing is an intricate mystery with a cast of quirky characters, including a Colombo-esque detective, a group of highly-competitive (and even catty) middle-aged women, and a few who have long-held secrets to be revealed throughout the course of the book. I really enjoyed getting to know Kate and the people of Victoria Square and look forward to the next mystery n the series!
January 31, 2011
This is the first book in the Victoria Square series. Lorraine Bartlett also writes as Lorna Barrett.
Victoria Square is a group of small shops and is anchored by Artisans Alley. Artisans Alley is made up of booths for artists. Katie Bonner has inherited a 10% ownership in Artisan Alley when her husband had died in an automobile accident. As she is on her way to work she notices police cars in front of Artisan Alley and stop be and learns that the owner, Ezra Hilton, has been found dead, evidently murdered. Katie soon learns that she will executor of Hilton’s estate and will be majority owner in it. The other 45% will belong to Ezra’s nephew. AA is, to put it mildly, in financial disarray due to bad management by Ezra. The artisans and the shop owner in Victoria Square want it to become a a success, whereas the nephew wants it sold as soon as possible. Soon there is a break in to Katie’s office and one of the artisans is found dead. Katie doesn’t feel the police are looking hard enough to find the killer.
Bartlett has provided the reader with an interesting cast of characters and a very interesting mystery. She built a solid case for two or three of the characters, but left me surprised at the end. I’m looking forward to the next book to hopefully learn more about the artisans and to see if they can get along with the crafts people who will be joining them.
Victoria Square is a group of small shops and is anchored by Artisans Alley. Artisans Alley is made up of booths for artists. Katie Bonner has inherited a 10% ownership in Artisan Alley when her husband had died in an automobile accident. As she is on her way to work she notices police cars in front of Artisan Alley and stop be and learns that the owner, Ezra Hilton, has been found dead, evidently murdered. Katie soon learns that she will executor of Hilton’s estate and will be majority owner in it. The other 45% will belong to Ezra’s nephew. AA is, to put it mildly, in financial disarray due to bad management by Ezra. The artisans and the shop owner in Victoria Square want it to become a a success, whereas the nephew wants it sold as soon as possible. Soon there is a break in to Katie’s office and one of the artisans is found dead. Katie doesn’t feel the police are looking hard enough to find the killer.
Bartlett has provided the reader with an interesting cast of characters and a very interesting mystery. She built a solid case for two or three of the characters, but left me surprised at the end. I’m looking forward to the next book to hopefully learn more about the artisans and to see if they can get along with the crafts people who will be joining them.
November 8, 2014
Usually after reading something long, epic, involved etc. I grab a cozy mystery to cleanse the palette. They're enjoyable, short and usually have great characters and almost nobody does a cozy better than Lorraine Bartlett.
This is the first of a series and I really enjoyed it. Characters were interesting and they were put in situations that made them grow and develop. Growing up in Hilton and spending a fair amount of time at the co-op there (along with their Dickens festival) Ih could relate to the artists and the booths and yes even the building.
The mystery was actually the least successful portion of the book. Not much time was spent on it, the suspects, red herrings, etc. were more of an afterthought BUT that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book.
There are two more books in this series and I will be reading them.
If cozies, small towns, interesting characters are enjoyable to you then I would recommend this book/series.
This is the first of a series and I really enjoyed it. Characters were interesting and they were put in situations that made them grow and develop. Growing up in Hilton and spending a fair amount of time at the co-op there (along with their Dickens festival) Ih could relate to the artists and the booths and yes even the building.
The mystery was actually the least successful portion of the book. Not much time was spent on it, the suspects, red herrings, etc. were more of an afterthought BUT that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book.
There are two more books in this series and I will be reading them.
If cozies, small towns, interesting characters are enjoyable to you then I would recommend this book/series.
June 10, 2015
When Ezra is killed Katie finds out that she is part owner in Artisan Square a place where artist sell their pieces. Katie finds out that she is part owner in the Artisan Square now and has to try and figure out what to do with it and how it can stay afloat. She also tries to find out who killed Ezra and there are a few likely candidates.
The Crafty Killing has a solid mystery that was really good, but I would say the one thing I didn’t care for much was how Katie thought she knew more than the Detective. Yes, at moments he really didn’t seem like his head was in the game but when she finds out why, she feels really bad. In the end the Detective was really trying to figure things out and cared about her safety.
Over all, I really enjoyed this one and if you like cozy mysteries you might give it a try, but if your not into none police who think they no better than the police you might not like it.
The Crafty Killing has a solid mystery that was really good, but I would say the one thing I didn’t care for much was how Katie thought she knew more than the Detective. Yes, at moments he really didn’t seem like his head was in the game but when she finds out why, she feels really bad. In the end the Detective was really trying to figure things out and cared about her safety.
Over all, I really enjoyed this one and if you like cozy mysteries you might give it a try, but if your not into none police who think they no better than the police you might not like it.
February 8, 2017
In A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett, Katie Bonner, widowed from her estranged husband a few months earlier, gets left half the estate of her husband's business partner, Ezra Hilton, found dead, possibly pushed, at the bottom of the stairs. This includes Artisan Alley, the main business in Victoria Square. Sixty artists each rent space there, with Ezra's estate getting a percentage of the profits, but Katie soon discovers that Ezra has not been financially responsible and is on the verge of bankruptcy. However, Katie's efforts to bring Artisan Alley into solvency meets with some resistance, especially when Katie declares that all those who haven't paid their rent recently, some for as long as a year, will have to leave if they don't settle what they owe.
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Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
August 12, 2011
I picked this book up off a reshelving cart because I needed something to read on my break and was in the mood for something light. This was a perfect choice: a cozy mystery, the first in a series, interesting enough to keep my attention and yet not requiring more brain power than my overtaxed noggin could handle at the time! (And now I'm curious to find out what happens in the next book in the series.)
Recent widow Katie Bonner becomes the main suspect in a murder investigation when the owner of Artisan's Alley dies and leaves her half of his business. It isn't how she had planned to be a part of the Victoria Square business district, but she quickly realizes she's got to take over running the Alley if she's to avoid bankruptcy. When a second corpse appears on the premises, her life becomes even more complicated.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways
Recent widow Katie Bonner becomes the main suspect in a murder investigation when the owner of Artisan's Alley dies and leaves her half of his business. It isn't how she had planned to be a part of the Victoria Square business district, but she quickly realizes she's got to take over running the Alley if she's to avoid bankruptcy. When a second corpse appears on the premises, her life becomes even more complicated.
For readers' advisors: story and character doorways
March 1, 2011
What a wonderful debut of a new series by a favorite author. No matter what name Lorraine Bartlett writes under, she always manages to write solid and entertaining mysteries. Bartlett's new series starts with A Crafty Killing and as the new heroine, Katie Bonnner, makes her way through the book meeting new people, the reader also meets the characters as well. It's a refreshing and entertaining way to get the reader involved with the people of the book; by introducing them to the reader and Katie at the same time.
Plus, the mystery is a good one! With lots of twists and turns and a lot of murders! I won't spoil anything for anyone, just know this series is solid, entertaining, detailed and smart. Lots of authors could learn a lot from Bartlett!
Plus, the mystery is a good one! With lots of twists and turns and a lot of murders! I won't spoil anything for anyone, just know this series is solid, entertaining, detailed and smart. Lots of authors could learn a lot from Bartlett!
June 29, 2015
After her husband's death, Katie Bonner finds herself the majority owner of the Artisan Attic. And then when her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found murdered during a robbery attempt, she also learns that she is the executor of his estate. She finds herself trying to cope with the business of running Artisans Alley for a profit, handling the vendors and all their requests, and dealing with the police in their investigation. Will Katie find herself in danger too? This is the first book in a new series, Victoria Square, and has great potential for new stories. With the setting of Artisans Attic, there are plenty of interesting characters and possible story lines. I look forward to the next book in this series.
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