As a start to a new series, this book is pretty good. Much of the book sets up character relationships and histories, with a focus on the main character and her new role as owner of Artisans Alley. The main character Katie is believable and much more street smart than your average cozy mystery heroine, which I appreciate. The secondary characters are also well developed and the plot believable. I look forward to the upcoming adventures of Katie Bonner and the merchants of Victoria Square!
I love this author's other series and this book which is the start to her new series wasn't a disappointment. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to read the books to follow.
Helpful Score: 2
Great polt and good development of characters. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Helpful Score: 1
Light hearted and much like the other books she writes as Lorna Barrett. I really like her style. Good cozy with enjoyable characters.
Juanita F. (legal22) -
Helpful Score: 1
My first "cozy" and I really liked it! First in a series, looking forward to the next one!
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed A Crafty Killing (Victoria Square, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Good start to a new series written by Lorna Barrett as Lorraine Bartlett. I like the premise of the Artisans Alley and the Victoria Square. Good characters and plot. 3.5 stars.
Leanne D. (eclecticmusicmama) reviewed A Crafty Killing (Victoria Square, Bk 1) on + 426 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this first book of this new series! The atmosphere of the setting is interesting and seems like it will have a lot to build upon in future books. All the characters are interesting, and I hope we will get to know them more intimately in future books. Katie is a smart and lovable main character, who you look forward to getting to know better in the next book. Can't wait!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
First Line: Ezra Hilton lay sprawled at the bottom step of the staircase, facedown in a puddle of his own congealed blood.
Recently widowed, Katie Bonner has a job she loathes and a small interest in Artisans Alley, a collection of booths for artisans in a renovated apple warehouse. Becoming the manager of Artisans Alley was one of the last items on her wishlist-- if it even made the cut at all. But that's just what happens when Ezra Hilton is found dead on the premises. Although the linchpin of the entire Victoria Square shopping district in this small town close to the shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York, Hilton's stodgy, old-fashioned management has Artisans Alley teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. If it goes under, the entire shopping district will follow in its wake.
As Katie takes over from Ezra, she discovers that there are details about his death that just don't add up... and she'd better break out her calculator before she becomes the next body in line.
The cast of characters shines brightly in this series beginner. Katie is feisty when she needs to be, and it's satisfying to watch her start to come out of her shell and make new friends. She's got a management style that is a proven winner. She's open to suggestions from others, listens to them, incorporates the best ideas into her plans-- and doesn't take credit for work she didn't do. Katie doesn't always get it right, though. She's been a bit of a hermit since her husband died, and she gets the wrong idea about someone in town a time or two. These "wrong ideas" force Katie to interact with the other characters more so we get to know them all better. Two characters that normally get glossed over a bit in mysteries (the killer and the police officer in charge of the investigation) were given depth in A Crafty Killing. Bartlett puts her winning touch on all.
If you're looking for craft ideas and tips, this isn't the book for you. This is a book for people who love casts of well-drawn characters, and who like to witness the process of turning a business loser into a business success. Once Katie has Artisans Alley on firmer ground, who knows, there may be craft tips; however, I'm more than happy with what's there: a fast-paced plot, an interesting setting, and a marvelous cast of characters. Bartlett has her stage set, and I'm ready to see more action unfold.
Recently widowed, Katie Bonner has a job she loathes and a small interest in Artisans Alley, a collection of booths for artisans in a renovated apple warehouse. Becoming the manager of Artisans Alley was one of the last items on her wishlist-- if it even made the cut at all. But that's just what happens when Ezra Hilton is found dead on the premises. Although the linchpin of the entire Victoria Square shopping district in this small town close to the shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York, Hilton's stodgy, old-fashioned management has Artisans Alley teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. If it goes under, the entire shopping district will follow in its wake.
As Katie takes over from Ezra, she discovers that there are details about his death that just don't add up... and she'd better break out her calculator before she becomes the next body in line.
The cast of characters shines brightly in this series beginner. Katie is feisty when she needs to be, and it's satisfying to watch her start to come out of her shell and make new friends. She's got a management style that is a proven winner. She's open to suggestions from others, listens to them, incorporates the best ideas into her plans-- and doesn't take credit for work she didn't do. Katie doesn't always get it right, though. She's been a bit of a hermit since her husband died, and she gets the wrong idea about someone in town a time or two. These "wrong ideas" force Katie to interact with the other characters more so we get to know them all better. Two characters that normally get glossed over a bit in mysteries (the killer and the police officer in charge of the investigation) were given depth in A Crafty Killing. Bartlett puts her winning touch on all.
If you're looking for craft ideas and tips, this isn't the book for you. This is a book for people who love casts of well-drawn characters, and who like to witness the process of turning a business loser into a business success. Once Katie has Artisans Alley on firmer ground, who knows, there may be craft tips; however, I'm more than happy with what's there: a fast-paced plot, an interesting setting, and a marvelous cast of characters. Bartlett has her stage set, and I'm ready to see more action unfold.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the main character and the setting very much. Sounds like a place I'd love to visit.
This was a good cozy, if you still like mystery novels where the killing takes place "off-screen" and character development remains important, then this is really a good book for you.
The blurb says: 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 Kate can find the answer.
The blurb says: 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 Kate can find the answer.
A good story with a nice mystery. Nothing scary or erotic,
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 Kate can find the answer.
There are some excellent recipes at the back of this book.
There are some excellent recipes at the back of this book.
