A Crafty Killing

Bartlett's protagonist is not so much a crafter herself as someone who has been dragged into the craft world. It was her late husband who sank their savings into an arts-and-crafts mall in their small upstate New York town. When she stops in one morning on the way to her "real" job in an insurance office to find her business partner dead, she must not only take over running the financially-troubled business, but try to assist the police in solving the crime. Sometimes this type of "cozy" mystery has way too much about the "theme" and not enough mystery, but this is not the case here. There's also some humor and some insightful thoughts about early widowhood and the ambivalence that comes with it when the marriage wasn't perfect. show more Recommended for a short, enjoyable read. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Katie Bonner's plans to open a bed and breakfast were dashed when her husband Chad took their money and invested it in Artisan's Alley. His actions put a rift in their marriage, a rift that was never healed before Chad died in a car accident, leaving Katie a business partner in Artisan's Alley. Now her business partner Ezra Hilton has been murdered and not only has Katie inherited part of Ezra's estate, the police consider her a major suspect in his murder. Katie must figure out how to make Artisan's Alley financially solvent and solve Ezra's murder before she is arrested for murder.

"A Crafty Killing" is the nicely done first novel in Lorraine Bartlett's Victoria Square cozy mystery series. I love the setting of Artisan's Alley and show more Bartlett does such a good job of creating the atmosphere that I wish it really existed so I could go visit it. Katie is a great heroine who grows as the book goes along - at the beginning she is still recovering from the loss of her husband when Ezra dies and she's a bit of a pushover, especially when it comes to her boss, but she gets stronger and feistier as the novel goes along. While Chad is dead at the start of the book, he plays an important role in the book and it is easy to see how much Katie lost when he died. The business aspects of the book are well done. Bartlett populates the book with several memorable characters. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of suspects and more than a few surprises. Bartlett provides her readers with plenty of clues to figure out who the killer is but she also has some nice red herrings that will keep readers guessing whodunit.

I really enjoyed "A Crafty Killing" and look forward to my next visit to Artisan's Alley. show less

A Crafty Killing: a Victoria Square Mystery by Lorraine Bartlett
Review based on ARC.

I love Lorraine Bartlett’s Booktown series that she writes under the name of Lorna Barrett. Having enjoyed many an afternoon spent reading about the adventures of the citizens of Booktown I was eagerly anticipating this new series. I was not disappointed.

A Crafty Killing introduces us to Katie Bonner, a recent widow who suddenly finds herself the proprietor of Artisan’s Alley after the death of Ezra Hilton, whom at first glance appears to be the victim of a robbery gone bad.

Prior to his death, Katie’s husband Chad, had sunk all their savings (money that was supposed to be their investment in a bed and breakfast) into a small percentage of show more Artisan’s Alley. After Ezra’s death, Katie is surprised to learn that she is not only the executor of Ezra’s estate, but the largest shareholder in Artisan’s Alley. The business, which many believe to be the cornerstone to making Victoria Square a success, is in dire financial straights. At first Katie’s plan is to turn the white elephant into a profitable business so she can sell it and buy her dream business – the bed and breakfast.

But before she can do that she must find out who killed Ezra, convince the artists at Artisan’s Alley to operate in a more profitable manner, as well as figure out if it is too soon after Chad’s death to consider romance.

I loved this book. Even if I had not read Lorraine’s other books, I would have picked this up because of the crafty setting. I enjoy books with a crafty theme. I’ll keep reading this series because it’s a beautifully written and engaging mystery. The plot moves at just the right pace with plenty of action without overwhelming the reader. The characters are well developed and full of quirky attributes that make want to know more about them.)

A Crafty Killing was an engaging read that I did not want to put down. I can’t wait to read more about Katie and her efforts (which I just know will be a success) to turn Artisan’s Alley into a thriving business.

I received an Advance Reader’s copy for review. I did not receive any compensation for my review. Look for this wonderful new series in February of 2011. show less

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 show more risks her life along with her livelihood. A charming debut! show less

Whether she writes as Lorraine Bartlett or Barrett, Lorna, I love reading this author's novels. At some point I must pause and investigate her other writing as L.L. Bartlett with the Jeff Resnick Mysteries.

But back to "A Crafty Killing" the opening novel for the Victoria Square series. It has everything I adore within a cozy mystery - a main character that you'd want to have as a friend and an adorable cat or two - in this case Katie Bonner and cats, Mason and Della. Artisans Alley is a wonderful setting for artisans and perhaps crafters too. There's also some enticing recipes at the end of the novel.

So glad that I already have the next novel in the series entitled, "The Walled Flower" so I don't have to wait any longer to read the next show more adventures for all. show less

Having lost her husband Chad, several months earlier, Kellie Bonner is horrified when her new partner, Ezra Hilton, (Chad had been in business with him) is found dead and she is thrown into the position of keeping the Artisans Alley open not just for sentimental reasons but for financial ones as well. Not happy that the detective in charge of the investigation seems slow, Kellie sets out to supply him with information so that the killer can be found and the crafters as well as customers will feel safe.

The characters are interesting and make you want to get to know that better, the descriptions of the crafts make me want to drive up and look around. Definitely a series to continue.