• A Crafty Killing

  • Victoria Square Mystery, Book 1
  • By: Lorraine Bartlett
  • Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (283 ratings)

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A Crafty Killing  By  cover art

A Crafty Killing

By: Lorraine Bartlett
Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
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Publisher's summary

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 had been faltering - but was it enough to provoke someone to murder? Only Katie can find the answer.

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.

©2011 Lorraine Bartlett (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

" A Crafty Killing begins with a bang!" ( Romance Readers Connection)

What listeners say about A Crafty Killing

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

So-so

I believe another listener commented that the narrator sounded as though she had a cold. I would have to agree with that. It seemed sometimes her voice was also too soft. The story was okay, though it felt a little forced in places. I like cozy mysteries, know I can depend on not being upset by slaughter and grisly scenes. Some, like any other kind of genre, work better than others.

This one is the story of a young widow who inherits an arts and crafts (for sale) related establishment, that had been going downhill until she got it. She has to discover who killed the man who had owned it, as well as find ways to make it financially solvent going forward. I enjoyed the character descriptions, they were the best parts. But the book moved at a somewhat uneven pace, and I often found myself rewinding parts, because my mind had wandered. I can see that this is a series that might be better as it takes off in more books. Guess I'd give it kind of a wavy-hand. Would like to hear it read with a more spirited narrator, that would probably make some difference.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

very enjoyable

really enjoyed this start to a new cozy. This narrator always sounds like she has serious sinus problems but that didn't get in the way of my listening. plot was interesting and a bit different. really liked that Katie didn't get everything she wanted. wasn't your typical happily ever after.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Acceptable Cosy

Writing was ok - nothing glaringly off, but the main character never felt fully explored. Reader was ok - though it sounded like she had a cold through the entire book. And there were some really rough edits where the sound was jarringly different. Overall, not a compelling listen but an easy one - which might suit if you are in that kind of mood.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Terrible narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm not sure. I am currently only in chapter 2 and having a VERY hard time getting into the book with this horrible narrator. She drags out every single syllable in a word. No one actually speaks that way and it's very hard to listen to.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Get a different narrator.

How could the performance have been better?

Use a different narrator or at least have this one speak in a normal way. She drags out every syllable and it's awful!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Good Start to a New Series

This is a realistic mystery with realistic characters. Katie Bonner is a likeable character and I look forward to reading more about her.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A crafty and artsy tale

I like the setting for this story - in an artsy, crafty small town. And there are cats, of course, so it's all good. Except the murders, they're never good ... but the bad guys always get caught in this wonderful world of fiction.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

FUN!

excellent reading. great plot. Kept me guessing till the end. great characters. looking forward to seeing what comes next.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

New & Different Cozy Mystery

Katie Bonner becomes the manager of Artisans Alley after her business partner, Ezra Hilton, is found bludgeoned to death. Katie takes on the faltering business of renting space to Artisan in the Artisans Alley after she quits her job at an insurance agency and wonders if she is taking on more than she can handle with the business, secrets and a possible relationship.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Crafty Mystery

This one caught me by surprise. I expected a sweet little cozy mystery. This was So much more. Katie & a slew of characters were so interesting. The backdrop, Artisans Alley, was original. And I was quite taken by the whole atmosphere. A great beginning for the series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good New Mystery

A Crafty Killing: Victoria Square Mystery: Book 1 got Lorraine Bartlett’s new series off to a good start. The mystery was engaging, drew me into the story and kept me there. I liked the characters. Katie grew on me as the story progressed. I especially liked the Victoria Square/Artisan co-op theme. The rebuilding of the business aspect was interesting, as was Katie’s dealing with artists and crafters. The story ended around holiday time, which made it a good December listen for me. It was definitely a good book. I’ll be interested in the continuing series.

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