Mysterious Saturday Review: The Walled Flower

* Book 2 in the series ~ Read my review for Crafty Killing*

Katie's desperately unhappy when she realizes her dream house has been sold. The house has always been her ideal location for a bed and breakfast. With her dream no longer in grasp, Katie tries to make the best of things.

She goes over to welcome her new neighbors in Victoria Square with a pizza. She offers to help the knock down a wall. Before she knows it, she's uncovered a body sealed in the wall.

The body's soon identified as Heather Winston, a girl who disappeared twenty years ago.  Her aunt, Rose, is a vendor at the Artisan's Alley.  The family's always assumed that Heather left the area hoping to make it as a model. As her only living relative, Rose turns to Katie asking her for help.

Looking for clues in a 20 year old case isn't easy. On top of the murder, Katie's dealing with pushy vendors at work, a wedding where she's become the maid of honor at the last second, and she must find a new apartment to live.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the second book in this series. I love the behind the scenes moments at the Artisans Alley. I love Victoria Square - it sounds perfect (except for all those dead bodies).  Katie's sweet and tries to help everyone, which leaves her stressed. The murdered kept me guessing until the end. I love Seth. I love Andy and his pizza joint. I can almost taste the cinnamon buns he's now creating.  So looking forward to more in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable!

Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Crafty Killing

Katie never wanted anything to do with Artisans Alley, especially after her husband ruined their dreams pouring money into the shop. With him dead, Katie owns part of the shop. While driving to work one morning, she notices police cars in the parking lot.

Curious, she goes in to investigate. She learns her business partner, Ezra Hilton has died - murdered most likely. Katie isn't sure what to do, but with a stake in the outcome of the store, she stays the day.

Katie learns that the shop has fallen on hard times. People aren't paying the rent, shoppers aren't spending much money, and the paperwork for the store is a disaster. She steps in for the day but soon realizes she has too much on her plate.

When she learns that Paul left her half the store in his will, Katie must decide if she wants to pour her heart in soul into making Artisans Alley the best it can be.

While she's still deciding her future, Katie starts learning about the crafters and the other business owners in the square. As she becomes friendly with some of them, she realizes that she just might be attempting to befriend the murderer.

My Thoughts: A great start to a new series. Many cozy mysteries deal with crafts and Lorraine Bartlett (who also writes as Lorna Barrett and L.L. Bartlett) puts a new spin, looking at crafting from a business standpoint. I loved reading about the business side of the store. I loved getting to know the other business owners in the square - Victoria Square sounds like a great place to shop. I liked Katie - who's dealing with pain from her personal life but also looking to achieve her own happiness. I found her inspiring. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable!

Source: My Library

Up Next: The Walled Flower, second in the Victoria Square Mysteries, in Fall 2011