| Title | : | The Walled Flower (Victoria Square, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0425246167 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780425246160 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 289 |
| Publication | : | First published February 1, 2012 |
The Walled Flower (Victoria Square, #2) Reviews
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A slog. For a book that should have taken a couple of hours to read, it has dragged on for days now. I kept getting so annoyed at Katie for allowing herself to be so stressed by her "friends" and even more annoyed at her boyfriend's attitude. And I didn't care about the mystery at all; it seemed contrived. I'm always amazed at business owners who have time to run all over town all the time and just chuck the business into someone else's hands; most of the owners I know work 50+ hours a week. Anyhow, there were too many plots and subplots and sub-subplots to keep track of, and I didn't care.
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I just can not like Katie at all. She is manipulative, self-centered and not very nice to Andy the person she supposedly loves. I'm sure in the next book she will expect Andy to buy her the B&B prospect, simply because she wants it. With "eyes blazing" (<-direct quote from book) Katie was infuriated because Andy was using his property to further his business instead of giving her the apartment she WANTED. But never fear, Katie is already scheming about moving in furniture and redecorating.
As an artist I was looking forwarding to this series, but there is very little about the artists and their work. How about a description of the booths or a glimpse into a few of the artist's work. This could cut down on the pages devoted to Katie's whining and obsessing over the Webster Mansion.
Done with this series -
4.5 stars, rounded up
First off, I love the mention of Epilepsy (such an often unfamiliar and overlooked affliction).
Second, I wonder if Katie ever realized she had been used by Gilda. Gilda is definitely not the good witch in this book; she's the crazy bridezilla. I would have liked to see more of that: the bridal shower and everything. I kinda wonder why it was included at all. It just seems like a weird mention.
I didn't like Katie in this one as much as I did in the first one. Her jealousy over the Webster mansion was unbecoming. And I wonder what will happen with the Webster mansion now. Are we going to keep hearing about it until Katie buys it?
Also, I really don't like the relationship between Katie and Andy. It seems like Katie is using Andy. The way she got angry at the end that he wasn't fixing up the apartment for her, then when she suckered him into letting her move in. It just really bothers me. This is just my opinion but I kinda hope there's a new love interest for Katie in future books.
Overall, a good cozy mystery but it could have been better. -
Listened for Review (Tantor)
Overall Rating: DNF
Audio Rating: 3.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett unfortunatly was a DNF for me because of the leading lady.
Quick Thoughts: Katie was immediately (like 2nd chapter) already second guessing the police (cozy mystery pet peeve number 1: when the lead who is neither a police officer OR PI starts thinking they are so much smarter than the cops)! Example: Oh surely they dusted for prints before handing it over to the detective. Girl, I don't care how much "Real TV" you watch--the cops know how to do their jobs. Also, the inn she wanted was sold to another couple so while she was pleasant to them, her internal dialogue was very me, me, me. Both of those bugged me book 1 but I was told she was better book 2. Not so much or at least not the part I listened too. So this has to be a DNF for me.
Audio Thoughts:Narrated By Jorjeana Marie / Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
Jorjeana's narration was really good but again she sounded like she had a cold. It was really "stuffed up" sounding and I listened to examples of her other narration, it wasn't like that at all. So I am just going to assume these were recorded back to back when she had a cold.
Final Thoughts: While these things did not work for me that doesn't mean the series is bad. It has a great setting, great side characters, and the mystery (at least in the first book) was solid.
DNF Report: It's not you, It's Me! -
This was cute. Kicks off with the mystery right away. Katie is a good amateur sleuth. I enjoyed it and would like to read more in this series.
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Katie has wanted to own the Webster Mansion for years - but due to her deceased husband's machinations, she instead finds herself the owner of the adjacent Artisans Alley. She has to manage a huge warehouse of artist studios while her dream of converting the Webster Mansion into a B&B turns to dust.
When the mansion is purchased and renovations reveal a dead body in one of the walls, Katie sticks her nose where it absolutely doesn't belong. She is determined to reveal the secrets behind a death that occurred 20 years ago. When more bodies start showing up, largely because Katie has all the subtlety of a rhino in a pottery shop, she doubles down on "asking questions, but definitely not investigating, but maybe also definitely investigating."
In the process, we learn about her spineless boyfriend Andy who works 100% of the time at his pizza shop, thinks that renting his empty apartment to her would be too much commitment, but also believes that her moving in with him seems a like great idea. Hmm. Add in a horrible "friend" who demands that Katie act as a maid of honor/servant, several insufferable tenants at her artist warehouse, and a boring obstructionist detective, and you have a cast of forgettable characters and an annoying storyline. -
Not sure I warmed to this 2nd book in the Victoria Square series than I did to the 1st one. Seemed to drag, then quickly the long-ago and current murder was solved in the end. And again, the incompetent grumpt sheriff takes the credit for a crime he didn't solve.
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Published by Berkley Prime Crime, New York
Review based on ARC
What a stressful life our Katie Bonner is living these days! Aside from her daily routines at the Artisans Alley, which are about to be interrupted in a less than happy way, she is rushing around to find a place to live and down to a very short deadline since her apartment has been rented out already. Then one of her vendors talks her into becoming her Matron of Honour (and must have read and copied every book on a Matron of Honour's duty), with a deadline just over a week away. Another vendor is adamantly demanding that her neighbouring vendor be arrested for stealing with no proof whatsoever, and her dream to own and operate the old Webster mansion for a Bed and Breakfast is revived again when the property goes up for sale---and again she can't afford it. It does sell, though, and the new owners are planning on doing exactly what Katie had planned, they are renovating the house to be a Bed and Breakfast, with many of the same ideas Katie had.
Lorraine Bartlett knows how to write sharp, witty, intriguing mysteries, often with several smoothly entwined in a single book, a book that is very hard to put down. I think this is the best yet. New characters come and go, and some remain adding to the population of Victoria Square. I love the title of the book and how it fits with the story. There is indeed a "walled flower", not the kind of flower you would expect, but one forever caught in the bloom of its life. Katie is about to uncover this flower when she makes a welcoming visit to the new neighbours, who are busily tearing down a wall. They allow her to try her hand with the mallet which she does with the relish and zeal of a thwarted homeowner, breaking away pieces until she suddenly realizes something is inside the wall. The skeleton of a young woman, obviously in the wall for many years, the walled flower, a death too soon. At this point an over-stressed Katie issues what must be the understatement of the decade, "Well, this could ruin your day."
As the insensitive and formidable homicide Detective Ray Davenport arrives and the area is cordoned off, Rose Nash, one of the older vendors at Artisan's Alley and a special friend to Katie, is allowed in when it appears she may have information about the body. She is able to identify the locket the skeleton is wearing and identifies the girl as her niece Heather, who disappeared 22 years before. From the moment of identification, this story takes on a life of its own, involving many people, possible suspects, and more bodies piling up. As usual, the detective does not seem to be moving, or at the very least moving in the right direction, so Rose becomes Katie's sidekick as they investigate together, a partnership I found very satisfying and would enjoy seeing again. Rose proves herself reliable and quick.
In the meantime, between the looming wedding, the accusations of thefts, a child left unattended by the accusator, the hunt for a place to live (and wondering why current boyfriend Andy won't let her rent his apartment over the store) and more, Katie is quickly becoming overwhelmed. Searching for an apartment introduces her to some very strange owners! She is aided, and sometimes abetted, by various members of the Alley. Many surprises are in store for the reader. This is an enjoyable romp with action all through. I did not want to put the book down, though I often felt I needed to catch my breath. A wonderful cozy read. -
I read this because it was in my pile.... I will not read the other two by the same author, they are going back into the Library return bag.
I really dislike stupid wishy-washy main characters. Are they suppose to be endearing? How do they escape being killed off by the bad-guy?
Main character, Katie, her husband died (no great loss) & the $$$ she had set aside to purchase the Victorian mansion across the street to be opened as a B&B (all the antique furniture she bought is in storage), he used to buy the money-losing craft mall across the street (without telling her) instead.
Katie goes in to visit the new owners of the mansion & they offer her the sledge hammer to remove a wall... inside the wall is the skeleton of a young woman who disappeared 20 years ago.
The current sheriff is the same one who took the missing report 20 years ago and blew it off, never following through, because he was (and still is) a lazy chump.
The girl's ex-boyfriend, now movie director comes to town & she questions him in front of the press, he is later killed by a sniper.
The ex-best friend of the girl, is also killed after meeting w/ Katie, before she tells Katie anything, she gets spooked & runs away.
Also: there is problems w/ a nasty seller in the antiques mall; Katie stupidly agrees to be a maid-of-honor for another vendor she barely knows and gets stuck w/ wedding favors & parties two weeks before the wedding; and she has lost her lease w/ 2 days to move and no prospects.
Whatever.... -
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Walled Flower
Victoria Square, Book #2
By Lorraine Bartlett
ISBN 9780425246160
Author Website: lorrainebartlett(.)com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
If Katie Bonner’s late husband hadn’t invested all their savings in the crafts fair Artisans Alley, the Webster mansion could have been hers to remodel into a bed-and-breakfast. Instead that dream belongs to another young couple. But that dream becomes a nightmare when a skeleton is discovered sealed in the walls of the mansion. The bones belong to Helen Winston, who went missing twenty-two years ago. Heather’s aunt, a jewelry vendor at Artisans Alley, asks Kate for help finding her niece’s murderer. The case may be cold, but the killer is very much alive-and ready to go to any lengths to keep past secrets buried… (Goodreads)
Review:
I really enjoyed this second book in the Victoria Square mystery series! Katie Bonner works hard to breathe new life into Artisan’s Alley within the Square since her husband’s unexpected death. She and Chad had saved every penny for years, hoping to purchase the historic Webster Mansion and turn it into a B&B. For a reason he never explained, Chad took all their savings without talking with Katie and invested in Artisan’s Alley, where local craftspeople rented booths to sell hand-made crafts and antiques. The Webster Mansion is within walking distance of Artisan’s Alley, and Katie can see it most days.
The day the For Sale sign came down, Katie’s anger returned for her loss of the home she longed to restore. She brought a pizza to the new owners, Janice and Toby, and visited without revealing her broken dream. Toby offered Katie a turn at taking out a wall with the sledgehammer, and she enjoys the brief respite from her anger. Until behind the wall, a skeleton is revealed. One with long blond hair and a unique locket. The remains of the poor girl have no clothing, only layers of plastic wrap.
People throughout Victoria Square come to see why the police are at the mansion. Rose, 75, is a close friend of Katie and one of the vendors at the Alley and wants to know if the skeleton was identified. Only one person had gone missing from McKinlay Mills in over 20 years, Rose’s niece, Heather, missing for 22 years. At the time, police thought she had run away to New York City as it was her dream, but she would never have left without letting her parents or Rose know. When Rose ID’s the locket as one that she had made especially for her, the hope she had of Heather coming back one day was shattered. Back in the day, the mansion had been renovated into apartments, and Heather and best friend Barbie had both lived there.
Rose wants Katie to help find who killed her niece, as she doesn’t trust the local law enforcement on the long-cold case. Rose and Katie visit Barbie. She is holding an adorable granddaughter and won’t let the ladies into her tiny old mobile home. Barbie had to work immediately after high school and was unable to keep up any more with Heather.
Barbie called, then met, with Katie. She is terrified, saying someone threatened her granddaughter. She told Katie that being caught talking with her could result in her murder, that she had arranged for evidence to be sent to Katie if something happens to her. She spooks and runs out without giving up much more than that Heather was not the sweet girl everyone thought she was. The next day, Barbie is found murdered inside the Webster Mansion, and the new owners put the home up for sale.
Katie and Rose discover that the man who had been Heather’s boyfriend in college, Jeremy Richards, was now Rick Jeremy, famous move director, now coming to Rochester to receive a lifetime achievement award. How weird, or fortuitous, was it that the man would be in town so soon after discovering Heather’s murder – as it was determined she was murdered, strangled.
Katie has less than two weeks left in her apartment, with no time to look for another place to live. Andy, her boyfriend and owner of Angelo’s Pizzeria, wants her to move in with him but she isn’t ready for that yet. Ideally, she would like to find a small house to rent or for Andy to rent her the small apartment over the pizzeria, but he has other plans for it. One of the shop owners asks Katie to fill in as her matron of honor at the last minute. Not only is the dress she has to wear one of the ugliest Katie has seen, the 50+ year old bride wants the full treatment, from a bridal shower to a list of other responsibilities. One of the vendors inside Artisan’s Alley, a crabby, obnoxious woman, accuses the woman in the neighboring booth of stealing her merchandise and damaging antique dolls she sells. Katie barely has time to turn around, much less learn who killed not only Heather, but Barbie.
Katie is very well defined, and we learn more about her and her friends and vendors at Victoria Square. Other characters are defined as well as necessary. I appreciate Katie and Rose, their loyalty to friends, and hard work ethic. Andy’s work ethic is as strong as Katie’s as he continues to build his business. He seems like a perfect match as he helps Katie relax even as she makes an off-the-cuff suggestion for his business that he decides to explore. Rose cares about everyone, and even with her heartache over losing Heather, she is actively involved with helping Katie find the bad guy(s).
The author has finely-executed this cozy mystery, including plot twists that change who the bad guy(s) might be and at least a couple red herrings that I followed. Katie juggles many eggs throughout the novel, managing everything with skill and determination. Her kindness to the new owners of Webster Mansion, despite her anger at having her dream snatched away, is exemplary. There are many characters throughout the novel, as there would be in a place such as Victoria Square; a list of characters at the beginning of the book might be helpful to both new readers and as a refresher to the returning readers. I wouldn’t trade a one of them, though – I enjoy it exactly as it is! This reader was unable to discover who the real bad guy was and was completely surprised to see how many people had been involved in the knotty mysteries, including one I had only briefly considered. All loose ends were tied up, and the ending was satisfactory. I highly recommend this exciting, fast-paced cozy mystery to those who enjoy confounding mysteries and cold cases. -
I'm usually a huge fan of Bartlett and use her books as a kind of palette cleanser between other large (900+ page) books that I read. I enjoy her characters, character interactions and growth and a low key mystery to keep the story interesting.
This one however I found a tad aggravating and the ending reminded me of a Scooby Doo ending where everyone confesses because why not? Just too unbelievable for me to truly enjoy. But I'll round up to 3 stars because I love the way she writes characters. -
Katie wanted to renovate the Webster mansion and open a bed and breakfast. Her late husband invested in the Artisan Alley and crushed her dream. The new owners offer her the chance to knock out a wall and she discovers the bones of a long missing person. Dueling vendors, a Victoria Square wedding, an old Betamax and cinnamon rolls! A fun fast read. 3.5 stars
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Even slower than the first book in the series, although the characters and relationships in this episode were somewhat more natural and believable. I'm not sure I'll read another in the series.
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Good, but not great. Too many plot points and it dragged a bit in the middle.
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I enjoy this series ... this one was a bit far-fetched, and a little more gory than I like my cozies ... but still a good story with characters I've come to enjoy.
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In light of the next Victoria Square novel being release being only days away, I wanted to read one of the backstories I've missed so far. And it this one good! The mystery is intriguing and the characters are well-rounded as fitting their roles.
Katie Bonner, widow of Chad, is on her way to work at Artisans Alley at Victoria Square. Chad had taken the money they had set aside in hopes of purchasing the old Webster mansion to turn it into a B & B. Instead, he used the money to buy into Artisan's Alley, where people sell crafts and antiques, each volunteering time to run the cash registers or helping to clean the common areas. He never told her why did made the purchase, and they were close to getting back together when Chad was killed in an accident. So why does the old rage return when Katie is going to work and sees that the For Sale sign was taken down from the mansion?
The new owners a planning a B&B, also. As they knock down some walls added over the years, they make a terrible discovery - the plastic-wrapped skeleton of a woman with long blond hair and an unusual pendant. It doesn't take long until the skeleton is ID'd as Heather, the niece of Rose, one of Katie's friends and an elderly lady who has a sales stall at the Alley. Rose is heartbroken, as she and Heather's parents had always held onto the hope that she had run away and would return. She asks Katie's help to find out what happened to Heather, as it is clear that she did not wrap herself up in plastic and wall herself into a room.
It is hard enough to solve a current murder case, but a 22-year-old cold case? That will take much time, many questions, and possibly even more lives before it is over. One potential witness is terrified of what will happen if she tells what she knows as she has already been threatened. Katie wants to find peace and justice for her friend Rose, so she soldiers on. The plot twists make for challenging sleuthing as situations from more than 20 years ago come to light. I was not able to determine for sure who the real bad guy was, so I was quite surprised by finding out the resolution. I highly recommend The Walled Flower, and this series, as each unique mystery is challenging. The characters are worth following; returning to Artisans Alley is like going back to visit old friends. -
This is a great series! Katie's character continues to develop. She still has resentment that her late husband invested all of their savings into Victoria Square, especially when she sees the "Sold" sign on the Webster house next door. This was supposed to be her dream, a B&B. But the new owners' dream then becomes a nightmare when a skeleton is found in the walls during renovations. It is her friend Rose's niece, Heather, who was presumed to be a young runaway 20 years ago, with big dreams to be a model in NYC. Who could have wanted her dead? Her former boyfriend, who has now become a Hollywood big-wig? The timing of his visit to his alma mater in Rochester doesn't seem coincidental. But will investigating cost Katie her life?
Her romance with Andy, the pizza shop owner, also continues to progress. However, as in true life, that is not without bumps in the road--which become apparent during the course of the book. -
Katie’s jealousy rears it’s head as she visits the new owners of the Webster Mansion, her dream B&B. Given the opportunity to swing the sledge hammer and do some demolition, Katie’s jealousy turns to anger toward her late husband who invested their savings into a fledgling artisan market when they were nearly ready to buy the mansion. One swing leads to a dent, another to a hole and a few more swings open not only the wall, but a decades old mystery.
This is the second book in the Victoria Square Mystery series. After just reading the first book I was ready to jump right into the next. The characters are realistic and well developed, though halfway through the book, Andy, becomes oblivious. The plot in this book moves at a steady pace and keeps the reader engaged. I recommend this book and look forward to reading book 3. -
For complete review check out my blog at
https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs... -
Katie Bonner is still settling into taking over the Artisans Alley, a crafting cooperative, after the murder of its owner in the series' first novel. Unfortunately, life is still staying interesting as more bodies turn up. Katie is helping the new owners of the Webster mansion nearby with demo as they prepare to turn it into a bed and breakfast when she opens up a wall to find a desiccated body. The body turns out to be that of the niece of Katie's good friend Rose.
Katie Winston, the niece, disappeared some 20 years ago, but everyone had assumed she had run off to try and make it big in Hollywood. Sadly, that has proven to not be the case. As a favor for her friend, Katie once again finds herself being pulled into a murder investigation because the local detective seems less than interested in getting involved in the case. The fact that it is a 20-year cold case is not helping. The problem is that the closer to figuring out the details Katie gets, the more people start ending up being murdered.
As if that wasn't enough, poor Katie is having to also juggle a burgeoning relationship with the local pizza shop owner, stepping in as a maiden of honor one of the craft vendors, searching for a new apartment, and simply managing the Artisans Gallery. She is definitely not bored.
I thought this was a nice second book in the series. It has gotten the reader past all of the introduction of setting and core characters for the series, and Katie is proving to be quite interesting and independent. I am definitely already enjoying this series. -
Katie Bonner is devastated when the Webster mansion she has long wanted to turn into a bed and breakfast has been sold in The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett, but the new owners get more than they bargained for when they find a skeleton walled up inside the building. Katie, who was present at the discovery, soon learns that the body belonged to Heather, the niece of Artisan Alley's stalwart Rose. This lady reported the 20-year-old Heather missing 22 years earlier, only to be dismissed by everyone, including the police, who assumed Heather ran away to New York.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on
FangirlNation -
The Walled Flower is the second book in the A Victoria Square Mystery series.
Katie Bonner and her late husband had there hearts set on the old Webster mansion, at the the edge of Artisans Alley. But here husband invested all their savings in Artisans Alley and soon after was killed in a car crash. Now she is the owner of Artisans Alley and barely making a go of it.
She comes to work one morning to find a young couple renovating the mansion that should have been hers. Katie swallows her pride and as president of the Victoria Square Merchant Association pays the couple a welcoming visit. The are busy tearing out walls and doing whatever, they themselves, can do to keep the costs down. They invite Katie to pick up a sledge hammer and take a couple whacks at a wall herself. A few good swings and she has put a hole in the wall, only to find human bones wrapped in plastic sheeting wedged between the studs. Rose, a vendor at Artisan's Alley, discovers among the bones a small pill box that belonged to her niece who had disappeared some twenty years ago.
Naturally, Rose wants Katie to help find out how, why and who murdered her niece. It just so happens that the niece's old boy friend will be in town. He's now a big time movie produce, in town to receive an award. So Katie starts looking into the nieces former friends, hoping for some clue as to her disappearance. Katie does get a hold of a girlfriend, but before she can get too much information the girlfriend is murdered. Katie also receives a VCR tape of movie made with the niece and some of her high school friends being the actors.
Now she just has to put all this together and hope she can learn who the killer is before they strike again.
I really enjoy this series am looking forward to the next book. -
I was Blessed this week by a surprise gift in my post office box. What was it? An ARC of "The Walled Flower" by Lorraine Bartlett. Ms. Bartlett gave me this splendid gift and was I happy! Not only was I at the ending of my current read, I know that Lorraine Bartlett is one of those Authors unable to disappoint me.
Now, "The Walled Flower" may seem an unusual title for a Victoria Square Mystery, however, it reminded me of many titles favored in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is quickly shown to the reader just how very applicable to the story the title is.
Twenty two years ago a missing persons case was filed. Who took the report? Why our Detective Davenport... Who was the young woman? Why Rose Nash, the jewelry artist's niece, Heather Winston. If Heather wasn't a missing person...who was or is the killer. When a second body is discovered...the search is on and our Katie Bonner, friend of Rose, and semi-sleuth is on the case.
This book held me enthralled. The story reels you in and then you find there are all sorts of mysteries happening and overlapping and you continue to turn the pages unconsciously. Beneath the turmoil is Katie's love-life, apartment woes, and her deep sorrow of a dream unfulfilled.
The book comes out on February 7, 2012. I seriously suggest you pre-order one before then as I think this is easily another Best-Seller for Ms. Bartlett. As for my gift...Keep them coming so that I can say "I know you!"
Oh, and what does Leann Sweeney, Jennifer Stanley, and Heather Webber/Blake have in common? Why, I won't tell you...you have to get a copy of the book! -
This book was definitely worthy of following its incredible debut. This series is slowly making its way onto my top cozy mystery series list. The list in question doesn't actually exist, but if it did, this series would claim a spot.
Random thoughts while reading:
- I understand that heroines in cozies need to poke their nose into things in order for the plot to progress, but why is it that they never feel personally responsible when another murder happens that was merely a result of said heroine's snooping? It's possible that I'm too self-depreciating and blame myself for everything, but seriously? No regrets?
- I was kind of sad there was no crescendo related to the whole 'Gilda' situation. Why introduce a shamelessly self-centered Bridezilla if you're not going to let her get her just deserts? It's just responsible writing.
- Andy seems hot, but guy... why are you so against letting Katie rent out the vacant room above the shop? She had literally no other options by the end and he didn't feel grimy about leaving her with (Option A) shacking up with him or (Option B) homelessness. And the "reveal" at the end?! NO. I don't forgive you. Even if you do smell like pizza and cinnamon rolls. Get out.
More of this series now please. -
The cold case mystery is the easier of the two to solve. What keeps the book interesting is the amount of detail put into the troubles Kate has in running Artisan Alley. Keeping conflicting personalities happy and making the business profitable are a nonstop, exhausting endeavor.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm... -
Do no decent people live near Victoria Square? Katie and her "friends" are horrible.
(It's possible the townsfolk are just bitter because the internet hasn't come to their municipality yet - the poor local teenagers are forced to watch the only porn they can find on refurbished betamax players!) -
Another great Cozy series. I really enjoy the blend of characters. They mix well to create a dynamic cast of suspects and sleuths.
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This was a wonderful book, I hated to put it down. I loved every minute of it. I really am enjoying this series and can not wait to read the next one!
I highly recommend this series! -
the second book in this series...good mystery although I wonder why Katie is dating Andy.
