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Crafty Murder
After her parents died in her teens, Emmeline was adrift, but determined to make something of herself. That was what her parents would have wanted, right? She aced college and went to business school, then moved to her brother’s new town, hoping to settle down. But plans have a way of not working out, and after a few years, Emmeline quit her stable, sensible job to open a tea shop.
Successful and happy for the first time in years, Emmeline thought she had just about everything a girl could want. Who cared if she was pining after her downstairs neighbor, Nick? Who cared if the shop was just barely turning a profit? She got to do a job she loved all day every day. And with the town craft fair coming up, she set her sights on winning the big craft competition.
Only… Emmeline’s life is about to turn upside down. Because a murderer is lurking in her tiny town, and when they strike at the craft competition, they make sure that the blame falls squarely on Emmeline.
Successful and happy for the first time in years, Emmeline thought she had just about everything a girl could want. Who cared if she was pining after her downstairs neighbor, Nick? Who cared if the shop was just barely turning a profit? She got to do a job she loved all day every day. And with the town craft fair coming up, she set her sights on winning the big craft competition.
Only… Emmeline’s life is about to turn upside down. Because a murderer is lurking in her tiny town, and when they strike at the craft competition, they make sure that the blame falls squarely on Emmeline.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2015
15 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 10, 2017
Cute, short cozy. Good editing which isn't always the case with some of this type of 'book'. Enjoyed it!
February 15, 2016
The romance part of it was cute, but you waited until the last page to start that? Why? The rest of the story made little sense, and didn't last long enough to develop any kind of characterization, let alone plot. PLEASE get a publisher and and EDITOR who knows about writing because you really don't.
October 12, 2018
Good outlines
This being a double story, I have comments for both.
Crafty Murder was a great story line with believable characters. It was a short story that could have been a novel if the time had been taken to fill in more details and twist the plot a bit to really make it a mystery. As it is, it's just a crime scene that was exposed.
The second short story - Kupcake - needs a lot of work on characters, content, and believability. Too many inconsistencies. The police don't chalk a murder up to just a string of them when there is a note tied to a brick. Hannah needs serious character work - she is flighty and shallow, no real depth to her character. The perfect, happy, smart, flighty girl on a perpetual high with no depth. Alfie's dad ... Seriously? You've got to come up with a better ending. Where were the drugs coming from before that Jay Sold? Why would the dad sell him more? If the dad could get them to sell to Jay then why would anyone go to Jay? Characters not developed enough, too many inconsistencies in story. This was cranked out overview that needs a series rewrite.
This being a double story, I have comments for both.
Crafty Murder was a great story line with believable characters. It was a short story that could have been a novel if the time had been taken to fill in more details and twist the plot a bit to really make it a mystery. As it is, it's just a crime scene that was exposed.
The second short story - Kupcake - needs a lot of work on characters, content, and believability. Too many inconsistencies. The police don't chalk a murder up to just a string of them when there is a note tied to a brick. Hannah needs serious character work - she is flighty and shallow, no real depth to her character. The perfect, happy, smart, flighty girl on a perpetual high with no depth. Alfie's dad ... Seriously? You've got to come up with a better ending. Where were the drugs coming from before that Jay Sold? Why would the dad sell him more? If the dad could get them to sell to Jay then why would anyone go to Jay? Characters not developed enough, too many inconsistencies in story. This was cranked out overview that needs a series rewrite.
July 9, 2025
Cute short story
September 18, 2025
definetly not a favourite of mine. it was way to short to develop any real characters you cared about. it get points for being cozy and cute.
February 27, 2016
Emmeline wants to win first prize in the craft competition at the local fair with her cupcakes, but doesn’t think she has a chance. The mayor’s wife usually wins with her quilts and James, the other contestant, has an awesome sculpture entered. When James wins, Emmeline is truly happy for him, but that is cut short when he is discovered dead with his first place trophy covered in blood.
Emmeline decides that she is going to investigate the case on her own and already has a suspect in mind, Audrey, the mayor’s wife.
This is a good story, the case twists and turns and you don’t figure out who the real killer is right away. Just like I like.
Again, this is another book that I purchased from Amazon that they don’t show I purchased.
Emmeline decides that she is going to investigate the case on her own and already has a suspect in mind, Audrey, the mayor’s wife.
This is a good story, the case twists and turns and you don’t figure out who the real killer is right away. Just like I like.
Again, this is another book that I purchased from Amazon that they don’t show I purchased.
February 29, 2016
Emmeline wants to win first prize in the craft competition at the local fair with her cupcakes, but doesn’t think she has a chance. The mayor’s wife usually wins with her quilts and James, the other contestant, has an awesome sculpture entered. When James wins, Emmeline is truly happy for him, but that is cut short when he is discovered dead with his first place trophy covered in blood.
Emmeline decides that she is going to investigate the case on her own and already has a suspect in mind, Audrey, the mayor’s wife.
This is a good story, the case twists and turns and you don’t figure out who the real killer is right away. Just like I like.
Again, this is another book that I purchased from Amazon that they don’t show I purchased.
Reviewed by Cryssy :)
Emmeline decides that she is going to investigate the case on her own and already has a suspect in mind, Audrey, the mayor’s wife.
This is a good story, the case twists and turns and you don’t figure out who the real killer is right away. Just like I like.
Again, this is another book that I purchased from Amazon that they don’t show I purchased.
Reviewed by Cryssy :)
January 19, 2016
"Light and fluffy"
A couple of short stories in essence. I got half-way through the 'book' and this 'Crafty Murder' was ended. I didn't feel inclined to read the second item. The main slice of the cake is harmless enough, very lightweight and with a sugary sweet topping. If that's your thing, then you'll take a second bite. It certainly won't fill you up. You would need a three-course meal of a proper novel to do that.
A couple of short stories in essence. I got half-way through the 'book' and this 'Crafty Murder' was ended. I didn't feel inclined to read the second item. The main slice of the cake is harmless enough, very lightweight and with a sugary sweet topping. If that's your thing, then you'll take a second bite. It certainly won't fill you up. You would need a three-course meal of a proper novel to do that.
May 21, 2016
When is a craft show not a craft show? When it’s a murder scene. Emmeline, Audrey, and James are in contention for first place. And then there were two. Also, when is a neighbor not really a neighbor? When he is more that a neighbor. Then the two and the one team up and… Sorry, I am going to get my scones AND clotted cream this time! I did enjoy this mystery S.Y. and I expect the audio version to also be very good.
May 19, 2021
it was fun and cute, I would love for it to be longer , but enjoyed it anyway.
April 17, 2016
Formula same o stuff --girl accused has to get herself out of it herself. Change the names and I've read better. Simple minded disappointing book. Nothing going on that was close to interesting. Not worth it --blah. Mystery is how did it get published.
October 13, 2015
very good
January 3, 2016
Short story cute
Love the characters like real people. Enjoyed reading. Wish had been longer but was still great to read. Looking forward to another.
Love the characters like real people. Enjoyed reading. Wish had been longer but was still great to read. Looking forward to another.
February 18, 2016
This was cute and ended with a 'aww' moment. Actually craving cake now, also didn't expect the victim to be who it was.
January 14, 2016
Liked this one more than the others as well. Cute and funny.
July 14, 2016
A very quick read, not unpleasant, but somehow lacking.
May 2, 2017
This book was part of a 2-in1 freebie from Kindle. Included was Crafty Murder as well as Dog Dig Death. This review will focus on Crafty Murder. I will post a review for Dog Dig Death separately.
When you enter into a craft contest, you don't expect to be awarded with murder.
This story was better than Dog Dig Death....but not by much. The writing showed definite improvement and the story seemed to flow much better, but I still can't give it more than 2 stars. There was really no plot and the mystery was solved with very little action. I was also kind of taken aback that the main character, Emmeline, entered a craft contest by baking a cake. Not that I adjusted my rating for that. I just thought it was weird enough to mention. There is some romance for those that enjoy that in their mystery novels, but it doesn't take place until the very end of the story....which I found odd. The characters were pretty standard and the town lacked description. It's not bad as a draft but doesn't hit the mark as a final story.
Total pages: 29, Kindle edition
When you enter into a craft contest, you don't expect to be awarded with murder.
This story was better than Dog Dig Death....but not by much. The writing showed definite improvement and the story seemed to flow much better, but I still can't give it more than 2 stars. There was really no plot and the mystery was solved with very little action. I was also kind of taken aback that the main character, Emmeline, entered a craft contest by baking a cake. Not that I adjusted my rating for that. I just thought it was weird enough to mention. There is some romance for those that enjoy that in their mystery novels, but it doesn't take place until the very end of the story....which I found odd. The characters were pretty standard and the town lacked description. It's not bad as a draft but doesn't hit the mark as a final story.
Total pages: 29, Kindle edition
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews