A Finely Crafted Murder

Craft Circle Mysteries #3

by Stacey Alabaster

Crafts are a big deal in Pottsville, but are they big enough to murder for?

Georgina is starting to settle into her new life and craft store. When her ex-husband turns up after many years, she knows he’s up to something. When someone is murdered in a rival craft store, her suspicions intensify. Was her ex-husband capable of murder? If so, did he do it to help or hurt Georgina? Either way, Georgina must solve this finely crafted murder before the culprit gets away.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Novella

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2016

About the author

I have always loved a good mystery. From my early years watching Murder She Wrote to more recent shows like Monk, Psych, and my absolute favorite BBC show ever, Sherlock, I have studied what it takes to make an entertaining mystery. I am truly blessed to be able to write and share my own mysteries with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them :)

If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok... I'm really liking this series. The fact that we get to meet George's ex-husband is really fun. We get to find out more about her past and what she was like up to the time that she moved to Pottsville. Her relationship with Ryan is pretty much at a standstill at this moment but I think this is partly because Adam is on time.

This murder investigation is interesting, simply because we get to see the strain between Brenda and George, as well as seeing more of Pottsville. Though we do get to know the victim and her family well through out the book. The background story is even more interesting than the murder investigation.

I would really like to know more about the Hills than we already learned in this book. There seems to be a lot more that we can learn and can be expanded on in future books.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third book in the series I love how we get to learn more about George with the introduction of her ex-husband, Adam. Personal interaction between the characters is rife throughout this story highlighting the tenuous nature of relationships. George is stunned when Brenda turns suspicion on both her and Adam telling the police how she saw people who looked like them in the vicinity of the murder. How can this be so? Why would Brenda say such things? For George the only way to clear herself is to investigate. F

Stacey helps us explore the unusual occurrence of doppelgangers and the ease of which errors in identifying people can happen and how misdirection can make an innocent action appear suspicious. Full of twists and surprises this is another novel from Sracey well worth reading.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Georgina's Craft Shop, her bossy employee Brenda, and the small town of Pottsville. When George's ex-husband, Adam arrives on the same day there is a murder George is wondering if he was the same as he was 16 years ago when she divorced him because he was arrested for murder. But Adam didn't know Julie Williams, the owner of the other craft store in town. Brenda tells the police she saw someone that looked like Adam there, then she tells them she saw someone who looked like George there at the time of the crime. What is the story behind Gem Dawes and why is everyone afraid to go up in the hills where he lives? There is a lot of things going on in this story and it all comes together very nicely. Can Ryan the Pottsville police get everything sorted out and find the real killer? Read the story to find out the answers.

[Lisa Denn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stacey Alabaster's cozy mystery A Finely Crafted Murder, which is the third book in Alabaster's Craft Circle Mystery series, offers cozy mystery fans a third opportunity to solve Pottsville's latest crime before amateur sleuth Georgina Holt.

Alabaster has no problems dreaming up unique and moderately difficult to solve mysteries which is a good thing as the star of the cozy mystery genre is afterall the mystery.

If solving the mystery before the protaganist does is your main attraction to this genre Alabaster's book A Finely Crafted Murder is a good choice. The characters appearing in this series aren't among my favorites in the cozy mystery genre but the story was enjoyable.

[Lori Spinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arts, Crafts, and Murder: A craft Circle Cozy Mystery

I like the mystery, but, I'M not sure I like the main character, she seems to me that she does not have strong characteristics, she seems alittle vulnerable. I think the series has great potential for George to grow and become a stronger woman as the stories move along. In this book she seems to tetter on being a little wish washy,but I am hoping for the best a outcome in books to come. I like the author, Stacey Alabaster, her other cozy mystery books. I must say I was surprised by the ending? Over all a good c mystery. Keep up the good work, Staçey!

[Jennifer Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely have fallen for this series. It’s not only a fast and easy read it hooked me from the very first book. The series keeps me wanting more so now I am onto the fourth book to the series. I love and feel a connection to the characters and feel a part of the mystery team. Looking for clues. Asking could it be or couldn’t it be her? Him? I love the new characters she brings into the story such as the main character ex- husband that adds some humor and a possible love triangle!! Book 4 is calling me... bye now !

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Finely Crafted Murder was indeed well crafted. Trouble seems to follow George around and her ex-husband throws a couple of curve balls into the twists and turns of the mystery. Love Stacey Alabaster's writing style and every book I have read so far. Will follow her books and enjoy the ride. Highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery lovers. You will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book and this is an honest review of A Finely Crafted Murder.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Various craft shops, ex-husbands, doppelgangers, and a witness that the police stopped taking seriously after the third person she accuse of murder. She’s the boy who cried wolf. Sorry, the middle-aged woman who cried wolf. Another finely crafted murder mystery by Stacey.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A murder in Pottsville, and Georgina’s ex-husband arrives in town the same day. Is this a coincidence? There are others involved and Georgina has to solve this. I received a copy for an honest review.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet

This is quite a good short mystery, but the editing was not the best. I was a bit disappointed that the culprit only turned up very late in the story, so there were few clues for the reader to follow.

[Virginia Bast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

Ok not crazy about the characters. Funny I like likeable people. Not much to town. I don't like Adam. I thoroughly liked your previous books.Sorry

[Arow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't feel as involved in the story this time around. It was just kind of there for me. Don't think I will be finishing this series, but would look for other books by the author.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very stereotypical. Did not like this at all.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey's books are a favorite. Short, but well written and likeable characters.

[Angel Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is where I DNF'd.

Now, she's 41. Detective is late 20's.
She still only seems to remember she has 1 dog, not two.
She's still as nasty to Brenda as Brenda is to her.

[Audrey Mayrent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. Characters are interesting and engaging

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great story from Stacey Alabaster if you haven't read her stories yet this is a great one to start with great characters you'll love

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a craft store owner. Along with her dogs, her rude employee and a surprise visit from her ex, she does her best to find out whodunnit. This is the second book that I have read in this series and am looking forward to more.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, the Craft Circle Mystery books were a bit better than the Bakery Detective ones, but that's not saying much. Would be nice if there were actually some crafts going on more than just a mention here and there, and oh yeah real plot with real believable characters.

Steps from Death (Craft Circle Mystery #1) Arts, Crafts and Murder (Craft Circle Mystery #2) A Finely Crafted Murder: A Craft Circle Cozy Mystery (Craft Circle Cozy Mysteries Book 3)
Naked Eye {not sure where exactly this one fits in}

A Pie to Die for (Bakery Detectives #1) Donuts, Antiques and Murder (Bakery Detectives #2) Death by Chocolate Cake (Bakery Detectives #3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #1-3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #4-6) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-6 (Bakery Detectives #1-6) The Mud Pie Murderess (Bakery Detectives #6)
Catering and Kidnapping (Bakery Detectives #7 The Pumpkin Killer: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Wined, Dined and Dead (Bakery Detectives, #9

Read the 3 box set that included A Pie to Die For, Donuts, Antiques and Murder, and Death by Chocolate Cake was a nice cozy collection, each a bit different, but pretty much a little of this that and the other mixed in with some crime so basically what I look for in a book of this type.I wrote this for the first 3 set. The second 3 set did not live up to things; sure there were here and there typo issues but since my computer is set up to 'read' to me that was not the issue.

The main character walks in to the kitchen of the resort where 2 people are talking about the actual chef/cook being missing, who is later found dead, and which the main character never gets to meet, yet knows that is who the dead body is, immediately.... They are supposed to be getting grand meals at the resort but because of the death of the chef, they aren't getting anything but toast in that one part, not even coffee, which they mention specifically, yet the main character is drinking coffee or else keeps picking up an empty cup, maybe, but who knows. And if the retreat just started that day and the one guy had come early he would have met the victim. Also someone can not 'drag' someone with that person being over their shoulder. A bowl full of salad will not knock itself off a table with the slamming of a door. If you're going to push a glass away in one sentence then go sit outside in the next, you should mention grabbing the drink when you next sentence is talking about sipping it again somehow.

Then in the second it continues on with one sentence mentioning they are on tiny seats then after she finds the body and returns and sits back down she is in a pew seat. Also what would be the big deal with helping the cop with the case, she was on payroll doing that in earlier books. And once you log out of facebook without having saved the log in details, you can't just log back in. Really, someone answers the door and you're right close by and you don't hear a female voice that's been the main topic of conversations or otherwise it took that long to walk like a couple or so feet to a door and then open it. and if they are in the kitchen leading to the back door there is no way you can push someone back in to the living room from there unless you are in an action movie.

The third one starts off just 'great'; no one in the food industry puts someone's scalded and unclean hand in a tub of ice cream, and then after it's over puts the tub back with only the thought of maybe it was melted too much. If something is painted a certain shade, use that and not change the word used for the shade color every other sentence. Who by the way doesn't notice 3 foot tall signs in the window of a small town small type street that you drive by every day on the way and back to where you work on that street.It also never explains why the main character felt nauseated, quesy, etcetera.

If I hadn't already borrowed the next couple of books wouldn't bother at this rate, but will, and those books better be better than this rather muddled attempt, which on the 3rd book I had the poisoner figured out way too close to the start. I had actually started to buy this set to go with the other 3 set, now am very glad I didn't.

for 7 I put These books are getting as bad as 'the cat who' books did, when I stopped reading them and gave them all away; the father is the dude who went back to italy because of his mother's health or something about well 3 books back but he's not even mentioned in the story this time, the writer has gotten worse and worse about putting characters in for like a book or 2 and then they just sorta disappear for a while or totally, like the assistant baker who is and isn't there and the friend/asst mgr but because of the pregnancy there is another asst mgr who is and isn't there, it's getting a bit ridiculous with those things not being in the story yet other unnecessary stuff is being put in to the story

This was by far the stupidest of them all; if one has a newborn in their arms how are they eating cake with a fork by themself, and then yet another 'love interest' for the main character when the other one is still around and nothing was ever said after his non-marriage and supposedly those 2 starting up again. Just another character to pop in and out of a story here and there with no real explanation. This series has definitely put me off cozies for a while, it's been more and more a waste of time, and wish could have given it a 0 star because even the 'twists' made no sense.

For 8 put Somebody give the writer some painting tips; in the last book she kept talking about paint fumes, so assuming whatever kind she is supposed to be using gives off fumes, which means that going back late at night to the house then up the next morning to paint...there is cleaning surfaces, probably primer, and at least 2 coats of paint, plus probably more if one is going from well each time she mentions a color it's a different shade and there is differences but basically going over to purple which in one place was described almost neon yet in another was a mid purple and in yet another more a pastel possibly is still going to take more than overnight to paint and dry plus it was an event the next day or else it was only mentioned way after it happened which wouldn't make sense because an eating place can't be open during that type of thing and the story is talking about all those birthday parties. What does conscious not but still pale even mean, which wouldn't have caught possibly with it being read to me, but the books are starting to be almost gibberish that am having to sight read because it's skipping around and not making any sense but even reading it is still that way because of the errors is now confusing as well. This was, by far, the stupidest most unnecessarily convoluted mess of a story.

9 had me banging my head for my stupidity of well maybe they got better

Thought liked the Craft Circle Cozy Mystery books a bit better, but after 3 out so far they went to just as bad as the bakery ones..

[Julia Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this book in the series. The main character was infuriatingly annoying the way she let everyone walk over her. I was disappointed to not see as much action with Ryan and took an instant disliking to her ex-husband. I certainly hope that he doesn't permanently worm his way back into her life in the next book, as he is already beginning. Although, perhaps it will make it more interesting, too.