The Broken Teacup

Life On Victoria Square #3

by Lorraine Bartlett

Katie Bonner needs a pick-me-up one cold and gloomy fall day, and the US Mail delivers—literally. A mysterious package arrives at Artisans Alley with her name on it, but the return address is obscured and the treasure inside, a beautiful bone china teacup, is broken. Before Katie can open the accompanying card, she’s called away and one of the vendors mistakes the package for trash. Katie makes a quick rescue, but the card is gone. Who sent the cup? What is its significance? Can Katie solve this mini mystery?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Cozy Mystery

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2017

About the author

The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her in her readers' hearts. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series, and now the Tales of Telenia fantasy saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works, and sign up for her emailed newsletter here: http://www.lorrainebartlett.com

She lives in Rochester, NY, with her husband and two cats.

Reviews

[Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short story in which the merchants in Artisans Alley play a larger role. A mysterious package arrives for Katie Bonner on a rainy day. She doesn’t remember ordering the teacup and saucer and further upsetting is it arrives broken. While dealing with water inside her building, someone throws the package in the dumpster along with the note inside. Katie is on a mission to find out who sent the package, its significance and what the note reveals.

It is a delightful and heart-warming read! The book reminds me of the sentimental value we place on things. Worth your time to read this short story!

[Linda Dawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is a companion to the Victoria Square mysteries. In this story, Katie receives a package in the mail. She is called away and the note and package are thrown out. All that is left is a broken teacup. Katie is curious of the sender, and the package is even more mysterious since rest of the package is gone. She doesn't let this stop her. She is determined to find out why and who sent this gift. Even though a small mystery (because of the size of this ebook), I was engrossed and curious myself about the identity of the sender. There were also a few tidbits about teacups which I found interesting. I really enjoyed this story! Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reading copy of this book.

[Debbie Lyon]

In this Artisan's Alley short story, Katie Bonner receives a damaged package in the mail, that contains a broken teacup. Before she can find out who sent the package, a "helpful" employee throws the box and card in the garbage. Katie is bound and determined to unravel the mystery of who sent the teacup and why. Pick up this short story to see if Katie can solve the mystery.

[Louise Clarke Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sentimental

A lovely short story to give you a feeling of comfort. Make sure you enjoy a hot cuppa while you read this.

[Pamela Priest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this companion series. Where and from who did the broken teacup come from? Why was it sent to Katie? This is a wonderful short story you don't want to miss!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this companion series for Victoria Square. Getting to know the different merchants is interesting and no different with Katie.
When a teacup arrives on a cold rainy day, Katie does not know who sent it or why. So Katie is on the search for answers. A fun, heartwarming short story that includes some of Victoria Squares regulars.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful short story to flesh out Lorraine Bartlett's Victoria Square characters. Katie receives a broken teacup in the mail, but, due to the carelessness of one of her vendors, the note with it is lost. She is intrigued by the mystery of it all as she attempts to find out who sent it to her.
If you love the Victoria Square Mysteries, this is a must read!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Broken Teacup (Life on Victoria Square # 3) by Lorraine Bartlett is a companion story to the Victoria Square Mystery Series. Katie Bonner receives a mysterious package in which the rain has completely damaged the shipper’s name and address. Katie opens the package to find a beautiful teacup and saucer but unfortunately the cup was broken. There is a card inside but before Katie can read it she is called away to assist one of the vendors of Artisans Alley. When she returns she finds that another vendor has thrown away the box, cup, and saucer which she quickly retrieves from the trash but the card is nowhere to be found. Can Katie find out the note and find out who sent the mysterious package?

Once again I enjoyed getting to know more about the Victoria Square businesses and their owners. This book is mostly about Katie Bonner. Katie seems to be a caring person, she sees the value even in a broken teacup. I like that Katie is determined to find out the story behind the cup because she feels that the person who sent it to her deserves to have their kindness acknowledged.

This is a well written short story, with great pace, and the right amount of intrigue to keep the mystery going until the surprise ending. This book is true to the cozy genre no graphic sex, language, or violence. I recommend this book to Victoria Square Mystery Series Fans, all mystery lovers, and to anyone that is looking for a enjoyable quick read.

[Taylor's♡Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

These short story companion pieces to the Victoria Square series are really starting to grow on me and I’m sure I’ll end up buying every one of them.

Despite focusing on only one event, the mysterious package sent to Katie, this story actually had a lot going for it. We get to see a piece of Katie’s personality that we don’t often get to see in the novels. Usually Katie’s truly disheveled and high-strung in the series proper, but she shows a lot of restraint and patience in this story. I probably would have blew up at Ida to be honest.

This sub-series is definitely worth the time for those who are fans of the original series.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story of Victoria Square merchants - Katie and her aunt

Short Stories of the characters on Victoria Square.  This one features Katie and a mysterous packahe. Gives you a little more insight into her character, her aunt who passed away and a cranky vendor in the square.  Cute quick read.

[Geneva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katie Bonnie get a teacup in the mail, it is broken. The return address is obliterated due to the rain, but she spends her time trying to find who sent. it. Cute story.

[Debra Woloson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story

Great story and would love to have the cup and saucer also. I can't wait for more books in this series. Please keep writing them.

[Jessica Wilhoite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on my Kindle. It is a short story about a broken teacup. It was a very quick easy read.

[Gina Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the weather cold and rainy, Katie is looking for something to perk up her spirits. So she is surprised to find the mail includes a mysterious package addressed to her...but the return address has been washed away. Inside is a beautiful bone china cup and saucer that has apparently been damaged in transit. However, before she can open the enclosed envelope to discover who sent it, she is called away. When she returns, the package and envelope has disappeared. This sends Katie on a quest to find the package and learn the identify of the sender...definitely a frustrating quest. This was a fun short story, bringing in some of the Victoria Square regulars, including boyfriend, Andy, while featuring a bit of a mystery...albeit no dead body! I enjoy these short stories that provide little snippets into the characters' lives and often a feel-good ending. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reading copy of this book.

Merged review:

With the weather cold and rainy, Katie is looking for something to perk up her spirits. So she is surprised to find the mail includes a mysterious package addressed to her...but the return address has been washed away. Inside is a beautiful bone china cup and saucer that has apparently been damaged in transit. However, before she can open the enclosed envelope to discover who sent it, she is called away. When she returns, the package and envelope has disappeared. This sends Katie on a quest to find the package and learn the identify of the sender...definitely a frustrating quest. This was a fun short story, bringing in some of the Victoria Square regulars, including boyfriend, Andy, while featuring a bit of a mystery...albeit no dead body! I enjoy these short stories that provide little snippets into the characters' lives and often a feel-good ending. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reading copy of this book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another short story in the Life on Victoria Square series, a companion piece to the Victoria Square Mysteries. I love these because each one has its own little mystery or puzzle to be solved on the square and is full of colorful and lively characters. In this story, Katie Bonnor receives a package in the mail that contains a broken teacup. She has no idea who sent the teacup, and is curious as to where it came from. Katie has a small collection of teacups and assumes there must be some significance to this gift. Her investigation is further thwarted by the fact that Ida Mitchell, one of the other vendors on the square, has taken off with the note that came in the box and can't be reached. Some people think Katie is making a big deal about nothing, but Katie feels in her heart that there is a tale behind the teacup and is resolved to get to the bottom of it. You won't want to put this down until you get to the end.

[Denise Neubauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One gloomy, rainy day, Katie Bonner is presented with a wet box, a broken teacup and a mystery. The rain has destroyed the shipping label on the box, the enclosed card disappears and the little teacup, in a pattern prophetically called Black Magic, seems to take on a mischievous life of its own. Katie turns to her neighbors on Victoria Square for help solving the mystery of her teacup.

Another enjoyable visit to Victoria's Square and I look forward to visiting again in the future.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this companion short story to the Victoria Square series. Katie receives a broken teacup in the mail and sets in motion a little mystery solving. I was surprised by the ending. I loved that the cup ended up having a very special meaning for Katie. Read it in one sitting, I really like the look into the individuals of the Alley and the day to day happenings. I voluntarily reviewed a copy I received from the author.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Bonner has received a mysterious package at Artisan's Alley however she can't tell who sent it or where it was sent from because the ink has been destroyed by rain. When she opens the package she finds a broken teacup. Now who would send her a broken teacup and why? As she begins to investigate further she finds herself thwarted several times by her most cantankerous Alley crafter.

Another fun story from Lorraine Bartlett.

[Jenny Durland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I liked this short story but when a character involved in the story line is infuriating, I get irritated too. Well written.

[LuAnn]

This was a vert heartwarming story. Enjoyed it very much.