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Victoria Square Mystery #8
Dead Man's Hand
Katie’s been dealt the Dead Man’s Hand …
It’s all fun and games when Katie Bonner and her friends play poker for chocolate-covered peanuts, but the very next day Jamie Seifert collapses and dies after visiting Katie’s tearoom on Victoria Square.
Katie’s business in on the line and she needs to prove Jamie wasn’t poisoned at Tealicious. Her first order of business is to locate the mysterious woman he was dining with, and her next step is to go undercover at a nearby poker club where Jamie won big just a week before. It seems everyone there might have had a motive to rub Jamie out...and if they learn Katie has been lying to them, she might be next!
It’s all fun and games when Katie Bonner and her friends play poker for chocolate-covered peanuts, but the very next day Jamie Seifert collapses and dies after visiting Katie’s tearoom on Victoria Square.
Katie’s business in on the line and she needs to prove Jamie wasn’t poisoned at Tealicious. Her first order of business is to locate the mysterious woman he was dining with, and her next step is to go undercover at a nearby poker club where Jamie won big just a week before. It seems everyone there might have had a motive to rub Jamie out...and if they learn Katie has been lying to them, she might be next!
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2021
36 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Bartlett
66 books639 followersThe 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.
She lives in Rochester, NY, with her husband and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 3, 2021
It's my book. I like it.
February 6, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Katie Bonner continues to get her life on track after her bad breakup with Andy. She has thrown herself into her work at Artisan’s Alley and Tealicious while also leading the committee investigating buildings near the Alley for sale. She is already feeling a bit overwhelmed when her friend Jamie Seifert keels over dead just after leaving her tea shop. Now her main job is saving her shop by proving nothing he ate or drank at Tealicious caused his death.
Jamie’s death wasn’t accidental. He was targeted and poisoned. Could his death be connected to his big poker win last week? Or is there another reason he was killed? Katie decides going undercover may be the only way to find out. It may also get her killed!
To say Katie’s life is in flux is a huge understatement. In addition to the recent murder of her friend, there are issues to be handled at the Alley, and her mother-in-law is coming to town to help save Tealicious but is the fact that her ex Andy seems to have a new woman in his life that really pushes her buttons. I am going to be frank, I didn’t like Katie’s deportment in this story. She has a short temper and is alienating people in her life that have stood by her through thick and thin. Friendships become strained and she may not be able to get them back. While I didn’t like her behavior it made her more real and true to life. We all have days when we say or do the wrong thing. We hurt people with words and actions and need to work hard to make up for it. I am glad the authors presented a less than perfect protagonist.
Another character exhibited some bad behavior too while many others were dealing with losing a friend or helping Jamie’s partner Seth and Jamie’s mother deal with their grief. It was heartwarming to see the group rally together to support where needed and assist in trying to find the killer. The authors also presented an eclectic group of suspects to investigate. All the characters in the story were well-crafted and the regulars continued to evolve in interesting ways.
The mystery was a puzzler to solve. Katie going undercover seemed a little off to me as she is a prominent member of the community and thinking she wouldn’t be recognized was pretty wishful thinking. It did set up some intriguing elements to the story. Combined with plenty of twists and turns it was difficult to truly pare down the suspects. I had my theories but when the real culprit was revealed I was totally wrong.
Ms. Bartlett and Ms. Leeson have dealt their readers a fast-paced mystery in Dead Man’s Hand. I applaud the realistic characters and situations. I enjoyed a lighthearted event that seemed to set everything back on the right track too. These authors are cozy pros and their stories never disappoint.
Katie Bonner continues to get her life on track after her bad breakup with Andy. She has thrown herself into her work at Artisan’s Alley and Tealicious while also leading the committee investigating buildings near the Alley for sale. She is already feeling a bit overwhelmed when her friend Jamie Seifert keels over dead just after leaving her tea shop. Now her main job is saving her shop by proving nothing he ate or drank at Tealicious caused his death.
Jamie’s death wasn’t accidental. He was targeted and poisoned. Could his death be connected to his big poker win last week? Or is there another reason he was killed? Katie decides going undercover may be the only way to find out. It may also get her killed!
To say Katie’s life is in flux is a huge understatement. In addition to the recent murder of her friend, there are issues to be handled at the Alley, and her mother-in-law is coming to town to help save Tealicious but is the fact that her ex Andy seems to have a new woman in his life that really pushes her buttons. I am going to be frank, I didn’t like Katie’s deportment in this story. She has a short temper and is alienating people in her life that have stood by her through thick and thin. Friendships become strained and she may not be able to get them back. While I didn’t like her behavior it made her more real and true to life. We all have days when we say or do the wrong thing. We hurt people with words and actions and need to work hard to make up for it. I am glad the authors presented a less than perfect protagonist.
Another character exhibited some bad behavior too while many others were dealing with losing a friend or helping Jamie’s partner Seth and Jamie’s mother deal with their grief. It was heartwarming to see the group rally together to support where needed and assist in trying to find the killer. The authors also presented an eclectic group of suspects to investigate. All the characters in the story were well-crafted and the regulars continued to evolve in interesting ways.
The mystery was a puzzler to solve. Katie going undercover seemed a little off to me as she is a prominent member of the community and thinking she wouldn’t be recognized was pretty wishful thinking. It did set up some intriguing elements to the story. Combined with plenty of twists and turns it was difficult to truly pare down the suspects. I had my theories but when the real culprit was revealed I was totally wrong.
Ms. Bartlett and Ms. Leeson have dealt their readers a fast-paced mystery in Dead Man’s Hand. I applaud the realistic characters and situations. I enjoyed a lighthearted event that seemed to set everything back on the right track too. These authors are cozy pros and their stories never disappoint.
December 21, 2025
The town setting and the businesses make this read cozy for me. Katie deserves so much better and I’m glad she is finally starting to see that for herself. Good mystery. I did suspect the murderer but had a slight change of mind at one point.
January 4, 2021
With each installment of this series, I have a new favorite. Mrs. Bartlett is a gifted storyteller. I am so glad I started reading this today because I was not able to put it down. I enjoy reading about the evolution of Katie's life. I was happy with the decisions Katie made about some of the people in her life in the last book. In the book, she also made some tough decisions about her relationships. I am happy she is being a stronger person. The mystery is well-crafted with no shortage of suspects. The storyline is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the big reveal. At one point, I did suspect the culprit, but I had changed my mind because of the well-placed red herrings. I look forward to what is to come for Katie and her friends and family.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
January 4, 2021
Who knew that Katie was such a card shark? Katie and Ray go undercover to dig for answers on why Jamie keeled over outside of Tealicious.
It seems once again Katie is involved in getting answers, especially since her reputation is now on the line.
Margo comes to Victoria Square to visit, seems Andy already has a new girlfriend.
What was Jamie hiding that got him killed? Can Katie get back her reputation so Tealicious doesn’t go under?
Get a copy of this cozy and find out for yourself!!
Can’t wait for the next book!
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
It seems once again Katie is involved in getting answers, especially since her reputation is now on the line.
Margo comes to Victoria Square to visit, seems Andy already has a new girlfriend.
What was Jamie hiding that got him killed? Can Katie get back her reputation so Tealicious doesn’t go under?
Get a copy of this cozy and find out for yourself!!
Can’t wait for the next book!
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
October 22, 2021
A death of a patron shortly after leaving Katie's teashop, Tealicious, is not good for business. The death of a friend is even worse than how it affects her shop. In order to salvage her teashop's reputation and prove her friend Jamie's death wasn't related to anything he ate or drank, Katie must put on her sleuthing cap and figure who wanted Jamie dead and why. This takes Katie and Ray into a poker den looking for clues.
Katie is a likable character. She is very invested in her town, her business adventures, and the people she loves. When her friends are in trouble she is the first to volunteer to help fix the problem. In most cases, Katie is a very strong character. She has proven she can manage businesses, be chair of the Merchant Association, and aid in murder investigations (even though the local police department wishes she would refrain on the aid part). She is also not flawless. Her imperfections make her human and relatable. I enjoy all of the secondary characters and the way the author portrays them. Each person is vital to Katie's successes, whether professionally or personally.
Katie is a likable character. She is very invested in her town, her business adventures, and the people she loves. When her friends are in trouble she is the first to volunteer to help fix the problem. In most cases, Katie is a very strong character. She has proven she can manage businesses, be chair of the Merchant Association, and aid in murder investigations (even though the local police department wishes she would refrain on the aid part). She is also not flawless. Her imperfections make her human and relatable. I enjoy all of the secondary characters and the way the author portrays them. Each person is vital to Katie's successes, whether professionally or personally.
December 15, 2020
Once again Katie is involved in a murder. When Jamie, Seth's partner, keels over just outside Tealicious, after lunching with a mystery woman, Katie is bound and determined to solve the murder. The press is alleging that Tealicious served him a fatal dish, but why didn't others suffer then? As secrets are discovered about Jamie; Katie and Ray go "undercover" to find answers. Will Ray win Katie over finally? Who is the killer and why kill Jamie? What secrets did Jamie have? Pick up this cozy read to find the answers.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
January 11, 2021
(Disclosure: This is a review of a pre-publication copy. All opinions are my own.)
Katie's making some changes to her life after the events of A Murderous Misconception, and she's feeling positive about the future. That is, until her dearest friend Seth's partner jamie suddenly drops dead...right outside Katie's cafe, Tealicious. Now Katie has to clear her name and find out who wanted Jamie dead, even if the truth hurts Seth all over again.
This was a fun read that kept me guessing until the very end! Highly recommended.
Katie's making some changes to her life after the events of A Murderous Misconception, and she's feeling positive about the future. That is, until her dearest friend Seth's partner jamie suddenly drops dead...right outside Katie's cafe, Tealicious. Now Katie has to clear her name and find out who wanted Jamie dead, even if the truth hurts Seth all over again.
This was a fun read that kept me guessing until the very end! Highly recommended.
February 6, 2021
I am so happy to have discovered Lorraine Bartlett. Once you start reading her books you don’t want to put them down until you are finished. You know there will be a murder but Ms. Bartlett creates so many twists and turns it is impossible to guess who commits the crimes.
Then there are the men in her life. Is Andy the one or is Ray the one? Each book leaves you rooting for one or the other but.... will she ever commit to either of them or will the next book introduce us to a new possible romance.
I am looking forward to the next book.
Then there are the men in her life. Is Andy the one or is Ray the one? Each book leaves you rooting for one or the other but.... will she ever commit to either of them or will the next book introduce us to a new possible romance.
I am looking forward to the next book.
January 7, 2023
I love this series and each book gets better and better. You can't put them down because Katie shows what real life is with worries, people and love. I was surprised that she was such a good card player but I love was when she went undercover with Ray and the way she was dressed. I loved how Andy reacted when he saw her....I wish Andy would just move on and leave her alone....it's over!! And now she has Margo moving in the area. I do laugh at Carol Rigby going after Ray - it will be interesting to see what happens with them.
February 3, 2025
OK, don't have an issue with the premise of the series ( the MC is the proprietor of a building that rents out working/sale spaces for small-scale artisans; crime intrudes) or the MC (a young widow torn between being a hard- nosed businesswoman and a friend to all). But I had read an earlier book in this series, and half of the side characters have switched personalities! Vance is now incompetent, Rose is a dimwit, Ray is a drunk fool, Seth is blinded by love... The most appealing part of the story is her attempt at undercover investigation, which totally flops.
January 4, 2021
Katie is once again closely involved in a murder - this time involving Tealicious - did the dead person eat something from Tealicious? Katie tries her hardest to make sure people realize Tealicious food and drink isn't poisonous. All this and Katie is managing the antique coop and trying to keep everyone happy, and trying not to get killed herself! This is another must read in this great series by an amazing author!
March 28, 2024
Katie Bonner A friend on paper
How did I miss this one? I wait for the Victoria Square ones all the time. The main character is kind of character you’d choose as a friend. Not a superhero but a super friend. All the characters are well written and her books are always a good read.
How did I miss this one? I wait for the Victoria Square ones all the time. The main character is kind of character you’d choose as a friend. Not a superhero but a super friend. All the characters are well written and her books are always a good read.
March 1, 2021
Great Story
Great new chapter in this series, with some quite unexpected twists and turns. I was completely surprised at the story line and quite anxious to see where things go in the next episode.
Great new chapter in this series, with some quite unexpected twists and turns. I was completely surprised at the story line and quite anxious to see where things go in the next episode.
March 3, 2021
Edge of your seat excitement
I loved this story! Katie is a great character, and I think that her growing relationship with with Margot, her mother in law, adds an interesting twist.
I adore both these authors, so reading this book was a true pleasure.
I loved this story! Katie is a great character, and I think that her growing relationship with with Margot, her mother in law, adds an interesting twist.
I adore both these authors, so reading this book was a true pleasure.
June 13, 2021
Great book. I really enjoy the characters in this book. So much drama and fighting between some characters added some issues in the story. With things changing even more it will be interesting to see what happens next to the characters at Victoria's Square. Can't wait to read more.
July 30, 2021
I enjoy this series and would give this book 5 stars, but I find Katie Bonner to be a bit aggravating with the way she handles her businesses and employees. However, the mystery was engaging and the characters are believable and personable. I do recommend the book to other cozy mystery lovers.
September 13, 2021
Latest Mystery by Lorraine Bartlett
I found this book to be one of Lorraine Bartlett's best mysteries. Her characters are all very believable. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I found this book to be one of Lorraine Bartlett's best mysteries. Her characters are all very believable. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
June 21, 2024
Dead mans hand
I really enjoyed this book, as usual the author does.an excellent.job of letting you think you have solved the.murder then boom. She pulls a card from up her sleeve and.reveals the really culprit.
I really enjoyed this book, as usual the author does.an excellent.job of letting you think you have solved the.murder then boom. She pulls a card from up her sleeve and.reveals the really culprit.
February 1, 2025
Oh Katie. Such sadness falls on your close friends. I was sad for Seth in this one. He experiences a loss and then confusion as other things about Jamie come out. I love that Margo is in this one more. Her and Katie have a nice friendship(?) and I hope it continues in the next book!
March 3, 2021
I felt that the book spent too much time on Katie’s personal life at the expense of the mystery
June 3, 2021
Another good entry in this series.
July 3, 2021
Absolutely love this series, can’t wait for the next one!
August 18, 2021
I'm not sure why I keep reading this series. The main character is really annoying.
October 3, 2021
I'm not sure on the direction this series is taking, but I was fully invested in what was going on, so I'm hoping for some more clarity in the next book. All in all a decent installment.
November 5, 2024
After eight books, I really wanted to like this one more. I'm not sure what it is, but the main character seems a lot different than when the series started (and not in a good way).
June 17, 2025
I can't believe Katie shut things down with Ray. Although I admit, his character took a weird right turn in this book.
October 14, 2025
With the poison being a rather specific type and with there only being a handful of people who knew Jamie and play poker, there just weren't that many suspects. Put another way, obvious murderer was obvious.
And then there is sourpuss Katie. In the previous book I understood where her anger was coming from. Now she has alienated the only other man interested in her that she is interested in and decides to be grumpy about it. I honestly wish the failed romance aspect of this series would just stop. Let Katie take up an aromantic hobby. Please let there be a book that is just about the mystery and not the dozen reasons Katie's life currently sucks.
https://www.pussreboots.com/blog/2025...
And then there is sourpuss Katie. In the previous book I understood where her anger was coming from. Now she has alienated the only other man interested in her that she is interested in and decides to be grumpy about it. I honestly wish the failed romance aspect of this series would just stop. Let Katie take up an aromantic hobby. Please let there be a book that is just about the mystery and not the dozen reasons Katie's life currently sucks.
https://www.pussreboots.com/blog/2025...
January 19, 2023
“If she was a man, Vance probably would have accepted her orders without comment. That she was a woman with firm opinions made her a b*tch."
Say it louder for the vendors on the second level.
In lieu of a typical review (because this book was incredible), I’m going to take a page out of Katie's notebook and present you with random noodlings of my reading experience (there will be mild - not murder specific - spoilers):
- I love how Bartlett side-steps the classic cozy trope of killing off “unlikable” characters and just goes straight for the primary and secondary characters’ loved ones. This actually really works too because Bartlett is fantastic at describing characters in grief. I almost punched a hole through this book in an attempt to hug Seth.
- Is there any more evident tip-off of advancing age than using the phrase “spiffed up"? This man is superb.
- Phyllis is an objectively good character. Can we get her back in future installments?
- I knew there was something different about this book but I couldn’t understand what at first. Then I realised that this novel has almost 0 police presence. Except of course for one lone detective that accomplishes absolutely nothing, except for maybe angering the Davenport she-wolves.
- I realised I was reading this book too late into the night when I thought the George Clooney dream was actually happening. No questions, just “oh Katie's got a thing for old men ok bring it on".
- I find it odd that Jamie's will was never mentioned, especially due to the sudden huge influx of cash.
- “Suddenly sleuthing for his killer seemed downright dangerous." SUDDENLY? Where have you been these past eight novels?!
- Apparently I had too much faith in Ray. I genuinely thought there was going to be a twist in which it was revealed that Ray’s drink was actually spiked and he wasn't just a loud-mouth drunk. Well…
- This series does need a little more editing, but more in the ‘the characters’ names keep changing’ sort of way. Several characters in this series have multiple ways the authors spell their names – Janie, Erikka and, at one point, Katie. I'm still not sure if Moonbeam's store is called The Flower Child or The Flower Girl, as it often changes between books.
- I know Katie isn’t crazy superstitious, but why oh why would she go to that house showing? You know, the house that looks like a mansion? Ring any bells?
- The puppy thing was super cute, but it lasted for way too long, so much so that the book only had 8 pages left and nothing climactic was happening yet. There were so little pages left I started suspecting Brenda. Brenda.
I desperately hope this series is going to continue. Katie's overall character arc was left open, as was the romantic sub-plot. So I’m assuming it will.
But, you know what they say.
Reread 2023: This book is a mystery novel in the sense that it's a total mystery why Ray continues to try to win over Katie despite how horrible she treats him. Any other woman would be shunned for life. Solve that mystery for me.
Say it louder for the vendors on the second level.
In lieu of a typical review (because this book was incredible), I’m going to take a page out of Katie's notebook and present you with random noodlings of my reading experience (there will be mild - not murder specific - spoilers):
- I love how Bartlett side-steps the classic cozy trope of killing off “unlikable” characters and just goes straight for the primary and secondary characters’ loved ones. This actually really works too because Bartlett is fantastic at describing characters in grief. I almost punched a hole through this book in an attempt to hug Seth.
- Is there any more evident tip-off of advancing age than using the phrase “spiffed up"? This man is superb.
- Phyllis is an objectively good character. Can we get her back in future installments?
- I knew there was something different about this book but I couldn’t understand what at first. Then I realised that this novel has almost 0 police presence. Except of course for one lone detective that accomplishes absolutely nothing, except for maybe angering the Davenport she-wolves.
- I realised I was reading this book too late into the night when I thought the George Clooney dream was actually happening. No questions, just “oh Katie's got a thing for old men ok bring it on".
- I find it odd that Jamie's will was never mentioned, especially due to the sudden huge influx of cash.
- “Suddenly sleuthing for his killer seemed downright dangerous." SUDDENLY? Where have you been these past eight novels?!
- Apparently I had too much faith in Ray. I genuinely thought there was going to be a twist in which it was revealed that Ray’s drink was actually spiked and he wasn't just a loud-mouth drunk. Well…
- This series does need a little more editing, but more in the ‘the characters’ names keep changing’ sort of way. Several characters in this series have multiple ways the authors spell their names – Janie, Erikka and, at one point, Katie. I'm still not sure if Moonbeam's store is called The Flower Child or The Flower Girl, as it often changes between books.
- I know Katie isn’t crazy superstitious, but why oh why would she go to that house showing? You know, the house that looks like a mansion? Ring any bells?
- The puppy thing was super cute, but it lasted for way too long, so much so that the book only had 8 pages left and nothing climactic was happening yet. There were so little pages left I started suspecting Brenda. Brenda.
I desperately hope this series is going to continue. Katie's overall character arc was left open, as was the romantic sub-plot. So I’m assuming it will.
But, you know what they say.
Reread 2023: This book is a mystery novel in the sense that it's a total mystery why Ray continues to try to win over Katie despite how horrible she treats him. Any other woman would be shunned for life. Solve that mystery for me.
December 16, 2021
Murder seems to follow Katie around, but this time it hits too close to home. Her friend and attorney, Seth Landers, has just lost his life partner, Jamie Seifert, to a possible case of poisoning...after he collapses right outside Katie's new tearoom. In order to protect her tearoom's reputation, as well as help try to ease some of Seth's suffering, she decides to investigate Jamie's last moves, which include possibly winning a pot of money at a private poker game. Her investigation soon involves her friend, Ray, but their plans to infiltrate a game incognito go slightly astray, putting further strain on their relationship. As if that weren't enough to handle, her ex has a new assistant manager/girlfriend, her former mother-in-law is coming to visit again, and there are new problems at Artisan Alley. Can a girl ever catch a break! As always, this series moves along, offering clues, twists and turns in this cozy mystery. And while I can understand Katie is under a lot of stress, her character was particularly bristling, almost to the point of wanting to smack her for her behavior. The journey to find the murderer also became one to find her center again and reestablish herself with those who truly call themselves her friends. I am really looking forward to the next adventure at Victoria Square. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews