Book Title: A FATAL EXHIBITION
Character Name: Katie Bonner
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
I was orphaned at age six and brought up by my elderly Aunt Lizzie. She was childless, so it was an adjustment for both of us. A sedate old lady and a noisy little girl. She was strict, but I never doubted that she loved me and always put my welfare first.
What was your greatest talent?
Probably organization, and I have a master’s degree in marketing. It sure doesn’t hurt when promoting the various businesses I’m aligned with on Victoria Square.
Significant other?
Sort of. Or perhaps I should say “would like to have.” I had two serious (and seriously flawed) relationships before the one I’m currently embarking on, and let’s just say betrayal was a big part of why we broke up. That will never happen to me again. (I hope.)
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Currently, it’s my guy’s teenage children who are still grieving the loss of their mother. My guy has conflicting loyalty, but at this point in his kids’ lives, they must be his priority. My head understands. My heart…not so much.
Where do you live?
McKinlay Mill, New York (close to the city of Rochester).
Do you have any enemies?
I sure hope not.
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
I love it. I grew up in a large suburb, which was okay, but had none of the charm found in McKinlay Mill, and particularly the little business district of Victoria Square. In four short years, the place has seen explosive growth and prosperity. It took a lot of hard work and teamwork with the Square’s merchants and the vendors at the arts-and-crafts arcade I own, Artisans Alley.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
I have two cats: Mason and Della.
What do you do for a living?
I own Artisans Alley (the arts and crafts anchor business on Victoria Square), am a partner in the Square’s teashop, Tealicious, and have shares in one of the buildings on the Square, as well as the warehouse conversion of the Victoria Square Annex, behind the Square itself. I think that’s enough!
Greatest disappointment?
Being betrayed by two men I thought I could trust.
Greatest source of joy?
Seeing Victoria Square prosper.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Recently, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I’ve taken up a new hobby: counted cross-stitch.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Sometimes, it’s believing the best of people—even when they’ve shown me their worst.
What keeps you awake at night?
Feeling lonely. And…wondering what new catastrophe can happen on Victoria Square. While good fortune has struck the Square, some of the people who work there haven’t been as lucky. Some have even lost their lives.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Discovering who killed the Annex’s building manager and stole two of my late husband’s paintings that were part of a gallery show.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
It sounds ridiculous, but I want true love. A life partner. So far, I haven’t been that lucky.
Why don’t you have it?
What is in the way? My guy’s children. Things could change if he becomes an empty nester. That would take two years … So, I have a decision to make. Do I wait for him, or move on? I’m torn.
A FATAL EXHIBITION by Lorraine Bartlett
In a gallery full of beauty, something deadly lurks.
The Bonner Gallery at the Victoria Square Annex opens with a well-attended cocktail party hosted by Katie Bonner’s mother-in-law, Margo. As the evening winds down, property manager Nate McKenzie arrives to help lock up. After Katie and Margo leave, Nate makes one last round of the building to ensure everything is secure. The following day, Katie makes a shocking discovery—Nathan’s body in the gallery’s men’s room.
As questions mount, a mysterious red-haired woman is spotted lurking around the Annex. At the same time, Katie’s relationship with her friend Ray is threatened by the actions of his youngest daughter, Sasha.
Who killed Nate? And will Sasha’s interference spell the end of Katie’s and Ray’s budding courtship?
Mystery Amateur Sleuth | Mystery Cozy [ Polaris Press, On Sale: June 26, 2026, e-Book, ISBN: 9781940801797 / eISBN: 9781940801780 ]
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About Lorraine Bartlett
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 the hearts of her readers. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series, the Tales of Telenia adventure-fantasy saga, and now the Lotus Bay Mysteries, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s).
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