The Art of Betrayal by Connie Berry

A very good murder mystery with lots of mystery, sleuthing, and police procedurals. I was super impressed with the writers ability to keep the storyline going at a pace that lead up to an explosive ending.


4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is back in her third mystery. This time visiting the village of Long Barstow to spend time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, as well as helping out her friend, and fellow antique dealer Ivor by running his shop while he recovers from surgery. Unfortunately, complications arise as bodies turn up, valuable antiques are stolen. And worst still, DI Mallory’s mother has some not so helpful thoughts and comments on his relationship with Kate.

This is the second book I have read in this series, and while I did enjoy it, I found it less satisfying than my previous read (A Legacy of Murder). The characters are engaging, and the relationships Berry creates between them feel true to life. There were the makings of a good story with an intriguing plot, but some of the subplots thrown in felt a slightly contrived. Also, the story went on bit too long and really could have been tied up several chapters earlier.

All in all, an average read for me. But I do look forward to the next in the series in hopes of better.

My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy of this book made available for my review.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. this was a really good mystery that made me want to read more.

After the goings on at Finchley Hall, Kate Hamilton is happy to be running her elderly friend Ivor Tweedy's antique shop while he recovers from hip surgery. It's May and the Suffolk town of Long Barston is ready to celebrate their May Fair, with a pageant based on an age-old local tale of the Green Maiden. A widowed recluse shows up at the shop with piece of ancient Chinese pottery, hoping to sell. Soon, Kate is embroiled in a story of murder, and antiquities reparation. Another very well-done book in this series. The setting is so richly described you can feel the dampness and the mystery has so many twists I sometimes had to look back to check on family connections.

The Art of Betrayal is the third Kate Hamilton village cozy by Connie Berry. Released 8th June 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Readers who enjoy British village cozy murder shopfront mysteries are in for a treat with this series. Series protagonist Kate is an American expat antiques expert who involved with local Detective Inspector Tom Mallory. She's just trying to enjoy her month long trip to England to help out in the high end antiques store of her friend Ivor whilst he's recovering from surgery, (and enjoy Tom's company) but bodies simply won't stop turning up.

I liked the characterizations here; the characters live and breathe and the dialogue was never clunky. There were several seemingly disparate plot threads which intertwined into a satisfying denouement and resolution. Despite being the third book in the series, it worked well as a standalone, though there are some minor spoilers for earlier books if read out of order. I was engaged enough with the writing and the mystery, that I've picked up the previous two books in the series.

Four stars. This is definitely one for British village cozy readers. Very well written and constructed. Clean language and mostly off-page violence (though the first murder was fairly gory).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This instalment of the series skirted the boundary of a thriller and cozy mystery and fell in neither. This is more because of the ominous atmosphere that lingered in the background.
The series continues to have fabulous cover pages, with pictures that I would have loved to be the one to have clicked! But that does not have much to do with my reading experience because, as an EARC, I do not get to see the cover while I read. That only happens when I read a physical book, and I can admire the covers as I set them aside between reads.
Kate is helping out a friend and is leading a new life in England. Her future is uncertain (in terms of life choices), but her courtship progresses nicely. Kate's mother, as well as Tom's mother, make significant appearances here. They do add a diversion from the central mysteries. There are several, and I guessed only a couple of them.
It all begins with a regular day, and Kate meets a new client. That is followed by her meeting a friend who wants to become a client. There are many discussions between all the people featured in the narrative, and it might not be to everyone's taste. It does slow down the action part of the story but does provide fodder for clues and the like.
Kate is a slightly older protagonist than this kind of series' feature, and she stays true to her age in terms of her investigation and behaviour - or at least it feels that way.
I enjoyed the investigation and the unravelling. It felt a little slower than I hoped from it, but that was a more personal issue given the time and place I was reading it. I did not go into the details of the various plotlines because that might reveal something and the fact that the way things are introduced is a primary draw into the story itself.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes the idea of a semi-cozy mystery series featuring antiques, murders and a level headed leading lady.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and the previous works in the series.

My third Connie Berry title. Good mystery, good setting & satisfying conclusion. Kate Hamilton as an Antiques dealer & appraiser makes this a particularly interesting read.

Kate Hamilton is an antiques dealer from Ohio. How she managed to fall in love with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory in Suffolk was a surprise to the both of them. For Kate, springtime in Long Barstow, helping her friend Ivor at his antiques shop, and spending time with Tom, seemed the perfect holiday for the month of May.

And it was—right up until a woman Kate recently met was killed in a most public way. Tom’s boss is pushing hard for a quick solution, but every answer leads to more questions. To make matters worse, it appears the woman was initially attacked in Ivor’s shop, despite an alarm system and locked doors. A rare and valuable Chinese pot, on consignment, is missing and that makes Ivor responsible. Since he’s recovering from a hip replacement, it’s up to Kate to handle everything.

A recluse, supposedly wealthy but living like a nun, a missing person, an alibi’s contradicting timeline, and raging storms, all complicate an already confusing case.

On a personal level, Tom’s mother is back and wants Kate to come to dinner. Considering how they parted the last time, Kate is sure this meeting won’t be any better—and she’s right.

This is book three in the series. I’ve loved Kate’s story from the first, and it just gets better and better. The relationship between Kate and Tom is complicated by distance, her business in the States, his job in Suffolk, and as she says, if they have a common interest, why did it have to be murder?

There are twists and turn, surprises and secrets, and in answering all the questions, Berry manages to weave together a most satisfying ending.

Kate’s story is progressing and I’m looking forward to what comes next for her.

Kate Hamilton has a special gift, she can feel how authentic an item of art is just by touching it giving her a very visceral reaction. If only it was as easy to discern the authenticity of people in the same fashion. This story includes the usual assortment of cozy characters with supportive family and friends who are like family, the local detective/love interest. There are shady characters as well, but who committed the crime and which crime did they commit. A murder, missing vessel, missing heir, and a local myth all make for an intriguing English cozy with an American semi-sleuth, after all this is not her first rodeo even if it is her first village fete. I was especially intrigued by the lunch she was served while looking into the history of the hermit-like widow, a traditional dish called chicken pelau.

Connie Berry does it again, with a wonderfully well-plotted cozy mystery.

I like cozies for the lighter mystery aspect but sometimes, a deeper, more twisty mystery really hits the spot; especially when it’s set in such a picturesque village as Long Barstow.

This mystery covers a fairly wide time span. The main murder case is quite recent and revolves around Evelyn Villiers who dies during a village festival. This case, however, takes us back to a family tragedy that occurred several years before and then centuries back to the legend of the Celtic Green Maiden. On top of that we also have the case of the stolen Chinese vase which may or may not be related, and the possible presence of a group who fights for the repatriation of valuable Chinese artifacts. The number of suspects only intensifies when we add in some possibly unscrupulous antiques dealers and witness the return of an estranged daughter.

The are numerous clues for readers to follow. Some keep us track and others are distracting red herrings. Although there is a lot of material to get through between the descriptions, clues, legends and general series content, the pacing remains spot on. Then there is the super dramatic grand finale. It was unexpectedly intense but in a great way!

Oh and then there is the light romance sprinkled in. Tom and Kate continue to navigate their relationship in spite of his conniving mother. Even snarky mums can’t stand in the way of true love, however.

This is my second book by Connie Berry and I have no doubts about her being one of my favourite cozy authors. I look forward to the next exciting Kate Hamilton mystery. I give The Art of Betrayal 5/5 bold espresso shots.

The Art Of Betrayal was a FANTASTIC read! I all but devoured this one, the mystery was truly unputdownable and in the course of reading this series, I have come to adore the characters and the settings, and this latest installment was pretty much a perfect read for me. Don't miss this one with it's superb mystery, lovely characters and a perfect setting!!

This third installment in the series is my favorite so far. I like Tom and Kate and how they work together. For a cozy mystery in a small English village, his was a pretty complicated murder. Life is also getting complicated for them since one lives in England and one across the pond in Ohio. We will stay tuned to see what happens next.

I really enjoy this delightful traditional/cozy mystery series, and THE ART OF BETRAYAL is a fine addition. With its intellectual emphasis on antiques and the history surrounding them, well developed and engaging characters, and a compelling mystery to solve, it is highly entertaining.

American Kate Hamilton continues her sojourn in England taking care of a friend’s antique shop and spending time with DI Tom Mallory. When a customer is murdered and her precious Chinese jar stolen from the shop, Kate must do all she can to save her shop owner’s reputation and help track down a killer.

There is a lot going on in THE ART OF BETRAYAL…a murder, an old folktale, a family seemingly cursed by tragedy, theft, drugs, and more…but it all weaves together seamlessly to tell quite a tale. The writing is excellent, the plot well crafted, and the pace steadily building to the climax. There are plenty of clues, red herrings, twists and turns to keep readers guessing throughout. I admit I guessed one of the big twists early on, but otherwise did not figure everything out until Kate did.

I like Kate and Tom and appreciate that Kate is older (in her 40’s) than a lot of amateur sleuths out there. Her relationships, especially with Tom and her mother, feel genuine and relatable. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Kate and Tom. I also really like that Tom and Kate work together to solve the mystery and that Kate is not portrayed as better or smarter than the police and that the police are bumbling, incompetent idiots.

THE ART OF BETRAYAL is outstanding. I cannot wait to visit with Kate and company again. Highly recommended to any mystery reader.

I received and ARC of this title from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

This third book in the Kate Hamilton series is another outstanding installment. Absolutely loved it and I'm not even a fan of antiques. However, I am a big fan of compelling, complex, and interesting plots and this books certainly has that. It pulled me in from the start.

Here, Kate, who owns an American antiques store, is filling in for the owner of a British antiques store who is in a rehab facility. This gives Kate a chance to spend time with her significant other, Tom, a Detective Inspector.

A plot based on events from long ago and then, of course, there's a murder to be solved.

Very highly recommended!! More please.

If your favoured reading material is a compelling tale with a good sprinkling of mystery, murder, relationships and good old-fashioned policing and sleuthing then The Art of Betrayal by Connie Berry is a must-read for you!

It’s May and independent and level-headed American antique dealer Kate Hamilton is back, along with DI Tom Mallory, in this fabulous continuation of a brilliant series! The two are in the Suffolk village of Long Barston, enjoying some time together, though Kate is covering for the owner of The Cabinet of Curiosities, her friend Ivor Tweedy, who is recovering from surgery. One afternoon, a woman turns up at the shop with a valuable piece of Chinese pottery - a funerary jar - she wants to sell. That night Kate and Tom are at the village’s May Fair pageant when the same woman dies on the stage.

This traditional mystery plot was very appealing to me in many ways. There were elements of history, a large bunch of colourful characters, and a fantastic setting in the English countryside. The whodunnit mystery contained red herrings that threw me off the scent and would satisfy many an armchair detective. Connie Berry’s knowledge of antiques was admirable and she clearly knew her subject matter very well. I found that this novel was suspenseful enough to keep my level of interest high and I wanted to keep reading just one more page.

All in all, The Art of Betrayal was a brilliant addition to marvellous, compulsive series and it was the perfect book to curl up with on a balmy evening. I am already looking forward to reading the next instalment.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

A solid mystery that kept me guessing and turning pages.
The plot is fast paced, full of twists and turns. i liked the characters and the setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

It's the slow season at a small village antiques shop owned by Kate's friend. Ivor is an older gentleman who had no one else to ask. Could she take over while he recovered from surgery? Of course, she could! It would keep her conveniently close to a certain Detective Inspector, Tom Mallory, she met (in a previous book). And she was happy to spend more time in England. Her antiques shop in Ohio was in good hands.

There is always plenty to do in such a shop, and there were occasional walk-ins; buyers and sellers. On a beautiful day, a woman with the posture of aristocracy, and a large round package, walked inside the shop.

That is where the mystery--for Kate--begins. Because betrayals and sudden deaths often go together.

It's always nice to read a mystery clean enough to share with other people. And enjoyment is significantly elevated when the story doesn't follow a tired (yet popular) formula. There is a little too much reviewing of the facts--a common pitfall--but the characters are fun, I like the village, and I could picture every scene without being overloaded with detail.

I plan to read the previous two books, and hope to see more of this series and the author!

4/5 Stars

#TheArtofBetrayal #NetGalley

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this ebook!

Kate Hamilton is back in the village of Long Barston to help her friend with his antiques business while he recovers from surgery and spend more time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory. One afternoon, a woman comes into the store with a valuable piece of Chinese pottery she wants to sell on consignment. But that night, she stumbles onto the stage of the village’s May Fair pageant and dies. Almost immediately, Tom gets a call about the antique shop, and he and Kate go there to find that the pottery is missing. Can Kate figure out what is going on?

It was a pleasure to be back with Kate and Tom in England. This is a fantastic mystery with plenty of twisty threads for Kate to follow before she resolves things. I had a part or two figured out, but most of it didn’t come together for me until Kate had figured it out. Then I couldn’t believe I had missed it. The characters are strong. Kate is a little older than a traditional protagonist, something that I enjoy. I quickly got reacquainted with the returning characters and enjoyed getting to know the suspects, who were strong enough to make me care about the outcome. This book will please Kate’s fans and should bring her some new ones.

Oh I enjoyed this! I really liked the previous book in the series so going in I was a little concerned that this one wouldn't hold up but if anything it was even better. This isn't quite a cozy but lacks the gore and graphicness of a police procedural so it's kind of in the middle. Kate is a widow with adult children and Tom is in a similar setup. The primary difference is that while Kate's mother is a delight (though unfortunately an ocean away) Tom's mother is not quite so lovely and in a much closer proximity which does lead to the occasional tense moment. There is some regular life stuff like parents and children and talks of the future mixed in with the mystery which helped add dimension to Kate and Tom's otherwise intelligent and professional demeanors.

The mystery involves antiques, a present day murder and a past scandal which are all some of my favorite things. I loved the exploration into all three aspects and seeing Kate and Tom work together as she works with an estate appraisal was really fun. This wasn't the fastest paced mystery but I never felt like the story was dragging. I thoroughly enjoyed all of this from the characters to the mystery to the history and this is an author I'm looking forward to reading more from!

This was a very good mystery that kept me engaged. There were many clues throughout and I really enjoyed the chart.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.