On the anniversary of her great Aunt Lizzie's death, Katie Bonner reflects on the course of events that led her to be the custodian of Artisan's Alley, from the moment her husband took their money and invested it in a dying business to the death of its founder, Ezra Hilton. And it's with tears of sadness and joy that Katie contemplates her uncertain future.

This story takes place just before the events in the Victoria Square Mystery (#7) A Murderous Misconception but may be read as a stand-alone introduction to the series.