Category: Audiobook

The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth by Callie Hutton

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The Pursuit of Mrs. PennyworthBarbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: A Victorian Romantic Suspense #1
Publication Date: Current 7/15/22 – First 3/28/18
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 322

With the growing popularity of Romantic Suspense/Mysteries, Callie Hutton decided she’d try her hand at writing in that genre. Goodness, I am sure glad she did and I hope she continues with it as it is one of my favorites. Some intuition usually has me identifying the villain almost as soon as they grace the page – but it took me close to fifty percent of the book before the villain dawned on me this time. Even then I wasn’t sure. So – well done in the mystery department! Then, as for the romance side of the story – goodness – there was tension from the first of the story and it continued through the entire steamy story. But it was more than just the steam – we also got to see the characters come to know each other and care for each other, even though neither wanted a romance.

Mrs. Charlotte Pennyworth is just coming out of mourning for her husband, Gabriel. They were only married about a month before he was killed in a reckless racing accident. She has come to understand that men cannot be trusted or relied upon. The son of her former employer tried to coerce her into becoming his mistress by threatening her with bringing false charges of theft against her. He was powerful and devious enough to make those stick too. Rather than submit, she packed her belongings and stole away even though she knew he’d still go forward with his false accusations. Then, a few months after arriving in London she met and married Gabriel who promptly died because of his recklessness. No, men cannot be counted upon because the ones who should have protected her did not. Now, as a comfortably-off widow, she has the freedom and independence to live her life as she wants. Or she did until things, some of them horrible, began to be left upon her doorstep. Scotland Yard didn’t have time to deal with it because all of its manpower was focused on Jack-the-Ripper. They suggested she hire Elliot Baker as a private investigator to solve the mystery.

Elliot Baker, private investigator, solicitor, and former inspector at Scotland Yard absolutely does not trust women. He left his career at Scotland Yard under a cloud because of being played false by a woman. He fell for her whole scam hook-line-and-sinker and it caused the permanent injury of a young officer who had a wife and two children. No, he’ll never, ever, trust another woman. He’s shocked when a woman walks into his office without an appointment and asks him to take on a case for her – his clients are always men. He absolutely does not trust her or her story and is sure she has some scheme going. Reluctantly, he ends up taking the case. Still, he doesn’t trust her – and he never will – but maybe he can unearth her scheme and thwart it.

Elliot is surprised by the things that are left on Charlotte’s doorstep and is determined to ferret out the villain. Things get scarier and scarier and Elliot is nearly killed, but still, they have no proof. Suspects, but no proof. Will they identify the villain before it is too late for Charlotte? Excitement and shivers run down the spine.

I can definitely recommend this exciting, romantic book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. I do think Charlotte was much too quick to forgive in the end. Groveling was required, but forgiveness happened pretty quickly.

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A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey

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A Quiet Life in the Country (Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 10/4/2016
Period: Littleton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, 1908 (United Kingdom)
Number of Pages: 257

The first book I read in this series was #7 – The Fatal Flying Affair – and I loved it so much I immediately purchased the first six books. Since this book is every bit as good as that 7th book was, I think that is a portent that I’ve found a wonderful writer and a great series. Now, I can’t wait to get to the other books in the series. The writing is excellent, of course, and the characters are exceedingly smart, witty, and entertaining.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, did an excellent job. The pacing was smooth, nicely done, and each character had a distinct voice. What I thoroughly enjoyed was the humor came right through into the voice. I felt as if the narrator was smiling while she was performing.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid, Florence Armstrong, aren’t exactly what they seem. They have been together for almost two decades and their relationship is much more than employee and employer. They are great friends, but maintaining the façade of their relationship serves their purpose. While it isn’t plainly said, it is strongly hinted that Lady H and Flo were in service to the Crown.

Lady Hardcastle has decided to retire and she and Flo are just moving into their rented home in the country. Ah – the quiet country life! Just a few days into that tranquil new life Lady H and Flo decide to take a walk around the area – and – well – there goes the tranquility. They come upon the body of a young man hanging from an old oak tree in Combe Wood. Lady Hardcastle stays with the body while Flo dashes into town to fetch a constable. The constable doesn’t seem to have a lot in the brain department as Flo is telling him about finding the body.

‘Lady Hardcastle and I were walking in Combe Woods and we found a man hanging from the old oak in the clearing.’
‘Dead?’
No, I thought to myself, he was in remarkably fine spirits, actually, despite the rope round his neck. His face was purple and his breathing a little . . . absent, but he seemed frightfully well, considering. I decided not to say that, though. Be polite, Flo, I thought. ‘Yes, Constable, quite dead.

When yet another body turns up, and a major theft occurs, Inspector Sunderland allows Lady H and Flo to sit in on the suspect interviews and help with the case. Sunderland quickly comes to understand what formidable ladies they are and welcomes them to continue to assist him.

The culprits will most likely surprise you, and the wit and humor throughout the book will delight you. Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will love it as much as I did.

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