Tag: T.E. Kinsey

An Assassination On The Agenda by T.E. Kinsey – Review

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

An Assassination on the Agenda (Lady Hardcastle Mystery, #11)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #11
Publication Date: 5/21/24
Period: Interwar – Bristol and London
Number of Pages: 317

Lady Emily Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong solve another edge-of-your-seat, breath-holding mystery on behalf of the Secret Service Bureau (SSB). While they enjoy rusticating in the bucolic setting of their little village, they often wish for a bit more excitement. They definitely find excitement – along with danger, murder, assassination attempts, treachery, and treason in some unexpected places. It always amazes me how this writer can cover such serious subjects and still make me chuckle, and often laugh out loud.

There has been a murder in Brighton and since they live close by, Lady Hardcastle and Flo are dispatched there by the SSB. Not to solve the murder – No, they are to take over the investigation and keep the local police from identifying the body. Luckily, they are personal friends with both the coroner and the lead police inspector. But . . . They end up with two bodies and a murderer who has to be the worst shot on the planet, or he is trying to muddy the waters.

The next stop is London where the powerful men in a trade organization try to sidestep Lady Hardcastle and Flo. We all know how well that is going to work, don’t we? They try shutting Lady Hardcastle and Flo out of the information flow so they cannot do their jobs, but where there is a will, there is a way. The red herrings and misdirections don’t work at all and Flo and Emily are off to the races. Not only do they outwit, out-think, and outmaneuver that slick bunch of old men, they solve two murders and save the country from the brink of war. I’d say that was a nice day’s work.

This was a fun, interesting, light-hearted read with a great mystery. If you have never read a Lady Hardcastle, then you should definitely give one a try – and – if you have (or haven’t) read Lady Hardcastle, you will love this one. Happy Reading!

A Fire at the Exhibition by T.E. Kinsey

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

A Fire at the Exhibition (Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #10)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #10
Publication Date: 9/5/23
Period: 1912 – Littleton Cotterell, Gloucestershire (United Kingdom)
Number of Pages: 332

Oh! I do love this series! Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence Armstrong are former spies who have retired to the country – but cannot help themselves when a mystery or murder presents itself in the area. They just have to help. Their witty banter is very entertaining and will keep you smiling, if not laughing out loud, throughout the book. While they take their investigations very seriously, they don’t take themselves seriously at all, and that is what makes the combination of humor and murder investigation work so well.

The quiet, picturesque village of Littleton Cotterel is holding its May Day celebration with a festival and art show. The art show features artistic endeavors from local artists as well as art loaned from a museum, a bound book of the complete works of Shakespeare (with jewels and gold leaf, and…), and a painting by a famous artist, loaned by Sir Hector Farley-Stroud. The entire village and surrounding areas are all looking forward to participating in the events – even the bicycle race.

Even in the best-planned events – things seem to go astray, which is certainly the case with their festival. As soon as the opening ceremonies were over and the doors opened to the exhibition building, everyone rushed inside to see the exhibits – only to rush right out again because the building was on fire. OOPS! However, the fire wasn’t really a fire – but there was plenty of smoke – and when it cleared, the book along with Sir Farley-Stroud’s painting was missing. How in the world did anyone manage to get outside with that huge book and not be seen? Then, a few days later there is a murder connected to the festival. What is going on?

So many crimes to investigate! However, Lady Hardcastle and Flo decide not to be involved – except maybe to help find the painting for their dear friends, the Farley-Strouds. Let the insurance investigator handle the book, the police handle the murder, and they can help the police with the painting. Right, we know how that will go.

There are lots of red herrings for each of the crimes and you’ll have lots of fun evaluating those and tossing them aside before you finally realize what has been going on and why. Oh! Did I mention there is also a treasure hunt? Yes, Indeed. There MIGHT be buried treasure on the Farley-Stroud property. If there is, and they find it, it would save them from financial ruin.

You’ll smile yourself silly as Emily and Flo banter themselves through the investigation and fling the red herrings aside before they finally reveal all. It really is an excellent, entertaining read with several mysteries to keep you guessing before the final reveal. I highly recommend it and hope you will love it as much as I did. Happy reading!

I read and listened to the book and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Knowelden’s narration. She captures Lady Hardcastle and Flo perfectly. You can hear the humor in their voices as you listen. She’s perfect for this narration role.

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