Tag: T.E. Kinsey

In the Market for Murder by T.E. Kinsey

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

In the Market for Murder (Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #2)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 4 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #2
Publication Date: 12/20/2016
Period: Edwardian – 1909 – Littleton Cotterell, Gloucestershire
Number of Pages: 270

In this delightfully delivered mystery, we find Lady Emily Hardcastle almost recovered from the bullet wound she received at the end of the first book. She’s getting up and about and is itching for something interesting to do when, lo and behold, Inspector Sunderland presents Lady Hardcastle and Florence with a murder investigation. Not only is it a murder, but they met the victim only a week before his death. Goodness, there is a lot of nefarious goings-on in rural England because they also end up investigating a theft and a fraud at the same time.

The murder victim, Spencer Caradine, is spiteful, hateful, vengeful, and just downright mean, so there is definitely no shortage of suspects. But was he really murdered? The police coroner is sure he has been poisoned, but he has no idea what the poison would be. Did a neighbor do it? Did the wife, who is in love with another man, do it? Did the other man do it? Was it his maltreated son who did it? With so many suspects and no motives, Emily and Florence have their work cut out for them.

With the murder investigation stalled, Lady Emily and Florence work on their other cases. Who could have broken into the rugby club to ONLY steal a trophy and some worthless memorabilia? Leave it to Lady Emily to figure it all out. Then, when an apparition at a séance accuses one of the attendees of murder, Florence is on the case. With a childhood spent among circus performers and showmen, Florence is uniquely qualified to ferret out the tricks used by the medium. Or, are they really tricks? Maybe this medium is truly gifted and the spirit was actually murdered by the accused.

I ‘read’ the Whispersync version of the book, and thoroughly enjoyed the narration. The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, did an excellent job with all of the characters, but I particularly liked her interpretation of Lady Emily and Florence.

This is a highly entertaining addition to the series and I can definitely recommend it. The characters are intelligent, likable, and very witty and you will absolutely love spending time with them.

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

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

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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