Thursday, June 27, 2019

A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey, Book 1 in the Lady Hardcastle Murder Mysteries Series

I've always enjoyed a lot of the BBC and our PBS show we get here in the states and really enjoy shows like Father Brown (on my TBR list), Doctor Blake, Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries and even more modern shows on murder mysteries.  I was searching through Kindle Unlimited and found the Lady Hardcastle Mystery book series and I thought I would give the first one a try.  While it is a simple read, it is also available as a listen and read, so the Audible download is free, too.  One weird thing about this series is this is the first book but it seems we've missed so much of Lady Hardcastle's life as a spy as she made her way from China, where her husband was killed to India.  At this time Kinsey has stated he's satisfied leaving that a mystery but references left in the book show the Lady to have had an exciting life before moving to Gloucestershire for the quiet life.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her Lady Maid and best friend Florence (Flo) Lawrence move into semi-exile after their trek across southern Asia and relocating from bustling early 1900 London to Gloucestershire in the country.  Naturally, on their first-morning walk, they find a man that had committed suicide in the woods, or it appears that way until the Lady and Flo point out inconsistencies at the scene and all clues turn to murder.

As Lady Hardcastle gets introduced to the local upper society she is invited to a party and while she wants to investigate the murder, she volunteers Flo as a server at the party so she can scout around, and also hunt her down some real booze. The next morning another murder has happened, this time at the party and theft of a rare hen sized egg emerald has been stolen also.  This being a Lady Hardcastle book she naturally solves the crime along with her Lady Maid Lawrence, who just happens to be trained in martial arts.

T. E. Kinsey writes a simple turn of the century book that is easy to read but what makes is better is the narration of Elizabeth Knowelden, transforming you the reader back to 1908 and coves the charactors really good.  This first book is very relaxing and does not get boring anyplace in the book.  Well, not for me anyway.
So at this time if this sounds like your type of book and you are Kindle Unlimited member, and enjoy audiobooks then this might just be right up your alley.

I give this 8 of 10.  Very refreshing.

A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey
Book 1 in the Lad Hardcastle Murder Mysteries Series

 

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