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Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #8
Rotten to the Core
Summer 1911. A scorching heatwave engulfs the quiet town of Littleton Cotterell and brings about an unusually early harvest. The villagers are thrilled, but events quickly turn sour when one of them turns up dead in an apple orchard, stabbed through the heart.
Amateur sleuth Lady Hardcastle and her trusty lady’s maid, Flo, suddenly have a juicy case on their hands. Might the mysterious stranger they recently met in the village be to blame?
When a second cider-related murder takes place, it quickly becomes clear that there’s more to these mysterious deaths than meets the eye. The daring duo uncover whispers of an ancient order and moonlit rituals. And evidence points to a macabre secret in the village stretching back years. A secret someone will do anything―anything at all―to keep hidden.
Something is rotten, that’s for sure. With the local constabulary baffled, Lady Hardcastle and Flo must use all their powers of wit and whimsy to get to the bottom of the dastardly deed. But can they catch the killer before any more people drop dead?
Listening Length: 8 hours and 46 minutes
Amateur sleuth Lady Hardcastle and her trusty lady’s maid, Flo, suddenly have a juicy case on their hands. Might the mysterious stranger they recently met in the village be to blame?
When a second cider-related murder takes place, it quickly becomes clear that there’s more to these mysterious deaths than meets the eye. The daring duo uncover whispers of an ancient order and moonlit rituals. And evidence points to a macabre secret in the village stretching back years. A secret someone will do anything―anything at all―to keep hidden.
Something is rotten, that’s for sure. With the local constabulary baffled, Lady Hardcastle and Flo must use all their powers of wit and whimsy to get to the bottom of the dastardly deed. But can they catch the killer before any more people drop dead?
Listening Length: 8 hours and 46 minutes
Audible Audio
First published June 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
May 6, 2022
A very suitable title for a book which involves cider making, apple orchards and murder. It is summer in Littleton Cotterell and Lady Hardcastle and Flo have another mystery to investigate.
As usual the story is great fun. There are several murders and our strangely well matched pair of sleuths investigate thoroughly, working amiably together with the local Police Inspector. There are plenty of suspects, a surprise culprit and a few very dangerous moments.
Along the way we get plenty of humour especially from the dialogue between the the two main characters. They really have a very special relationship for a Lady and her maid. Sometimes just leaving the house can provide a fun moment :-
Lady H: Have you seen my hat?
Flo: Yes it's enchanting.
Lady H: Most amusing. Where is it?
Flo: Your hat?
Lady H: Yes.
Flo: The one you are wearing or another one?
Lady H (touches her head): Right you are. Well I'm ready then. How about you?
Flo: I'm always ready my lady.
My only problem with these books is having to wait for the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
As usual the story is great fun. There are several murders and our strangely well matched pair of sleuths investigate thoroughly, working amiably together with the local Police Inspector. There are plenty of suspects, a surprise culprit and a few very dangerous moments.
Along the way we get plenty of humour especially from the dialogue between the the two main characters. They really have a very special relationship for a Lady and her maid. Sometimes just leaving the house can provide a fun moment :-
Lady H: Have you seen my hat?
Flo: Yes it's enchanting.
Lady H: Most amusing. Where is it?
Flo: Your hat?
Lady H: Yes.
Flo: The one you are wearing or another one?
Lady H (touches her head): Right you are. Well I'm ready then. How about you?
Flo: I'm always ready my lady.
My only problem with these books is having to wait for the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 3, 2022
The summer of 1911 was a hot one in England, and Littleton Cotterell seemed to have the hottest days of all. The usual meeting of the Weryers at the Dog and Duck pub, where Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong were headed, introduced them to this enigmatic group of friendly, charity conscious men, as well as their idiosyncrasies, but it wasn’t until one of them was murdered that their interest became serious. Lady Hardcastle and Flo were highly successful amateur sleuths and as such, Inspector Sunderland requested their help once again.
Lady Hardcastle put her crime board on the wall where both could see and add to it as suspects came to hand. But while their suspect list was long, no one in particular stood out. When a second death was discovered, the race was on. But would Lady H and Flo identify the killer before any more died? Or would this one be their last case as they found themselves too close to the killer?
Rotten to the Core is the 8th in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries by T.E. Kinsey and once again I loved it. Laugh out loud moments throughout the book, I love the repartee between little servant and mistress! Plenty of suspense riddles the humour, and danger shows its head as well. An excellent team, especially as the police recognize their value, Lady H and Flo are a couple of sleuths I hope we see much more of. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Hardcastle put her crime board on the wall where both could see and add to it as suspects came to hand. But while their suspect list was long, no one in particular stood out. When a second death was discovered, the race was on. But would Lady H and Flo identify the killer before any more died? Or would this one be their last case as they found themselves too close to the killer?
Rotten to the Core is the 8th in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries by T.E. Kinsey and once again I loved it. Laugh out loud moments throughout the book, I love the repartee between little servant and mistress! Plenty of suspense riddles the humour, and danger shows its head as well. An excellent team, especially as the police recognize their value, Lady H and Flo are a couple of sleuths I hope we see much more of. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Rotten to the Core. All opinions and comments are my own.
Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence Armstrong (best friend is more like) are up to their attractive ankles (well Flo’s, perhaps; Lady H would probably not describe hers that way) in bodies in Rotten to the Core ,the eighth in the entertaining series by T.E. Kinsey that finds our duo investigating an ever-increasing series of deaths in and about the small English village of Littleton Cotterell.
Life’s been quiet for a few weeks around the village. But that ends abruptly. A member of the “Weryers Pomary,” the Cider Wardens, a local men’s group that does “good works” is found murdered in his apple orchard. Luckily for us the local coppers have realized that Lady H and Flo come in awfully handy when it comes to murder investigations. People do like to tell them things. And they are ferrets when it comes to crisscrossing the county themselves, digging out clues. “I have every confidence in us,” Lady H says. Well deserved.
So, investigating they go, to find that a reason for murder -- the old bystanders, envy, jealousy and/or revenge, perhaps -- is actually, rather diabolical, and really quite evil, in the end. For our killer doesn’t stop with just one murder, oh, no. We eventually have three in the present day, with ties to a fourth that happened twenty years ago. All of this takes quite a while to figure out, as you can imagine, and the famous crime board gets a real workout. But persistence pays off, and not a moment too soon, as our ladies are threatened. Not that a reader should be worried about that, not for a second. After all, they have a Harvest Festival to attend.
This is a fictional world with wonderful characters (the barmaid Daisy’s a treat) inside a mystery with clues keeping you guessing until the last pages. And there’s always a bit of “side story” to whet one’s appetite, including tidbits of the past lives of our two heroines; quite the characters they are, also. And did I mention the banter between the two? I haven’t up to now, but I shall remedy that omission.
An author’s note explains about happenings, terms, people and places, and time frames used in the story. And how references from The Goon Show came about. Flo would be so proud.
Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence Armstrong (best friend is more like) are up to their attractive ankles (well Flo’s, perhaps; Lady H would probably not describe hers that way) in bodies in Rotten to the Core ,the eighth in the entertaining series by T.E. Kinsey that finds our duo investigating an ever-increasing series of deaths in and about the small English village of Littleton Cotterell.
Life’s been quiet for a few weeks around the village. But that ends abruptly. A member of the “Weryers Pomary,” the Cider Wardens, a local men’s group that does “good works” is found murdered in his apple orchard. Luckily for us the local coppers have realized that Lady H and Flo come in awfully handy when it comes to murder investigations. People do like to tell them things. And they are ferrets when it comes to crisscrossing the county themselves, digging out clues. “I have every confidence in us,” Lady H says. Well deserved.
So, investigating they go, to find that a reason for murder -- the old bystanders, envy, jealousy and/or revenge, perhaps -- is actually, rather diabolical, and really quite evil, in the end. For our killer doesn’t stop with just one murder, oh, no. We eventually have three in the present day, with ties to a fourth that happened twenty years ago. All of this takes quite a while to figure out, as you can imagine, and the famous crime board gets a real workout. But persistence pays off, and not a moment too soon, as our ladies are threatened. Not that a reader should be worried about that, not for a second. After all, they have a Harvest Festival to attend.
This is a fictional world with wonderful characters (the barmaid Daisy’s a treat) inside a mystery with clues keeping you guessing until the last pages. And there’s always a bit of “side story” to whet one’s appetite, including tidbits of the past lives of our two heroines; quite the characters they are, also. And did I mention the banter between the two? I haven’t up to now, but I shall remedy that omission.
An author’s note explains about happenings, terms, people and places, and time frames used in the story. And how references from The Goon Show came about. Flo would be so proud.
July 16, 2023
3.5⭐
Hmmm.. Something seemed kinda off with this one.
As much as I love this series, this book was definitely one of the weaker ones. I don't know what it is, but the banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo seemed different somehow - more hostile, maybe? (idk, that's just the vibe I got while listening to the audiobook).
I checked, and there was almost a 2 year gap between The Fatal Flying Affair and this book. I think it shows a bit.
Apart from that, the mystery was well done, as usual, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of inspector Sunderland again!
Hmmm.. Something seemed kinda off with this one.
As much as I love this series, this book was definitely one of the weaker ones. I don't know what it is, but the banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo seemed different somehow - more hostile, maybe? (idk, that's just the vibe I got while listening to the audiobook).
I checked, and there was almost a 2 year gap between The Fatal Flying Affair and this book. I think it shows a bit.
Apart from that, the mystery was well done, as usual, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of inspector Sunderland again!
June 10, 2022
Yes, I have thoroughly enjoyed the two spin-off novels from this series, the new series featuring the Dizzy Heights: The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds and A Baffling Murder at the Midsummer Ball. But O how I missed the humorous exploits of the indomitable Emily, Lady Hardcastle, and her sassy maid and sidekick Florence Armstrong! And, finally, author T.E. Kinsey has obliged and released the eighth entry in this series!
In the summer of 1911, the members of a secretive men’s charitable society with the Old English name of the Weryers of the Pomary begin to die, one by one. Who would want to eliminate some cider-guzzling but otherwise harmless men? You can bet that Lady Hardcastle and Flo will ensure that Inspector Oliver Sunderland of the Bristol Police will solve the village of Littleton Cotterill’s latest crime. What a wonderful read!
In the summer of 1911, the members of a secretive men’s charitable society with the Old English name of the Weryers of the Pomary begin to die, one by one. Who would want to eliminate some cider-guzzling but otherwise harmless men? You can bet that Lady Hardcastle and Flo will ensure that Inspector Oliver Sunderland of the Bristol Police will solve the village of Littleton Cotterill’s latest crime. What a wonderful read!
April 2, 2024
4.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/b82234AUi40
these girlies truly have my heart and i will love them forever. great instalment in the series as i always LOVE the ones where the setting is really focussed on the village
these girlies truly have my heart and i will love them forever. great instalment in the series as i always LOVE the ones where the setting is really focussed on the village
May 15, 2022
Lady Hardcastle and her trusty friend/sidekick/servant Flo are at it again. The delightful repartee between them is still there, and they are still the two eccentric characters that make this series such a fun one to read. This time around, though, they are looking for a local killer rather than being involved in international intrigue. No matter, Flo still gets the chance to demonstrate some of her more unexpected skills and their work as a team is on full display.
This is one of the most entertaining series I have found, in part because of the unique nature of Lady Hardcastle and Flo’s relationship. It’s also entertaining to have two amazingly independent women in an era that is still male dominated, early 1900’s. The mystery begins and ends within this book, and there is no need to have read earlier books in the series to understand how various secondary characters relate to the two main characters. If you enjoy this book, though, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to read all the other books in the series.
For this book, it’s almost apple harvesting time, and the village is getting ready to set up for the annual festival that accompanies it. There is a running joke throughout about Flo being on the committee to organize the festival, or any other committee for that matter, with the townspeople attributing the final plan of an outdoor festival on the green per her recommendation. In fact, it was simply an off-hand comment from Flo, but when she tries to point that out to the townspeople, they simply refuse to listen.
Early on Lady H and Flo encounter a group of men known as the Weryers, an ancient organization of twelve men, either born or voted in, whose purpose is stated as being to protect the harvest and the pubs where the cider will be sold. Almost immediately upon being made aware of this groups existence, one of them is murdered. The local police, being well acquainted with Lady H and Flo, as well as knowing they work for the secret service, call in the women to help with the investigation
There is a young woman who has appeared in town, and suspicion falls on her as well as the other members of the Weryers. As Lady H and Flo drive from place to place, often with Flo’s objections to Lady H’s love of speed, more of the men are murdered and the mysterious stranger is looking more and more guilty. But what is the reason for the murders and what sinister secrets are some of the Weryers hiding. This is the first place Flo’s skill set comes into play as she and Lady H make several late night forays to homes and mills to try and discover the answers to some of their questions.
The tables get turned on our two intrepid spys/adventurers as they near the end of the investigation. Once again, Flo’s skills, with help from Lady Hardcastle, are needed to bring the investigation to a successful close. The village festival is a rousing success, too, leaving all the villagers planning to put Flo on all the committees that get formed when a new village activity is in the offing. My expectation is that, on these occasions, Flo will be running in the opposite direction as quickly as her often referenced tiny feet and legs will carry her.
If you like your mysteries with a good dose of unique humor, don’t miss this book and this series. Kinsey has found an excellent blend of mystery, spy activity, and humor which is wonderfully entertaining. His pacing is excellent and the book is well written. Whether you are looking for a beach/airplane read or something to entertain you for several hours at a stretch, this book will definitely suit the purpose.
My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
This is one of the most entertaining series I have found, in part because of the unique nature of Lady Hardcastle and Flo’s relationship. It’s also entertaining to have two amazingly independent women in an era that is still male dominated, early 1900’s. The mystery begins and ends within this book, and there is no need to have read earlier books in the series to understand how various secondary characters relate to the two main characters. If you enjoy this book, though, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to read all the other books in the series.
For this book, it’s almost apple harvesting time, and the village is getting ready to set up for the annual festival that accompanies it. There is a running joke throughout about Flo being on the committee to organize the festival, or any other committee for that matter, with the townspeople attributing the final plan of an outdoor festival on the green per her recommendation. In fact, it was simply an off-hand comment from Flo, but when she tries to point that out to the townspeople, they simply refuse to listen.
Early on Lady H and Flo encounter a group of men known as the Weryers, an ancient organization of twelve men, either born or voted in, whose purpose is stated as being to protect the harvest and the pubs where the cider will be sold. Almost immediately upon being made aware of this groups existence, one of them is murdered. The local police, being well acquainted with Lady H and Flo, as well as knowing they work for the secret service, call in the women to help with the investigation
There is a young woman who has appeared in town, and suspicion falls on her as well as the other members of the Weryers. As Lady H and Flo drive from place to place, often with Flo’s objections to Lady H’s love of speed, more of the men are murdered and the mysterious stranger is looking more and more guilty. But what is the reason for the murders and what sinister secrets are some of the Weryers hiding. This is the first place Flo’s skill set comes into play as she and Lady H make several late night forays to homes and mills to try and discover the answers to some of their questions.
The tables get turned on our two intrepid spys/adventurers as they near the end of the investigation. Once again, Flo’s skills, with help from Lady Hardcastle, are needed to bring the investigation to a successful close. The village festival is a rousing success, too, leaving all the villagers planning to put Flo on all the committees that get formed when a new village activity is in the offing. My expectation is that, on these occasions, Flo will be running in the opposite direction as quickly as her often referenced tiny feet and legs will carry her.
If you like your mysteries with a good dose of unique humor, don’t miss this book and this series. Kinsey has found an excellent blend of mystery, spy activity, and humor which is wonderfully entertaining. His pacing is excellent and the book is well written. Whether you are looking for a beach/airplane read or something to entertain you for several hours at a stretch, this book will definitely suit the purpose.
My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
June 12, 2022
Only T.E. Kinsey can make murder funny without making you feel guilty for laughing as people start dropping like windfall apples near harvest time!
Flo and Emily are back at it, being their usual clever selves without being so perfectly brilliant as to make them unbelievable (and therefore unlikeable). Nope, I loved them even more as they toodled about the English countryside in pursuit of someone killing off the members of a local secret society.
I did guess several connections and the killer pretty early, but I had zero proof as to the name of the killer (just what he/she would be and a bit of why). Kinsey, as usual, keeps some cards close to hand until nearer the end without making you feel like he pulled one from his sleeve when you weren't looking, either. He's a "fair" author who gives you what you need to figure it out and makes sure you have a hard time trusting your gut. I'd nearly swapped over to an innocent party by the 75% mark.
More, the ravenous readers cry! More! Meanwhile, I'm going to attempt to learn to like cider again. Can't hurt to try.
Flo and Emily are back at it, being their usual clever selves without being so perfectly brilliant as to make them unbelievable (and therefore unlikeable). Nope, I loved them even more as they toodled about the English countryside in pursuit of someone killing off the members of a local secret society.
I did guess several connections and the killer pretty early, but I had zero proof as to the name of the killer (just what he/she would be and a bit of why). Kinsey, as usual, keeps some cards close to hand until nearer the end without making you feel like he pulled one from his sleeve when you weren't looking, either. He's a "fair" author who gives you what you need to figure it out and makes sure you have a hard time trusting your gut. I'd nearly swapped over to an innocent party by the 75% mark.
More, the ravenous readers cry! More! Meanwhile, I'm going to attempt to learn to like cider again. Can't hurt to try.
June 7, 2022
I love the Lady Hardcastle series, and this is the eight book that features her and her maid/friend Flo Armstrong, this time again in the countryside. A member of the Weryers society is found stabbed in his apple orchard, and Inspector Sunderland requests their help once more. With the help of chatter, the crime board and their wits they finally find out what really happened a while ago and how it all turned to today´s crime. I love the amateur sleuths with their banter and unusual abilities, and there are also other well-depicted characters. The suspects are many, perhaps too many, but there is an exciting solutions. Looking ahead to the next book in the series!
Thanks to the publisher Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for an arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2024
Always happy to spend time with Lady Hardcastle and her “tiny servant” Florence Armstrong as they solve interesting murders with a great wit/humour and a bit of danger.
July 20, 2022
A return to the Edwardian Era English village of Littleton Cotterell for the latest detecting antics of Lady Hardcastle and her intrepid maid, Flo, was just what I needed to beat the summer heat. More deep friends even family then employer and maid, Emily and Flo have become some of my favorite investigative teams and I was eager to dive into the latest murder mystery.
Rotten to the Core is book eight in a series that do best in order, but work just fine standalone, too.
A hot summer in their home village leads to a bumper apple crop and harvest. Lady Farley-Stroud wants help with the dinner so the ladies head into the village to get some ideas. That is when they learn about the Weryers, a local secret benevolence organization. Emily and Flo are curious, but go home only to learn the next morning that one of the Weryers, and a likable orchard owner, Claud, is found dead under one of his own apple trees with an apple in his mouth. The local constabulary are stymied and invite Lady Hardcastle and Flo to join the investigation. There are plenty of suspect from the Weryers themselves to a stranger seen in the village and the more they investigate, the more motives and opportunities they find as well. Meanwhile, a killer is not willing to stop at one and the gals need to solve the case as they are now on the killer’s short list.
Rotten to the Core is back in the village and the ladies are surrounded by a familiar cast of characters from Flo’s friend Daisy at the bar to the big house neighbors The Farley-Strouds, and of course, Inspector Sunderland. I loved that and I loved seeing the gals bantering and enjoying themselves. The mystery got darker than usual with the higher than normal body count and, unlike previous villains, this one gave me a chill more than usual.
The background of the secret society of Cider Wardens and the apple harvest was interesting. I enjoy that the author takes the time to make sure the historical period and setting are colored in. My favorite part is the relationship between Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong particularly knowing what they did before they retired.
The mystery almost utterly stumped me. I felt there were too many possibilities even later in the book to bother trying to figure it out. I was content to follow intrepid Flo and Emily to the solution. Well, I did work out the stranger’s role was not what they thought and had an idea about the motive after a bit. Flo got into action with her martial art and espionage skills at exciting moments and Emily wasn’t far behind her racing their car and letting people think she is a frivolous type.
All in all, it was another fab entry in the series. I would say it leaned more toward regular murder mystery than cozy for this one, fair warning. Bright characters, engaging setting, and a mystery plot to baffle readers makes this a historical mystery/series I can heartily recommend to other readers.
I rec'd an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My review will post at The Reading Frenzy July 20th.
Rotten to the Core is book eight in a series that do best in order, but work just fine standalone, too.
A hot summer in their home village leads to a bumper apple crop and harvest. Lady Farley-Stroud wants help with the dinner so the ladies head into the village to get some ideas. That is when they learn about the Weryers, a local secret benevolence organization. Emily and Flo are curious, but go home only to learn the next morning that one of the Weryers, and a likable orchard owner, Claud, is found dead under one of his own apple trees with an apple in his mouth. The local constabulary are stymied and invite Lady Hardcastle and Flo to join the investigation. There are plenty of suspect from the Weryers themselves to a stranger seen in the village and the more they investigate, the more motives and opportunities they find as well. Meanwhile, a killer is not willing to stop at one and the gals need to solve the case as they are now on the killer’s short list.
Rotten to the Core is back in the village and the ladies are surrounded by a familiar cast of characters from Flo’s friend Daisy at the bar to the big house neighbors The Farley-Strouds, and of course, Inspector Sunderland. I loved that and I loved seeing the gals bantering and enjoying themselves. The mystery got darker than usual with the higher than normal body count and, unlike previous villains, this one gave me a chill more than usual.
The background of the secret society of Cider Wardens and the apple harvest was interesting. I enjoy that the author takes the time to make sure the historical period and setting are colored in. My favorite part is the relationship between Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong particularly knowing what they did before they retired.
The mystery almost utterly stumped me. I felt there were too many possibilities even later in the book to bother trying to figure it out. I was content to follow intrepid Flo and Emily to the solution. Well, I did work out the stranger’s role was not what they thought and had an idea about the motive after a bit. Flo got into action with her martial art and espionage skills at exciting moments and Emily wasn’t far behind her racing their car and letting people think she is a frivolous type.
All in all, it was another fab entry in the series. I would say it leaned more toward regular murder mystery than cozy for this one, fair warning. Bright characters, engaging setting, and a mystery plot to baffle readers makes this a historical mystery/series I can heartily recommend to other readers.
I rec'd an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My review will post at The Reading Frenzy July 20th.
June 21, 2022
I’ve really enjoyed this series. I think I’ve only one more to read.
April 21, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced review copy! All thoughts expressed in this review are all my own and not affected by the giveaway.
July 1911 - Summer in Little Cottrell is hot, hot hot and Lady Hardcastle suggests she and Flo take time off to relax. The harvest home is coming up and Lady Farley-Stroud wants Flo to come up with an idea for the dinner. While visiting the local pub for some cider, the ladies discover the outside tables are packed but inside is empty. The inside tables are reserved for a meeting of the Weryers of the Pomary, a (not so) secret benevolent society and no outsiders are allowed to even be inside around their meeting times. The ladies head home to enjoy the evening alone. They are shocked when their cook, Edna, announces the next morning there has been a murder-a stabbing! Claud Cridland, one of the Weryers (Cider Wardens) was stabbled in his own orchard and left against a tree with an apple in his mouth! Sargeant Dobson needs the ladies to come out and begin investigating while he waits for Inspector Sunderland and Dr. Gosling to arrive. Sure enough, it was murder and Claud was deliberately dragged to that spot. Who could have done such a thing? Did it have to do with the Weryers? Emily thinks so but can't find any proof right away. As the ladies set out to solve the mystery, they find no less than 12 suspects- 11 remaining wardens and 1 strange woman poking around. When someone else turns up dead, Emily and Flo are nearly certain the murders are related but evidence is difficult to come by. Can they find out who did these terrible deeds before someone else ends up dead?
This book took me 3 days to read because it's so long. 12 suspects is about 8 too many. It drags the story out and goes nowhere. I never guessed whodunit but I did guess what it was about and how Grace was involved. I thought Flo should have reasoned it out sooner. I won't reprimand her because she feels bad enough already. There are also too many murders in this story for my liking but other than that, I enjoyed catching up with Emily and Flo.
I am so happy this book takes place in the country again, near where it all began. Geopolitical events are all very well but I prefer a good English country village story. Being back in Littleton Cottrell feels so familiar, like coming home and seeing old friends for the reader as well as for Emily and Flo. Newcomers to the series can read this as a standalone but I think it works better if you at least read the first book. References are made to previous events, including the village fair the other day (The Fatal Flying Affair) and Lady Farley-Stroud's picture show. I love this picture of village life where everyone knows everyone. I wouldn't want to live there but reading about it in a time gone by is charming. I can easily picture the villages and the pubs, the orchard, the cidery and the characters. T.E. Kinsey is a very visual writer and I love that. I want to feel like I'm there.
Emily and Flo are gaining quite the reputation and now everyone recognizes them either by sight or by name/reputation. Their secret government work seems to be common knowledge but the villagers swear they'll never tell. Riigghtt... Lady Hardcastle, now officially younger than I am, may have been considered elderly by early 20th-century standards but she's young at heart. I absolutely adore her. Her tendency to get names wrong annoyed me at first but then I realized she was doing it to needle Flo. Emily is never serious and always lively - just don't wake her up before she's ready and don't bother her before she's had her coffee and toast. (She sounds like me). Emily is the young one in the partnership! Flo is much more serious for all she's a good two decades younger. The pair have a sisterly relationship where Emily pushes Flo to lighten up by constantly teasing her. Emily also enjoys annoying villains but never fear, it's all an act. Their witty banter is so much fun. I want more!
The villagers are all here! Hooray! I love Daisy, the barmaid at the Dog and Duck pub. She's a lot of fun and a good friend for Flo because she balances out Flo's more serious nature. Daisy also is country born and bred and Flo can't tell a dahlia from a zinnia so that leads to some teasing. Flo can handle it. Daisy is energetic, youthful and fun. She's also a big gossip. She hears everything that goes on in the village and repeats it to Emily and Flo. In her own way, she's a part of the investigative team. Cissy, the dairyman's daughter, is as well. Like Daisy, she also works as a barmaid and since her dad and her boss are both Weryers, she knows a lot about them. I kept getting confused though between the two girls. Having two barmaids is a bit too much. They sound alike too. Daisy's parents are a hoot. Her mother, Eunice, is the more outgoing of the pair and loves to talk but not gossip about past events that don't seem relevant today. Mr. Spratt likes his family to see him as important so he enjoys gossipping about the Weryers but he doesn't seem to know anything important about them that will lead to catching the killer. Eunice might but she's not telling.
Old Joe, the pub landlord, is a hoot. I can picture him bald and toothless stumbling around the orchard trying to figure out what's going on with his fellow Cider Wardens when something isn't right; hosting games on the village green and complaining a lot. He's just begging to come to life on the TV. Edna, the cook for Lady Hardcastle, is an awful gossip. She knows everything that's going on and spreads it around the village like a virus. She doesn't mean any harm and otherwise she's nice enough. She's not a nasty gossip, just likes to chat. Hooray Lady Farley-Stroud and Sir Hector have time to socialize. I adore them both. She's a force of nature and he's such a dear, absent-minded man. The "girls" (hounds) are very sweet and clever. Sir Hector was once a Cider Warden and he knows a lot more about the inner workings than anyone else. He is able to provide some insight into the power structure and how the organization is run but no real gossip about the people. He's reluctant to rejoin because he didn't like the corruption and machinations.
As always, Inspector Sunderland is lovely and respects Lady Hardcastle and Flo very much. He enjoys their company socially as well. I appreciate that he appreciates their help. Dr. Simeon Gosling, the police surgeon, is a kind man as well and appreciates a strong female but he doesn't really understand women very well. He's engaged to Dinah Caudle, a newspaper reporter who prefers to report on real news- like murder. I forgot about her and when she appears on the scene, I felt a little bit confused because we already had Daisy and Cissy as part of the team and now Dinah. She seems nice enough but a little too eager for a scoop.
We meet a LOT of new people as well. Claud Cridland, the first victim, was a nice man. He was the dairy farmer and looked after the apple orchards for the local cider. They say he was never the same after he lost his wife but he seems to be carrying on with life just the same. His death was very sad and a real tragedy. Abel Mattick, cider maker, is first on the scene to report the death. Then he disappears before the police arrive. This seems very suspicious to me. I think he killed the apple farmer for some reason. Maybe Claud raised prices on the apples? Or something personal? They were both Weryers though and that makes Claud's death extra suspicious. Abel isn't the most friendly person and he doesn't seem to be mourning his colleague's death at all.
Who is Miss Grace Chamberlain? Where did she come from and why has she arrived in Littleton Cottrell just as someone ends up murdered? As Emily and Flo try to run her down, Grace just won't stay and chat. She's very quiet and clams up whenever the ladies try to use their charm to get her to open up. They suspect she might be the murderer. She certainly acts suspicious.
Moses Peppard, cooper and Weryer, was spotted on his bicycle near the orchard before dawn around the time the murder is believed to have occured. Does that make him a suspect or a witness? He claims Claud Cridland was wishy-washy and couldn't make up his mind. He would have been a terrible leader of the Weryers. I think they could have given him a chance and see if he stepped up. Is Moses throwing shade on Claud on purpose? Peppard is said to be plain speaking but I didn't find him too harsh or blunt. He provided the right information for Emily and Flo to try to put clues together. At least he was honest. Or was he? Did he murder Cridland because they were both vying for the same position in the organization- the chief position, the High Protector? Sir Hector Farley-Stround did say there was too much behind-the-scenes drama for his liking. Peppard and Cridland recently had a falling out so it sounds like Peppard could be a top suspect. I hope he's not the murderer. He seems lovely. He's kind to Emily and Flo and takes time out of his busy day to speak with them openly. Sure he's a ladies man but nothing suggests his relationships are not consensual.
Cornelius Starks, the head of Weryers, is retiring soon. He acts like a dull, buffonish solicitor but is it his real personality or just an act? Did he not want to retire and give up his spot to someone else? Did he not like Claud Cridland for some reason? I think he's too British male to have murdered anyone. He's the type who laughs at his own jokes and thinks his knowledge is superior to anyone's even though he's never traveled anywhere or done anything the way Lady Hardcastle and Flo have done.
Another Weryer who probably isn't a suspect is Griffith Uzzle, landlord of the Mock of Pommey pub in the village of Woodworthy. He's an absentee landlord, shady businessman and hen-pecked husband. His wife is nice enough when she thinks Emily and Flo are customers but snippy and rude to them and to Cissy when they come around again to gossip with Cissy. She seems to have dual personalities. She runs the pub and her household! Archie Rogers probably didn't do it either. He's a weak man with a secret. He's eager to confess all and his secret isn't such a big one as murder, unless he's using the small secret to cover up a larger one. He knows Lehane and Gregory were up to no good and what wouldn't they do to get what they wanted?
NOT a Weryer but wants to be is Pat Swanton. He holds the Weryers a grudge since they rejected him. Speficially Cridland, Peppard and Mattick voted against Swanton. Did Mr. Swanton suddenly snap and murder someone because they voted against allowing him in the secret society? He seems a bit snippy about them but Daisy says he's decent so I trust her judgment.
This is one tough case to crack. Emily and Flo miss a few clues and a few steps along the way but they'll get there in the end, of course.
I love this series and I was thrilled to catch up with the ladies and can't wait to see what they get up to next.
July 1911 - Summer in Little Cottrell is hot, hot hot and Lady Hardcastle suggests she and Flo take time off to relax. The harvest home is coming up and Lady Farley-Stroud wants Flo to come up with an idea for the dinner. While visiting the local pub for some cider, the ladies discover the outside tables are packed but inside is empty. The inside tables are reserved for a meeting of the Weryers of the Pomary, a (not so) secret benevolent society and no outsiders are allowed to even be inside around their meeting times. The ladies head home to enjoy the evening alone. They are shocked when their cook, Edna, announces the next morning there has been a murder-a stabbing! Claud Cridland, one of the Weryers (Cider Wardens) was stabbled in his own orchard and left against a tree with an apple in his mouth! Sargeant Dobson needs the ladies to come out and begin investigating while he waits for Inspector Sunderland and Dr. Gosling to arrive. Sure enough, it was murder and Claud was deliberately dragged to that spot. Who could have done such a thing? Did it have to do with the Weryers? Emily thinks so but can't find any proof right away. As the ladies set out to solve the mystery, they find no less than 12 suspects- 11 remaining wardens and 1 strange woman poking around. When someone else turns up dead, Emily and Flo are nearly certain the murders are related but evidence is difficult to come by. Can they find out who did these terrible deeds before someone else ends up dead?
This book took me 3 days to read because it's so long. 12 suspects is about 8 too many. It drags the story out and goes nowhere. I never guessed whodunit but I did guess what it was about and how Grace was involved. I thought Flo should have reasoned it out sooner. I won't reprimand her because she feels bad enough already. There are also too many murders in this story for my liking but other than that, I enjoyed catching up with Emily and Flo.
I am so happy this book takes place in the country again, near where it all began. Geopolitical events are all very well but I prefer a good English country village story. Being back in Littleton Cottrell feels so familiar, like coming home and seeing old friends for the reader as well as for Emily and Flo. Newcomers to the series can read this as a standalone but I think it works better if you at least read the first book. References are made to previous events, including the village fair the other day (The Fatal Flying Affair) and Lady Farley-Stroud's picture show. I love this picture of village life where everyone knows everyone. I wouldn't want to live there but reading about it in a time gone by is charming. I can easily picture the villages and the pubs, the orchard, the cidery and the characters. T.E. Kinsey is a very visual writer and I love that. I want to feel like I'm there.
Emily and Flo are gaining quite the reputation and now everyone recognizes them either by sight or by name/reputation. Their secret government work seems to be common knowledge but the villagers swear they'll never tell. Riigghtt... Lady Hardcastle, now officially younger than I am, may have been considered elderly by early 20th-century standards but she's young at heart. I absolutely adore her. Her tendency to get names wrong annoyed me at first but then I realized she was doing it to needle Flo. Emily is never serious and always lively - just don't wake her up before she's ready and don't bother her before she's had her coffee and toast. (She sounds like me). Emily is the young one in the partnership! Flo is much more serious for all she's a good two decades younger. The pair have a sisterly relationship where Emily pushes Flo to lighten up by constantly teasing her. Emily also enjoys annoying villains but never fear, it's all an act. Their witty banter is so much fun. I want more!
The villagers are all here! Hooray! I love Daisy, the barmaid at the Dog and Duck pub. She's a lot of fun and a good friend for Flo because she balances out Flo's more serious nature. Daisy also is country born and bred and Flo can't tell a dahlia from a zinnia so that leads to some teasing. Flo can handle it. Daisy is energetic, youthful and fun. She's also a big gossip. She hears everything that goes on in the village and repeats it to Emily and Flo. In her own way, she's a part of the investigative team. Cissy, the dairyman's daughter, is as well. Like Daisy, she also works as a barmaid and since her dad and her boss are both Weryers, she knows a lot about them. I kept getting confused though between the two girls. Having two barmaids is a bit too much. They sound alike too. Daisy's parents are a hoot. Her mother, Eunice, is the more outgoing of the pair and loves to talk but not gossip about past events that don't seem relevant today. Mr. Spratt likes his family to see him as important so he enjoys gossipping about the Weryers but he doesn't seem to know anything important about them that will lead to catching the killer. Eunice might but she's not telling.
Old Joe, the pub landlord, is a hoot. I can picture him bald and toothless stumbling around the orchard trying to figure out what's going on with his fellow Cider Wardens when something isn't right; hosting games on the village green and complaining a lot. He's just begging to come to life on the TV. Edna, the cook for Lady Hardcastle, is an awful gossip. She knows everything that's going on and spreads it around the village like a virus. She doesn't mean any harm and otherwise she's nice enough. She's not a nasty gossip, just likes to chat. Hooray Lady Farley-Stroud and Sir Hector have time to socialize. I adore them both. She's a force of nature and he's such a dear, absent-minded man. The "girls" (hounds) are very sweet and clever. Sir Hector was once a Cider Warden and he knows a lot more about the inner workings than anyone else. He is able to provide some insight into the power structure and how the organization is run but no real gossip about the people. He's reluctant to rejoin because he didn't like the corruption and machinations.
As always, Inspector Sunderland is lovely and respects Lady Hardcastle and Flo very much. He enjoys their company socially as well. I appreciate that he appreciates their help. Dr. Simeon Gosling, the police surgeon, is a kind man as well and appreciates a strong female but he doesn't really understand women very well. He's engaged to Dinah Caudle, a newspaper reporter who prefers to report on real news- like murder. I forgot about her and when she appears on the scene, I felt a little bit confused because we already had Daisy and Cissy as part of the team and now Dinah. She seems nice enough but a little too eager for a scoop.
We meet a LOT of new people as well. Claud Cridland, the first victim, was a nice man. He was the dairy farmer and looked after the apple orchards for the local cider. They say he was never the same after he lost his wife but he seems to be carrying on with life just the same. His death was very sad and a real tragedy. Abel Mattick, cider maker, is first on the scene to report the death. Then he disappears before the police arrive. This seems very suspicious to me. I think he killed the apple farmer for some reason. Maybe Claud raised prices on the apples? Or something personal? They were both Weryers though and that makes Claud's death extra suspicious. Abel isn't the most friendly person and he doesn't seem to be mourning his colleague's death at all.
Who is Miss Grace Chamberlain? Where did she come from and why has she arrived in Littleton Cottrell just as someone ends up murdered? As Emily and Flo try to run her down, Grace just won't stay and chat. She's very quiet and clams up whenever the ladies try to use their charm to get her to open up. They suspect she might be the murderer. She certainly acts suspicious.
Moses Peppard, cooper and Weryer, was spotted on his bicycle near the orchard before dawn around the time the murder is believed to have occured. Does that make him a suspect or a witness? He claims Claud Cridland was wishy-washy and couldn't make up his mind. He would have been a terrible leader of the Weryers. I think they could have given him a chance and see if he stepped up. Is Moses throwing shade on Claud on purpose? Peppard is said to be plain speaking but I didn't find him too harsh or blunt. He provided the right information for Emily and Flo to try to put clues together. At least he was honest. Or was he? Did he murder Cridland because they were both vying for the same position in the organization- the chief position, the High Protector? Sir Hector Farley-Stround did say there was too much behind-the-scenes drama for his liking. Peppard and Cridland recently had a falling out so it sounds like Peppard could be a top suspect. I hope he's not the murderer. He seems lovely. He's kind to Emily and Flo and takes time out of his busy day to speak with them openly. Sure he's a ladies man but nothing suggests his relationships are not consensual.
Cornelius Starks, the head of Weryers, is retiring soon. He acts like a dull, buffonish solicitor but is it his real personality or just an act? Did he not want to retire and give up his spot to someone else? Did he not like Claud Cridland for some reason? I think he's too British male to have murdered anyone. He's the type who laughs at his own jokes and thinks his knowledge is superior to anyone's even though he's never traveled anywhere or done anything the way Lady Hardcastle and Flo have done.
Another Weryer who probably isn't a suspect is Griffith Uzzle, landlord of the Mock of Pommey pub in the village of Woodworthy. He's an absentee landlord, shady businessman and hen-pecked husband. His wife is nice enough when she thinks Emily and Flo are customers but snippy and rude to them and to Cissy when they come around again to gossip with Cissy. She seems to have dual personalities. She runs the pub and her household! Archie Rogers probably didn't do it either. He's a weak man with a secret. He's eager to confess all and his secret isn't such a big one as murder, unless he's using the small secret to cover up a larger one. He knows Lehane and Gregory were up to no good and what wouldn't they do to get what they wanted?
NOT a Weryer but wants to be is Pat Swanton. He holds the Weryers a grudge since they rejected him. Speficially Cridland, Peppard and Mattick voted against Swanton. Did Mr. Swanton suddenly snap and murder someone because they voted against allowing him in the secret society? He seems a bit snippy about them but Daisy says he's decent so I trust her judgment.
This is one tough case to crack. Emily and Flo miss a few clues and a few steps along the way but they'll get there in the end, of course.
I love this series and I was thrilled to catch up with the ladies and can't wait to see what they get up to next.
April 13, 2023
I delight in each of these mysteries. So cute and often funny.
November 13, 2022
Lady Hardcastle and Flo are called to the apple orchard where the owner is found stabbed through the heart with an apple stuck in his mouth. Before long more weird murders happen, there is an ancient order, a 20 year old mystery that may be related to the recent events, all good stuff.
Don't know is it me or is this book unusually bloody for the series, but there are quite a few murder victims and also some potential victims, including our main characters. I had a blast reading this as usual. My only criticism is that the killer was very much unhinged and the whole motive was strange, that's all I'll say. But it was a fun entry for the series, I always look forward to reading more books in it.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Don't know is it me or is this book unusually bloody for the series, but there are quite a few murder victims and also some potential victims, including our main characters. I had a blast reading this as usual. My only criticism is that the killer was very much unhinged and the whole motive was strange, that's all I'll say. But it was a fun entry for the series, I always look forward to reading more books in it.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
I don't really enjoy this amount of fluffiness, but trying to find Kindle Unlimited mysteries to finish off my subscription before end of month.
Fair to middlin' silliness with some rather brutal behavior for "country murders" the ladies can somehow manage beyond the talents of the local policing force.
Kindle Unlimited
Fair to middlin' silliness with some rather brutal behavior for "country murders" the ladies can somehow manage beyond the talents of the local policing force.
Kindle Unlimited
May 1, 2023
Taking a light, breezy tone throughout, T E Kinsey's eighth entry in the Lady Hardcastle series sees Lady Hardcastle and her ever intrepid lady's maid Flo taking it easy after their last case, when they see a stranger, young woman, come to town whose abrupt manner intrigues the women. The next day, one of the members of the local cider-related organization turns up dead. Knowing there's no hope of the women not getting involved, the Scotland Yard investigator ropes them in, asking them to use their connections within the village, and any others they find along the way, to help figure out who killed the man. This swiftly turns into multiple murders, increasing the urgency that a solution be found.
This is my first Lady Hardcastle mystery. It's a bit of a weird place to start--book 8--but I liked it. Both women have unconventional backgrounds, which they use to figure out motives and get out of situations. Also, the author actually misled me into looking at the wrong person as the murderer, which I appreciated, as most cozies are super easy to figure out. There's also a sense of humour to the interactions between Flo and Lady Hardcastle that kept things moving along well. I can well empathize with Flo's discomfort with Lady Hardcastle's bombing down the roads, and liked the banter throughout the book. I'll have to check out their earlier adventures as this was pleasantly diverting.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
This is my first Lady Hardcastle mystery. It's a bit of a weird place to start--book 8--but I liked it. Both women have unconventional backgrounds, which they use to figure out motives and get out of situations. Also, the author actually misled me into looking at the wrong person as the murderer, which I appreciated, as most cozies are super easy to figure out. There's also a sense of humour to the interactions between Flo and Lady Hardcastle that kept things moving along well. I can well empathize with Flo's discomfort with Lady Hardcastle's bombing down the roads, and liked the banter throughout the book. I'll have to check out their earlier adventures as this was pleasantly diverting.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 12, 2025
It is always great fun to spend some time in the English country village of Littleton Cotterell with Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong. You can count on them for a spot of tea and a spot of trouble.
In the hot summer of 1911, there is something suspicious happening with the apple harvest. Never fear Lady Hardcastle and Flo are there to sort it out, but not before things go a bit awry.
This is a fun series which I am glad to recommend.
In the hot summer of 1911, there is something suspicious happening with the apple harvest. Never fear Lady Hardcastle and Flo are there to sort it out, but not before things go a bit awry.
This is a fun series which I am glad to recommend.
May 11, 2022
Lady Hardcastle and her maid, the small but mighty Florence Armstrong, are back with more tales of derring-do! There’s no rest for this duo, even during the stifling heatwave of 1911. A mysterious death in the middle of an apple orchard brings out Inspector Sunderland, and he’s quick to call for the help of his favorites, Lady Hardcastle and Flo. The ensuing string of murders around Littleton Cotterell leads to a case rife with symbolism and replete with danger. Another must-read in this series from T.E. Kinsey!
June 28, 2022
I love this series! It's a cosy mystery extravaganza! Very funny and very heart-warming. Highly recommended 🤗
June 28, 2022
T.E. Kinsey does it again! Once more, this little romp with Lady Hardcastle and Flo was delightful. Their friendly and teasing banter is of course the best part of the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and little mystery of this one too. I liked to see Miss Caudle back with the ladies again as well! This is a must read for any fans of the rest of the series, and well, if people haven't gotten on the Lady H and Flo bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for?!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2022
I enjoy all of the books but felt this one moved quite a bit slower - just drinking tea and hot cocoa (in a heat wave??) and periodically taking the car out to talk to someone. The first time they saw the ritual in the orchard they left when they stopped speaking in old English - did not stay afterwards when they might have picked up something. None of the Weryers themselves seemed worried about getting murdered? Tracking all of the men in the Weryers was cumbersome, the one gentleman bedding every farm wife round which added nothing to the story??? In previous books they use more of their skills than this one Don't worry I will keep reading
September 5, 2022
The books in this series are normally my guilty pleasure, bit not this one. The witty dialogue seemed forced, the plot devices were stretched and I just kept getting annoyed with it. I'm not going to give spoilers, but a lot of things that happened were just ridiculous, even for this series.
I am hoping that the next book is back on form.
I am hoping that the next book is back on form.
June 2, 2022
It's 1911 in the English countryside and the hottest one anyone can remember. The people of the small market town of Littleton Cotterell are planning for an early harvest and the obligatory Harvest Festival. As usual, Lady Hardcastle and her maid/sidekick/friend Flo Armstrong are knee-deep in the planning, whether they want to be or not. They stroll down to the local pub one hot evening and find everyone at tables outside. When they go inside to order, they find a group of men gathered. These are the " Weryers of The Pomary" or the Cider Wardens. The organization has been around for hundreds of years, doing "good works" and holding much sway in the area. Lady Hardcastle and Flo think it to be just another eccentric feature of rural life. Until the next day, they learn that one of the Wardens has been murdered. When Wardens are murdered, one by one, their friend, Inspector Sunderland, asks them to become involved. They soon find that much more is going on than is ever mentioned in "polite" conversation. Those unmentioned things nearly get them killed.
Rotten To The Core is delightful, full of humor, and clever repartee. I always know I will be immersed in a few hours of pure enjoyment. A quote from Agatha Christie, "In an English village, you turn over a stone and have no idea what will crawl out," always comes to mind when reading this series. T.E. Kinsey owes much to Miss Marple, but Lady Hardcastle and Flo are much more fun. The characters, like their friend, Daisy the barmaid, Inspector Sunderland, and the Farley-Strouds add an extra bit of laughter to the mix. I highly recommend starting with the first in the series, A Quiet Life in the Country, to discover more about Lady Hardcastle and Flo's adventures in the years before the country life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.
June 11, 2022
Lady Hardcastle and her assistant Florence have an interesting history. They work for the British government every now and then. They have traveled the world together. Actually, they were escaping danger at the time. And surprisingly, they also investigate for the police department every now and then.
The ladies live in a village populated by wonderful characters. And they all add a great deal to the fabric of each story.
A dead body is found. The man was a member of an ancient society. He was also considered to be a very good man. No one would want to murder him, would they?
When there is another body, the investigation gets even more intense.
But, there is no rhyme or reason to the case. The list of suspects seems to grow with every question asked and answered.
This is a wonderful story. There is humor and mystery. The reader is given all the information as the story moves along. The journey to the solution is filled with fully formed characters and exciting events..
The villagers all admire Lady Hardcastle and Florence. They easily provide answers to any questions.
This book is part of a series. I believe complete enjoyment requires reading every book. But, each book can be read as a stand alone read.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
The ladies live in a village populated by wonderful characters. And they all add a great deal to the fabric of each story.
A dead body is found. The man was a member of an ancient society. He was also considered to be a very good man. No one would want to murder him, would they?
When there is another body, the investigation gets even more intense.
But, there is no rhyme or reason to the case. The list of suspects seems to grow with every question asked and answered.
This is a wonderful story. There is humor and mystery. The reader is given all the information as the story moves along. The journey to the solution is filled with fully formed characters and exciting events..
The villagers all admire Lady Hardcastle and Florence. They easily provide answers to any questions.
This book is part of a series. I believe complete enjoyment requires reading every book. But, each book can be read as a stand alone read.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
April 15, 2022
An unrelenting heat wave and a series of murders come to the village of Littleton Cotterell, home to Lady Emily Hardcastle and her ‘tiny servant,’ Florence Armstrong. Their old friend Inspector Sunderland enlists their help to solve the murders, which naturally they are only too happy to provide.
At the center of the story is the not-so-secret secret society, the Weryers of Pomary, a group of men who oversee the cider harvest while also being upstanding citizens and performing odd rituals in orchards, a custom dating back to the 1700s. When first one, then two more, Weryers are found dead in macabre circumstances, Emily and Flo try to suss out what’s going on. Are these murders motivated by jealous husbands, or is something more sinister and deep-rooted afoot? Who is the mysterious young woman recently arrived to the village, also interested in the Weryers, and how is she connected? Most importantly, will the locals survive the heat wave, and how many cups of tea (or cider) will it take to sustain them?
This series is always a light and humorous read. The banter between Emily and Flo is intrinsic to the enjoyment of Kinsey’s writing, and familiar, recurring characters add to the fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity and and review this book.
At the center of the story is the not-so-secret secret society, the Weryers of Pomary, a group of men who oversee the cider harvest while also being upstanding citizens and performing odd rituals in orchards, a custom dating back to the 1700s. When first one, then two more, Weryers are found dead in macabre circumstances, Emily and Flo try to suss out what’s going on. Are these murders motivated by jealous husbands, or is something more sinister and deep-rooted afoot? Who is the mysterious young woman recently arrived to the village, also interested in the Weryers, and how is she connected? Most importantly, will the locals survive the heat wave, and how many cups of tea (or cider) will it take to sustain them?
This series is always a light and humorous read. The banter between Emily and Flo is intrinsic to the enjoyment of Kinsey’s writing, and familiar, recurring characters add to the fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity and and review this book.
April 19, 2022
Lady Hardcastle and her plucky Ladies maid are two of my all time favourites. I seriously adore this series and upon every review, I always send a silent plea to the author to never stop writing these! I could read them forever. And reread them too! They are the greatest of historical murder mysteries and whodunnits and I absolutely adore all the characters that I’ve come to know and love over the course of reading this series.
This one hit all the right marks, as they consistently do. I can be pretty much guaranteed enjoyment and entertainment with the Lady Hardcastle books and this one was a fab addition. They are so dependable to rely on as a pick me up, make me smile and give me a good laugh. Again, I never tire of reading them!
Rotten to the Core sees Lady Hardcastle and Flo thrust into the world of cider making, with the illustrious Weryers of Pomary. There’s murders aplenty, mysterious going’s in and a new face in town. I always enjoy seeing Lady H and Flo work together and they are such a dynamic duo. As ever, I can’t wait to read more!
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
This one hit all the right marks, as they consistently do. I can be pretty much guaranteed enjoyment and entertainment with the Lady Hardcastle books and this one was a fab addition. They are so dependable to rely on as a pick me up, make me smile and give me a good laugh. Again, I never tire of reading them!
Rotten to the Core sees Lady Hardcastle and Flo thrust into the world of cider making, with the illustrious Weryers of Pomary. There’s murders aplenty, mysterious going’s in and a new face in town. I always enjoy seeing Lady H and Flo work together and they are such a dynamic duo. As ever, I can’t wait to read more!
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
May 7, 2022
Old sins cast long shadows in T E Kinsey's latest Lady Hardcastle mystery, "Rotten to the Core." In the midst of preparations for a harvest festival, a local man is found dead in an orchard. Lady Hardcastle and her more-than-a-maid Flo are called upon to investigate. They find a benevolent society with some odd rituals, a tourist/newcomer who picks some odd local sites to visit, and more than one motive for murder.
Flo and Emily are back with the sharp skills and witty banter that we've come to expect and love. There are red herrings and suspects galore in this outing, indeed, maybe a few too many. But Flo and Emily persevere, and solve the case in time to enjoy cider at the festival.
I always enjoy spending time in Littleton Cottrell, and this book is no exception.
If you like an egalitarian aristocrat with an amazing jill-of-all-trades sidekick, pick up this series now!
I received an advance copy from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Flo and Emily are back with the sharp skills and witty banter that we've come to expect and love. There are red herrings and suspects galore in this outing, indeed, maybe a few too many. But Flo and Emily persevere, and solve the case in time to enjoy cider at the festival.
I always enjoy spending time in Littleton Cottrell, and this book is no exception.
If you like an egalitarian aristocrat with an amazing jill-of-all-trades sidekick, pick up this series now!
I received an advance copy from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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