Name: A Quiet Life in the Country
ISBN: 9781503938267

T. E. Kinsey

Revised edition: This edition of A Quiet Life In The Country includes editorial revisions.

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery

A Quiet Life in the Country

Lucia Correa

4 Stars for the audible edition. Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden. She did a fine job narrating the 40 year old widow, Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid and best friend, Florence Armstrong. 

This is a British cozy mystery that takes place in 1908. After leading an adventurous life, the two move to the countryside, hoping for peace and quiet. It doesn't last, as they find a dead body on their first morning walk and within a week, there is another mystery to solve (I don't want to spoil it). Although there are mysteries to solve, for me the most fun was their close friendship and humorous banter between the eccentric Hardcastle and the practical Armstrong. They blur convention and class lines between mistress and servant. We only get snippets of their past for much of the book. I almost wanted the past stories hinted about, rather than the present mystery.

The third main character, was the Inspector Sunderland. Unlike most mystery books, he allows them to sit in on his interviews and uses Flo's access to the "downstairs" to gather information. Hopefully, in the next book, we and the two MCs will get to meet Mrs. Sunderland.

This is a coziest of cozy mysteries. If you expect more, you maybe disappointed. But this is my cup of tea, so I enjoyed it. Its been awhile since I read one, so I think I missed it. Nevertheless, I plan to read the series but probably not binge. Small doses is probably best.

Mary Baldwin

If you love a no nonsense mystery with a rich setting and wonderful characters then this is for you!

The last book I read that was similar to how this sounded, was a real disappointment, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be letting myself in for more of the same.

“The Windsor Knot” started off jaunty and promising but that wasn’t enough to carry the plot. I was hoping that this mystery wouldn’t follow suit.

The moment I started “A quiet life in the country” it felt, cosy. It was very easy to become absorbed into the setting (1908) which is magnified through the characters dialogue and not through long winded descriptions of “the era” which I really enjoyed.

Lady Hardcastle makes the move from central London to a rural village in Gloucestershire and the dialects given across the characters are spectacular without being a distraction. I also admired the vocabulary used in the dialogue - again, not a distraction, but there were some “olde words” I had to look up on the Kindle!

When we meet Lady Hardcastle we also meet Flo. Flo is introduced as a ‘Lady’s Maid” but it’s instantly obvious from their interactions, that despite the employer/ee relationship the two are firm friends. 

After they move into their new village home, and we meet some of the locals, it’s not too long before a crime is discovered. The plot follows the solving of the crime, which although led by the local constabulary, it receives assistance from Lady Hardcastle and Flo thanks to their “interesting” past. 

Amanda Wells

I love a good cozy crime novel, and this one was lovely. The protagonists are unusual and charming, the mystery wasn't too complex, but not achingly obvious. The setting was believable, and I am left wanting more! 

Now I'm tempted to go and binge watch Miss Marple or Midsomer Murders... which isn't a bad thing!

Diptyalina Barman

Jayarna La Bozzetta

This was so so fun!!! Such a great cosy mystery, with some lovely humour too. Honestly this is like a mix of Miss Fisher and Miss Marple and I'm so here for it

A Quiet Life in the Country A Lady Hardcastle Mystery

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