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!
No comments:
Post a Comment