This series just does not disappoint!

I was excited to see the next book in the series, Lady Hardcastle Mysteries, because I have read and loved every one of the books. This is a mystery series set between 1908-1911 in the small fictional English village of Littleton Cotterell. The investigative duo of Emily, Lady Hardcastle, and her lady’s maid, Florence Armstrong are two of the most delightful and comical duos I have ever had the pleasure of “meeting.” I say meeting because they are so finely developed, that I feel as if I know them—and that they are real people.

The story is told from the point of view of Flo. She and Lady Emily have worked together all over the world for many years as British secret agents. They are both intelligent, independent, and very capable of taking care of themselves. They have semi-retired to this small village filled with hilarious characters and despite Lady Emily’s title and privileged background, she is down-to-earth, likeable, and kind. Over the three years they have lived in Littleton Cotterell, they have been involved in helping the local Inspector solve several murder cases. He too is a likeable character and instead of resenting Flo’s and Lady Emily’s involvement in his cases, he respects their talents and asks for their help in solving this newest case of murder. The murder victim is a member of a secret society of local businessmen involved in works of charity. Before long, there are more murders, but Flo and Lady Emily are integral in the investigation. I thought I had the murderer solved early in the book, but…..

The absolute best part of the book (and series) is the relationship between Lady Emily and Flo. Ostensibly, they are a titled lady and her maid, but in reality, they are equals. Lady Emily thinks of Flo as her dearest friend, and Flo is comfortable enough with their friendship that she teases Lady Emily mercilessly. Their banter is some of the funniest and most clever dialogue I have read. It just doesn’t get old! They are just delightful and charming! I honestly hope there will be many more books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#RottentotheCore #NetGalley

Thanks to a dear friend, Flo and Lady Hardcastle have become a must-read duo for me; which is incredible because cozy mystery is not a genre I normally look to for reads. Nonetheless, the banter and delightful relationship between this maid and lady has enraptured me. Their latest escapade within the realm of local orchards and townspeople did not disappoint. Another round of dead bodies, question trails, mysterious people, local gossip, town skeletons, small village day-to-day shenanigans, pints in the pub, and rounds of tea and scones kept me engaged for an afternoon. Yes, I finished this in one sitting because once you step Lady Harcastle's home and world, it is hard to leave.

I found this an absolutely delightful read. The dialogue and witty banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo were a highlight. Very cozy and pleasing adventure!

I love a cozy crime and I know for most people this genre doesn’t set the world alight. But for me it’s pure escapism that is well written and reads so easily. Liked it so much am going to look into getting the series in audiobook.

Yet another fun adventure with Lady Hardcastle and her sidekick/lady's maid, Flo Armstrong. If you liked the previous installments, you'll like this one, too. It's a reliable cozy series. There isn't anything here that'll make you think, but it's certainly a fun romp!

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.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of Rotten to the Core, the eighth novel to feature Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence Armstrong, set in the fictional Gloucester village of Littleton Cotterell in 1911.

A local farmer is found stabbed to death with an apple in his mouth in his orchard. Inspector Sunderland enlists the help of Lady Hardcastle and Flo to investigate the local connection, but they hardly started when another body is found. Both men were members of a secretive local order and the ladies are suspicious of a stranger to the village who seems to have an interest in the order.

I thoroughly enjoyed Rotten to the Core, which is a fun read that made me laugh. The plot is silly and inventive as I’ve come to expect from the series and held my attention throughout.

The novel is told from Flo’s first person point of view and she she has a strong voice, both opinionated in a good way and slightly caustic on her fellow man. She is ostensibly a lady’s maid, but she and Lady Hardcastle are best friends and equals in their investigating, possibly due to their murky pasts as government operatives, ok, spies. I love the hints the author drops about their past activities, each one more outrageous than the one before. He must have so much fun thinking them up. They bicker constantly and much of the humour derives from this.

The plot jogs along at a steady pace with bodies and small discoveries breaking up the humorous dialogue. As ever, the ladies do not as much solve the crime, as fall into the solution serendipitously. This is not a failing in the novel but, rather, more situational comedy and it’s done cleverly. On a more serious note the mystery is good and I would never have guessed the perpetrator or why.

Rotten to the Core is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

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!

Rotten to the ore
By T. E. Kinsey

Lady Hardcastle and Flo are back at it, this time delving into the mysterious society of the Cider Guards. Kinsey has continued the antics of the lady and her maid, letting us in on more of what makes each of them tick as they solve murders happening in their quiet(!?!) neck of the English countryside. The characters are well developed and very approachable, both the toffs and the working class. This is a fresh take on the local citizenry helping out the constabulary - no animosity, although that may be because of Lady Hardcastle’s and Flo’s previous life of being in His Majesty’s Service as intelligence agents for the empire.

Kinsey has a way of weaving a mystery that is easy to read, yet convoluted enough to keep the reader interested in figuring out whodunnit. He does not drop a suspect in at the last moment, only to have him or her be the culprit. The clues are all there; you just have to be paying attention.

I love this series. TE Kinsey has paired the key characters, Lady Hardcastle and Flo, so well that it is an effortless read when one joins them on their various capers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of this story revolving as it did around the production of cider and the ancient order of the Weryers. I did find the motive behind the murders a bit of a stretch and the acceptance of Lady H's and Flo's questioning of all and sundry, by those interviewed and the police, a bit of a stretch. They also just seemed to be a little slow on the uptake at times.

There is an incident regarding a local and a 'lift' in Lady Hardcastle's vehicle that had me literally laughing out loud. Thank you!

So this one is FOUR out of five for me. I look forward to reading the next in this whodunnit, fun series.

With thanks to #Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author for my Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this series of books by T E Kinsey. The plots are always well drawn out and just when you think you have solved the mystery, the author throws a curved ball. I am particularly fond of the period this is set in, but also the are. Having worked in Bristol for over 20 years I know many of the places mentioned and can really visualize what is going on. I just hope that the author keeps writing these wonderful books.

T E Kinsey’s new novel is Rotten to the Core, featuring Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid, Flo. There is another murder close to home; a local apple farmer that Emily and Flo saw in the village pub during the previous evening.

Like all the other Netgalley reviewers so far, I love Tim Kinsey’s novels. I think he has written some of the most enjoyable books of the last ten years or so. They are light; entertaining; and very accurate indeed, historically speaking. This one has a lovely line of dialogue, where Flo says “The mysterious stranger is always a red herring” and I think the climax is superb.

However, I felt the novel as a whole wasn’t up to the author’s usual very high standard. Everyone accepts Emily and Flo tagging along with Inspector Sunderland and/or Dr Gosling and, indeed, poking around and asking nosy questions. No-one queries what right these two women have to intrude. Realistically, how likely is it that a doctor would ask Emily and Flo if they’d like to see the dead body because “I know you take a keen interest in these things”? And that’s my problem: the women sail in and everyone opens their doors and tells them stuff. I recognise that there needs to be interaction and explanation in order to progress the plot, but in Rotten to the Core, it’s all far too simple and unrealistic. That dissonant note prevents the reader from feeling they’re a full participant, looking over Flo’s shoulder.

Sorry. I’m still delighted the publisher offered me an early copy of the book in exchange for a review – thank you, Amazon Publishing – and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the book, but it’s just not up to Kinsey’s usual cracking standard.

#RottentotheCore #NetGalley

Once again another wonderful outing for Lady Hardcastle and Flo. These stories do not get old and I love hearing the exploits of their previous life if only in snap shots. I loved the setting of the murders based around Cider as this meant more hilarious car journeys at the hands of Lewis Hamilton oops sorry I mean Lady Hardcastle. Please continue with this series but also how about a throwback where we actually get to read about their exploits* travelling the world.

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.

Lady Hard castle and Florence are asked to assist the police when a local man is found murdered in his apple orchard. Another fun entry in this series!

In the village of Littleton Cotterell, Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong, her ladies maid, were enjoying some quiet time. But their peace was short lived by the murder of a farmer in his apple orchard. He belonged to a "secret" society, Weryers of Pomary, who were cider wardens and did charitable works. Inspector Sunderland was in charge and asked for help from Lady Hardcastle and Flo, because they had been of assistance on other cases of his. When more deaths occurred within the Weryers group and a mysterious young woman had arrived around the same time, it became evident that much more information on all parties concerned needed to be gotten to find the culprit.
A quick, charming and humorous cozy British mystery with eccentric villagers and a mystery soon solved by Lady Hardcastle and Miss Armstrong.
Thank you NetGalley for this e-galley of "Rotten to the Core".

I enjoyed this.. i hadn’t read any other books in the series but I liked that the author did not spoil them when the author referred to other stories. The period detail was done with care. I appreciated all the characters - big and small, ypu could understand and sympathise withthem.

A Rotten Apple…
The eighth Lady Hardcastle mystery finds a heatwave of uncommon proportions descend upon Littleton Cotterell and with it an unseasonably early harvest. Bizarrely, a series of apple related deaths occur and it soon becomes clear that there’s a rotten apple amidst the residents of the town. Lady Hardcastle and Flo are soon on the case. Another enjoyable and engaging outing for the duo with an entertaining storyline and a colourful cast.

Love this series! One of my favorite cozy series to read. Enjoyed the ride throughout the book. Great plot and story. Can't wait to read more.

Having read many previous exploits of Lady Hardcastle and her lady's maid, Florence "Flo" Armstrong, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read and review this mystery.

Our lovely ladies are enduring an unseasonably hot summer while the town of Littleton Cotterell is preparing for an early harvest. The harvest is also a time of celebration in this area that is rich in apple orchards. Unfortunately for the people of Littleton Cotterell one of the local apple growers is found murdered early one morning. A motive seems to be lacking as he is one of the most well liked men in the area.

As the local constabulary are well acquainted with Lady Hardcastle and Flo, they know to ask them for a bit of help. While the ladies are searching for clues, it seems that the suspect list continues to grow.
Who is the mysterious young woman who is renting a room above the pub? What is her reason for being in the town of Littleton Cotterell, anyway?

The book is a delight. The characters are charming and interesting. I recommend reading the entire series.