A Picture of Murder

A Picture of Murder
By: T. E. Kinsey
Amazon Publishing UK
4 stars

Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong are back and better than ever. This is the fourth book in the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series. The novel opens up on All Hallows’ Eve. Ghosts and ghouls are abound in Littleton, Cotterell. A film producer, Mr. Cheetham, and his film crew arrive at town, at the perfect time, to show their moving picture, The Witch’s Downfall. Things go awry though when one of the film’s actors is found dead and killed in the same manner as his character. Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong put their skills to use to try and solve the murders. But, are they looking for a supernatural being or a living person?

This novel is fun from start to finish. It is my favorite book in the Lady Hardcastle series. We meet old and new characters and each character is distinctive and unique. Ultimately, however, it is the repertoire between the characters that makes this novel so great. The interactions between Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong are particularly memorable. We also get a small glance at some of Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong’s secret past. This past seems to have prepared them for the sleuthing they do in the present. Their skills are sharp enough to captivate the police, who not only inform them on the progress on the case, but also encourage their help. Not only is the mystery solved at the end of the book, but we get a hint of a relationship in the making. Something fun to look forward to in the next book. I really enjoyed this book, and it was a entertaining October read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #APictureOfMurder

In the autumn of 1909, Ghosts and witches and things that go bump in the night have the whole village in a dither right as the film festival gets underway featuring a spooky moving picture about a vengeful witch. Lady Hardcastle and her ladies maid, Flo Armstrong, have their hands full as murders staged just like scenes from the movie leave them with another mystery to solve.

I enjoy the Lady Hardcastle mysteries for the fun turn of the century historical setting, for the lively, quirky characters of the eccentric lady and her maid who are a retired British spy team, and for the lively way the mysteries are presented in a blend of historical and cozy mystery.

Each book has Lady Hardcastle with a new hobby enthusiasm. In this case, she is practicing using her camera to make stop-action movies and hosting an early era moving picture film company of actors in her home for the village festival. I chuckled often at the quirky local villagers and the banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo.

The plot took its time with daily life in Lady Hardcastle's home, the village, and the goings on at the cinematic festival with the murders and their investigation coming along slowly. Inspector Sutherland is back as are Skins and his bandmate from earlier books A past issue from their espionage days comes up, but is left open to tease the reader a bit of what is to come of that.

There are several times when I caught things repeating themselves each time someone new came along and the characters can make the same exclamation like 'right you are' or the housekeeper calling everyone 'lover'. Just little niggles, but distracting.

The mystery kept me guessing until near the end and still, I didn't have the entire thing figured out right so got a surprise at the big reveal.

The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden is a repeat favorite and a splendid match for this series. She voices Lady H and Flo exceptionally well, but does a great job with class accents, both genders, and the pace and tone of the story. She captures a bit of sparkle to her voice that makes me think if I saw her characters it would be the equivalent of a twinkle in the eye.

All in all, it was another wonderful outing with a fun, eccentric pair of amateur detectives. The mystery had a great twist and I loved the seasonal theme that gave a light spooky feel at times without being scary. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries and early twentieth century England should give these a go.

My thanks to Brilliance audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

October 1909 has arrived and circumstances lead to Lady Hardcastle at Littleton Cotterell, hosting a group of film makers and actors. Their film The Witch’s Downfall, is being shown in the Village Hall but when one of the actors dies as in the film, Lady Hardcastle and her maid Florence Armstrong help Inspector Sunderland by investigating. We also get to hear about some of Lady Hardcastle and Florence's previous exploits.
A well-written enjoyable historical cozy mystery with some interesting characters

A group of actors and the director have come to town to show off a moving picture. It's a Halloween theme and the locals are all excited to see it. There is a religious group who is protesting the picture because it has a witch in it and it's evil with most of the actors dying. People try to ignore them. But when actors do start to die, they become part of the several prospects for murder...

Amazon Publishing UK and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published today.

Lady Hardcastle has the movie group at her house because the original place they were to stay had a fire. When the oldest actor is killed, she gets involved in the investigation. Her assistant, Armstrong, has a good mind and has worked with her before, so she's included.

Actors and actresses alike are dying like flies. Then the coroner's building burns down and he has no bodies left to examine cause of death. There's lots of gossip about past events, current arguments, and various clues that lead you down one road and then another. I had no clue who was doing all the killing.

This was good read with a very interesting twist to the tale. I really enjoyed Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong. They get along well but also have smart comments they make to each other. The two of them do ferret out the truth but they almost get killed doing it. You won't be bored by this mystery.

I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this latest in the Lady Hardcastle mystery series. I've enjoyed all of them and this one had a fun plot twist. All feature the unusual relationship between Emily Hardcastle and her friend/maid Flo. They've had an interesting past together and the quips and teasing in their dialogue is sparkling and playful. What fun reading!

An intriguing cozy, full of wonderful, whimsical characters. Lady Hardcastle has been asked a favour of from a friend. The friend's kitchen has burned down, just when she was playing hostess to a visiting film troupe. Lady Hardcastle instantly obliges, and with the help of her capable ladies maid Florence Armstrong, she makes the visitors welcome. Until one by one they are murdered. In the same way that their onscreen characters are killed. Our amateur sleuths then spring into action, but are perplexed by the murders. Nothing here is as it seems, everyone can kind of account for their whereabouts during the murders, or can they?
This is a delightful book, the first of this authors that I have read. It is the fourth book in the series and while the reader would benefit from reading the other books first, to get a bit more background of the characters, it's not really necessary. I recommend this book to all lovers of lighthearted crime novels.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I approached A Picture of Murder as a lover of cosy historical fiction and I found pretty much what I’d expect in this Edwardian whodunnit — something very frothy and folksy. It’s the fourth in the Lady Hardcastle mystery series and the first that I’ve read, but that didn’t matter, because it works well as a standalone. It’s a light-hearted and not-terribly credible romp through the Herefordshire countryside, where a visiting cast of a moving picture actors find themselves flung on Lady Hardcastle’s hospitality, and are bumped off one by one. It ends with a big twist. And that’s more or less what it has too offer. In that sense, it delivers.

The problem is that, for all that’s good about it, for me it falls just short of being a good book. The story is narrated by Lady Hardcastle’s/maid companion/fixer, and we learn early on that she and her employer have a complicated history in His Majesty’s service. There’s a diverse cast of characters, from the villagers to the visiting actors to the group of Bible-bashers protesting against the new development of moving pictures — but I didn’t feel that any off them were particularly well-developed. The villagers were simple-minded, the aristocracy overly jolly, the policemen bumbling, and the relationship between Armstrong and her employer felt far too flippant for the times, even allowing for the fact that the pair are deliberately set up as eccentric.

I did enjoy the plot, although the twist at the end stretched my credibility (and I was interested to see that the author’s note at the end conceded that the hook on which the plot was hung probably wouldn’t hold up). The conversation felt brittle in a sub-Wodehousian way, and I was reminded of Gilbert and Sullivan long before the first of several references to the Pirates of Penzance.

A Picture of Murder isn’t bad, by any means, and I feel a bit harsh giving it three stars (perhaps it was just shy of 3.5) . It’s just that it falls short in the key thing I look for in any murder mystery, which is believability and the ability to engage with well-rounded characters. Of course, that’s a personal thing and I'm sure many people will love it. I would certainly read more in the series, although there are authors whose approach to the genre whose books I would pick up first.

Hardcastle and karate kicking Armstrong and unlikely investigative pair but an awesome successful duo. Mistress and maid who are more friends than employer and employee, these two penetrates the darkest alley with their altogether fearsome combo. A mystery with a twisted and unexpected outcome. Interesting and curiously intriguing, a puzzle worth reading.

Kinsey is a contemporary male author writing in the style of golden age village cosies, and there are places where this is so arch that it feels more like twee pastiche than emulation - super camp! It's a fun, light read as a group of visiting moving pictures actors get murdered in bizarre ways, and our two eccentric women detect with aplomb. Don't expect social realism as this is an extremely hygienic view of early 20th century social relations, best to switch off your critical faculties and just enjoy.

Really enjoyed this book - a lot of fun to read and a unique puzzle and ending.
I generally dislike reading books written in the first person, but this book was a lot of fun and I just got to the stage that I couldn't put it down. The narrative style kept me interested throughout - I will certainly search out a lot more of these books to read.
Loved the period setting and enjoyed T E Kinsey bit of historical facts and fiction and the end of the book, this really makes the book come alive

4 stars

It is late in 1909 and the moving pictures are coming to Littleton Cotterell! It’s Halloween and the choice of films to be shown is timely. Mr. Nolan Cheatham is the director/producer and with him he has brought the three stars of his latest production, The Witches’ Downfall. After a fire in Lady Farley-Stroud’s kitchen, the four movie people are staying with Lady Emily Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong’s home. In spite of the Hughes’ protestors outside the church hall, there is a crowd for the viewing and it is a great success, as is Lady Hardcastle’s own Town Mouse and Country Mouse production.

On the morning following the entertainment, Sergeant Dobson shows up at the door of Emily and Florence’s home. He has bad news. Mr. Basil Newhouse, one of the actors staying at their home, was found murdered in the churchyard. The murder was staged to look like the murder of his character in the short film viewed the night before. The list of potential suspects is rather long. Inspector Suderland has come from Bristol to investigate the case. Emily and Flo know him from cases past and he appreciates their help.

Then actress Euphemia Selwood is found dead in the kitchen at Emily and Flo’s home. In her hand is a partially eaten apple, just like the character in the moving picture. Could it have been poisoned like in the film?

More deaths occur and the puzzling aspects of the case grow.

In a thoroughly surprising ending, the case is resolved by Emily and Flo.

I was excited to read more about Emily and Flo’s past adventures. This time it was how Emily was recruited and her and Roddy (her husband), adventuring in Shanghai and environs – with Flo’s assistance, of course. I find the characters of Emily and Flo entertaining with their banter and gently kidding one another. The book is well written with a few misspellings and minor typos. It is linearly plotted. The characters are interesting and engaging. I look forward to the next Lady Hardcastle and Flo adventure.

I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful novel for me to read, enjoy and review.

Thank you so much to Amazon UK for the eARC of the latest Lady Hardcastle mystery! I fell in love with Lady H and Armstrong when I listened to the first book last summer - I flew through the first three, and I was delighted to be back with the inhabitants of Chipping Bevington. Such a fun series for lovers of historical, cozy mysteries with spunky heroines.

Lady Hardcastle and Florence are back!

I usually dislike first person storylines however T E Kinsey is a really good writer and this proved to be another great murder mystery. I love this quick paced murder mystery series and would highly recommend them. I would recommend reading them in order as various characters reoccur. I was a bit disheartened that the Farley-Strouds didn't feature that much however it was still a good read.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you net Galley. I enjoyed this delightful historical cozy mystery very much. The characters are quirky and the story well paced. Strongly recommended.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of A Picture of Murder, the fourth novel set in 1909 to feature amateur sleuth Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence Armstrong.

Littleton Cotterill is gearing up for its first moving picture festival and through an unfortunate accident Lady Hardcastle is hosting the "film folk", director Nolan Cheetham and three of his cast. The film, The Witch's Downfall is mostly well received wih several notable exceptions so when a cast member is found dead in a manner echoing the film Lady Hardcastle and Flo are drafted in to help the hard pressed Inspector Sunderland.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Picture of Murder which is a light, frothy tale with a genuine mystery attached. It is narrated by Flo Armstrong so the reader sees everything through her eyes. She is a most unusual ladies maid so her tone is sardonic and amusing. I found myself caught up in both her narrative and the plot which held my interest from start to finish. I loved the period detail and the information about the fledgling movie industry is fascinating from the attitudes towards it to the mechanics of filming. I also admired Mr Kinsey's ingenuity in his plotting. It maybe requires a stretch of credulity but it fits the tone of the novel and made my jaw drop at its cleverness.

As I said Flo Armstrong is a very unusual ladies maid being more of a friend and confederate to Lady Hardcastle than a servant. I was interested to see Mr Kinsey expanding on some of their adventurous past which he has hinted at in previous novels. It adds to the fun of the read.

A Picture of Murder is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have been bouncing up and down for almost twelve months, waiting for the latest Lady Hardcastle book from the excellent T E Kinsey. The first three in the series (plus a Kindle short) are humourous, well researched and just effervesce with enjoyment. They are proper page-turners and I can tell that Mr Kinsey had as much fun writing them as I have reading them. If you doubt me, look at the sheer number of reviews on Amazon and see how many are positive.. Since Terry Pratchett switched off his word processor for the last time, T E LKinsey is the only contemporary novelist that I Google on a regular basis, hoping to see news of a new book.

Was it worth the wait? Yes, undoubtedly. Was it as good as the previous novels? Ummm... almost. I finished the book with a slight (and only a very slight) sense of dissatisfaction and I've been trying to work out why that was. Humour me whilst I recap... Lady Farley-Stroud (Gertie to those of us who know her) is hosting some film people (the director and some of the cast) when they come to the village to show their latest film. Sadly, Gertie's kitchen succumbs to a fire and Lady Hardcastle offers to house the exotic strangers instead. Gertie sends a couple of her staff to help - cue a most satisfying clash between Flo and the visiting maid.

The film, the Witch’s Downfall, is about a witch and shows several of her opponents coming to unfortunate ends. Equally unfortunately, the film people start dropping, one by one, in ways that echo the demise of the characters in the film. The murders are well handled and, although I had suspicions about whodunnit (yes, about three murders in – I am indeed slow on the uptake), I completely failed to guess the “howdunnit” – kudos to Kinsey.

One whole chapter is taken with Lady H and Armstrong explaining some of their back story. I think we fans pestered Mr Kinsey to do this and I can’t decide whether or not he should have listened to us. The previous books had oblique references to Flo and Emily’s past adventures but now we’ve had part of the history given in detail.

Lady H solves the mystery of the murders and some jeopardy is followed by a thoroughly enjoyable chase. The plot is excellent; the banter between Flo and Emily is possibly Kinsey’s best yet; the come-uppance is wonderful. Yet I was dissatisfied. Whilst I can believe many far-fetched aspects, e.g. the atypical mistress-servant relationship and the rough-house skills possessed by Flo, but I couldn’t believe Flo’s casual reaction to the sudden death of one victim: “Oh, for the love of… Not again.” I think that simply trampled through any suspense/atmosphere and reminded me I was reading a farce. It was just a step too far for me and so I've docked it a star. Also, the other books have been stand-alone but I think this one needed some prior knowledge of the characters and the set-up.

If you have read the other Lady Hardcastle books, you’ll buy this one anyway. If you haven’t read them yet, buy them (ALL of them); read them in order; then read this one.

I really liked this historical cozy mystery. It's fun to read and entertaining.
The cast of characters is likeable, the plot is sound and kept me guessing till the end.
It's well written and keep you hooked till the end.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley

This is the fourth book in the series.

A troupe of actors are in the village for a showing of their film The Witch's Downfall to celebrate Halloween. After a fire the actors end up staying with Lady Hardcastle and Flo. One by one the actors start turning up dead in ways that echo the film.

Lady Hardcastle and Flo are full of energy and fun and the supporting characters are likeable. Its a really enjoyable book.

The banter is what I enjoy in the Lady Hardcastle series by T.E. Kinsey, of which “A Picture of Murder” is a prime example. This time the local squires, the Farley-Strouds, have lost their kitchen in a fire, and so some guests -- a troop of actors and their movie-maker touting a “moving picture” -- have to be accommodated. Quickly, one of the actors turns up dead. Actors! They can’t be trusted for anything, even to staying alive. Remember this point. It’s important later.

As the bodies start to pile up and clues come together readers will get more of the story of how Emily Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong met. And how the spy business came about. Soon, familiar faces begin to populate the pages. What’s refreshing about these books is that the local constabulary (in the person of Sgt Dobson) realizes that Lady Hardcastle and her maid Miss Armstrong can be counted on to be helpful. No questioning their competency, no making excuses for their bein’ women and all. Mr. Kinsey knows how to make his books come alive with touches like this.

Readers may want to think about suspending a whole lot of disbelief at the end, and there might be a wee too much of that for some. But surprises are part and parcel of mystery fiction, and as Lady Hardcastle might say, and certainly Miss Armstrong would concur, “needs must.”

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book, in exchange for this review.

This one was too “cozy” for me
I gave up about a quarter way through.
I found it meandering and tedious

This book will be released next week, and I got my ARC from NetGalley. While this is the fourth book in the series, I’ve only read the first book, and actually, I listed to that as an audiobook, which I highly recommend. Eccentric Lady H and her always-ready-for-a-fight lady’s maid, Flo, make quite the pair and are always getting themselves into trouble. This time they host a movie company that is coming to the village for a film festival, but the film people are being killed off one by one in the same way their characters are killed off in the movie. The story is a fun look at the early moving picture business, and the crime was not what I thought. Mayhem abounds in this cozy mystery.

Another warming little gem in the series of 4 so far. Don’t look to deep, just enjoy the style, atmosphere and humour as Midsommer Murders meets Jeeves and Wooster in corsets. It may be improbable but it is certainly entertaining if you are looking for a little light hearted mayhem as the Lady and her Maid tackle some kinematograph kidders, potential zombies and get free rein to investigate - all in the little village of Littleton Cotterall.

Wonderful murder mystery set in the early 20th Century. Lady Hardcastle and her maid Florence Armstrong are the intrepid detectives. They make cutting remarks to one another - often sarcastic and usually funny - although they love one another dearly. A very clever story set around the beginning of moving pictures in rural England.

A Picture of Murder by T E Kinsey is the fourth installment in Lady Hardcastle Mistery series but as with the previous ones it can be read as a standalone.

It tells a story of Lady Hardcastle and her unusual lady's maid Flo. Story is narrated by her and we see everything through her eyes. Being unique in every way, we are privy to her sarcastic and witty remarks. As always and intelligently told mystery, with interesting cast of characters vividly presented.

In October of 1909 moving pictures have arrived to their little village and due to Lady Hardcastle friend's kitchen accident, actors get accommodation in her house. All is well until one of the actors gets themselves killed.
Now it's up to these two ladies to discover the truth. Sgt Dobson being an open minded man welcomes their help.
Also interesting in this book is to read how two main characters met and how investigative work came about.
Slightly spooky feels adds to a cleverly plotted story with many twists and to the seasonal theme.

You know that feeling when a favorite author comes out with a new book and you get your little paws on a copy?? :) I was so happy to curl up with a copy of T.E. Kinsey's latest, and it did not disappoint. I love his writing style - even throwaway lines are witty, intelligent, quotable, and funny. (A few typos and misspellings throughout didn't detract too much) The characters are well drawn and fun to revisit with each new installment. I liked seeing the ragtime band guys again, and I loved getting to learn some of Emily and Flo's history (wicked tease though, as it leaves you on a cliffhanger). I found the mystery a little obvious - usually I find Emily to be waayy ahead of me in terms of figuring stuff out but this time I had her beat ;) - but it was still a very enjoyable read. I can't wait til the next one!!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The fourth in the adventures of Lady Hardcastle and Flo takes us back to the quiet village of Littleton Cotterell in 1909 Gloucestershire. I say quiet, but Littleton Cotterell has been anything but quiet since the formerly globetrotting Lady Hardcastle and her "tiny servant," Flo Armstrong, settled there. Mysteries and murders have been plentiful, all needing the skills of the ladies to solve.

It's late October and with the advent of Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night, their friend and neighbor, Lady Farley-Stroud, wants to organize something special for the village. She has invited a producer of the new moving picture shows, Nolan Cheetham, and his actors to premiere his film in the village. The film is a ten-minute masterpiece entitled The Downfall of the Witch. Lady Hardcastle and Flo get involved when a fire in Lady Farley-Stroud's kitchen makes her unable to put the troupe up as planned, and Lady Hardcastle steps in to offer them accommodation. The film's showing is a huge success, despite noisy, bible-thumping protesters who think that moving pictures are the devil's workshop. The success of the show is dampened when one of the actors is murdered shortly after its premiere, in the same manner as in the film. Other deaths follow, and it will take all the ladies' skill to solve this convoluted puzzle.

A Picture of Murder is as delightful as its predecessors with quirky characters, a charming setting and a tricky puzzle to solve. The villagers, local police and household staff we have come to know make appearances, along with a pair of jazz musicians from an earlier book. We get the whole story behind Lady Hardcastle and Flo's journey through China and India, along with a foreshadowing of events to come. Flo even gets to demonstrate the martial arts skills she learned on those journeys while taking down the culprits. I especially love the friendship forged between Lady Hardcastle and Flo. They are nominally employer and servant but are more like sisters. These novels are perfect escape reads, and I recommend reading them in order to maximize the enjoyment.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.com for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

Another delightful Lady Hardcastle mystery. The books in this series are fun to read, always with a good storyline and plenty of humour. The two lead characters are wonderful and both are real personalities. I’m a.ready looking forward to reading the next in the series.

I adore this series and was thrilled to read this latest installment. It was as wonderful and charming as I'd hoped and continues the development of our beloved characters in excellent directions. I enjoyed the plot and think anyone who has enjoyed this series so far will not be disappointed and new readers are in for a great treat. Can't wait for the next!

Littleton Cotterell was about to host a screening of one of the first moving pictures and as it was nearing Halloween, the picture was appropriately named The Witch’s Downfall. Lady Hardcastle found herself with the four actors in her home, as her good friend and original host’s kitchen caught alight, and of course they would need to be fed. It was 1909 and the chill was definitely making itself felt across the countryside, but that didn’t stop Lady Hardcastle and her trusted lady’s maid, Florence, from venturing out.

The success of the first night was heartwarming – apart from the protesters with their banners – but when the frosty morning gave light to a body under the large old rowan tree, everyone was shocked to find one of the actors – dead, in a spooky copy of the entertainment of the night before.

Amateur sleuth, Lady Hardcastle and her side-kick Flo set their skills to work. The police were puzzled and had experience of Lady Hardcastle’s past successes, so they were grateful for the assistance. But could she find the killer this time? It seemed whoever it was, was one step ahead…

A Picture of Murder is the 4th in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries by TE Kinsey, and I thoroughly enjoyed it – as I have all the others! A historical cosy mystery with a humerous touch – I laughed out loud many times. The interaction between Lady Hardcastle and Flo is brilliantly done! Dry and hugely entertaining. The twists are also well done, and I certainly didn’t pick the culprit! Highly recommended – can’t wait for #5!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Hardcastle is at it again with her lady's maid Armstrong in late October 1909. In this story they are housing four movie people who were supposed to stay with Lady Farley-Stroud, who had a fire in their kitchen. Lady Hardcastle has been playing with taking movies, herself. The movie show given in Chipping Bevington called The Witch's Downfall, is about witchcraft. There is a group in town with signs against the movie as being against religion. When Armstrong goes into the Dog and Duck to talk with Daisy, she shes Mr. Orum who used to be in business with their guests and now claims they have stolen his show. Orum is with a very attractive journalist. The show goes on the first night. However, the next morning, Sargeant Dodson knocks on the door to say one of the actors is dead. They go into town to find him under a tree with a voodoo doll close by just as pictured in the movie. The body is taken away by the two mortuary men. The next night, the show goes on again, and this time one of the actresses dies in the same manner as shown in the movie. The doctor was supposed to do autopsies the next day, but the mortuary burns down. The protesters are getting more active, and Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong do some sleuthing the next day, where they find a cabin which has been occupied. That night is the bonfire, and sure enough, the statue at the top turns out to be the other actress who waves her hand towards the film maker, who drops dead as she burns up. Then there is a big surprise as Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong figure out what's going on. They follow the mortuary van away from the fire and we get a big surprise. The story is very clever!

I am really enjoying this series. The setting and the characters combine to make a good story and the mystery is cozy and keeps my attention. A great escape! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

This is a wonderful series and this fourth book in is just as good and charming as the previous books. Again the detective work is done by Lady Hardcastle and her friend/ladies maid/cohort Florence are up to their old tricks trying to solve the murders of a film company before no one is left alive. But of course all is not as it seems as it never is. The dialogue in these books is always a highlight as well as the affection between the two main characters and I look forward to their next adventure.

Apparently this is part of a series but I was unfamiliar with the author or the series until I read this. And I will read the rest now. This is a clever whodunnit that takes place during the advent of the new motion picture phenom. The setting is a manor house in a small English village and has quite the array of eccentric characters including the two leading ladies of the story. While some of the dialogue is a bit annoying and the local constable is a bumbling idiot (too trite) this was a very enjoyable mystery that kept me guessing and entertained until the end. Lots of twists and turns. And lots of dead bodies. Everything a good cozy mystery should be.

"A Picture of Murder" was a decent read. A quaint, cozy mystery with a touch of vintage taste yet writing is modern enough. All cast from a moving picture who was on a tour died mysteriously, one after another. A baffling case intrigued the entire English village where the featured heroines lived. The historical aspect about moving pictures was very interesting so make sure to read the author's notes at the back of the book.

The plot and writing were not bad but the book could not pique my interests or curiosity. The case did keep me thinking a lot but I found tedious details that didn't have anything to do with the case or to the character developments distracting.

Pros:
Likable characters
A decent plot with an unexpected twist and turn; the outcome
Humorous and entertaining
Vivid depictions of the Edwardian country life
Could be read as a standalone

Cons:
Not top notch quality in terms of content and plot development. At times the content was even stale and tedious

So, the pros outshone the cons. A 3.5 stars at most for my liking. I guess the series just isn't my cup of tea. By all means, there were great moments in the "A Picture of Murder," and I did have a decent time reading it.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid Florence are an unusual sleuthing twosome. The two did some secret work for the Crown, and drop many enjoyable references to past adventures.

This time around, an acting troupe with a new moving picture shows up in the village. The subject of the film is witchcraft, and the townspeople are quick to blame sorcery when the cast members begin dying in the same ways in which various victims were killed in the movie.

Cleverly plotted, and populated with interesting local and police characters. But the biggest pleasure is the affectionate banter between lady and maid and their roguish history together. Altogether a very enjoyable series.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

Actual rating of 3.5 stars.

Lady Hardcastle and her hand maid Flo Armstrong are living a quiet life in Littleton Cotterell, a small village near Gloucestershire in England. A moving picture festival has been invited to the village and the townsfolk are incredibly excited to see what they have to offer. When the kitchen burns down at the house the film folk were planning to stay, Lady Hardcastle is approached and asked if she would mind putting up the village guests, to which she agrees. However, when the film folk start dying in the same way that their characters are killed in the headlining moving picture being showed, Hardcastle and Armstrong find themselves thrown into yet another mystery. Who is murdering the village visitors? Is it the jealous former friend of Mr. Cheetham? The protesters who believe that the moving picture is evil? It's a mystery shrouded in shadows, and Lady Hardcastle and her hand maid, Armstrong, have their work cut out for them.

This is actually the first story I've read in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series. I didn't realise when I requested this that it was number four, however, this doesn't impact the reading of the story at all. Sure I've missed out on the evolution of Hardcastle and Armstrong's relationship, but it doesn't actually leave me feeling confused about anything. There are some references to past mysteries that they've been involved in, but these are pretty detailed so I didn't feel as though I missed out on anything at all.

I found the characters charming, Hardcastle is a quirky woman who is rather endearing in her nature, as well as Armstrong, I love their characters, and the relationship between them. Hardcastle treats Armstrong more as a friend than a hand maid and I absolutely love this. The same can be said about the cook and cleaner as well, it's such a relaxed atmosphere for these characters which wasn't so much heard of in the early 1900s.

The language used in the book took a little bit of getting used to, but that's to be expected, old style cockney English, as I would put it, can be a bit hard to understand at times, but it really gives the reader the feel of the time period.

This was a very calm, slow moving novel with a lot of flowery writing. I feel that if it was done any other way, however, that it just wouldn't have been the same. At times I found that the book felt way longer than it actually was, but I think this was because of the pacing and the writing style. While the pacing was on the slower side, it was consistent, so it worked perfectly for this story.

The mystery was done incredibly well, I had a couple of ideas of who was behind it all, and I actually had it right, but I didn't know that until the final reveal which is perfect for me. It's never much fun if you happen to work out the mystery halfway through the story and the character's are still fumbling around in the dark utterly clueless. The way that the deaths were done was brilliantly thought out and had me puzzled which is a nice change from other mysteries that I've read. It really had me thinking and trying to work out how this was done as things just weren't adding up. I felt all the frustrating that the character's did, it's great.

I really did enjoy this story now that I've had a moment to sit down and think about it. The characters made it for me. I'm sure that I will definitely be checking out more in this series, and I look forward to the next instalment, I'm already missing Hardcastle and Armstrong's quick wit, sarcasm, and hilarious retorts. Nothing like a "lady" in the 1900s should be, and it's just the way I like it.

I didn't even read the synopsis before I bought this book, so I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a Halloween themed novel. I enjoy Hardcastle and Armstrong. They make me laugh.

This fourth installment in the Lady Hardcastle series isn't my favourite, but it's still a cracking mystery. Emily and Florence host some film actors and their director ahead of a showing in their village. But then members of the company start being found dead and they can't help but investigate. This has an interesting premise and quite a clever solution. I'll happily read more of these when they appear.

Another thoroughly enjoyable Lady Hardcastle and Miss Armstrong mystery - this time centering on a travelling troupe of actors who, unfortunately, are slightly underdeveloped. But while we may lose insight into these characters, we gain with regard to Miss Armstrong, Edna, Miss Jones, and the village people. There's also a bit of a diversion into the past of Hardcastle and Armstrong (which I wanted but feels a bit forced) which could have been a novella of its own. One of the best, coziest, and funniest mystery series walking. A strong, strong recommend.

Lady Hardcastle and her maid Flo are back for another adventure in the British countryside. When a group of moviemakers come to their small village, Lady Hardcastle opens her home to the three actors and the film’s director to help them feel welcome. And when a small but determined group of protesters show up to voice their displeasure with the film, The Witch’s Downfall, Lady Hardcastle and Flo worry that their entertaining group may be annoyed. But they had no idea someone would be so unhappy with the actors that they would turn to murder.

Book 4 in the Lady Hardcastle Mystery Book series, A Picture of Murder, is yet another charming historical cozy by T.E. Kinsey. While these stories may lean toward the lightweight, the warm friendship between the lady and her maid brings a sweetness to the crime, and their intelligence and experience keep them safe from harm as they solve the mystery.

A Picture of Murder is another fetching installment in a very entertaining series, and it’s perfect for a snowy day, a big cup of hot tea, and something sweet to much on.

Galleys for A Picture of Murder were provided by Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley, with many thanks.

A Picture of Murder is the 4th Lady Hardcastle murder mystery by T E Kinsey. Released 22nd Oct 2018 by Amazon on their Thomas & Mercer imprint. It's 320 pages and available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats.

These books are the coziest of cozy period mysteries. Set in Gloucestershire in the early 20th century (this one's in 1909), they're fun and light, bordering on silly/daffy. Lady Hardcastle and her intrepid maid Florence, are on the trail of a cinema murdering fanatic who is apparently working through the plot of a horror film and doing away with the actors and actresses in the same manner as they die on film.

For lovers of modern period cozy mysteries, this might fill the bill. I personally found the dialogue jarring in a number of places and found myself yanked out of the story fairly often. The local charlady continually refers to people (usually Lady Hardcastle) as 'my lover'. The plot turns on a couple of key items which are dubious at best and there are some fairly large plot holes. That being said, if the reader is in search of an innocent, fun read with clean language (a few 'damns' and 'blasts' to be found, but nothing more egregious) and fairly straightforward plotting with a silly amateur sleuth+sidekick, this could fill the bill.

Three and a half stars, rounded up for the jolliness of the romp.

Book 4 in this excellent series. Even Lady Hardcastle and Florence, her maid, comment in this one about how many people seem to die within their general vicinity. Luckily just for once the murders may not be quite what they seem.

Our two leading ladies are as entertaining as ever and we find out quite a lot about their past lives when they were spying for King and country. Lady Hardcastle calls Flo "tiny servant" and Flo is equally rude back and it is all very funny. I also enjoy the fact that the police acknowledge that the pair have detecting skills and bring them in to the enquiries rather than resenting their presence. It is a refreshing change from many other cosies.

This is a really enjoyable series and I hope it continues!

Book four in the Lady Hardcastle mysteries and the Halloween season has arrived - amidst the spooky celebrations, however, lurks a very real danger. As bodies start to pile Lady Hardcastle must call upon her amateur sleuthing skills once again. Nicely written, enjoyable murder mystery with likeable and entertaining, yet credible, protagonists - a very welcome escape from reality. Recommended.

Adorable Cozy Mysteries! Lady Hardcastle is absolutely charming, and the word play between herself and sidekick Florence is hilarious to me. They are a genuine pair of companions and not mistress/maid. They put me in mind of a female Jeeves and Wooster, but where both are intelligent and sassy.

A great read, and don't worry if you haven't read any others, although you may want to after reading this...

I was excited about starting A Picture of Murder. I liked the front cover and the description of the book, but unfortunately the story plodded along. It was seventy odd pages before the first murder happened, padded out with what I felt was an unnecessary amount of dialogue and stereotypical characters. The characters fell flat. I felt mildly compelled to finish A Picture of Murder, because I had no idea who was killing these actors, and the setting of the story, the period of time, the advent of moving pictures, and the ending did intrigue me. I also liked the character of Lady Hardcastle’s maid Florence. I feel I might have to read other books in this series to learn more about this sleuthing duo, and how their relationship has evolved, because I wasn’t very convinced by Lady Hardcastle.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence find themselves hosting a cast of the moving picture, The Witch’s Downfall. After the first screening, someone is found dead in the same way they died in the film. As life starts to imitate art, Lady Emily and Florence start their investigation. Can they help the police this time?

This is the fourth in the series but my first. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. The characters are entertaining. The mystery has wonderful twists and turns. I recommend this to fans of humorous historical cozy mysteries.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

I always enjoy the Lady Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Florence and their adventures. This time a moving picture comes to town and the cast dies like they did in the picture. Nothing is as it seems and bad luck follows the corpses to make the answers harder to find
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At first I had interest in this series, but somehow it just did not hold my interest to continue with the series. Somehow the characters just did not seem believable any longer.

A little disappointing for me given the synopsis. Good writing style but overall the story wasn't for me so I didn't finish