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mbethel24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rachelellyn's review against another edition
5.0
Totally charming. The narrator is perfect. It's the ideal cozy for a night or two of tea and cake and reading.
bamboopanda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
Probably more like 3.5 but I'm giving it the extra half star because this is a much above average cozy mystery with quirky characters, smart plotting, and some genuinely witty dialogue.
digiroar's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
4.0
Quite enjoyable. Veers dangerously into Wodehouse territory at times. I wouldn't have been too surprised if Gussie Finknottle had made an appearance.
However, the dialogue is good and the author managed to slip some jokes in along the way, which, apart from one rather laboured pun on the names of fish usually made me smile, if not laugh outright.
There's a nod to the statistical incidence of murder in British television soaps (Counting Midsomer Murders as a soap) that did make me laugh. For a while I believe that Brookside Close was the most dangerous address in the country.
I will have a go at the second in the series
However, the dialogue is good and the author managed to slip some jokes in along the way, which, apart from one rather laboured pun on the names of fish usually made me smile, if not laugh outright.
There's a nod to the statistical incidence of murder in British television soaps (Counting Midsomer Murders as a soap) that did make me laugh. For a while I believe that Brookside Close was the most dangerous address in the country.
I will have a go at the second in the series
cawilliams29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is an entertaining, witty and unique murder mystery book, full of compelling characters and gripping mystery plotlines.
The relationship between Lady Hardcastle and her maid Flo creates a fascinating detective duo and the references to their part adventures slowly fleshes out their characters in a way that always leaves you entertained and wanting more.
Both of our female protagonists are witty, spirited and uniquely skilled to create interestingly different characters to follow and allows them to drive straight into their first attempt at solving a murder very successfully!
The setting of this small town and the characters that make it up create a cosy and almost sweet backdrop to our story, reminding me a lot of watching Midsummer Murders when I was younger. We have a quiet English village full of distinct characters for our plot and protagonists to interact with. Everyone has a secret or something to hide and I imagine a lot of these characters turn up in later books which will add familarity to the cosy mystery setting.
The mystery plot was well paced and full of suprises, I was never bored and got through the story very quickly. The mystery itself was nothing groundbreaking or new but very enjoyable. The more unique aspects of the characters and setting of Littleton Cotterell in 1908 make this story gripping and different from other murder mysteries.
I look forward to continuing the series and catching up with Lady. H and Flo and whatever misheif they surround themselves with next.
The relationship between Lady Hardcastle and her maid Flo creates a fascinating detective duo and the references to their part adventures slowly fleshes out their characters in a way that always leaves you entertained and wanting more.
Both of our female protagonists are witty, spirited and uniquely skilled to create interestingly different characters to follow and allows them to drive straight into their first attempt at solving a murder very successfully!
The setting of this small town and the characters that make it up create a cosy and almost sweet backdrop to our story, reminding me a lot of watching Midsummer Murders when I was younger. We have a quiet English village full of distinct characters for our plot and protagonists to interact with. Everyone has a secret or something to hide and I imagine a lot of these characters turn up in later books which will add familarity to the cosy mystery setting.
The mystery plot was well paced and full of suprises, I was never bored and got through the story very quickly. The mystery itself was nothing groundbreaking or new but very enjoyable. The more unique aspects of the characters and setting of Littleton Cotterell in 1908 make this story gripping and different from other murder mysteries.
I look forward to continuing the series and catching up with Lady. H and Flo and whatever misheif they surround themselves with next.