After a week of torrential rain and ferocious winds, the inhabitants of Littleton Cotterill are eager to emerge from their homes-- only to discover that one of Sid Hyde's prize sheep has been mauled to death. In no time, rumors are flying about a vicious beast stalking the countryside.
Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence Armstrong, are sure there is a rational explanation, but when Sid Hyde himself is brutally killed, and another man is killed and yet another injured, it's plain to see that whatever is behind the attacks needs to be caught-- and fast.
Lady Hardcastle and Flo have their work cut out for them.
~
After reading some very serious and depressing fiction and non-fiction, I was in dire need of something light and fun. The Beast of Littleton Woods was just what the doctor ordered! It's my favorite book in the series so far.
For one thing, there is a marvelous cast, and I'm not just talking about the primary characters. The secondary characters, all the way down to individual villagers, add so much to the story. I grew up in a village, and T.E. Kinsey's characters remind me so much of some of the people I grew up with. He also firmly roots his stories at the turn of the twentieth century with Lady Hardcastle and Flo wondering if they should bring electricity to their house. In this twelfth book in the series, readers make the acquaintance of Sir Hector's older sister, Joyce Adaway and her little dog, Lady Araminta Fluffikins. (I know...) Lady Hardcastle and her maid Flo know all these people so well that they remind me of another sleuth-- Bruno Courrèges in Martin Walker's excellent series.
I loved the plot. Is there really a beast on the loose? If there is a beast, where did it come from? And who keeps resorting the mail in the post office? I had so much fun putting the clues together as I turned the pages.
One of the best ingredients in the Lady Hardcastle recipe is the wordplay. The banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo is top-notch, and there are other elements. A butcher named Spratt. Lady Hardcastle's penchant for purposely mangling the names of people and objects (a law firm she refers to as Messrs Philtrum, Hallux, and Uvula). And then there's the threat of a bit of rhinobattery. If I wasn't smiling, I was laughing my way through the entire book.
If you're in the mood for some light-hearted fun and a good mystery to solve, look no further than The Beast of Littleton Woods. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The Beast of Littleton Woods by T.E. Kinsey
eISBN: 9781662521614
Thomas & Mercer © 2025
eBook, 294 pages
Historical/Humorous Mystery, #12 Lady Hardcastle
Rating: A+
Source: Net Galley
Fun and a mystery sounds like a good combination.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was in this case!
DeleteI love that cover! A little spooky, a little cute, nice!
ReplyDeleteThe cover suits the book perfectly.
DeleteI do enjoy well-written wordplay, Cathy. And the plot does sound intriguing. I'm honestly not much of a one for paranormal explanations for crimes, including murder. But it is an interesting plot point when that's the sort of explanation some people have (which later turns out not to be true). I hope that makes sense! Glad you enjoyed the book so well.
ReplyDeleteThere really was no paranormal element to the book, Margot, other than the villagers' speculations running wild. Lady Hardcastle and Flo are much too sensible for that. ;-)
DeleteThis does sound like fun. I haven't read any of her other books yet, but I'm tempted to just start with this one.
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to do that, Lark, with little to no confusion.
DeleteThank you for reminding me of this series! I'm several behind, so I have fun to look forward to :)
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do!
DeleteThis is a series I keep meaning to get started on and keep forgetting to do it but I'm sticking a note on my Kindle so maybe I'll remember when I finish my current read.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!
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