In the Market for Murder

Hear! Hear! Retired spy Emily, Lady Hardcastle, and her intrepid if impudent maid Florence “Flo” Armstrong return in this fun and intriguing sequel to the boffo debut A Quiet Life in the Country. This time the duo tackle three mysteries: the poisoning death of a poisonous curmudgeon/farmer, an inexplicable break-in at Littleton Cotterell’s rugby clubhouse in which the burglar eschews Scotch and cash but nabs a trophy and some rubbish, and a séance at Littleton Cotterell’s pub the Dog and Duck where an apparition accuses a newcomer to the village of murder.

Opening in the spring of 1909, In the Market for Murder proves as amusing and clever as its predecessor. Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong maintain the same lively banter and show more methodically undertake whatever puzzles the open-minded police throw their way. Fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher, Rhys Bowen’s Lady Georgiana, Linda L. Richards’ Kitty Pangborn, or Amy Myers’ Chef Nell Drury have the opportunity to find a new series to relish. Highly recommended. show less

I love the camaraderie and dialogue between Lady Hardcastle and Flo. The two have had a very interesting history together of which readers are only allowed fascinating glimpses. In addition, they definitely keep up with the times: Lady Hardcastle purchases a motor car, and a telephone is soon to be installed. These two most decidedly have little to do with antimacassars and aspidistras! (I don't think their needlework is up to snuff either.)

Occasionally my rational brain reminds me that the men in 1909 would not be willing to leave such investigations to mere females, then I remember that these books are meant to be fun. Thankfully there's not much in the book to be picked apart. How two characters can be so avant-garde yet the book show more give such a true sense of the times, I don't know, but I'm enjoying this series to bits! It's fun to smile the entire time I'm reading a book. show less

Quirky rather than quaint the two caped, it is the Victorian Era, crusaders continue to provide their excellent assistance to the bobbies in Littleton Cotteral. The feisty Ms. Marplish, Lady Hardcastle, assisted by her tiny aide, in full Boy Robin mode provide acerbic repartee, rudimentary but enlightened forensics and a Holmes, Nero Wolfe type denouement in this fun to read series. Holy guacamole, can there be a prequel or three that explains their origins and their spy like activities?

I also enjoyed this book alot more then book 1 in this series and i am growig to like all the side characters and both main characters are such a hoot! I loved how this story has so many elements of regency romances and also cozy mystery. The main character def gives sherlock vibes and I really am invested in this series. I did not see the end of the the mystery coming either!! Def excited for book 3!!

I also enjoyed this book alot more then book 1 in this series and i am growig to like all the side characters and both main characters are such a hoot! I loved how this story has so many elements of regency romances and also cozy mystery. The main character def gives sherlock vibes and I really am invested in this series. I did not see the end of the the mystery coming either!! Def excited for book 3!!

This is the second book in the Lady Hardcastle mystery series. It’s a mostly cozy mystery series. Lady Hardcastle and her maid (assistant) Flo do have some as yet not fully explained experience in their past that seems to be spy/intelligence related so they’re not totally amateur investigators.

The setting is full on cozy mystery though. It takes place in a small town in the English countryside in 1909. When a local farmer dies face down in his pie in the local pub the authorities ask Lady Hardcastle and Flo to look into the case as they do not have the staff nor time to do so. Along the way two find themselves involved in a couple of other investigations. A theft and a probably fraudulent medium running a séance add to the work for show more Lady Hardcastle and Flo.

It's a bit slow moving but with a bit of humor. I read the first one in print but decided to try the audio for this second book. Elizabeth Knowelden is a good narrator, and I’ll likely continue the series on audio. show less

Quirky cozy. Aperfect palate cleanser for readers of heavier mystery/thrillers. ) the two main characters Flo and Lady Hardcastle are eccentric, intelligent, willing to take risks and just nosy enough to get involved in any mayhem that occurs in their otherwise quiet country village.