A Picture of Murder

One of the many things I enjoy about T.E. Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle historical mystery series is how each book features something that was new and exciting at the turn of the twentieth century. In A Picture of Murder, it's the fledgling motion picture industry. In 1909, it's in a bit of a slump with many in the business believing that people living outside the cities will never be interested enough to spend their hard-earned money. The troupe of actors staying with Lady Hardcastle intends to prove this false by showing their film in Littleton Cotterell.

This fourth book in the series gets around to telling readers more of Lady Hardcastle and Florence's background-- and no wonder they're so good at this amateur sleuthing business! I look show more forward to learning even more about them as the series progresses. A Picture of Murder has a fiendishly clever plot that was so much fun to try to solve, especially as its basis was something that we are very familiar with today.

I'm also happy to report that the other things that have made me love this series are in fine fettle. The relationship between Lady Hardcastle and Florence is absolutely wonderful, and their dialogue is a feast for readers' funny bones. T.E. Kinsey's series is perfect when you want something light and fun, but a word of warning: Never let Lady Hardcastle drive you anywhere! show less

It’s the fall of 1909, and the kinematograph (known as the movies to us) has come to the Gloucestershire village of Littleton Cotterell. Colonel Nolan Cheetham and three of his actors are showing their film The Witch’s Downfall, a melodramatic work sure to appeal to unsophisticated and superstitious villagers. Of course, the showing is a great success, but then one of the actors is killed in exactly the same way as his character was in the movie. Needless to say, retired spy Emily, Lady Hardcastle, and her sassy maid Florence Armstrong do their part to help the Bristol CID crack the case. But not before there are several more deaths.

I always enjoy another chance to become reacquainted with Lady Hardcastle and Armstrong, both of show more whom are clever and witty. Additionally, I learned quite a bit about the early days of the cinema. Littleton Cotterell’s villagers provide the right touch of satire and true human nature to keep me thoroughly entertained. I never guessed the incredibly clever ending, but, even if I had, it would not have reduced my enjoyment a whit. This fourth installment measures up to the rest of the novels in this humorous and captivating series. show less

Murder comes to LC as a kinematic show is a feature for the locals. The cast is died, pun intended, closely following the script. Two dotty but well-armed rustic crime solvers do their thing with apt and enjoyable repartee.

I think this was a fun read with another fun premise. I like the halloween vibes and the theater vibes in this one!! As I keep readig this series both characters give me sherlock holmes vibes. I also really like the older charcters that are the focus and also love the regency elements!! This book was a fun and quick read!!

I think this was a fun read with another fun premise. I like the halloween vibes and the theater vibes in this one!! As I keep readig this series both characters give me sherlock holmes vibes. I also really like the older charcters that are the focus and also love the regency elements!! This book was a fun and quick read!!

I'm a fan of the Lady Hardcastle mystery series, so I had actually waited for this book.
Like the other sequels, it is funny, witty, and although it didn't take me quite till the end to guess whodunnit, it was still fascinating.

The Narrator (I listened to the audio book), Elizabeth Knowelden, is fantastic. Her narration absolutely enhances the book for me. I look forword to future books in the series (which will hopefully be written and narrated).

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