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A Quiet Life in the Country

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 1

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A Quiet Life in the Country

By: T E Kinsey
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
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Lady Emily Hardcastle is an eccentric widow with a secret past. Florence Armstrong, her maid and confidante, is an expert in martial arts. The year is 1908 and they’ve just moved from London to the country, hoping for a quiet life.

But it is not long before Lady Hardcastle is forced out of her self-imposed retirement. There’s a dead body in the woods, and the police are on the wrong scent. Lady Hardcastle makes some enquiries of her own, and it seems she knows a surprising amount about crime investigation...

As Lady Hardcastle and Flo delve deeper into rural rivalries and resentment, they uncover a web of intrigue that extends far beyond the village. With almost no one free from suspicion, they can be certain of only one fact: there is no such thing as a quiet life in the country.

Revised edition: This edition of A Quiet Life In The Country includes editorial revisions.

©2016 T E Kinsey (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Amateur Sleuths Cosy Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Village Feel-Good Sports Crime Funny Mystery
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd absolutely reccommend this to af riend - it's a wonderfully amusing and very engaging mystery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Quiet Life in the Country?

Teaching Mr Haddock to keep his hands to himself.

What about Elizabeth Knowelden’s performance did you like?

Each charcater is clear and distinct and she doesn't attempt any accents she can't manage.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It amused me greatly

Any additional comments?

I hope it's the start of a long series.

Exceedingly Amusing

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The narration was very good. If you are looking for a easy listen this is for you, I did enjoy it, sometimes it's nice to have a easy listen. But if you are looking for a hard hitting crime story this is not for you.

Pretty average book

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The characters were likeable and I got into their routine. I liked the humour between them. A little like Jessica Fletcher a few years earlier.
Voices were well done.

Nice and interesting

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light hearted story well read probably a bit too easy going and quaint for me but enjoyed

easylisten

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I bought this because it came up on Audible's Daily Deal for £1.99. I had never heard of the Author or the book before. I was glad I bought it. This is a lovely, light-hearted "innocent" story. It is perfect for listening to with small children in the room. There is no sex, no graphic and gory violence and no expletives - a thing that is becoming harder and hard to find in modern books and causes those of us with small children and grandchildren no end of difficulties as you scramble to press the "off" button to protect those little ears from things that are inappropriate for them. Kudos and many thanks to the author in this matter! It would be so helpful if Audible would include an indication of these things in the descriptions.... but I digress.

Anyway, the only thing that lets this recording down slightly is that the narrator overacts it a little bit and turns the characters into caricatures. Also she misses the meaning of some of what she is reading (perhaps she loses concentration?) and gives the incorrect intonation and phrasing. I have listened to a great number of audiobooks, and her performance is by no means bad, nor does it spoil the enjoyment of the story, but it could be a little better.

All in all I think it was £1.99 well spent and I am going to purchase the other two books that are currently available in Audible's store. Highly recommended.

Recommended to those looking for something clean.

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