Murder on the Rocks by TE Kinsey Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #13
Published by Brilliance Audio on May 26, 2-26
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery
Length: 8 hrs 11 mins
Pages: 296
Format: Audiobook
Add on Goodreads
February 1913. Lady Hardcastle and her diminutive but mettlesome lady’s maid, Flo, have been invited by their friend JB McIntyre to spend the weekend at his recently renovated Tudor fort on a remote island off the Devonshire coast. But the holiday quickly turns sinister when first a number of valuable jewels go missing—and then a fellow guest is murdered with a most unusual weapon.
Asked by JB to investigate, the stakes are raised for the sleuthing duo when a violent storm traps the group on the island and cuts them off from help. Is the murderer in their midst? With everyone claiming to have an alibi—but each also having a skeleton in their closet—can Lady Hardcastle and Flo unravel this complex web of secrets and deception before the killer strikes again?
I have to say I enjoyed Murder on the Rocks tons more than the other one in this series I’ve read. Lady Hardcastle and Florence are at a friend’s island fort in Devonshire. JB McIntyre has recently converted the building into a hotel and has invited a group of people a kind of a pre-opening weekend. Of course, it turns into a less than relaxing weekend. First, some jewelry goes missing, then a guest is murdered with a narwhal tusk, and finally a storm rolls in, effectively cutting them off from the mainland.
Lady Hardcastle and Flo are joined by an interesting group of JB’s business associates and friends, all of whom are now suspects. Each of them, of course, has a secret that may or may not be known by the others and a reason for wanting the dead man gone. And they all seem to have alibis, no matter how often Emily and Flo review the timeline. There was a nice twist that I appreciated.
I enjoyed the banter between the two women this time around. It’s clever and feels natural. I enjoy how they poke fun at each other, but still clearly respect the other’s skills and talents. They make a fun team.
The period details are done well, at least they feel like they were, with the guests appreciating the heating system and electricity. New inventions are talked about with excitement.
I listened to the audio and the narrator did a great job bringing all the characters to life. Granted, most of them were a little one dimensional, but each had their own distinct voice. She kept the tone light, as did the author. Overall, I’m glad I gave this series a second chance and will probably keep an eye out for more in the future.
About TE Kinsey
T E Kinsey grew up in London and read history at Bristol University. He is the author of the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series and the Dizzy Heights Mystery series. Tim lives just outside Bristol with his wife, a drum kit, five guitars and more Lego than an adult should own.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges: