Christmas at The Grange

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery

By: T E Kinsey

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's Christmas 1909, and for once Lady Hardcastle - respectable gentlewoman, amateur spy - and her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, are setting sleuthing aside. They are invited to the festivities up at The Grange, as guests of Sir Hector and Lady Farley-Stroud.

But barely have corks been popped and parlour games played when a mysterious crime comes to light. Someone has broken in while the revellers were distracted and made off with a priceless pearl necklace. Lady Hardcastle and Flo are determined to catch the thief - but with so many Christmas guests encamped at The Grange, is it possible that the felon is hiding in plain sight?

With the clues stacking up, Lady Hardcastle bears down on her culprit. But just as the pieces come together, it begins to look as if there is something more devious afoot at The Grange...

©2017 T. E. Kinsey (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Great Short Tale!

Thanks to T E Kinsey for the great story while we wait for the next book. For those unaware T E Kinsey had some health issues this fall and the release of the next book in the series has been delayed. So as a gift to readers was this christmas tale. Thanks TEK !

Fun mystery, but less weird play

In T.E. Kinsey's short story, "Christmas at the Grange," Lady Hardcastle gets invited to the Grange, the local estate, by Sir Hector and Lady Farley-Stroud for Christmas 1909. But then, in a spark of mischief, they invite Florence Armstrong, Lady Hardcastle's ladies' maid and best friend, who helped her lady find a stolen emerald at the Grange in the past. The pair buys several cases of champagne for those at the Grange, but Flo arranges for some to be diverted to the shop owners and servants. Their gifts to each other uniquely contain original weapons that suit each one specially. As they are enjoying their Christmas at the Grange, the sleuths get called into service upon the disappearance of a valuable pearl pendant, purportedly pilfered in the middle of the night by someone breaking into the room of the sleeping owner. Though the evidence points to someone wearing male blue worsted trousers and dress shoes and dropping cigar ash, the dogs didn't bark. Do they perhaps have an inside job?

I really enjoyed seeing the Boxing Day traditions in which the upper class residents of the Grange served the people of the village with a feast and family presents. Then Sir Hector arrived as Saint Nicholas to give toys to each of the children of the village. That evening many of the people of the village, under the direction of the vicar, put on a revue to entertain everyone.

This short story was a fun visit with Lady Hardcastle and Flo once again. I have come to love this pair while listening to the three books that feature them. I would have loved to spend even more time with them than the two hours we were allotted, but I was happy for the time I got. The characters of both women did not distinguish themselves apart as much as they did in the novels, as the pair work in tandem instead of as lady and lady's maid, positions they clearly assume in the novels. I also was disappointed not to see the level of word play that made the novels particularly memorable. However, I found the conclusion of the story to make up for all this, being wholly satisfying.

Elizabeth Knowelden continues to do a terrific job in performing the series. She really embodies Florence as Flo narrates the book. The unique word play of this series requires a special quality narrator, and Knoweldon fulfills this position ably.

I found "Christmas at the Grange" to be a delightful, pleasurable story despite my disappointments voiced earlier. Those who have not read the previous novels will not suffer much in missing out, though they will miss some periodic banter about previous exploits. However, we as readers still have much to learn about the past exploits of the pair during their service to the King, so new readers will experience merely further gaps than the rest of us. I really enjoyed this story and give it four stars.

Fantastic Characters; Narrator is EXCELLENT!

I adore this narrator. I have tried reading the books, and while they are quite entertaining, Ms. Elizabeth Knowelden adds an extra level of life to each character. I love her and will look for other books narrated by her. She is my gold standard for British/Welsh accents.

great short story!

one of my favorite series. the narration is so wonderful💕 and the characters are absolutely charming!

Another great one from Kinsey

Great short story, clever. Looking forward to more from T E Kinsey with Lady Hardcastle as the lead

So much fun

I think I must steal this idea and use it for a mystery party. I guessed the culprit, but had the motive very wrong. The narration was sooooo perfect. Waiting on another book.

A nice visit, but I want more

I love the Lady Hardcastle series and really hope he writes more full length novels.

This was a Christmas novella, and while charming and nice to visit with the characters again, it was not on par with the first three books. Christmas stories rarely are, though, I find.

I did enjoy it, though it was a bit predictable, but mostly I am left really hoping for another 'real' Hardcastle story.

The narrator, as always, did a great job.

Pleasant Story

I was super excited to see another Lady Hardcastle tale. I was disappointed when I saw how short it was however I thought it was sweet. A nice short story for the holidays.

Excellent addition to the Lady Hardcastle books

This was a very well done and enjoyable holiday confection of a story. I hope T E Kinsey writes more and more. Elizabeth Knowelden’s performance of the work is beautiful.

Cute

A sweet short story for Christmas cheer! Just love these characters and their friendships! One to the next!

I love the escapism back to a different time

absolutely love the Lady Hardcastle series; they take you back to a different time, a much needed escape from the world we live in today. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Christmas at the Grange

This book was well read well written and totally enjoyable, looking forward to reading the next. A+++

brilliant

What a lovely story. you've done it again Mr Kinsey. can't wait for next one.

Great Fun...Again

Would you consider the audio edition of Christmas at The Grange to be better than the print version?

I cannot comment as I do not have a printed version.

What does Elizabeth Knowelden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Elizabeth Knowelden is an excellent narrator for Florence Armstrong.

Any additional comments?

Love this series of books. In this short story Lady Hardcastle (sleuth and one time secret agent), and her diminutive (but deadly), ladies maid and partner in crime, Flo, are sleuthing their way through the Christmas festivities at the Grange. Great fun.

fabulous story brilliant narration

perfect, this is a brilliant novel. the ladies make great characters. all their shenanigans are fun, and good tales too.

Another jolly story!

Another brilliant little jaunt for lady Hardcastle and her trusty Welsh sidekick! An absolute pleasure to listen to I just can't get enough!

Marvellous

Absolutely excellent, a nicely paced "feel- good" book. This is my second of these Lady Hardcastle's. Can't wait until I can afford the rest

So charming.

Lovely escapism to a past time. Amusing and charming.
Very enjoyable series. Wonderful characters .

Great Fun!

Loved it, It was great to catch up with all the familiar characters in a seasonal setting. I can't wait for the next escapade!

Cute short story.

It is 1909 and We follow the preparations and how a lady and her lady’s maid spent Christmas. The firs 1/3 of the book is quite mundane but cute. The rest is all about solving a robbery mystery.
It’s very short and entertaining. Good on KU with free audio.