A very enjoyable read indeed. This was the first book I had read in the series. It was a delight getting to know the characters. T E Kinsey did an amazing job painting the characters as well as the English village. The mystery was delightful and kept me guessing to the end.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong are, to the outside world, Lady and Lady’s maid. In reality, they are an extremely capable pair of government agents, working for His Majesty’s Secret Service. Their current assignment—investigate the circumstances that lead to the death of Dickie Dupree, an engineer at British Aviation. The company has been working on a secret project involving newly developed parachute technology and the Service (in the form of Lady Hardcastle’s brother Harry) is suspicious that someone is passing the information to a foreign power. Was Dupree’s death a tragic accident, or did he see too much, and was silenced as a result?

This is the seventh book of the Lady Hardcastle series, and I’ve not read any of the others, but it really didn’t matter. Kinsey deftly inserts all of the background needed to thoroughly enjoy this one—without the dreaded information dump.

Emily Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong are wonderful characters that are easy to engage with. The relationship that Kinsey has developed between them is a friendship. And while they are extremely different people, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, they have a trust that is unshakeable.
And the dialogue between them extremely witty.

Kinsey has interspersed his story with entertaining subplots, and some amusing vignettes of Emily and Flo in their civilian life in the village of Littleton Cotterell. In addition to visits to their local pub, watching games of cricket, and herding cows with a Silver Ghost, there is the village's annual talent show to get ready for—in which Lady Emily just may need that spangled leotard.

The mystery was lightweight and the solution comes fairly easily. But still, this was a fun read. I’ll be going back to read the six previous books, and look forward to the next installment.

Talk about a charming and incredibly fun book brimming with clever P. G. Wodehouse-style humour and innovative characters! T. E. Kinsey is a new-to-me author (how?!) and completely won me over with his sparkling humour, spirited characters, intriguing mystery and beautifully quirky story telling. Do not skim a single word as it would be a crime to miss any witticisms.

Set in 1911 England, the two main characters, Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady maid, Florence Armstrong, are approached by Lady Hardcastle's brother to solve a crime. The women use their creativity, brains and bravado to investigate the death of parachutist Dickie Dupree who dies in a test run and discover other things amiss along the way. Nothing daunts them...they are up for anything. They inveigled their way into an aeroplane hangar and my heart at the same time!

While the mystery is captivating, what enchants me most is the humour and exchanges and bantering between characters. Love the skill set of Flo...she's a fearless marvel. Lady Hardcastle is a riot! Not only that but the food descriptions are superb.

This is an above average cozy mystery...it has that special something that elevates it. Do prioritize this wonderful read if you are crazy about intelligent cozies. Be prepared to get lost in it whilst in a comfy chair...you won't be able to put it down. I have already added it to my Amazon wishlist for Christmas gifts for my reading family.

My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of The Fatal Flying Affair, the seventh novel to feature Lady Hardcastle and her maid cum assistant Florence Armstrong, set in 1911 Gloucestershire.

Due to rising tensions in Europe the government, in the form of Lady Hardcastle’s brother Harry, has recruited her and Flo to the newly created Secret Service and now they have a job. Dickie Dupree died while testing a new top secret parachute at Bristol Aviation and Harry suspects murder because someone is leaking new technology secrets to foreign governments.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Fatal Flying Affair which is a light, frothy read with a good plot and plenty of humour. It is told entirely in the first person from Florence Armstrong’s point of view and as she has a slightly cynical take on life, which masks a certain idealism, it makes for a fun read. It seems effortless from the light pastiche of the fiction of the times to the witty dialogue but I would imagine that a lot of hard work goes into this appearance so my thanks to the author for his efforts to amuse me.

The plot, on a realism scale, is fairly silly with all sorts of shenanigans like coded messages and burglaries but it’s designed to be entertaining is very well executed. I laughed a lot and got carried away by the exuberance and exhilaration of the read. The ladies are crafting a new life as spies but this is not their first rodeo as they have a long career in international spying and escaping tight situations. This past is not explored in this novel as it has been in previous instalments. A new reader to the series may wonder but their backstory is not essential to this novel.

The Fatal Flying Affair is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

The Fatal Flying Affair shows T E Kinsey on top form. Lady Emily Hardcastle’s brother, Harry, works in the Government’s new Secret Service Bureau and has persuaded Emily (and Flo, her maid) to return to the Government’s payroll in that same department. A top-secret project at Bristol’s Filton aerodrome has been set back by a death. Harry is also aware of information being leaked from that project and wants to find out who is responsible. Cue Emily visiting the company with the announced intention of wanting to buy a plane.

As Emily repeatedly points out, there isn’t actually much pretence involved with that aspect. She really is interested in buying one. Flo would be her pilot, although one assumes that the duties, like that of driving the car, would be shared. Both Emily and Flo do go up in a plane and each of them thoroughly enjoys the experience.

The book is not all light-hearted fun. There is a one-page conversation between Emily and Harry that argues both sides of a genuine moral issue. Emily wants to nab the murderer. Harry is more interested in the leaker. Someone leaking government secrets is guilty of high treason and can face the death penalty. Emily is concerned that the leaker is out of their depth and states that “… this leaker is just one step up from being a civilian.” Do they deserve to be executed? Harry’s response is “… Hard cheese. If you’re going to step up to play with the First XV, it’s really rather your responsibility to look into the possibilities of getting mulched by some heavy chaps on the other team.” Whilst the use of a schoolboy sporting analogy to describe a life or death situation is in keeping with Harry’s character, both Harry and Emily have good points to make.

Emily also makes a perceptive comment about the British when discussing the likelihood of war with Flo, “What we have in spades is an unshakeable self-belief: the sure and certain knowledge, no matter how ill-founded, that the world is ours and everything that’s in it.” This book really shows that WWI is coming – it’s 1912, after all.

#TheFatalFlyingAffair #NetGalley

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid, Florence Armstrong, have been together for 17 years. They are not exactly who they appear.

Both of these women work for the British government. In fact, they have done so in quite a few different situations and different countries.

Although this is the seventh book in the series, it can work as a stand alone read. But, if you want to have a more enjoyable reading experience, I would suggest you start at the beginning.

Lady Emily’s brother, Harry, has asked that the two women investigate an airplane manufacturing company. Because Lady Emily is an adventurous soul, she plans to investigate while checking out the idea of purchasing an airplane.

She and Florence have driven an experimental auto which blew up while they were driving. They have done many unusual things while investigating for the government. But, they also simply like adventure. Exploding cars are simply a part of their lives.

This time, as they are shown around the airplane manufacturing site, they meet the movers and shakers of the company. They are looking for someone who has been selling information to a foreign power and the same person may also be a murderer.

As always, Mr Kinsey provides the reader with wonderful humor, adventure and mystery.

There are characters from the local village as well as the people being investigated. Each of them seem to be a wee bit off kilter. Everyone has a story, and each of those stories add wonderful atmosphere to the book.

In the background, as the mystery is being investigated, the village is planning a talent show. Everyone participates and there is a contest for the most entertaining act. In short, this is a village which is typical of the early 20th century. It is very rural, it is in the process of moving forward along with new technology and no one is beyond making a fool of themselves for their friends and neighbors.

I love this series.

Lady Hardcastle and Florence are two of the best examples of strong and accomplished women you will find in fiction. Although they may face danger, they are doing what they know is needed to be done for their country. And they can make a reader laugh while they are facing danger.

Much of the background and the reason for their investigation has to do with the European situation before World War I. The British government and much of the population are aware that situations can lead to a war. This story is a reminder that the people who were to be affected by a war, are human beings with lives to live.

I have enjoyed this book and if you are seeking a fun British mystery, this is the book for you.

I received the book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

Another very good read from the Lady Hardcastle & Florence series in which the pending storm of WWI looms over our heroines and the core of the mystery - an aeroplane-related incident which may have a whiff of foreign interference and sabotage about it. Especially enjoyable are the relationships between Emily, Florence and the various village residents and the sibling slap fights between Emily and her brother, Harry (who also acts as their government /spymaster-ish contact with the higher-ups in Whitehall). The series looks to be veering more into international intrigue, as opposed to just straight-up murders on the village green, and I'm all for it! A very strong recommend for series fans and newcomers alike.

I have been following A Lady Hardcastle Mystery since book 1 and while they are all enjoyable, I think this is the best one yet! Their investigation into potential espionage is well paced and they always find time to have some fun and enjoy life in between undercover work. Armstrong's personality is really shining through in this particular mystery. Looking forward to their next adventure!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of a honest review.

I adore this series and this book was as good as the previous ones. Lady Hardcastle and Flo are at it again trying to find out what is happening and who committed a murder but this time the story revolves around aeroplanes. These books are cosy crime at its best, the characters are well rounded and truly loveable and the books have just enough tongue in cheek action to be funny without being rude or offensive.
I cannot wait for the next in this installment.

This is the seventh book of the series, A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, and although you don't need to read the other books to thoroughly enjoy this one, I can't see why you would not. They are absolutely delightful.

The Fatal Flying Affair is a fun, character-driven mystery set in the quaint town of Littleton Cotterell. There is a mysterious parachute death at the headquarters of an aviation company in Brighton, and Lady Hardcastle, Emily, and Florence Armstrong, Flo, are sent by the "secret service" to get to the bottom of this "accident." As they investigate, they learn that there is a lot more going on including embezzlement, spying, and secret love affairs.

In the course of their undercover spying, we get to observe their shenanigans. Emily and Flo have been working as very capable spies for many years. They may be unequal socially, but their relationship is one of true friends who trust and rely on each other. Their differences only make them a stronger team. The dialogue is absolutely uproarious. I don't know how Kinsey comes up with the wise cracks that all the characters routinely spout. I absolutely love it!

When they are not spying, they visit their neighborhood pub where they interact with the locals who have the most delightful dialects, and get involved with putting on the village's annual talent show.

I also enjoyed reading about the events of this post-Victorian, pre-WWI era. I learned so many interesting facts about early aviation, and what a "cheese door stop sandwich" is. Being American and not familiar with all things British, it was fun!

I have read and enjoyed all the other books in this series and I hope T.E. Kinsey continues to write more.

As my preferences are normally Sword, Sandals and SAS I have found reading this series of books the equivalent of a detox or going to a health spa - so refreshing. Lady Hardcastle and her “maid” Flo are once again embroiled in a spy come murder mystery that the early 1900’s sleuths are well suited for. Leaked secrets and the unfortunate demise of a pilot sees them trotting off to the local airfield to see what’s what but for Flo more dangerous and taxing tasks await - performing in the local village show! As ever this book hits the heights.

The Fatal Flying Affair is the seventh novel in this historical murder mystery series.

Lady H and Florence are a delightful, witty pairing and their relationship is one of the highlights of the book. Add in Harry, Lady Hardcastle's brother, and you have a jolly fine detective team for a aviation based parachute mystery.

This is such a fun, witty, and cozy mystery. I love the strong female friendship between Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong. Their banter is hilarious.

I really enjoyed this book, it is part of a series I have never read before, but it works perfectly as a stand-alone. The main characters are extremely well drawn and the “banter” between them underlines their connection and prior history. The main mystery storyline itself is fairly light and fun, although there are enough complexities to keep the reader guessing till the end. Interwoven with it is a funny sub plot related to a village show, and the author does well to combine the two. He also manages to paint an engaging and immersive picture of a bye-gone age, that draws from truth with regard to the development of aircraft and parachute technology of the time. A fun, fast paced whodunit that doesn’t disappoint – this has encouraged me to seek out more in this series.

Lady Hardcastle and her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, are a delightful pair! They are so much fun, so is their small village of Littleton Cottrell. Their gentle teasing of each other upsets the normal social hierarchy but it works for them and provides a great deal of fun never mind is priceless when they engage in sleuthing a murder case as amateurs or acting as agents for His Majesty's government. These two are not your typical women settling in for a quiet, retiring life in the country. All the new inventions of the turn of the century, the 20th century that is, interest them: moving pictures, fast cars, and now, airplanes.

Lady Hardcastle's brother asks the pair to discover who is passing top secret military secrets to a foreign power from a nearby airplane design company. Of course, a mysterious death at the company, rises Ladycastle and Flo's suspicions that something else is afoot that treason. Meanwhile, Flo is desperately trying to escape performing in the Village Show.

Sit down and enjoy a charming story full of fun, enjoyable characters and a good mystery to boot.

I was provided with a copy of the ARC by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

this is the latest in a series that i really love; not least because I spent 20 years working in Bristol and know the settings for many of the stories. The author is knowledgeable about both the period and about the surroundings and the stories themselves always leave you not quite sure about the culprit. The books are well plotted and the two feisty female main characters are an absolute joy. Please keep writing these stories.

England, punny, sly-humor, situational-humor, cosy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, historical-fiction, historical-research

It's 1911 with Lady Hardcastle and lady's maid Florence who are up to tricks once again, so the fun was just what I needed today! Lady Hardcastle has managed to need a new Rolls with her own specifications, and she also has decided to learn to fly an aeroplane despite having observed a person falling out of one! There is a lot going on throughout and the mystery is well done, too. Good sleuthing and a cast of zany characters!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley. Thank you!

Perfect, as always. There is something magical about Florence and Emily and ot makes for such lovely stories. The mystery in this one is good and we get a good amount of interaction with other favorite neighbors and friends as well as brother Henry. Though it could be read as a stand alone, I think you would miss out. Start at the beginning and you won't regret it.

A Deadly Mystery....
Book seven in the Lady Hardcastle mystery series and a peaceful, glorious Summer is in full swing. Obviously, that is completely unacceptable and soon enough a deadly mystery lands in Lady Hardcastle’s lap. Laced with wry humour, a colourful cast of characters and an enjoyable, entertaining plot this is a worthy addition to this fun series.

This is cute and lighthearted cozy mystery. The banter between the two lead female characters is witty and fun. The plot and storyline were both interesting and very well crafted. I enjoyed this as a simple summer read, highly recommend!