The Beast of Littleton Woods (Book Review)

 

 A "cosy" murder mystery series that I have enjoyed following in later years is T.E. Kinsey's books about Lady Hardcastle and her lady's maid Florence Armstrong (more like best friends than employer and employee, really). The books are set in the beginning of the 20th century,  in a small village in Gloucestershire, where (in the first book) the two women came with the intent to live a quieter (hm) life after a number of adventurous years abroad (including them both having been involved in espionage). But English village life turns out to offer its own challenges, and they soon find themselves frequently "helping the police" to solve murders and other mysteries...

One reason that I felt drawn to this charming series to begin with is probably that in my own family history, there is a sister of my grandmother's who worked as travelling lady's maid  in the same time period (and onward). (I don't think she was exactly involved in political espionage, though...) 

Anyway, I just finished listening to the 12th installment in the Lady Hardcastle series, entitled The Beast of Littleton Woods. 

It is the year 1912, and after a prized sheep has been found mysteriously mauled to death, rumours start circulating in the village about some mysterious wild animal stalking the countryside. And when the owner of the sheep is killed in a similar way, the terror spreads...  Is there actually a dangerous wild beast on the loose? Or is there some other possible explanation? 

Meanwhile, there are also some comparatively "minor" mysteries going on in the village, but none the less causing a great deal of headache - like someone regularly messing with the post sorted at the local post office, so that letters end up delivered to the wrong people.

Lady Hardcastle and Florence don't hesitate to offer their help solving any kind of mystery, big or "small"... And I thoroughly enjoyed following their efforts, and some rather unexpected findings and answers.

I also don't think you really need to start from the beginning with this whole series, but could probably just jump right in with this one, if you're feeling tempted.