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Hardcastle & Chaytor Mysteries #3
The Body in the Boat
A gripping tale of murder and mystery in eighteenth century England. Across the still, dark English Channel come the smugglers. But tonight they carry an unusual a coffin. Several miles inland, a respected banker holds a birthday party for his wife. Within days, one of the guests is found shot dead.What links this apparently senseless killing to the smugglers lurking in the mists? Why has the local bank been buying and hoarding gold? And who was in the mysterious coffin?Reverend Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor find themselves drawn into the worlds of high finance and organised crime in this dramatic and dark Georgian mystery. With its unique cast of characters and captivating amateur sleuths, The Body in the Boat is a twisting tale that vividly brings to life eighteenth-century Kent and draws readers into its pages.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2018
37 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 4, 2018
This is the third in the wonderful series featuring Reverend Marcus Aurelius Hardcastle and widow Amelia Chaytor set in the Romney Marshes in the Georgian period. The country is still at war with France feeding the atmosphere of paranoia, and fears of spies and imminent invasion. Smuggling is rife and everyone is at, from the lower classes to the highest, despite it being a crime. With so many involved, temporary JP Hardcastle is inclined to ignore it and leave it to customs, so many who are close to him are involved. Late one night a boat with a coffin inside is discovered, and at a birthday party at Magpie Court owned by Frederick Maudsley, a friend of Hardcastle, attended by local notables, including a banker, Hector Munro, who is found shot dead in a boat a few days later. Hardcastle and Amelia are determined to get to the bottom of what is going on and what connects these events.
Hardcastle continues to be irritated by his sister, Calpurnia Vane, a well known writer, but is to soften in his attitudes as she proves to be both helpful and a tower of strength and organisation when peace talks between France and England fail and a flood of traumatised refugees flee France. This is a story of high finance, banking in crisis as the East Weald and Ashford Bank is suspected of smuggling, with rumours of it in a deep financial debts under the leadership of Charles Faversham. This means there is the real possibility of a threatened run on it, threatening the livelihoods of local people close to Hardcastle and Amelia's heart, which they are not going to take lying down. There are further brutal murders and evidence that suggests there is embezzlement and fraud taking place linked directly with smuggling operations involving gold and opium. It appears to all lead to and connect with ruthless smugglers operating out of Hythe. Danger is everywhere, and as the duo get closer to the truth, local women are taken, leading to a thrilling climax at sea.
This is a wonderful historical crime series, with characters I have come to know well. Hardcastle is not yet free of his demons, and his penchant for drink, as he almost succumbs when faced with betrayal from close quarters. It is Amelia who pushes him out of his deep depression, reminding him of responsibilities to those close to him. Amelia is reminded of her grief as she attempts to comfort Munro's widow, Cecilia and further tormented with a demise of a young man who held her is such high regard. The authors are keeping this series full of suspense and tension, with plenty of adventures and heroics, whilst facing the threats of dangerous and ruthless villainy. A great series that is entertaining and gripping. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre.
Hardcastle continues to be irritated by his sister, Calpurnia Vane, a well known writer, but is to soften in his attitudes as she proves to be both helpful and a tower of strength and organisation when peace talks between France and England fail and a flood of traumatised refugees flee France. This is a story of high finance, banking in crisis as the East Weald and Ashford Bank is suspected of smuggling, with rumours of it in a deep financial debts under the leadership of Charles Faversham. This means there is the real possibility of a threatened run on it, threatening the livelihoods of local people close to Hardcastle and Amelia's heart, which they are not going to take lying down. There are further brutal murders and evidence that suggests there is embezzlement and fraud taking place linked directly with smuggling operations involving gold and opium. It appears to all lead to and connect with ruthless smugglers operating out of Hythe. Danger is everywhere, and as the duo get closer to the truth, local women are taken, leading to a thrilling climax at sea.
This is a wonderful historical crime series, with characters I have come to know well. Hardcastle is not yet free of his demons, and his penchant for drink, as he almost succumbs when faced with betrayal from close quarters. It is Amelia who pushes him out of his deep depression, reminding him of responsibilities to those close to him. Amelia is reminded of her grief as she attempts to comfort Munro's widow, Cecilia and further tormented with a demise of a young man who held her is such high regard. The authors are keeping this series full of suspense and tension, with plenty of adventures and heroics, whilst facing the threats of dangerous and ruthless villainy. A great series that is entertaining and gripping. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre.
January 4, 2019
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Apart from a joyous six months in Cumbria I have lived all of my fairly long life within fifty miles of Romney Marsh yet until I read this book I had not realised how exciting a place it used to be.
The Body in the Boat is the third book published in the Hardcastle and Chaytor Mystery series. In it, A. J. Mackenzie describes a very different world to the relatively peaceful image that we tend to have of late 18th Century South East England. The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars when trade across the Channel was severely restricted and most goods were heavily taxed. Smuggling was not only rife but it also appears to have been accepted by most of the local population who preferred the term Free Trade. In those days the illegal cargoes were fine cloths and gold to France; wines, spirits and “vanities” into England.
From the opening pages the book has intense atmosphere. I loved the mood that was generated by the isolation of the marsh with its sparse population, declining harbours and its contrasts to the relatively prosperous surrounding higher ground. Mackenzie also provides excellent detail of banking at that time and of the judiciary prior to the police forces as we know them today.
The book has some excellent characters; Hardcastle who doubles as a parish priest and an investigating Justice of the Peace, Joshua Stemp as his Parish Constable and The Rider who appears in the latter stages of the book. My favourite was the gutsy widow Amelia Chaytor who I saw as an early Emma Peel; just replace the Lotus Elan with a one-horse, two seater gig.
The investigation leads up to a very lively climax. Could it have been better? If so, then not greatly. I have awarded The Body in the Boat four and a half stars.
Apart from a joyous six months in Cumbria I have lived all of my fairly long life within fifty miles of Romney Marsh yet until I read this book I had not realised how exciting a place it used to be.
The Body in the Boat is the third book published in the Hardcastle and Chaytor Mystery series. In it, A. J. Mackenzie describes a very different world to the relatively peaceful image that we tend to have of late 18th Century South East England. The action takes place during the French Revolutionary Wars when trade across the Channel was severely restricted and most goods were heavily taxed. Smuggling was not only rife but it also appears to have been accepted by most of the local population who preferred the term Free Trade. In those days the illegal cargoes were fine cloths and gold to France; wines, spirits and “vanities” into England.
From the opening pages the book has intense atmosphere. I loved the mood that was generated by the isolation of the marsh with its sparse population, declining harbours and its contrasts to the relatively prosperous surrounding higher ground. Mackenzie also provides excellent detail of banking at that time and of the judiciary prior to the police forces as we know them today.
The book has some excellent characters; Hardcastle who doubles as a parish priest and an investigating Justice of the Peace, Joshua Stemp as his Parish Constable and The Rider who appears in the latter stages of the book. My favourite was the gutsy widow Amelia Chaytor who I saw as an early Emma Peel; just replace the Lotus Elan with a one-horse, two seater gig.
The investigation leads up to a very lively climax. Could it have been better? If so, then not greatly. I have awarded The Body in the Boat four and a half stars.
May 7, 2018
Sitting next to a lake in the Okanagan Valley, BC, I found the Marsh settings in this book very easy to visualize. I do have the added benefit of observing bald eagles diving for their kills. Even with these distractions this book satisfied as the two previous books in the series. The characters are all very strong, with particularly independent females considering the era, 1790's.
The rector must determine who is behind the smuggling of gold and opium, killing anyone trying to stop them. Banks may fail and security is stolen in the small community.
3 and a half stars out of 5
The rector must determine who is behind the smuggling of gold and opium, killing anyone trying to stop them. Banks may fail and security is stolen in the small community.
3 and a half stars out of 5
October 6, 2024
I do so enjoy the Reverend Hardcastle and Mrs. Chaytor Romney Marsh mysteries. They are excellent in all respects – characterization, setting, and plotting. This one once again features smuggling and the war with France, but there are much darker prospects at play, including particularly diabolic "crime lords" that will stop at pretty much nothing to achieve their aims.
It is the setting and the characterization that especially appeals to me. The wetlands of Romney Marsh are perfect for a mystery book – thinly populated, lots of places for smugglers to hide, weather that can close down in an instant; an area that John Betjeman recalled to him the whistle of the sea wind in old willow trees. It is a harsh land, too, a place where murder occurs on a regular basis, good for us readers and for the author, A. J. Mackenzie, luckily. In The Body in the Boat death affects Mr. Hardcastle personally, as he investigates the murder of a friend, one that eventually is traced to economics, war, greed and all their consequences.
The Reverend Marcus Hardcastle has his faults – alcoholism was his downfall in London, and so he has been exiled to this far-flung corner of England. Lucky for us here he has found the widowed Mrs. Amelia Chaytor, and they have become friends and co-detectives. They make a great pair, and Mackenzie uses all the freedoms – and the limitations – of the time to have them investigate and solve the mystery. It is a complex one, and each plays a superior part.
There are stories within the story, too. Mrs. Chaytor has an especially poignant one.
The Body in the Boat has action sequences, excellent research, and fully realized people that populate the pages. It should appeal to anyone that enjoys a well-written historical mystery.
It is the setting and the characterization that especially appeals to me. The wetlands of Romney Marsh are perfect for a mystery book – thinly populated, lots of places for smugglers to hide, weather that can close down in an instant; an area that John Betjeman recalled to him the whistle of the sea wind in old willow trees. It is a harsh land, too, a place where murder occurs on a regular basis, good for us readers and for the author, A. J. Mackenzie, luckily. In The Body in the Boat death affects Mr. Hardcastle personally, as he investigates the murder of a friend, one that eventually is traced to economics, war, greed and all their consequences.
The Reverend Marcus Hardcastle has his faults – alcoholism was his downfall in London, and so he has been exiled to this far-flung corner of England. Lucky for us here he has found the widowed Mrs. Amelia Chaytor, and they have become friends and co-detectives. They make a great pair, and Mackenzie uses all the freedoms – and the limitations – of the time to have them investigate and solve the mystery. It is a complex one, and each plays a superior part.
There are stories within the story, too. Mrs. Chaytor has an especially poignant one.
The Body in the Boat has action sequences, excellent research, and fully realized people that populate the pages. It should appeal to anyone that enjoys a well-written historical mystery.
September 25, 2019
Joshua Stemp, parish constable and also a casual smuggler, happens upon a small rowing boat dragged up onto the shingle beach near Romney Marsh at night. There is a coffin inside it. He tries to withdraw before the Noakes, the boat's owner finds him, but is driven back to his own boat by Noakes' mastiff and escapes, with Noakes shouting threats after him.
On a morning two weeks later, he is summoned as parish constable to another rowing boat, which has been found adrift with a body in it, obviously shot dead. He fetches the Reverend Marcus Hardcastle ...
Such is the beginning of The Body in the Boat, an atmospheric thriller set in Georgian times. Through many twists and turns, Reverend Hardcastle, a likeably human priest, and his friend, the widow Amelia Chaytor discover who killed him and why.
The book is very readable throughout, with a mix of fascinating characters and a complex plot, but perhaps the best thing about it is the way that the atmosphere of Romney Marsh is captured.
This is the first in this series of books I have read, and I will be certainly looking out for the others.
On a morning two weeks later, he is summoned as parish constable to another rowing boat, which has been found adrift with a body in it, obviously shot dead. He fetches the Reverend Marcus Hardcastle ...
Such is the beginning of The Body in the Boat, an atmospheric thriller set in Georgian times. Through many twists and turns, Reverend Hardcastle, a likeably human priest, and his friend, the widow Amelia Chaytor discover who killed him and why.
The book is very readable throughout, with a mix of fascinating characters and a complex plot, but perhaps the best thing about it is the way that the atmosphere of Romney Marsh is captured.
This is the first in this series of books I have read, and I will be certainly looking out for the others.
April 26, 2018
Another entertaining mystery for Reverend Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor to solve. The case this time involves smugglers and it's all set against a fascinating backdrop of war and banking shenanigans. I do like the setting in 18th-century Kent. You can almost smell the sea. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
January 10, 2019
A bit of historical here, back to late 18th century smuggling villages on the coast. Too many characters to cope with at first (not that I’m one to talk) but the detective and his female companion were original and in the end I enjoyed it very much – the setting, both historical and
geographical, was excellent.
geographical, was excellent.
July 1, 2018
This is the third in the series and I’ve loved them all. Mrs Chaytor, the Reverend Hardcastle, his sister Calpurnia, Joshua Stemp etc, they are all good friends now. I do wish AJ MacKenzie would write a little quicker.
Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor go to a birthday do. The birthday girl’s father is a friend of Hardcastle’s. The girl herself is happily married and awaiting the birth of her first child. He husband has organised the do. Within a week one member of the household is found dead. So begins a tale that includes smuggling, high finance, drugs, kidnapping, battles at sea and deaths, quite a few. It’s really quite exciting.
There is a sadness in the stories as things happen to friends and loved ones but the interaction between the reverend and Mrs Chaytor, their obvious closeness and reliance on each other, always gives a warm glow.
Even if you sort of work out the ‘who’ before the story tells you, it’s the danger they face trying to apprehend the wrongdoers that keeps you on tenterhooks. And it is so exciting, you could be there.
The story brilliantly evokes life around Romney Marsh and surrounding areas. The folk, the changeable weather, the landscape are all written about in such a way that you are there with them all the way.
When’s the next one?
Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor go to a birthday do. The birthday girl’s father is a friend of Hardcastle’s. The girl herself is happily married and awaiting the birth of her first child. He husband has organised the do. Within a week one member of the household is found dead. So begins a tale that includes smuggling, high finance, drugs, kidnapping, battles at sea and deaths, quite a few. It’s really quite exciting.
There is a sadness in the stories as things happen to friends and loved ones but the interaction between the reverend and Mrs Chaytor, their obvious closeness and reliance on each other, always gives a warm glow.
Even if you sort of work out the ‘who’ before the story tells you, it’s the danger they face trying to apprehend the wrongdoers that keeps you on tenterhooks. And it is so exciting, you could be there.
The story brilliantly evokes life around Romney Marsh and surrounding areas. The folk, the changeable weather, the landscape are all written about in such a way that you are there with them all the way.
When’s the next one?
August 5, 2018
Ahoy there!
Would have given more stars of allowed! It's been a very long time since a book has had me reading on and on till it ended and that with a sigh of regret I turned the last page! Have enjoyed the three Hardcastle + Chaytor books immensely and eagerly await the fourth! Ms Mackenzie I salute you!!!
Would have given more stars of allowed! It's been a very long time since a book has had me reading on and on till it ended and that with a sigh of regret I turned the last page! Have enjoyed the three Hardcastle + Chaytor books immensely and eagerly await the fourth! Ms Mackenzie I salute you!!!
September 1, 2019
Totally Enjoyable
Lots of twists and turns. Historical interest. Local interest; all the details of Romney Marsh near where I live and other local villages. Love reading about smugglers and involvement of whole community including the Church. Highly recommended and wish it was available in audio format so that I could follow again to see if I missed anything. Will read again.
Lots of twists and turns. Historical interest. Local interest; all the details of Romney Marsh near where I live and other local villages. Love reading about smugglers and involvement of whole community including the Church. Highly recommended and wish it was available in audio format so that I could follow again to see if I missed anything. Will read again.
May 22, 2018
An excellent story with an intriguing setting
Whether or not you know Romney Marsh it is an interesting place to set a story, and as with others in this series the landscape plays an important role in the narrative. Recommended.
Whether or not you know Romney Marsh it is an interesting place to set a story, and as with others in this series the landscape plays an important role in the narrative. Recommended.
June 18, 2023
Brilliant read. Am not a professional book reviewer. But this 3rd book in the trilogy was exciting ,and really an enjoyable experience. I want to read more of the Reverend Hardcastle and Amelia...Great story lines,.
July 17, 2023
Despite at times losing track of the huge cast of characters, I really enjoyed this book. Well written and I found myself immersed in 18th century Kent. Looking forward to the next Hardcastle and Chaytor novel being released.
July 28, 2018
Can't help liking it
A mixture of all the things you expect in a mystery tale, well told and likeable main characters.
Hope the tales continue
A mixture of all the things you expect in a mystery tale, well told and likeable main characters.
Hope the tales continue
September 23, 2019
Excellent novel with a lot of action throughout. Will read the rest of the series.
August 23, 2021
I have now read the complete series of the Hardcastle and Chaytor mysteries, easy read and thoroughly enjoyed the series, highly recommended.
February 17, 2023
Late 18th century crime thriller set in the Dungeness peninsula.
May 1, 2023
For me, as usual, perfect! I love the witty characters, the smuggling rules, and the plot is complex and captivating!
August 18, 2025
really enjoyed reading these books. Great characters and fast paced.
April 12, 2023
Reading this on the back of the previous two books in the series, I came to this fresh in the knowledge of the characters and history of the people and community where the book is set. If anyone is picking this up as a standalone or has had a significant break from the initial two stories, then this may be challenging to keep up with the volume of characters and callbacks.
I find it intriguing that the relationship between Hardcastle and Chaytor, which was the strength of the first two books, took on a slightly different dynamic in this one. Rather than working together and sparking off one another as they had been previously, they played their parts rather isolated in this story, coming together much less frequently until towards the end.
There were moments that this book felt like it was straying into James Bond style territory, especially the sequence towards the end of the book. Unfortunately, I also felt that it was very predictable who the protagonist was going to be from early on in the tale, which meant the twists and turns along the way didn't have the impact they should have done. However, the enjoyment wasn't spoiled as I was curious to see how they would get to the reveal and culmination of the plot.
There's enough in these books to keep them appealing. They're a relatively easy read, the dialogue may not be the greatest, but the characterisation is good and it's interesting to see how the story will play out.
I find it intriguing that the relationship between Hardcastle and Chaytor, which was the strength of the first two books, took on a slightly different dynamic in this one. Rather than working together and sparking off one another as they had been previously, they played their parts rather isolated in this story, coming together much less frequently until towards the end.
There were moments that this book felt like it was straying into James Bond style territory, especially the sequence towards the end of the book. Unfortunately, I also felt that it was very predictable who the protagonist was going to be from early on in the tale, which meant the twists and turns along the way didn't have the impact they should have done. However, the enjoyment wasn't spoiled as I was curious to see how they would get to the reveal and culmination of the plot.
There's enough in these books to keep them appealing. They're a relatively easy read, the dialogue may not be the greatest, but the characterisation is good and it's interesting to see how the story will play out.
April 11, 2018
I downloaded this book because I was attracted by the cover and I love historical mysteries. I then realised it was actually #3 in a series, so I had to quickly read the other books first!
The Body in the Boat probably has one of the best openings I've read for a long time. One foggy night, the local constable and sometime smuggler Joshua Stemp catches his rival with a coffin in his boat. Is he up to no good? Undoubtedly. But the other man has a large dog and an equally large knife, and so Joshua is forced to make a tactical retreat. A few days later a local banker is found washed up in another boat, extremely dead, along with one bloodstained gold coin. Are the two events connected? It's up to the Reverend Marcus Hardcastle and his friend Amelia Chaytor to find out.
These books are usually centred around a historical event, and in this case it is the introduction of paper money, and the effect it had on the banks. All the lovably eccentric characters from the earlier books are here: wily smugglers, sneaky French spies, feisty widows, and a Wicked Lady-ish debutante turned smuggler. Although the plots are suitably twisty, it is definitely the characters that make this series for me, along with the flashes of dry humour. While this particular story started a bit slowly, the end was as nail-bitingly thrilling as its predecessors.
The only negative for me was that Rev Hardcastle spent a large chunk of the story questioning each suspect in turn, and I'd rather he had become directly involved with the action like the earlier books. And in this one Amelia doesn't have a lot to do. But I love this series and hope I won't have too long to wait for the next one! Recommended!
Thank you to A.J. MacKenzie, Bonnier Zaffre, and NetGalley for my copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
The Body in the Boat probably has one of the best openings I've read for a long time. One foggy night, the local constable and sometime smuggler Joshua Stemp catches his rival with a coffin in his boat. Is he up to no good? Undoubtedly. But the other man has a large dog and an equally large knife, and so Joshua is forced to make a tactical retreat. A few days later a local banker is found washed up in another boat, extremely dead, along with one bloodstained gold coin. Are the two events connected? It's up to the Reverend Marcus Hardcastle and his friend Amelia Chaytor to find out.
These books are usually centred around a historical event, and in this case it is the introduction of paper money, and the effect it had on the banks. All the lovably eccentric characters from the earlier books are here: wily smugglers, sneaky French spies, feisty widows, and a Wicked Lady-ish debutante turned smuggler. Although the plots are suitably twisty, it is definitely the characters that make this series for me, along with the flashes of dry humour. While this particular story started a bit slowly, the end was as nail-bitingly thrilling as its predecessors.
The only negative for me was that Rev Hardcastle spent a large chunk of the story questioning each suspect in turn, and I'd rather he had become directly involved with the action like the earlier books. And in this one Amelia doesn't have a lot to do. But I love this series and hope I won't have too long to wait for the next one! Recommended!
Thank you to A.J. MacKenzie, Bonnier Zaffre, and NetGalley for my copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable read. This is the first time I have read anything from this author(s) but will be seeking out the previous novels in the series straight away. I usually steer clear of historical fiction but this has changed my view completely.
Brilliantly crafted murder mystery, which seems to encompass smuggling, a body being taken across the channel and high finance with ease and clarity.
Engaging characters of Reverend Hardcastle, who is the imperfect main character who works well with Amelia Chaytor. Throughout there was the humour and attention to detail, which shone through.
Enjoyable and strongly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and A J MacKenzie for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Brilliantly crafted murder mystery, which seems to encompass smuggling, a body being taken across the channel and high finance with ease and clarity.
Engaging characters of Reverend Hardcastle, who is the imperfect main character who works well with Amelia Chaytor. Throughout there was the humour and attention to detail, which shone through.
Enjoyable and strongly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and A J MacKenzie for the ARC in return for my honest review.
April 5, 2018
Reverend Hardcastle is drawn into the dark world of smuggling when a friend is mudered. When a second person is also killed it becomes clear they will stop at nothing to survive. Can he figure out who us in charge and stop them before more people die?
This is not my usual sort of book but the first look was so interesting I decided to give it a try. It was a really good read. The plot is well constructed and flies easily. It's not an action packed read until the end but it fits with the tone of the book. I enjoyed the letters being sent back and forth.
Hardcastle is an interesting character, not your typical hero but it works. He's likeable and clever. I also really liked Mrs Chaytor. She is a perfect companion for him and I hope there will be more of their adventures to come.
This is not my usual sort of book but the first look was so interesting I decided to give it a try. It was a really good read. The plot is well constructed and flies easily. It's not an action packed read until the end but it fits with the tone of the book. I enjoyed the letters being sent back and forth.
Hardcastle is an interesting character, not your typical hero but it works. He's likeable and clever. I also really liked Mrs Chaytor. She is a perfect companion for him and I hope there will be more of their adventures to come.
Want to read
April 16, 2018The Body in the Boat is the third novel in the Hardcastle and Chaytor mystery series from AJ Mackenzie (a pseudonym for husband and wife writing duo, Marilyn Livingstone and Morgen Witzel).
I have so far just read a chapter sampler of this book as I have ordered book one and two to read before continuing with book three.
Take that as a testament to the enthralling first chapter of this book as I knew immediately that I must read the other books in the series.
Right from the beginning this novel is highly captivating. It opens with a smuggler in his boat on a cold, crisp night in 1796. Instantly, I felt the need for quiet, for secretiveness. The writing of the scene, and the setting, ensured my wanting of more.
I have so far just read a chapter sampler of this book as I have ordered book one and two to read before continuing with book three.
Take that as a testament to the enthralling first chapter of this book as I knew immediately that I must read the other books in the series.
Right from the beginning this novel is highly captivating. It opens with a smuggler in his boat on a cold, crisp night in 1796. Instantly, I felt the need for quiet, for secretiveness. The writing of the scene, and the setting, ensured my wanting of more.
September 27, 2023
After the unfinishable second in the series, this was a return to the strengths of the first.
Reverend Hardcastle, temporary JP at Romney Marsh in 1797, has to investigate the murder of a victim in the banking world which swiftly leads to a much more complex case with national implications. The villain is pretty clear early on, but it is the investigation, the plausible relationships and emotions, plus historical veracity which makes for a compelling narrative.
Hardcastle is less of an alcoholic in this third of the trilogy in which many secondary characters are nicely individualised. One aspect of the story that was very hard to believe though, was that the insular residents would be so welcoming to large numbers of French refugees.
Reverend Hardcastle, temporary JP at Romney Marsh in 1797, has to investigate the murder of a victim in the banking world which swiftly leads to a much more complex case with national implications. The villain is pretty clear early on, but it is the investigation, the plausible relationships and emotions, plus historical veracity which makes for a compelling narrative.
Hardcastle is less of an alcoholic in this third of the trilogy in which many secondary characters are nicely individualised. One aspect of the story that was very hard to believe though, was that the insular residents would be so welcoming to large numbers of French refugees.
August 9, 2018
Generally speaking, this is a good series, the main characters being the Reverend Hardcastle and his friend Mrs Chaytor. I'm not really sure how believable their exploits are, set in 18th century England, but this one revolves around the smuggling trade and is a pretty good tale.
That said, the middle part of the book does rather lose steam and plods along before picking up pace at the end. The final skirmish is well described and you feel part of the action again.
Overall I enjoy these stories.
That said, the middle part of the book does rather lose steam and plods along before picking up pace at the end. The final skirmish is well described and you feel part of the action again.
Overall I enjoy these stories.
November 1, 2024
I went into this one really excited hoping it would feed my need for a good historical mystery but I had a hard time pushing through this. I liked the setup and premise of it but I just could not finish it. However, I did enjoy how Mackenzie characterized the members of the family and how the story was told.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2018
Thanks Bonnier Zaffre and netgalley for this ARC.
Having read all of AJ MacKenzie's novels, I loved this one most of all of them. The mystery was complex, the setting well remembered, and the characters well loved already. It's like meeting old friends after a long absence and having a good chin wag. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Having read all of AJ MacKenzie's novels, I loved this one most of all of them. The mystery was complex, the setting well remembered, and the characters well loved already. It's like meeting old friends after a long absence and having a good chin wag. Can't wait to see what comes next.
January 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really well written (except for its title, I think having titles of ‘body found here’ is a little crude). I really enjoyed the feeling of understanding of Britain in the time period, with basic descriptions which conjured a picture without being too detailed.
July 27, 2019
Another installment in the adventures of Amelia & Marcus! These are part mystery and part 18th century adventure tale. These are always fun & well written w/amusing & interesting character, as well as an interesting setting. I am thoroughly enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews