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Mr Hardy Investigates #1
Death in the Bush: An Amateur Sleuth Historical Mystery Set in the Wild New Zealand Bush
You're never too old to solve a mystery
A historic knife. A mysterious major who wants the knife. The body of a young woman in a red coat found deep in the bush. And a chance for retired coachman James Hardy to reinvent himself in a new country.
New Zealand 1881: After a reclusive Maori on the run from the police leaps onto the back of his spring buggy, retired coachman JAMES HARDY discovers he has stumbled into a murder scene. While tracking a gang of lumber thieves, police have found the body of a young housemaid lying beside a log. The local hermit is hunched over the corpse clutching a knife with ties to the past, but did he do it? And why does he claim he took the knife for the major?
When the inspector in charge of the case asks Hardy for assistance, in the mistaken belief that he is a retired Scotland Yard detective, he agrees. He's a great listener, he's kept up with crime in the English broadsheets, he's an expert cryptic crossword solver, and he can drive a coach better than anyone he's met; he can catch the person who used the famous knife to kill Rosie. But he'll need help from his intrepid American wife, Beatrice, and a young constable recently arrived from Ireland.
For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with unusual settings and a cast of likeable characters, tossed with snippets of history. History and an unbeatable blend.
A historic knife. A mysterious major who wants the knife. The body of a young woman in a red coat found deep in the bush. And a chance for retired coachman James Hardy to reinvent himself in a new country.
New Zealand 1881: After a reclusive Maori on the run from the police leaps onto the back of his spring buggy, retired coachman JAMES HARDY discovers he has stumbled into a murder scene. While tracking a gang of lumber thieves, police have found the body of a young housemaid lying beside a log. The local hermit is hunched over the corpse clutching a knife with ties to the past, but did he do it? And why does he claim he took the knife for the major?
When the inspector in charge of the case asks Hardy for assistance, in the mistaken belief that he is a retired Scotland Yard detective, he agrees. He's a great listener, he's kept up with crime in the English broadsheets, he's an expert cryptic crossword solver, and he can drive a coach better than anyone he's met; he can catch the person who used the famous knife to kill Rosie. But he'll need help from his intrepid American wife, Beatrice, and a young constable recently arrived from Ireland.
For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with unusual settings and a cast of likeable characters, tossed with snippets of history. History and an unbeatable blend.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 17, 2025
This was an interesting mystery in that I know next to nothing about New Zealand’s history. There seemed to be a lot of back story, which was confusing because I thought I was reading the first in a series. I later realized that the characters in this book were introduced in a previous series by the author. Mr Hardy is asked by the police to help solve a murder, as it is mistakenly believed that he worked at Scotland Yard prior to emigrating. He is assisted by his wife Beatrice, who really comes across as far too modern for the time period. The solving of the crime was well plotted but the overall editing could have been a bit tighter. I will continue with the series.
March 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this wee mystery. Set in NZ, back in the day. A good mystery that wasn't too easy to solve
April 26, 2026
Wendy M. Wilson’s ‘Death in the Bush’ (2021), a historical mystery set in the New Zealand of the 1880s, seemed intriguing to start with: a turn-of-the-century mystery in the antipodes, where no regular police existed, with a coachman pretending to be ex-Scotland Yard, surely had all the ingredients for a good read.
Well, it had a good picture of the New Zealand of the late nineteenth century. But, as the author notes:
“It was something you found in new countries: people came to them to change who they were, not by self-improvement, but by creating a better or more interesting past.”
A crucial observation, for nobody, except perhaps Inspector Scully, is what they pretend to be; and the book has such an overload of Colonels, Majors and Captains, to say nothing of pregnant, dead, or mad women, that I lost the thread somewhere around chapter 12. Still, Wilson makes up for the drag by a truly Hollywood heroic rescue of the heroine (also a Woman with a Past). Entertaining for the local colour, if for nothing else.
Well, it had a good picture of the New Zealand of the late nineteenth century. But, as the author notes:
“It was something you found in new countries: people came to them to change who they were, not by self-improvement, but by creating a better or more interesting past.”
A crucial observation, for nobody, except perhaps Inspector Scully, is what they pretend to be; and the book has such an overload of Colonels, Majors and Captains, to say nothing of pregnant, dead, or mad women, that I lost the thread somewhere around chapter 12. Still, Wilson makes up for the drag by a truly Hollywood heroic rescue of the heroine (also a Woman with a Past). Entertaining for the local colour, if for nothing else.
February 5, 2025
More than 40 years ago, my family and I lived in New Zealand for a year which I look back on with great pleasure. Thus, I am always interested in books set there. I have enjoyed several of Wilson's books, set in the 19th century as they give information on what it was like during the period of colonization. This book introduces Frank Hardy who will appear in later books as he investigates crime in the colony.
April 11, 2026
Light reading but a lot of fun. Having never been to New Zealand, any details Ms. Wilson provided were eagerly lapped up (and there were a lot of them - the book is very well researched). Character development was phenomenal. Little tidbits, particulars, ingredients of the characters were dropped along the way like Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumbs leaving the reader with a very well-rounded view of everyone involved, not only personalities but physical appearances. The plot was engaging, there were a few heart-stopping moments, and it was impossible not to like the "good guys" and hate the "bad guys." I'm ordering the second book in the series right now.
March 17, 2026
Pretty good! I haven’t read a mystery set in NZ since Ngaio Marsh. I love the setting! But there’s only five books. Hardy is a coachman who has been mistaken for a Scotland Yard detective. That is hysterical by itself. There is wonderful history about the area which we would never know. I love that.
April 11, 2026
an excellent read
A thoroughly great read. I was taken to a newish country to me, a new time, a new way of life, new characters all struggling in their own way.
It was breathtaking in its depth, storytelling, scope, character depth, it was embracing, challenging and just wonderful.
Completely clean.
A thoroughly great read. I was taken to a newish country to me, a new time, a new way of life, new characters all struggling in their own way.
It was breathtaking in its depth, storytelling, scope, character depth, it was embracing, challenging and just wonderful.
Completely clean.
March 22, 2025
a good, solid mystery
A whodunnit and some smugglers introduce James and Beatrice to New Zealand, Māori culture, and locals. The clues unravel slowly, and James and his constable wend their way through to a surprising culprit.
A whodunnit and some smugglers introduce James and Beatrice to New Zealand, Māori culture, and locals. The clues unravel slowly, and James and his constable wend their way through to a surprising culprit.
May 4, 2025
New Zealand 1881. When the body of a young female is discovered stabbed, the local,police invite retired coachman James Hardy to investigate. Because for some reason his wife spread the lie that he was an ex-Scotland Yard detective.
An enjoyable historical cozy mystery
An enjoyable historical cozy mystery
March 18, 2026
Loved it!
It caught my attention from the beginning to the end. I liked looking pum the places on Google Maps to see where they were located. I look forward to reading more about Mr Hardy.
It caught my attention from the beginning to the end. I liked looking pum the places on Google Maps to see where they were located. I look forward to reading more about Mr Hardy.
November 5, 2021
A simple but fast paced murder mystery with Frank’s father, James, as the main character. They solve the mystery of a young servant who has been stabbed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2023
Actually, pretty good.
July 27, 2024
A great read !
Endearing characters, a glorious setting and a good plot. What more do you need ? Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.
Endearing characters, a glorious setting and a good plot. What more do you need ? Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.
February 17, 2025
recurrent implausible coincidences spoil a promising premise.
December 17, 2025
Agatha Christie style. Good read!
March 13, 2026
I loved the location of this mystery. So many interesting elements of the story that were outside of my life. Ms Wendy, keep up the great writing.
March 14, 2026
I thought that this was a pretty good read. Decent pace, whimsical at times, a few secrets, and an historical setting that had a feel of authenticity.
April 4, 2026
Like the American wild wesr!
A good story. A little confusing. Took awhile to see the characters develop. Sets the stage for the rest of the series.
A good story. A little confusing. Took awhile to see the characters develop. Sets the stage for the rest of the series.
September 24, 2025
I listened to the unabridged audio version of Death In The Bush by Wendy M. Wilson, which is well narrated by Sam Devereaux. Death In The Bush is the first novel in the 'Mr. Hardy Investigates' series and is a historical mystery set in New Zealand.
I listened to Death In The Bush in October of 2024. I initially found it difficult to get into this novel and wasn't quite sure I liked the main characters (James and Beatrice Hardy, a husband and wife that's recently moved to New Zealand) at first either. Over time, I grew to enjoy the main characters, supporting characters, and the storyline. The plot twists for this novel were pretty good and made for good reading. There is nothing better than reading a historical mystery novel, as it combines a couple of my favorite genres, mystery and historical fiction!
I listened to Death In The Bush in October of 2024. I initially found it difficult to get into this novel and wasn't quite sure I liked the main characters (James and Beatrice Hardy, a husband and wife that's recently moved to New Zealand) at first either. Over time, I grew to enjoy the main characters, supporting characters, and the storyline. The plot twists for this novel were pretty good and made for good reading. There is nothing better than reading a historical mystery novel, as it combines a couple of my favorite genres, mystery and historical fiction!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews