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The Secrets of Hartwell #1
Betrayal at the Old Hall
Welcome to Hartwell, an English village full of cobbled streets, pretty cottages, and dark secrets.
Lady Lucy Hanley is struggling to preserve crumbling Hartwell Hall for her son as rumours circulate about her husband’s disappearance. Her best friend, Rachel Foxton feels trapped and lonely. She’s lived in Hartwell all her life and is exhausted after teaching during the pandemic, grieving her beloved father, and battling heartache. Dr. Meera Kumar is a new arrival. She’s always been the good girl, but now she needs to escape her marriage and make a fresh start for herself and her young son. And former London detective Jo Ormond has been transferred to Hartwell in disgrace. A quiet Yorkshire village where everyone knows your business is the last place she wants to be.
A friendship between the four women begins to grow but secrets run through this close-knit community like a loose thread—with just one tug, everything can unravel. Then a body is discovered, and a betrayal threatens them all.
Lady Lucy Hanley is struggling to preserve crumbling Hartwell Hall for her son as rumours circulate about her husband’s disappearance. Her best friend, Rachel Foxton feels trapped and lonely. She’s lived in Hartwell all her life and is exhausted after teaching during the pandemic, grieving her beloved father, and battling heartache. Dr. Meera Kumar is a new arrival. She’s always been the good girl, but now she needs to escape her marriage and make a fresh start for herself and her young son. And former London detective Jo Ormond has been transferred to Hartwell in disgrace. A quiet Yorkshire village where everyone knows your business is the last place she wants to be.
A friendship between the four women begins to grow but secrets run through this close-knit community like a loose thread—with just one tug, everything can unravel. Then a body is discovered, and a betrayal threatens them all.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2023
458 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 11, 2024
loved the story
An excellent story with interesting characters you care about, in a picture, perfect village setting, with lots of twists and turns that kept me reading long after my bedtime. Really enjoyed and definitely recommend!
An excellent story with interesting characters you care about, in a picture, perfect village setting, with lots of twists and turns that kept me reading long after my bedtime. Really enjoyed and definitely recommend!
February 17, 2023
Four Hidden Treasures is all about new beginnings and friendship. Lucy, aka Lady Hanley, is living in the massive, beautiful but crumbling Hartwell Hall with no fund to fix the leaking roof or make any of the many other repairs needed. Her husband has been missing since the start of Covid. Lucy’s best friend Rachel is secretly in love with her, though Lucy hs no idea. Meanwhile newcomers to Hartwell Dr Meera Kumar and Detective Sergeant Jo Ormond both have tjeir own secrets. Despite their obvious differences friendship blossoms between these women, though there’s also romance in the air and mysteries to be solved. This is a change of pace from HL Marsay’s Inspector Shadow stories, but it’s just as enjoyable and the characters are well developed and easy to like. I also love the village setting.This has been an easy book to read and love and I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
February 20, 2023
This is book 1 in a new series, from one of my favorite authors. Set in Hartwell ,4 women become friends. Lucy is trying to save her home after her husband disappears at the start of Covid. Years later his body has been found and she is the main suspect. She admits to hitting him after he abused her but he left. A good who done it, and friendship story. I enjoy books set in older English villages. Can’t wait for book 2. Hopefully there is one for each of the friends.
December 13, 2023
Hartwell is a small town in England with little crime and lots of gossip. In this quaint town four women find new and old friendships. Each woman is harboring a secret that affects their lives. A touching novel of these women finding strength in each other through their friendship.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 30, 2025
not really a mystery
Not much of a mystery.. A predictable story about 4 very different and very likable women friends. Okay story, okay writing but I was really looking for a mystery. And the mystery was a very small part of the book.
Not much of a mystery.. A predictable story about 4 very different and very likable women friends. Okay story, okay writing but I was really looking for a mystery. And the mystery was a very small part of the book.
June 22, 2025
Not what I had expected.
It went on like a dripping faucet……. expecting something exciting to happen, but .drip, drip, drip.. :( Oh well…. the beat goes on.
It went on like a dripping faucet……. expecting something exciting to happen, but .drip, drip, drip.. :( Oh well…. the beat goes on.
October 16, 2024
It is my pleasure to offer the following review of H. L. Marsay’s Betrayal at Old Hall, the first book in her The Secrets of Hartwell mystery series. This is the story of four ladies who live in the quiet English village of Hartwell. Each is struggling with life, and they may find that their mutual friendship and love will provide each with the ability to succeed. Lady Lucy Hanley is married to Lord Rupert, but he disappeared months prior. She happily misses his physical abuse more than anything else. In the meantime, she raises her young son and tries to refurbish their ageing manor. Her best friend Rachel Foxton was born and raised in Hartwell and is a teacher. She badly wants a lover, but Lucy isn’t a lesbian. New Hartwell citizens include Detective Jo Ormond, sent temporarily from London after an arrest went bad, and Dr. Meera Kumar and her young son. Meera has been married for ten years, but discovered on her wedding night that her arranged husband was gay. They have lived apart amicably as to not upset their parents.
They each discover that Hartwell is magical and that there are many secrets to discover. Secrets old and new, very much like flakes of gold in a mountain stream. If you look long enough, you will find the secret that solves your dilemma. Will Rupert be found? Dead or alive? Will Rachel, Jo, and Meera also find good news? Betrayal at Old Hall is beautifully written. H. L. Marsay is my new favorite mystery author. Rating: 5 STARS!!!
They each discover that Hartwell is magical and that there are many secrets to discover. Secrets old and new, very much like flakes of gold in a mountain stream. If you look long enough, you will find the secret that solves your dilemma. Will Rupert be found? Dead or alive? Will Rachel, Jo, and Meera also find good news? Betrayal at Old Hall is beautifully written. H. L. Marsay is my new favorite mystery author. Rating: 5 STARS!!!
August 11, 2025
Lady Lucy Hanley's errant husband Rupert went missing on the first day of the COVID lockdowns and hasn't been seen since. She's been trying to manage a crumbling stately home and her son alone ever since. Her husband's estate manager, Max, a local boy with pretensions, is helping her to find new tenants for two cottages on the estate which may help with cashflow.
Lucy's best friend is Rachel, the local primary schoolteacher and Max's sister-in-law. She's been madly in love with Lucy for years, but Lucy is oblivious.
Dr Meera Kumar and her young son move into one cottage, her husband is back in India and they have separated, although her family have trouble believing it.
The other cottage is taken by Detective Sergeant Jo Ormond, a former London detective she made a big mistake and rather than be demoted she accepted a sideways move, not realising it would send her to a small Yorkshire town where nothing much happens.
Despite their different backgrounds the four women become friends, but they each have secrets and when Rupert's body is discovered Jo has to decide between what could be her ticket back to London and her friends.
I received an ARC of the third book in the series and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that this was free (sadly no longer), I picked it up. Despite knowing what really happened the night Rupert disappeared I enjoyed the build up and seeing the characters get to know each other. On to the second book now!
Lucy's best friend is Rachel, the local primary schoolteacher and Max's sister-in-law. She's been madly in love with Lucy for years, but Lucy is oblivious.
Dr Meera Kumar and her young son move into one cottage, her husband is back in India and they have separated, although her family have trouble believing it.
The other cottage is taken by Detective Sergeant Jo Ormond, a former London detective she made a big mistake and rather than be demoted she accepted a sideways move, not realising it would send her to a small Yorkshire town where nothing much happens.
Despite their different backgrounds the four women become friends, but they each have secrets and when Rupert's body is discovered Jo has to decide between what could be her ticket back to London and her friends.
I received an ARC of the third book in the series and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that this was free (sadly no longer), I picked it up. Despite knowing what really happened the night Rupert disappeared I enjoyed the build up and seeing the characters get to know each other. On to the second book now!
February 14, 2023
Four Hidden Treasures by H L Marsay is a book I had been eager to read. Since I loved her last Inspector Shadow cozy mystery series, I had thought the first book in the Secrets of Hartwell would be one too. This does have several mystery threads in the plot. Most of the mysterious secrets are not completely solved. Still, it reads more like a women’s fiction story which some mystery and a hint of romance then it does a cozy mystery.
Four women are living in the small English town of Hartwell. Each has reasons for being there, rather by chance they become friends. The women are likeable, not to be confused with perfect. Instead, their flaws make them seem genuine and approachable. By the end they become fast friends knowing each other’s secrets.
I couldn’t help but mourn the absence of Chief Inspector Shadow but Jo, the London policewoman sent to Hartwell help in that aspect. I sort of hope Jack wears her down so that she can see him as the charming guy he is. Then there is a villain, he is caught but the overall mystery of what happened to Lucy’s husband is far from solved. You can’t help but want to read the next to find out more.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Four women are living in the small English town of Hartwell. Each has reasons for being there, rather by chance they become friends. The women are likeable, not to be confused with perfect. Instead, their flaws make them seem genuine and approachable. By the end they become fast friends knowing each other’s secrets.
I couldn’t help but mourn the absence of Chief Inspector Shadow but Jo, the London policewoman sent to Hartwell help in that aspect. I sort of hope Jack wears her down so that she can see him as the charming guy he is. Then there is a villain, he is caught but the overall mystery of what happened to Lucy’s husband is far from solved. You can’t help but want to read the next to find out more.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 4, 2025
The Excellent Book That I Almost Didn't Read!
I admit it: I started the book, and it didn't "grab" me immediately. I put it aside and read something else--well, several something elses. But I've learned through experience that sometimes I'm just not in the mood for a particular book, and if I pick it up later, I'll enjoy it. So I began the book again, and this time, despite what is, yes, a slow start, the story grabbed me.
The characters, Lucy, Jo, Meera, Rachel, Jack, Rob, etc., are vivid, and all of them are real. They have good and bad traits and foibles, and they do stupid things, but (this is the main point) they are likeable. They grow and change. They are people I would befriend. I found myself rooting for each of them.
The writing itself is good, and the story is told through the eyes of each of the characters. The mystery itself is actually almost a side event to the unfolding story, which is more about the people of this village. There are many clues and threads left unfinished, but the book is in no way a cliffhanger (something I hate).
Just a very good book.
I admit it: I started the book, and it didn't "grab" me immediately. I put it aside and read something else--well, several something elses. But I've learned through experience that sometimes I'm just not in the mood for a particular book, and if I pick it up later, I'll enjoy it. So I began the book again, and this time, despite what is, yes, a slow start, the story grabbed me.
The characters, Lucy, Jo, Meera, Rachel, Jack, Rob, etc., are vivid, and all of them are real. They have good and bad traits and foibles, and they do stupid things, but (this is the main point) they are likeable. They grow and change. They are people I would befriend. I found myself rooting for each of them.
The writing itself is good, and the story is told through the eyes of each of the characters. The mystery itself is actually almost a side event to the unfolding story, which is more about the people of this village. There are many clues and threads left unfinished, but the book is in no way a cliffhanger (something I hate).
Just a very good book.
July 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The female characters are likeable although at times frustrating. The story is decent and keeps moving along. I had a little trouble keeping all the characters straight at first but that might also be due to reading two other books at the same time (ARCs that i had to complete by a certain date). I won't go into plot details, as others will do that and you can read the promo copy where you buy books. The focus is mainly on 4 women - Rachel, Lucy, Meera, and Jo. The story is complete and you can see that there is plenty of room for future books with these four. There were a couple of minor loose ends left dangling but I don't think they were major enough to base the next book on. Anyway, having lived in a small town for much of my life, I chuckled at times when everyone seemed to know everyone else's business. True in England, true here in the States. It's a pleasant and fast read, a good beach read or when it's too rainy or snowy to do much else but cozy up to a nice cozy mystery!
May 1, 2025
Like many places, the village of Hartwell was hard hit by the pandemic. Now, a few years later, when Lucy Hanley rents out cottages on her estate, she cements a strong friendship with three other women: her new tenants and her current best friend. Each has a dark secret that threatens to implode her life, and the discovery of a skeleton could lead to disastrous consequences.
Like many other readers, I was expecting a full-on mystery. This book is not that; it is much more. The strong characterisation of all the players in this story is beautiful work, leading me to almost believe that I've lived in this village for my entire life.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
Like many other readers, I was expecting a full-on mystery. This book is not that; it is much more. The strong characterisation of all the players in this story is beautiful work, leading me to almost believe that I've lived in this village for my entire life.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
January 23, 2023
An amazing start of a new series.
Secrets, curses and rumors are part of life in Hartwell. But in the center of it all, are the great friendships formed between the four main characters in this book, even though they all are a little bit different from each other. I enjoyed seeing the new friendships start as well as the old friendships go through changes and end up stronger. These women are there for each other no matter what happens.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next to see what happens next.
Secrets, curses and rumors are part of life in Hartwell. But in the center of it all, are the great friendships formed between the four main characters in this book, even though they all are a little bit different from each other. I enjoyed seeing the new friendships start as well as the old friendships go through changes and end up stronger. These women are there for each other no matter what happens.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next to see what happens next.
September 22, 2023
This book is the first in the Secrets of Hartwell trilogy. I liked it - I found the characters fun, quirky and relatable, and the book in general had a nostalgic cosy feel. It's probably the kind of thing that I'd choose to read on the night before my book club meeting, if I have a couple of hours to kill and want to squeeze in one more book. I'd probably be interested in reading the others.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2025
Okay
It is set up as a series but it's not interesting enough for me to follow the series.
The writing isn't great. There is a tendency to tell instead of show. It repeatedly mentions lockdown and COVID which no one needs reminding off.
Jo is too much of a stereotype - a Londoner who moves North and hates people being friendly.
Overall too cute and cosy for me. I was expecting more of a mystery and big reveals. It's mainly about the four women's lives, not solving a missing persons case or investigating a body.
It is set up as a series but it's not interesting enough for me to follow the series.
The writing isn't great. There is a tendency to tell instead of show. It repeatedly mentions lockdown and COVID which no one needs reminding off.
Jo is too much of a stereotype - a Londoner who moves North and hates people being friendly.
Overall too cute and cosy for me. I was expecting more of a mystery and big reveals. It's mainly about the four women's lives, not solving a missing persons case or investigating a body.
February 17, 2023
This was such a great start to this new series. It is set in a small town and it is about four women who become friends. Each woman has a secrets. I found the book to be mysterious and from the moment you pick it up you will not be able to put it down. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 17, 2023
A great start to a new series set in the small town of Hartwell England. The town has curses, secrets and rumors that will keep you turning the pages. Four women form unlikely friendship, each dealing with their own problems but they learn to support each other.
Loved how the friendships developed in this story, each going through personal issues. Great descriptive writing. This is a new author for me, now I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Loved how the friendships developed in this story, each going through personal issues. Great descriptive writing. This is a new author for me, now I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 16, 2023
Really enjoyed reading this book,loved Lady Lucy Hanley's character and Hartwell Hall & how she's keeping the place from falling down completely with the roof leaking and her husband's disappearance. love the book cover.Some unanswered questions but hope they're answered in the next book.Loved the other ladies stories as well.
February 23, 2023
Loved it
Having read a some of the Shadow books, which I really enjoyed, and I will read the rest, I found the Four Hidden Treasures a very good read. I read it in a few days as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The four main characters were likeable and believable. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Having read a some of the Shadow books, which I really enjoyed, and I will read the rest, I found the Four Hidden Treasures a very good read. I read it in a few days as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The four main characters were likeable and believable. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 21, 2025
It's like a slice of village life with a missing person mystery thrown in. Setting is nice except when it rains and the buckets have to come into play at the mansion or whatever it is but it all comes together to solve problems at the end. Only thing I am wondering is who hid the body?
April 24, 2025
Powerful tale of family and friends
Sometimes you just need to make more friends!
This was a great way of sharing burdens with friends and gaining a new perspective on life and what is important.
Sometimes you just need to make more friends!
This was a great way of sharing burdens with friends and gaining a new perspective on life and what is important.
April 25, 2025
Small Community Friends
Four women forge a friendship in a little town where everybody knew your business. It was interesting to read about their lives as they went about the journey called life.
Four women forge a friendship in a little town where everybody knew your business. It was interesting to read about their lives as they went about the journey called life.
May 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this
Great characters, good stories. Yes, it's a series, kinda like a PBS show. It's standalone but I really want to find out what happens with the rest of the cast. I'll be reading...
Great characters, good stories. Yes, it's a series, kinda like a PBS show. It's standalone but I really want to find out what happens with the rest of the cast. I'll be reading...
June 24, 2025
I saw a review where someone said it wasn't a 'mystery' book. I agree... but each of the characters have a backstory that has caused issues in their lives.
The mixed stories kept me engaged. Nicely written
The mixed stories kept me engaged. Nicely written
July 21, 2025
Good
I enjoyed the read very much and finished quickly. However, the writer often got the characters mixed up. And if you’ve lost your phone how can you call someone. It only needs a good edit to make it the excellent read it can be.
I enjoyed the read very much and finished quickly. However, the writer often got the characters mixed up. And if you’ve lost your phone how can you call someone. It only needs a good edit to make it the excellent read it can be.
April 21, 2025
DNF. I don’t like where I believe this is headed.
April 21, 2025
A good read
Loved the personality of each o the characters.
I expected a fuller ending, altho I wasn't left hanging.
A good read
Xx,xxx,x. X.
Loved the personality of each o the characters.
I expected a fuller ending, altho I wasn't left hanging.
A good read
Xx,xxx,x. X.
April 28, 2025
I liked the characters and wanted them to do well but might have preferred to focus on fewer of them.
May 1, 2025
ok
This book was ok but it felt like it ended right in the middle. E books should be as long as printed books
This book was ok but it felt like it ended right in the middle. E books should be as long as printed books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews