Looking for a cozy book series that has some interesting twists and turns before the actual mystery?

Author TE Kinsey has created a series focusing on two women of different classes set in the early 1900’s.

The friendship between lady’s maid Florence Armstrong and her employer of many years, Lady Hardcastle, is unusual in that the two share an actual affection towards each other. There is respect and trust built on years of mutual support. It doesn’t hurt that the two have apparently been involved in some … interesting escapades in many locations around the world.

Starting with the very first book in the series, the reader is introduced to suggestions of the two women’s past adventures, albeit with passing references and not that much detail. We are left to imagine…all sorts of things. 🙂 As the series unfolds, the backstory is filled in. A bit.

The series begins with what appears to be a retirement to the country, but since the two can’t seem to be all that far away from murder and mayhem, retirement is in name only.

The stories are interesting, well developed and peopled by a broad array of characters that are intriguing and, often, humorous.

Think “Downton Abbey” meets “Murder, She Wrote”. Sort of.

I particularly enjoy the unfolding of the history of the two along with the attention to detail the author employs.

As for the mysteries, those, too, are well constructed and presented. All in all, a good series to add to your To Be Read List.

There is an interesting interview with the author here.