Preview
  • Rotten to the Core

  • A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 8
  • By: T E Kinsey
  • Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
  • Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,403 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Rotten to the Core

By: T E Kinsey
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Summer 1911. A scorching heatwave engulfs the quiet town of Littleton Cotterell and brings about an unusually early harvest. The villagers are thrilled, but events quickly turn sour when one of them turns up dead in an apple orchard, stabbed through the heart.

Amateur sleuth Lady Hardcastle and her trusty lady’s maid, Flo, suddenly have a juicy case on their hands. Might the mysterious stranger they recently met in the village be to blame?

When a second cider-related murder takes place, it quickly becomes clear that there’s more to these mysterious deaths than meets the eye. The daring duo uncover whispers of an ancient order and moonlit rituals. And evidence points to a macabre secret in the village stretching back years. A secret someone will do anything—anything at all—to keep hidden.

Something is rotten, that’s for sure. With the local constabulary baffled, Lady Hardcastle and Flo must use all their powers of wit and whimsy to get to the bottom of the dastardly deed. But can they catch the killer before any more people drop dead?

©2022 T E Kinsey (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

“Elizabeth Knowelden's versatile British accents enhance this charming cozy set in the sultry summer of 1911 in the quaint English town of Littleton Cotterell.”AudioFile Magazine

Featured Article: The Best Cozy Mysteries to Keep You Warm This Holiday Season


We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best cozy mystery audiobooks to help brighten up your winter listening. Here you'll find contemporary and historical cozies, classic whodunits and ingenious heist stories. While varying in tone, plot, and setting, these picks all share an irresistible holiday atmosphere. You'll find snowstorms galore, bakeries full of tasty holiday treats, glittering get-togethers, and picturesque English villages decked out in their holiday finest.

What listeners say about Rotten to the Core

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,136
  • 4 Stars
    212
  • 3 Stars
    49
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,177
  • 4 Stars
    87
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,012
  • 4 Stars
    203
  • 3 Stars
    52
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful

I thought this story was delightful. I loved the involvement of Lady Hardcastle & her maid Flo in the investigation of the murders . They have such a good friendship with each other and it helps them work on these cases. The narrator Elizabeth Knowelden was very good at making everything so real. Great mystery and a lot of humor too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I adore this series

I absolutely love the character development. I like these people and can't wait to go back to their lives.

The performance is perfect.

I cannot say enough good about the series. Although each book is stand alone, listen to the whole series from the beginning.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

SO good!

This is such a good series but it’s made near perfect by the excellent narrator. Can’t wait for the next one. :)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant fun!

Lady Hardcastle and Flo are in true, delightful wise cracking form. If you like a cozy mystery with a pretty stout serving of humor then this is just the ticket. The narrator is outstanding and makes it feel like your very best friend is telling you one terrific story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful!

Another charming adventure from Lady Hardcastle and her sassy tiny servant. I love these stories and the narration is top notch.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love This Series

I am so happy to have stumbled on this series here on Audible. It has become a favorite: the great characters, the time period, great writing, good mysteries, and the mix of humor, history, and mystery. This book is definitely one of my favorites--I think the mystery itself is especially good, and the secondary characters are very interesting.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, especially those with strong female leads (think Amelia Peabody and Constance Kopp), you will enjoy this series. And I think Elizabeth Knowelden does a remarkable job at narrating, which adds to my enjoyment of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I just love these stories

I look forward to each new book and this book was no exception. The characters are great and easy to follow. I read a lot of historical books. These books are my secret pleasures. I appreciate the author’s efforts to keep the characters in character. The read is one of my favorites. Thank you for taking me away.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another brilliant entry in the series!!

(I was all set to give a disappointing review because I had figured out the mystery from the very beginning, but I was completely wrong! :-)

Flo and Lady H are up to their usual hijinks and in fine form. Lots of clever banter left me grinning and even laughing out loud! And there’s the usual cast of rustic characters to add some local charm to the story. And, as I said, the mystery had me completely fooled.

An absolutely wonderful addition to this brilliant series! (And as usual, the narrator was perfection!!)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love these stories!

The characters are fun, with lots of back story. The narration is some of the best I've heard. Elizabeth brings the characters to life and I always look forward to the next book. I'm almost sad I finished it because I'll be waiting for the next!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, as all the others in the series!

It was great to hear Lady Hardcastle, Flo and all the folks in their circle together again, with a few newcomers, of course! I just love this series, and the voice of this narrator who is suited perfectly. I re-listen to these every little while for a guaranteed good time!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!