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Book Review
Reviewed: 21 May 2025

The Beast of Littleton Woods

by: T.E. Kinsey

Lady Hardcastle Mysteries - Book 12

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starstar outline (4/5)

Something is wrong in Littleton Cotterell and no one is sure what the cause is. Lady Hardcastle and Flo aren’t sure what they can do to solve it but that is not going to stop them from trying. Along the way they stumble upon all kinds of issues needing their help. It is so much fun tagging along as they investigate.  The townspeople have their own thoughts on what they are encountering - even a dragon. 

Calling on their skills they do what they do best, they find the culprits, even when they are not humans. While some of our favorite friends/characters were not involved in this investigation, we were given updates courtesy of correspondence.

It was such a fun read, I got it done in one sitting. Think I may read it again!  

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 6-May-2025
British, Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Female Sleuth

Plot Summary

They’re used to solving murders. But until now the killer has always been human…

October 1912. The inhabitants of Littleton Cotterell emerge from their homes after a week of torrential storms to the gruesome news that one of Sid Hyde’s prized sheep has been mauled to death. As rumours abound of a vicious beast stalking the Gloucestershire countryside in search of prey, Lady Hardcastle and her fearless lady’s maid, Florence Armstrong, set out to find what is surely a rational explanation.

Then Hyde himself is brutally killed in a similar attack, and the villagers go from curious to terrified. Littleton Cotterell isn’t exactly unaccustomed to murderers—but a ferocious animal capable of tearing a man to shreds? That’s entirely different.

When another man dies and a third is injured, it’s clear that whatever is behind the attacks needs to be caught, and fast. But are the villagers really seeing what they think they are? Is there actually a beast on the loose? Or is what’s out there something more sinister—and much more human?