No one would know what those two disadvantages are better than Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, daughter to the Duke of Glen Garry and Rannoch. This twenty-something young woman is thirty-fourth in line to the British throne, and it's a drag. Learning that Queen Mary wants to dangle her like a juicy piece of bait in front of some fish-faced European prince, Georgie makes up an excuse to bolt from the drafty ancestral castle in Scotland and head for London.
Being without any servants means that Georgie has to learn how to get hot water and heat going in the family's London house-- and even cook her own meals. Heaven forfend! It's not long before Georgie comes up with a plan to make a bit of money, but Queen Mary's minions track her down, and off to the royal palace Georgie must go. There she learns that HRH wants Georgie to spy on the Prince of Wales. You see, David seems to be paying altogether too much attention to some dreadful American divorcee.... However, before Georgie can begin spying on the prince, she finds a dead Frenchman in her bathtub. Clearing her family name must come before spying on an errant royal!
This book is just plain delightful, and I have no idea why it took me so long to read it. Georgie is the perfect voice for this light, witty, and oftentimes hilarious romp of a mystery. I felt as though I were getting the inside scoop on the royals-- both major and minor-- in 1930s England. With Georgie's family connections and her lack of money, she's tailormade for a long-running mystery series, and I definitely will be checking back with her regularly to see what she's been up to.
Her Royal Spyness has an intriguing mystery, boatloads of royal tittle tattle, an irresistible heroine, and is filled with laugh-out-loud humor. In other words, it's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon!
Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
ISBN: 9780425222522
Berkley Prime Crime © 2008
Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Cozy/Historical Mystery, #1 Royal Spyness series
Rating: B+
Source: Purchased at The Poisoned Pen.
I really liked the audiobook!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I would imagine this book would do very well as an audiobook. It would feel as if Georgie is confiding in you the entire way!
DeleteCathy - Oh, this does sound like fun! Interesting setting, etc.., and the Georgie character sounds well-written. I must look this one up.
ReplyDeleteI can see you smiling as you read it, Margot!
DeleteI'm making note of this one because I feel sure my mom would love it.
ReplyDeleteI just read this a few weeks ago. Definitely sets up to be a fun series. I'm looking forward to reading more. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too.
ReplyDeleteI thought there had to be quite a few Georgie fans!
DeleteI just read Naughty in Nice, another one of Rhys Bowen's Lady Victoria mysteries. The characters and the setting made this an enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that you enjoy them, too, Teresa!
DeleteThanks for reviewing this, Cathy. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. There are now six books in the series and the seventh comes out in August. It's called Heirs and Graces.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Twelve Clues being nominated for an Agatha!
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