Synopses & Reviews
From the New York Times betselling author of Queen of Hearts comes another mystery for "fans of P.G. Wodehouse looking for laughs mingled with some amateur sleuthing." (Publishers Weekly)
Lady Georgiana Rannoch wont deny that being thirty-fifth in line for the British throne has its advantages. Unfortunately, money isnt one of them. And sometimes making ends meet requires her to investigate a little royal wrongdoing.
While my beau Darcy is off on a mysterious mission, I am once again caught between my high birth and empty purse. I am therefore relieved to receive a new assignment from the Queenespecially one that includes lodging. The Kings youngest son, George, is to wed Princess Marina of Greece, and I shall be her companion at the supposedly haunted Kensington Palace.
My duties are simple: help Marina acclimate to English life, show her the best of London and, above all, dispel any rumors about Georges libertine history. Perhaps that last bit isnt so simple.
George is known for his many affairs with women as well as menincluding the great songwriter Noel Coward. But things truly get complicated when I search the Palace for a supposed ghost only to encounter an actual dead person: a society beauty said to have been one of Prince Georges mistresses.
Nothing spoils a royal wedding more than murder, and the Queen wants the whole matter hushed. But as the investigation unfoldsand Darcy, as always, turns up in the most unlikely of placesthe investigation brings us precariously close to the prince himself.
Review
"(A) charming, delightfully fresh series...fans of historical cozies who like Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series will snap this up."
Review
"Georgiana makes a superb sleuth."
Review
“A feisty new heroine to delight a legion of Anglophile readers.”
Review
Praise for the Royal Spyness Mysteries
“Wonderful characters…A delight.”—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and Midnight Crossing
“Georgies high spirits and the authors frothy prose are utterly captivating.”—The Denver Post
“The perfect fix between seasons for Downton Abbey addicts.”—Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author of The Sound of Broken Glass
“A smashing romp.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Delightfully naïve, charming and quite smart, Georgie is a breath of fresh air.”—Library Journal
“Brilliant…So much more than a murder mystery. Its part love story, part social commentary, part fun and part downright terrifying. And completely riveting. I adore this book.” —Louise Penny, author of How the Light Gets In
“With a witty and clever plot, its clear that Agatha Christie is alive and kicking, and whats more, shes funny!”—Hannah Dennison, author of Thieves! a Vicky Hill Exclusive! Mystery
“Charming and lighthearted as ever.”—Kirkus Reviews
Review
and#8220;Like all of Rhysand#8217;s books, this is so much more than a murder mystery. Itand#8217;s part love story, part social commentary, part fun and part downright terrifying. And completely riveting.and#160;and#8221;and#8212;Louise Penny,and#160;author of
The Beautiful Mystery
and#8220;Bowen blends zany humor with fair-play detection.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly (starred review)
and#160;
and#8220;Delightful.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
and#160;
Review
Praise for the Royal Spyness Mysteries
“Wonderful characters…A delight.”—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and Midnight Crossing
“Georgies high spirits and the authors frothy prose are utterly captivating.”—The Denver Post
“The perfect fix between seasons for Downton Abbey addicts.”—Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author of The Sound of Broken Glass
“A smashing romp.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Delightfully naïve, charming and quite smart, Georgie is a breath of fresh air.”—Library Journal
“Brilliant…So much more than a murder mystery. Its part love story, part social commentary, part fun and part downright terrifying. And completely riveting. I adore this book.” —Louise Penny, author of How the Light Gets In
“With a witty and clever plot, its clear that Agatha Christie is alive and kicking, and whats more, shes funny!”—Hannah Dennison, author of Thieves! a Vicky Hill Exclusive! Mystery
“Charming and lighthearted as ever.”—Kirkus Reviews
Review
“As usual, Georgies high spirits and the authors frothy prose are utterly captivating.”—
The Denver Post
“Delightfully naïve, charming and quite smart, Georgie is a breath of fresh air.”—Library Journal
“A delectable mystery with vibrant characters and a bit of romance, Bowens latest is a rollicking good read.”—Booklist
Review
and#8220;The perfect fix between seasons for
Downton Abbey addicts.and#8221;and#8212;Deborah Crombie,
New York Times bestselling author
and#8220;Cleverly crafted.and#8221;and#8212;Crimespree Magazine
and#8220;Fans of P.G. Wodehouseand#8230;will be quite pleased.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
Review
Praise for Heirs and Graces...
“Its the perfect fix between seasons for Downton Abbey addicts.”—Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author of The Sound of Broken Glass
...and for the Royal Spyness Mysteries:
“Wonderful characters…A delight.”—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels
“Georgies high spirits and the authors frothy prose are utterly captivating.”—The Denver Post
“Whimsical…Bowen successfully melds a whodunit with comedy as few contemporary writers can.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A smashing romp.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Delightfully naïve, charming and quite smart, Georgie is a breath of fresh air.”—Library Journal
“Brilliant...Part love story, part social commentary, part fun and part downright terrifying. And completely riveting...This book is perfect.”—Louise Penny
Synopsis
The Agatha Award winner debuts a 1930s London mystery series, featuring a penniless twenty-something member of the extended royal family. Her ridiculously long name is Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, daughter to the Duke of Atholt and Rannoch. And she is flat broke. As the thirty-fourth in line for the throne, she has been taught only a few things, among them, the perfect curtsey. But when her brother cuts off her allowance, she leaves Scotland, and her fianc Fish-Face, for London, where she has: a) worked behind a cosmetics counter-and gotten sacked after five hours b) started to fall for a quite unsuitable minor royal c) made some money housekeeping (incognita, of course), and d) been summoned by the Queen to spy on her playboy son. Then an arrogant Frenchman, who wants her family's 800-year-old estate for himself, winds up dead in her bathtub. Now her most important job is to clear her very long family name.
Synopsis
The New York Times bestselling author of the Molly Murphy and Constable Evan Evans mysteries now turns her attentions to a feisty new heroine to delight a legion of Anglophile readers. * And the mischief, mishaps, and musings of minor English royalty circa 1930 Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the throne, is flat broke. She's bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed for London. The place where she'll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name.
An insightful blend of old-fashioned whodunnit, clever satire and drawing room comedy of errors. *Jacqueline Winspear
Another winner...a smashing romp. Booklist (starred review)
Naive, charming, and quite smart, Georgie is a breath of fresh air Library Journal
"
Synopsis
THE FIRST ROYAL SPYNESS MYSTERY
The New York Times bestselling author of the Molly Murphy and Constable Evan Evans mysteries turns her attentions to a feisty new heroine to delight a legion of Anglophile readers. *
London, 1932. Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the English throne, is flat broke. She's bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed. London is a place where she'll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name...
"
Synopsis
INTRODUCING ?A FEISTY NEW HEROINE? (JACQUELINE WINSPEAR) who?s thirty-fourth in line for the throne?and flat broke. From the Agatha Award-winning author of the Molly Murphy and Constable Evan Evans mysteries!
Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the throne, is flat broke. She?s bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed for London. The place where she?ll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH?oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name.
Synopsis
Royalty has its privileges, even when you’re thirty-fourth in line to the throne, as Lady Georgiana Rannoch discovers on the glamorous—and dangerous—French Riviera… Why should my clueless brother, Binky, and his decidedly disagreeable wife, Fig, be the only ones to enjoy the fun and sun of the French Riviera? Thankfully, Her Majesty the Queen has once again come to my rescue. She is sending me off to Nice with a secret assignment—recover her priceless, stolen snuff box from the disreputable Sir Toby Groper.
Her Majesty’s trust is an honor, but an even greater honor is bestowed upon me in Nice—none other than Coco Chanel herself asks me to model her latest fashion. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong on the catwalk and before I can snatch the snuff box, someone’s life is snuffed out in a very dastardly way. With a murderer on the loose—and my dearest Darcy seen in the company of another woman—how’s a girl to find any time to go to the casino?
Synopsis
Royalty has its privileges, even when you’re thirty-fourth in line to the throne, as Lady Georgiana Rannoch discovers on the glamorous—and dangerous—French Riviera… Why should my clueless brother, Binky, and his decidedly disagreeable wife, Fig, be the only ones to enjoy the fun and sun of the French Riviera? Thankfully, Her Majesty the Queen has once again come to my rescue. She is sending me off to Nice with a secret assignment—recover her priceless, stolen snuff box from the disreputable Sir Toby Groper.
Her Majesty’s trust is an honor, but an even greater honor is bestowed upon me in Nice—none other than Coco Chanel herself asks me to model her latest fashion. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong on the catwalk and before I can snatch the snuff box, someone’s life is snuffed out in a very dastardly way. With a murderer on the loose—and my dearest Darcy seen in the company of another woman—how’s a girl to find any time to go to the casino?
Synopsis
As thirty-fifth in line for the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch may not be the most sophisticated young woman, but she knows her table manners. Its forks on the left, knives on the rightnot in His Majestys back
Here I am thinking the education I received at my posh Swiss finishing school would never come in handy. And while it hasnt landed me a job, or a husband, it has convinced Her Majesty the Queen and the Dowager Duchess to enlist my help. I have been entrusted with grooming Jack Altringhamthe Dukes newly discovered heir fresh from the Outback of Australiafor high society.
The upside is I am to live in luxury at one of Englands most gorgeous stately homes. But upon arrival at Kingsdowne Place, my dearest Darcy has been sent to fetch Jack, leaving me stuck in a manor full of miscreants
none of whom are too pleased with the discovery of my new ward.
And no sooner has the lad been retrieved than the Duke announces he wants to choose his own heir. With the house in a hubbub over the news, Jacks hunting knife somehow finds its way into the Dukes back. Eyes fall, backs turn, and fingers point to the young heir. As if the rascal wasnt enough of a handful, now hes suspected of murder. Jack may be wild, but Id bet the crown jewels it wasnt he who killed the Duke
Synopsis
She may be thirty-fifth in line for the throne, but Lady Georgiana Rannoch cannot wait to ring in the New Yearand#151;before a Christmas killer wrings another neckand#133; and#160;
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to meand#151;well, actually, my true love, Darcy Oand#8217;Mara, is spending a feliz navidad tramping around South America. Meanwhile Mummy is holed up in a tiny village called Tiddleton-under-Lovey with that droll Noel Coward! And Iand#8217;m snowed in at Castle Rannoch with my bumbling brother, Binky, and sourpuss sister-in-law, Fig.
and#160;
So itand#8217;s a miracle when I contrive to land a position as hostess to a posh holiday party in Tiddleton. The village is like something out of A Christmas Carol! But no sooner have I arrived than a neighborhood nuisance, a fellow named Freddie, falls out of a tree dead.and#160; On my second day, another so-called accident results in a death and#150; and thereand#8217;s yet another on my third.and#160; Perhaps a recent prison break could have something to do with itand#133;that, or a long-standing witchand#8217;s curse. But after Darcy shows up beneath the mistletoe, anything could be possible in this wicked wonderland.
Includes an English Christmas companion, full of holiday recipes, games, and more!
Synopsis
Now in one volumethe first three charming and lighthearted” (
Kirkus Reviews) Royal Spyness Mysteries from national bestselling author Rhys Bowen, featuring the elegant, titled, and stony-broke sleuth Lady Georgiana Rannoch.
Her Royal Spyness
Georgie is forced to earn her keep as a housekeeper in London when the Queen summons her to spy on the playboy prince. But when a Frenchman winds up dead in Georgies bathtub, its her job to clear her very long family name.
A Royal Pain
While entertaining a Bavarian princess at the Queens behest, Georgie finds herself investigating the rather more worrisome matter of the dead body in the bookshop, as well as her royal guests unwitting involvement in the communist party.
Royal Flush
After being saved from scandal by her on-again-but-mostly-off-again beau, Darcy OMara, Georgie is shipped home, where Scotland Yard asks her to keep an eye on a shooting party and prevent someone from killing the Prince of Wales instead of quails.
Synopsis
Downton Abbey fans will rejoice for Lady Georgiana Rannoch, thirty-fifth in line for the British throne, whoand#8217;s off to Hollywood, where she must reprise her role as sleuthand#133; My mother, the glamorous and much-married actress, is hearing wedding bells once againand#151;which is why she must hop across the pond for a quickie divorce in Reno. To offer my moral support, and since all expenses are paid by her new hubby-to-be, Max, I agree to make the voyage with her.
Crossing the Atlantic, with adventure in the air and wealthy men aboard, Mother meets movie mogul Cy Goldman who insists on casting her in his next picture. Meanwhile, I find myself caught up in the secret investigation of a suspected jewel thief. Lucky for me, the lead investigator happens to be my dashing beau, Darcy!
Motherand#8217;s movie and Darcyand#8217;s larceny lead everyone to Cyand#8217;s Hollywood home, where the likes of Charlie Chaplin are hanging about and thereand#8217;s enough romantic intrigue to fill a double feature. But we hardly get a chance to work out the sleeping arrangements before Cy turns up dead. As if there wasnand#8217;t enough drama alreadyand#133;
and#160;
About the Author
Rhys Bowen, a
New York Times bestselling author, has been nominated for every major award in mystery writing, including the Edgar®, and has won many, including both the Agatha and Anthony awards. She is also the author of the Molly Murphy Mysteries, set in turn-of-the-century New York, and the Constable Evans Mysteries, set in Wales. She was born in England and now divides her time between Northern California and Arizona.