Helpful Score: 6
This is a great first book in a new series by Rhys Bowen (of the Inspector Evans Series). The main character comes to London to start earning her own living, and of all things sets up a cleaning service. With herself as the only employee! Along the way the Queen gives her an assignment to solve a mystery, which she jumps at. Great characters, the main character is very likeable. I would really recommend this and any other books in the series she may write.
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent. I just finished it last night. Characters are funny and easy to like. Story moves along quickly. Weaves in some history of early 1930's. Just started the next one I liked this one so much. Highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 3
Fun read, if you enjoyed the Molly Murphy or Constable Evans mysteries you will surely enjoy this too.
Jennifer J. (jennifer-in-paradise) reviewed Her Royal Spyness (Royal Spyness, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was the first book I've read that is written by Ms. Bowen and I really enjoyed it! I love mysteries set in another era and stories about the royals of England. It was a lot of fun and there were several times that I laughed aloud. I definitely plan to pursue more books written by this author.
Helpful Score: 2
For some reason, I put off reading this for a long time. I actually finally received it in trade through paperbackswap recently. It reads a lot like Molly Murphy mysteries, featuring a flawed, yet endearing, witty and loyal heroine - who, despite her life of privilege is still identifiable by the "common woman". The mystery, however, takes a long time to form and isn't exactly the most complex or intriguing mystery I had ever read. Actually, you could spot the villain a mile off. The romance was good, but sort of lacked the same sparks that Molly had with Dan. All in all, though, I quite enjoyed this novel and recommend it.
I thought this was an easy read. I agree with others (Amazon reviewers) who noted that it took so long (about halfway into the book) before the dead body was discovered. Since this is the first book in this series, I suspect the author wanted to give readers a sufficient background for the protagonist and why she went to London. At least one Amazon reviewer complained about the author having someone call "999" (the UK version of 911) when that wouldn't have existed during the time period (1930s) in which the book was set. I initially thought the reviewer was correct. However, I googled "when did 999 start" and learned that it was initially introduced in the UK on 6/30/1937 after five women were killed in a house fire in 1935. I also liked how real people at that time (i.e., Wallis Simpson) were woven into the story. The mystery itself was OK. It was interesting to see what the expectations of women were at that time. I will continue to read the series.
Her Royal Spyness is the first in a historical cozy mystery series featuring Lady Georgiana, sister to a Scottish Duke and 34th in line for the British throne in 1930. Unfortunately, her family estate is nearly destitute and her brother has cut off her meager allowance. In order to avoid an arranged marraige to a fish-faced European prince, Georgie flees alone to the family house in London. Once there, she uses her wits to figure out a way to make a few pounds surreptitisously - because God forbid a member of the royal family should actually be caught working! But her progress towards independece is impeded when a body turns up in the bathtub of own home, her brother is accused of the murder, and Georgie finds herself the victim of one accident after another. Or are they accidents?
This was an utterly delightful cozy mystery. It's well-written and well-plotted with a charming, spunky and intelligent heroine. I've found a new favorite series :-)
This was an utterly delightful cozy mystery. It's well-written and well-plotted with a charming, spunky and intelligent heroine. I've found a new favorite series :-)
I absolutely love this series. The main character is delightful ... funny, clever, and genuine. The author hits the right notes in this book, just enough detail and descriptions without becoming boring. Characters and plot are well developed. I have read other books in this series and they are all excellent. Would recommend this author and this series highly, especially to anyone who enjoys British cozies.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Her Royal Spyness (Royal Spyness, Bk 1) on + 419 more book reviews
Really enjoyed the first in this series and strongly recommend it....The heroine with an impossibly long name, is thirty fourth in line to the British throne. Her family is dead broke, so she ventures forth to London to make her own way in the world, but without Her Majesty, the Queen finding out. But the Queen igets her involved in a murder...Was LOL in some places... Even though I was able figure out "Who Done It", I am looking forward to the rest of the series.............
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Her Royal Spyness (Royal Spyness, Bk 1) on + 419 more book reviews
I heartedly recommend this, the first in the "Royal Spyness" series. The main character, Lady Georgiana is thirty fourth in line to the British throne....the only thing, she and her family are dead broke, so she travels to London to try to make her own way and to earn money....The Queen gets her involved in a mystery...was able to figure out "who dun it" but it makes no difference, it was a good fun read, and I will be reading the next book to see how Lady Georgiana's character develops.....
More a social commentary than a mystery, but enjoyable on that level. I enjoy a lot of the same elements in the Christie novels.
Tasula W. (fantasyisbetter) reviewed Her Royal Spyness (Royal Spyness, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
All the Rhys Bowen series with Lady Victoria.....Eugenie, a penniless heir to the british throne, are lighthearted and amusing. Really enjoyable.
Set in London in 1930, Bowen introduces a delightful heroineLady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie. Thirty-fourth in line for the English throne, Georgie has been educated to curtsey, host lavish fetes and marry well. When her brother cuts off her pitiful allowance, Georgie leaves the family home in Scotland for London, determined to become a liberated woman. When her brother is accused of the murder, she must try to clear him and the family name. Quirky characters like her lovable grandfather; her estranged, oft-wed mother; and an incorrigible, sexy Irishman add to the fun.
Thoroughly enjoyed this light, humorous mystery but I think it could have been funnier and that would have given it a higher rating today. Enjoyed the protagonist though think she could have a stronger personality which would make me want to read the other books more quickly.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
First Line: There are two disadvantages to being a minor royal.
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!
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!
This book owes allegiance, in my opinion, to E.F. Benson and P.G. Wodehouse. A wonderful period romp that is also social commentary and satire blended beautifully with a delightful mystery and an engaging protagonist in Lady Georgianna, great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, also a "bright young thing" in 1930s London, who has found herself penniless but with an image to maintain. A delightful cozy and I look forward to upcoming books in this series.
If you love England, royalty, and light mystery this is the book for you. The main character is royal (34th in line), broke, and trying to figure out how to make a living without having her royal relatives find out. It is a quick, enjoyable read. I liked it so much that I plan to read the rest of this series. The author also has two other mystery series that I hope will be equally enjoyable.
Great fun! This is the first book in the series, but the second that I have read and I enjoyed both. A lighthearted fun read for winter.
If you are looking for a mystery with humor, this book is for you.
I love this series so much, I've actually grabbed copies for my mom and stepmom. A dash of history, a little bit of light mystery, some humor and a little bit of romance, mix well and enjoy cuddled up in bed! :)
Tedious and stuffy! The young female character is supposed to be plucky and strong, but I found her snobbish and far too impressed with herself and her "royal" ties.
Clever cozy, worth the read. The book jacket states, "The author of the Molly Murphy and Constable 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 is 34th in line for the throne and she is, as they say, flat broke. When her brother Binky cut off her meager allowance, she bolted from Scotland to London, where she a) built a fire in the hearth - entirely on her own, b) fell for an absoutely unsuitable Irish peer, c) made a few quid housekeeping incognita, and d) been summoned by the Queen herself to spy on her playboy son and his lover, Wallace Simpson. Less than thrilled with the last bit, she's wondering what to do when an arrogant Frenchman - who was trying to swipe the family estate - winds up dead in her bathtub. Now, her new job is to clear her very long family name ...
