Some might think that Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte
Eugenie Rannoch is lucky to be 35th in line to the British
throne; however, for Georgie, it is now a barrier. Her long
time romance with Darcy O'Mara has finally resulted in an
engagement, but they can't marry and keep her claim as
British law forbids it. How can Georgie handle this situation?
The April weather in 1935 is delightful and Georgie is
enjoying her time as a guest at Kilhenny Castle in Ireland,
the family home of Lord Kilhenny, Darcy's father; yet, it
is not giving her the pleasure she normally would enjoy. She
is distracted by the marriage dilemma, the dangers that
Darcy may encounter as part of his role in the British
Secret Service and the sad plight of her good friend
Belinda. As Georgie ponders what to do, two letters arrive.
One is a request from Queen Mary and the other an update
from Belinda. Georgie now has a brilliant idea on how to
resolve her dilemma. Can she really pull it off?
ON HER MAJESTY'S FRIGHTFULLY SECRET SERVICE is a sure to be
a smash hit for New York Times best selling author
Rhys Bowen with fans both new and seasoned! This latest
installment, number 12 in Bowen's Royal
Spyness Mystery series, featuring the lovely and
uniquely talented Lady Georgiana and her very resourceful
Darcy, is a very witty tongue in cheek satire that will
leave the reader laughing and panting for more! While I have
to admit I am an avowed fan of Bowen's previous books in
the series, I thought ON HER MAJESTY'S FRIGHTFULLY SECRET
SERVICE really takes the cake! This mystery has a lovely
balance between light and hilarious moments, predictable and
surprising events, all in the shadow of dark and dangerous
undertones that keep me turning the pages. I also love the
intermingling of fact (pre-World War II tensions in Europe)
and fictional situations. Similarly, there are some new
interesting secondary characters, such as Baron Rudolf Von
Rosskopk and Camilla Waddell-Walker that are linked with
historical figures. The description and actions of British
heir David and his consort, Mrs. Wallis Simpson, are so spot
on one would swear that Bowen had listened in on real
conversations! That is real icing on the cake!
Bowen definitely does solid research for her books and ON
HER MAJESTY'S FRIGHTFULLY SECRET SERVICE realistically
reflects the underlying tensions of the times in 1935 with
the foreboding of another European war on the horizon. Like
the other books in Her Spyness series, Bowen fully captures
the mannerisms of the titled and untitled classes, the
social prejudices, the nuances, and mannerisms of the era.
It is a testimony to Georgie's character that she supports
her friend Belinda as she suffers through a lonely unwed
pregnancy and keeps it confidential from gossip it would
cause her friend.
ON HER MAJESTY'S FRIGHTFULLY SECRET SERVICE is a totally
engaging royally connected special mystery for your eyes
only. The many legions of Bowen's Royal
Spyness Mysteries to love this latest offering and new
fans are sure to be enamored as well. So, get set to travel
and enjoy the scenery on this adventure and find out just
why Georgie's mother had gone to Italy!
In the new Royal Spyness Mystery from the New York
Times bestselling author of Crowned and
Dangerous, Lady Georgiana Rannoch juggles secret
missions from the Queen, Darcy, and her mother. But it’s all
in a day’s work when you’re thirty-fifth in line to the
British Crown.
When Darcy runs off on another secret assignment, I am left
to figure out how to travel to Italy sans maid and chaperone
to help my dear friend Belinda, as she awaits the birth of
her baby alone. An opportunity presents itself in a most
unexpected way—my cousin the queen is in need of a spy to
attend a house party in the Italian lake country. The Prince
of Wales and the dreadful Mrs. Simpson have been invited,
and Her Majesty is anxious to thwart a possible secret wedding.
What luck! A chance to see Belinda and please the queen as I
seek her permission to relinquish my claim to the throne so
I can marry Darcy. Only that’s as far as my good fortune
takes me. I soon discover that Mummy is attending the villa
party and she has her own secret task for me. Then, Darcy
shows up and tells me that the fate of a world on the brink
of war could very well depend on what I overhear at dinner!
I shouldn’t be all that surprised when one of my fellow
guests is murdered and my Italian holiday becomes a nightmare...