4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it (but read the rest of the series first!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced copy.

I am such a huge fan of the Her Royal Spyness books, I get so excited each year when it's time for the next one to be released!

Although I was not yet in the Christmas spirit when I read the book, I love when Georgie is working with the Royal Family and Darcy is actually in the book!

In this book Georgie and Darcy travel to Darcy's eccentric aunt's house to celebrate Christmas along with Georgie's mother, brother and his family and some other guests as well. However, their cheerful British Christmas is overshadowed by a couple of strange deaths. Will Georgie be able to solve it in time?

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Since the day I finished "Her Royal Spyness," I have wanted to interview Rhys Bowen, the creator of Lady Georgiana and a number of other memorable detectives both amateur and professional. That time has come with Georgie’s fifteenth adventure (and second murder-filled Christmas), "God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen."

After fourteen books, Georgie’s life and financial circumstances have substantially improved. Georgie and Darcy have married, and they plan to entertain their friends for Christmas at their new estate. As fate would have it, except for Georgie’s beloved grandfather, the only guests able to attend are her brother, the Duke of Rannoch, and his wife, known as Fig—the last person Georgie wants to spend time with.

She’s just about resigned herself to Christmas with Fig when a letter arrives from Darcy’s eccentric Aunt Ermintrude, insisting that they all come at once to her home near Sandringham, close to the Royal Family. The Queen of England has requested Georgie’s presence, although she does not divulge why. Unable to say no to Her Royal Highness, Georgie, Darcy, and the Rannochs head off to Aunt Ermintrude’s house.

At Sandringham, Georgie learns that Queen Mary believes someone intends harm toward her son, the Prince of Wales, now deeply involved with Wallis Simpson. She wants Georgie to find out what’s going on. Georgie’s merry little Christmas is set to become a royal nightmare if she can’t get to the bottom of this mystery.

Bowen’s mysteries are complex and their solutions satisfying, but the real delight of these novels is the way they poke fun at the British class system, exemplified by Georgie’s own mixed heritage as the daughter of a duke and of an actress whose father, a retired Cockney policeman, acts as a constant reminder that being a member of the royal family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. They’re also, to put it simply, hilarious. If this is your first encounter with them, I promise you have a treat in store.

This was my first Rhys Bowen but it will not be my last! I loved this cozy, Christmas mystery. I adored Georgie and can''t wait to go back and read Bowen's backlist Royal Spyness series. I really enjoyed the subtle royal influences and nods to historical details while the book, for me, stayed solidly in the cozy mystery genre. Georgie and her husband Darcy finds themselves on the Sandringham Estate for the holidays at Darcy's aunt's house. Before long the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson are also in residence and accidents start to plague royal guests. The Queen calls upon Georgie to investigate and she and Darcy try to find the source of the deadly mischief.

Lady Georgie is happily married to her beloved Darcy O’Mara and is looking forward to hosting Christmas and then ringing in the new year of 1936 in their new home in Essex. Plans change, however, when Darcy’s Aunt Ermintrude summons them, on behalf of Queen Mary herself, to spend the holidays on the Sandringham estate. Georgie soon learns the Queen wants her to discreetly figure out what is behind some strange accidents that have occurred on the estate. Georgie is willing to put her fears of the possible danger aside to please the Queen and catch a killer.

This book is the latest in the long-running Royal Spyness Mysteries. I’ve only read a few of the prior books and although that doesn’t get in the way of understanding the plot of the book, I did feel at a disadvantage in keeping all of the side-characters and their backgrounds and nicknames straight. It was so confusing in the beginning that the first few chapters of the book went by really slowly for me. I love Georgie and Darcy, but not all of the supporting characters, such as Georgie’s mom and her sister-in-law, but fortunately they play a small role in this book. Once I had most of the characters down, I could start getting into the plot of the book more.

The pace of the story is steady and leisurely through most of the book. Georgie doesn’t do a lot of questioning of witnesses, but is very observant and a good listener and starts to put the pieces together of who is behind the mysterious accidents and suspicious deaths on the estate. Georgie and Darcy come up with a dangerous plan to either prove or disprove Georgie’s theory about the murderer. These passages are very dramatic and very exciting and are the highlight of the book. There is some sadness to the solution of the crime, but the book ends on a very positive note. I enjoyed the setting of the book, too, and liked reading about the Christmas traditions of the times. I also appreciated the author’s note at the end, because it helped me understand some of the actual facts, especially about the royal family, behind this historical mystery. All readers who enjoy a light-hearted historical mystery will enjoy this book, but those who have been following the series will really love Georgie and Darcy’s newest adventure.

~ Christine

Lady Georgie and Darcy are visiting her family for the holidays, with Aunt Ermintrude staying in the queen’s estate. When trouble arises, the queen wants Lady Georgie’s assistance…and the fun begins. Bowen knocks it out of the park! Great fun. 5-⭐️!

I do love the characters and the historical setting. We join the characters at a Christmas house party near the Queen and King.. Deaths occur, Wallis Simpson is a member of the house party. The mystery is who is the real target of the killer?

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of the things I missed in the last book was Darcy playing more then a cameo role. I was thrilled that in this book he had page time from the beginning to the last page. Georgie is still figuring out her new role as wife and lady of the manor and decides she should plan a house party for Christmas. But just as she begins planning they receive a dual summons - one from the Queen to Georgie and the other from Darcy's aunt. Suddenly Georgie, Darcy and their house party are on their way to the royal estate of Sandringham.

I loved seeing more of Georgie's mother and brother, Binky. Binky's wife Fig is still rather awful but I found myself quite liking Binky and Georgie's mother always managed to make me laugh - especially when she sparred with Wallis Simpson. I was a bit sad that Georgie's grandfather did not make the trip but it made sense and I'm hoping we see more from him in future books.

The mystery was one that kept me guessing and had a surprising ending. There were so many ways that it could have unraveled and I really enjoyed seeing how it did. The pacing at the beginning was a bit slow but still enjoyable and once the story got moving it was a fast read. This is a fun mystery with lots of holiday cheer and even some historical royal gossip.

Death at Sandringham!

Newly married Lady Georgina (Georgie) suddenly realised she had Christmas type responsibilities and started off planning a family Christmas. This evolved further into Georgie, her husband Darcy O’Mara (something to do with the Foreign Office) and their guests bounding off to Sandringham to stay with Darcy’s rather eccentric aunt Lady Ermintrude Aysgarth. She paints rather weird works. Turns out this sudden House Party is a cover for Georgie’s cousin, David the Prince of Wales, to park his friend Wallis Simpson nearby for the holiday season. Let’s just say Wallis is not impressed!
The sudden death of the the Prince of Wale’s equerry whilst hunting the last year had set tongues wagging. People keep muttering about “the curse!” Especially after an accident at Wymondham Hall. Apparently the curse came about when the property, which is near to Sandringham, was purchased during Queen Victoria’s time. “The royals drove out those who were living hereabouts and had their cottages pulled down… one of them was a witch, they say and she cursed them. And she said bad things would happen for a hundred years.”
Georgie is out riding in the mist with Captain Dickie Altrungham reputed to be a bit of a playboy. He’s on the Prince’s horse Sultan and has raced ahead. When Georgie next sees him he’s been downed and …Well! All very mysterious. Especially as Dickie is a top notch horseman. Queen Mary asks Georgie to help solve Altrungham’s death. The Queen is suspicious. The thing is who was the intended victim, Dickie or the prince?
On another front, I must say I raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement at Georgie’s reflections about dust. “… feather dusters. All they seem to do is to make the dust fly off one surface to land on another nearby.” One that I heartily agree with. (I had just been considering the dust in my own house prior to this.)
BTW I ignored the dust and continued reading! 😊 A Royal cosy mystery with a Christmas twist, leavened with amusing mishaps, and binding historical aspects of the time (1935) into a puzzling, rather grim and testy tale. For the reader friendships are renewed. Bowen has a super ability to bring the times alive, adding to a, ‘curl up with a hot drink’ in front of the fire, diverting read.

A Berkley PenguinRandomHouse ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

GOD REST YE, ROYAL GENTLEMEN by Rhys Bowen is yet another title in the Royal Spyness series involving Lady Georgiana. This time, she and several family members are invited to be guests near Sandringham as the Queen celebrates Christmas. A terrific blend of 20th century history (involving European politics prior to WWII), plus upper-class manners and holiday customs, this mystery brings Lady Georgiana once again face-to-face with a murderer. Someone takes a shot at the Prince of Wales, future King Edward VIII, and several employees are also hurt or die in suspicious circumstances while on the estate. As the holidays near, look for GOD REST YE, ROYAL GENTLEMEN if you would like reading (per Publishers Weekly review) about "a cast of charming, quirky characters ... [in a] lovely English Christmas cozy."

I love this series! Georgie and Darcy are finally married. Georgie has given up her place in the line of succession. The newlyweds are looking forward to their first Christmas together, in their own home. It is not to be. Duty and family call and the couple is off to solve another mystery. Delightful read.

I always look forward to a new book in Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series and this year's offering is a Christmas story. This is Lady Georgiana and Darcy's first Christmas as a married couple. As they have a great country estate (thanks to one of Georgie's mother's ex-husbands), Georgie is excited to host a house party for the holidays.

Unfortunately, many of their friends and family have other plans so it is looking like a small party with just Georgie's Granddad in attendance. Then, with no heat at the Scottish Castle where her brother and his family reside, Georgie's sister-in-law suggests they come to stay with the newlyweds. While there's little love between Fig and Georgie, she does love her brother, and Christmas with children is always wonderful. Before too many plans can be made, a letter from Darcy's aunt arrives inviting them to a holiday house party. Georgie isn't so keen to accept as the last Christmas she spent with Darcy's family had dead bodies turning up on the regular (see The Twelve Days of Christmas).

Darcy's aunt, who is now a widow, currently resides in a "small" house on the Queen and King's holiday estate, and apparently, the Queen would like Georgie nearby. And we all know that Georgie is loyal to a fault so of course, they pack up their guests (which now also includes her mother) and head north.

Now that Darcy and Georgie are married, Darcy is hanging around more. I'm sure that won't last forever and soon he will be dispatched to parts unknown, but in the meantime, I love seeing them together. This is the first book where Darcy is featured on the cover alongside Georgie.

Some series, when they include a Christmas book, it is just a novella or not really part of the storyline, but God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen is a full-length story. Just because it is the holidays, murder doesn't stop. These deaths look like accidents so it's up to Georgiana to find the murderer. More than once, she wishes she had just stayed home and had a quiet Christmas with Darcy.

Even with the murders, there is plenty of holiday cheer and if you are wanting an old-fashion Christmas, then you will find it within the pages of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I couldn't figure out who the murderer was (though I had a few suspects). It made me look forward to the Christmas season. The little Christmas surprise at the end has me impatiently awaiting the next novel in the series.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, Oct. 12 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/10/god-rest-ye-royal-gentlemen-by-rhys.html

Newlyweds Lady Georgiana Rannoch and Darcy O’Mara are looking forward to spending their first Christmas together as a married couple and have planned on hosting a holiday party for their friends and family. Before the party can begin, however, Darcy receives a letter from his aunt (along with a royal summons to Georgie from Queen Mary herself) and the house packs up to head to Sandringham.

From the start it’s clear this isn’t going to be the relaxing and festival Christmas Georgie had hoped for. For starters, there are several unexpected guests – including the Prince of Wales and his mistress Wallis Simpson – but things go from bad to worse as several accidents befall the guests, ultimately leaving more than one member of the party dead. Are these nothing more than incredibly unfortunate mishaps? Or are they connected to mysterious deaths that occurred the previous Christmas? Is it possibly a politically-motivated attack on the Prince? It’s clear the Queen intends for Georgie to find out, even if it means risking Darcy’s life.

Any new Rhys Bowen novel is a cause for celebration! Her books are such delights and I always look forward to new installments. God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen is the latest in the Royal Spyness series, bringing the total number of volumes up to 15 – perfect for a good winter binge! Despite the size of the series, newcomers will easily get up to speed: this novel not only reads well as a standalone, but there are multiple callbacks and explanations as to who characters are or how Georgie’s story came to be.

I love a full cast of characters and God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen was fit to burst! There’s the upstairs, the downstairs, the royals, even a few Americans for good measure – and yet there was never any confusion as to who was who. To me they all had their own distinct personalities, their own voices, something virtually required when it comes to a cast list of this size, but that’s Rhys Bowen for you! Also, I always take great pleasure in trying to weed out the villain; there are more than a few red herrings sprinkled throughout the book that I admit I went back and forth a few times before the Big Reveal.

Amongst the Christmas festivities and possible murders in God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen was the very real rise in Hitler’s power, King George V is in declining health, and the fate of the empire will soon fall to the Prince of Wales. The ending of this book made me especially giddy for the next, I’m VERY intrigued to see where Rhys goes with it all!

Longtime fans and newcomers alike will find much to enjoy in God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen. Between the holiday setting, the mystery behind several murders, and getting to rub elbows with the royal family, this book was a joy from page one. Fifteen books in there are still new facets of these characters to discover and a surprise for Darcy and Georgie at the end of this one will certainly make the next book interesting!

Lady Georgiana and Darcy are looking forward to their first Christmas as husband and wife, but then they are invited to spend the holiday at a house party being given by one of Darcy’s aunts. The implication that the queen herself wants them nearby is the only thing that makes them go. When they arrive, they learn the queen is worried someone is after a member of her family. Can Georgie figure out what is going on in time?

Fans of the series will expect that the book will get off to a slow start as we get updates on the various supporting characters we’ve gotten to know over the series. While we get hits of the plot, celebrating Christmas also slows the pacing down a little. But there is a good mystery in there, and I didn’t have the how or who figured out until Georgie pieced it to together. The end of 1935 was a huge time in British history, and I loved how the real intrigue played into this story, weaving in things we’ve been reading about since book one. This is a Christmas fans will definitely be glad they spent with Georgie.

Royal murder and mayhem. A fast-paced and engrossing read. Love this series and look forward to future books by this author.

Poor Lady Georgie. She’s at last married to Darcy, in residence at a lovely estate, and all she wants is to have a happy family Christmas at her new home. A typical wish for any young bride, but Georgie seems to have left her planning late, and her invitations are unfortunately declined as all and sundry seem to have made other plans. Luckily Georgie’s grandfather is able to come, and sadly for Georgie (but happily for the reader) her brother and sister in law, Binky and Fig, also plan to make an appearance.

At the last moment, Darcy’s eccentric Aunt Ermintrude invites them for Christmas. She’s living at a grace and favor estate on the grounds of Sandringham, and the King and Queen are spending Christmas there. It’s 1936 and the King isn’t well. The ominous shadow of Mrs. Simpson hangs over everything, and the Queen has more or less requested Georgie’s help.

The whole family – sans grandfather but plus Queenie – make the journey. At the last minute Georgie’s mother has turned up, declining to spend Christmas with the Nazis. Also making an appearance: the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson, who is pouting as David is expected to spend time with his ailing father.

Georgie’s last Christmas outing (The Twelve Clues of Christmas, 2012) was a complete bloodbath so Georgie is understandable jumpy. Happily for the reader, though unhappily for Georgie, the Queen shares that she senses an “evil” and the household staff is certain Sandringham is actually cursed. While the body count is far, far smaller than it was in the earlier book, the reader is treated to several murders, some past, some present, as well as the delightful experience of sharing Christmas adjacent to the Royals.

Bowen really handles this with aplomb. She never over plays her hand with the characters of the Queen, the little princesses, and the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson, but they instead help to set the stage and create an atmosphere. Georgie, the classic mystery insider-outsider (she’s a cousin, but distant; she’s royal blood, but impoverished), is often able to get to the heart of the matter thanks to her insider status and access to the Queen.

This was a well told story, and completely enjoyable, as Bowen’s books always are. She has a tricky bit coming up as she will have to address the King’s death and the abdication of the next King. If you read these books you are probably a fervent fan of Downton Abbey and The Crown, and any student of history knows what’s coming. The fun part is waiting to see just how the more than capable Bowen will take it on. A delicious read, as well as a delicious amount of anticipation for Georgie’s next adventure.

It’s time for Georgie and her husband Darcy to go to his aunt’s country house for Christmas. Aunt Ermintrude’s home is right next to Sandringham where the royal family spends their yearly holiday and the king is not doing well. Unexpectedly, they find out among the houseguests is the Prince of Wales and his American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Isn’t this a terrific setting for a good old fashioned English country house who-dunnit? I’ve read several books in this series and it is always so exciting to see what is going on with Georgie and Darcy and this book does a great job of keeping you interested. The murder mystery is well planned with a few surprises and well-planted clues. Better than a Christmas cracker!

This was a most delightfully entertaining read with a well-plotted mystery and interesting characters. The writing, as always, is excellent and the plot is well developed and well-executed. The identity of the villain was plain to me early on, but only because I have a warped brain. So, once I decided who the villain was – I had to devour the rest of the book to search for clues that I was correct. There are lots of red herrings and you’ll just have to weed through them to get the full story – which might not be evident until the end. Is the prince the intended victim? Is the villain part of a plot against the government?

It is Christmas 1935 and Georgie, along with her new husband Darcy, is looking forward to their first Christmas as a married couple. They decide it might be fun to have a Christmas house party – until – what amounts to a Royal command is delivered. So, Georgie and Darcy move their entire house party to Wymondham Hall located on the grounds of Sandringham where the royal family is spending Christmas. Georgie is excited to meet Darcy’s aunt, who lives at Wymondham Hall, but is surprised to find Wallis Simpson in residence as well.

Queen Mary is concerned and she’s asked Georgie to figure out if there is really evil afoot at Sandringham. Last Christmas, there were two strange and tragic deaths during the Christmas holiday at Sandringham and the Queen is concerned someone may be targeting the prince. When the prince is hit with buckshot, that worry only intensifies. Things become really serious when the prince’s paramour, Wallis Simpson, is attacked – not to mention more deaths. Is it someone who is inside the Sandringham estate? Could Darcy become a target if they get too close?

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellently presented book. There is an intense mystery set within increasingly turbulent times for England. Hitler has already come to prominence in Germany and King George V is very ill. The heir to the throne is seriously involved with an American woman who has already been divorced once and the royal family knows the people will never accept that relationship. When you add in the unrest in Ireland, you have a formula for extreme stress for Queen Mary and King George. Will Georgie and Darcy be able to relieve some of that stress by solving the local deaths? Whatever happens to the mystery within the pages, we have some very sad news and some very happy news – you’ll just have to read the book to find out the solution to the mystery and the news.

I highly recommend this entertaining book. I know you’ll love the story as well as the recurring characters. While this is part of a series, it can stand alone. However, if you want to understand Georgie’s whole backstory, you should read at least the first couple of books. You don’t need to read the earlier books as this one presents you with plenty of the back story, but they are really good books and I think you’d enjoy them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Very interesting and great story. Love this series and their newlywed characters.. This is definitely a cozy book and I can't wait for more in the series.

What I have enjoyed most about this series is that the characters have grown and developed, unlike in some cozy series where nothing seems to change beyond a different dead body. Georgie is a married woman, more confident in her manners and appearance and less clumsy and awkward. Queenie is still something of a walking disaster, but also manages to avert disaster in the kitchen due to her "dab hand" with pastry. Darcy has shed his playboy past to become a devoted husband. With these well-developed characters comes an intriguing whodunit with a cast of drawing room characters and the backdrop of Christmas at Sandringham. The gentlemen need to watch their backs as a mysterious killer seems to be striking down men in their prime. Well written and fun to read, this title is a great addition to the series.