Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
Ahh, yet another lovely installment in this series. I feel like we've seen Georgie mature and grow quite a lot throughout this series and this novel showcased her in some of her best moments yet. She's determined, hilarious, honest, and can hold her own. The holiday setting for this book was great, and will be a welcome read around the cooler weather. I've been curious how Bowen would handle the time when George and Edward are at the moment when their father's health is on the permanent decline. The novel leaves us with some interesting cliffhangers, and I'll be VERY much anticipating the next novel to see how some/any of this plays out!

Georgie and her friends and family are as charming and funny as ever. It did drag a bit around the middle, but once the bodies dropped, the puzzle was a stumper and the pace picked up nicely.

Another great addition to this series, that only keeps getting better. Georgie and Darcy are spending their first married Christmas with his dotty aunt in Sandringham, one of the king and queens residence, at the queens suggestion. Upon arriving they meet the other guests Darcy’s aunt is hosting including Georgie’s cousin the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson. In the days that follow there is an attempt on the Prince’s life as well as a murder and the Queen once again asks for Georgie’s help.

Lady Georgiana is back attending a Christmas party with her brother the duke and family and her mother at her husband's aunt's house on the Sandringham estate. As the royal family gathers to celebrate the holiday, Mrs Simpson is a surprise addition to Georgie's house party so the Prince of Wales can easily visit his mistress.

Several mysterious deaths occur as the festivities progress and Georgie investigates at the request of the queen with her husband Darcy's able assistance. Are they accidental or are they attempts to assassinate the Prince of Wales?

Georgie unravels the mystery as the king's life ebbs away. I enjoyed this entry in this long running cozy series and the ending points to changes for England and for Lady Georgiana.

Fans of the series will love this latest installment. I'm enjoying the stories since Georgie and Darcy married, because he's around more and I like the two of them as a sleuthing team. This story brings together a lot of what I like best in these books, including the royal family, Georgie's least favorite people (Fig and Wallace), and travel to a new place--this time it's Sandringham. I only missed Belinda. I'm hoping she's back next time around.

Georgie is back in another fun, historical who-dun-it adventure. I have not read a bad book in this series, and this is another great entry. Looking forward to seeing how this series continues as Georgie is now a married woman.

This is a series that continues to be strong and has actually gotten better with Darcy and Georgie's marriage. Darcy is around a lot more, which I love. The secondary characters are as colorful as ever; Queenie, Wallis, David, Queen Mary, etc. It will be interesting to see where this one goes given the timeline of real events at the end of the book. It's Georgie's first Christmas as a married woman and she wants to throw a house party. Unfortunately, plans go awry from the beginning as her brother and his wife invite themselves and then Darcy's eccentric aunt plans her own party on the estate of Sandringham. With an invitation from the Queen, Georgie feels obligated to forgo her own party for the one in the north. Upon arrival Georgie learns the Queen wants her to investigate some of the strange accidents that have recently occurred on the estate, and as these accidents turn deadly, it appears someone may be targeting the royal family. For Georgie and Darcy, it becomes clear that this is going to be another Christmas fraught with danger. 5 stars. Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an uncorrected proof ecopy prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series, and the latest installment does not disappoint! This is a Christmas mystery with snow, the Royal Family, horses, puppies, and several country houses! What could be better!?! Solving the mystery of why coincidental fatal accidents are occurring with regularity! Of course, the usual cast of characters play their parts (Belinda is missing): Queenie nearly burns the house down, Grandfather's lungs are bothering him in the London fog, Darcy is as charming and handsome as ever, the royal relatives are having a couple of crises, AND there's a big surprise at the very end!!! This is an absolutely enjoyable Christmas tale!

Lady Georgianna and new husband Darcy are planning a family Christmas at their new home. However when Darcy's aunt invites them all to her home with the added note that the queen wishes Georgie's attendance, there is no choice to join her party. Filled with 1940's Christmas traditions, wonderful characters, and unexplained murders, this addition to the long running series should not be missed.

This is one of my favorite series! I’ve read every book and simply adore the main characters, newlyweds Georgie and Darcy, and their whole entourage. They feel like family!

This 16th in the series bears the mark of a true Bowen Spyness novel: great humor, unsolved murders, the presence of Royalty, the sexy vibe between Georgie and Darcy, quirky family and friends, and a fine look at British history — in this case 1935, with intrigues swirling before the coming war. I loved it! One reviewer begged the author not to end the series after this installment. I add to her plea: “More. More. More!”

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021
#GodRestYeRoyalGentlemen #NetGalley

Thanks to Rhys Bowen, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

I always enjoy the books in the Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen. The main character is distantly related to the King and Queen of England and the Queen often depends on her to do "undercover" work for her. These stories are set in the 1930's as the world is heading into World War II.

In this installment, Georgie and her new husband Darcy are living in the estate that they have been loaned by a benefactor of Georgie's. They are looking forward to spending their first Christmas there and decide to have a house party that includes Georgie's mother, grandfather, and brother and family, They receive an unexpected invitation to come to a house party from Darcy's aunt who lives on the Sandringham estate where the King and Queen are in residence for Christmas. The invitation also includes a subtle summons for Georgie from the Queen. They pack up their house guests and everyone goes to Aunt Ermintrude's for Christmas.

There have been several unexplained deaths recently at Sandringham so the Queen asks Georgie to do some sleuthing and to also keep her eye on her cousin, the Prince of Wales, who has arranged to have his mistress, Mrs. Simpson, included in Aunt Ermintrude's party so she can be nearby while he stays with his parents. Georgie is able to figure out the mystery while putting herself and Darcy in jeopardy and most everyone lives happily ever after in the end.

Rhys Bowen has created a wonderful cast of interesting characters who appear regularly in this series. Her balance of suspense, romance, and humor are just right and this was a very enjoyable read. She adds to the story by giving a sense of the history of the time. Having her mother involved with a German man living in Hitler's Germany and the antics of the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson give a good background of the uneasiness of the time. Her writing style is very readable and I haven't run into a book in this series I haven't loved. I highly recommend this series -- start at the beginning!

I love this series. Every time I read one it's like visiting with old friends. Another winner from Bowen.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm already sad that I read this novel so quickly because it will probably be another year before another installment comes out. The mystery in this one is almost beside the point because the most engrossing aspect of these stories is the interplay between characters and the reappearance of regulars who make each novel feel like old home week. The development of Darcy and Georgie's married life; the relationship between Georgie and the Queen, Fig, Queenie, her granddad, and Binky; the ongoing drama of Mrs. Simpson; and Georgie's mother's complete self-absorption are all ongoing story arcs that give energy, interest, and humor to the series.

Two critiques: First, the solution to the mystery feels anticlimactic. I don't want to give anything away, but it wasn't very satisfying.
Second, I don't love the title. I get the reference, but it doesn't really work in my mind.

Otherwise, this was a delightful addition to the series, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Georgie and Darcy are back with another mystery to solve. Christmas has rolled around again and the newlyweds are looking forward to hosting their first Christmas for friends and family. However, their plans are interrupted when Georgie receives what she feels is a summons from the queen. Taking their party (georgies mom, brother, and his family) along, they join Darcy’s crazy aunt Ermentrude’s Christmas house party instead. When mysterious accidents start happening the queen once again puts Georgie on the case.