Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen | Audiobook Review

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen | Audiobook ReviewHer Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
Length: 8 Hours 9 Minutes
Series: Her Royal Spyness #1
Published by Berkley Prime Crime on 2007
Genres: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Traditional British, Women Sleuths
Pages: 324
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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four-stars

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 fiancŽ Fish-Face, for London, where she has: a) worked behind a cosmetics counter-and gotten sacked after five hoursb) started to fall for a quite unsuitable minor royalc) made some money housekeeping (incognita, of course), andd) 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.

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

Adult mysteries are a lot of fun to read. However, I feel like I never really get time to indulge in them as I am up to my ears in young adult books – not a bad thing but I am the sort of girl who needs a little variety every once in awhile. At some point, Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen ended up in some kind of Audible sale and you guys know I am absolutely unable to resist a good sale, and so, I obtained it and sort of didn’t listen to it UNTIL NOW. What prompted me to give the book a listen was the fact that Katherine Kellgren narrates and it was rainy and I just was in the mood for some historical mystery.

What’s The Story Here?

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen is the first in a series by essentially the same name. It introduces readers to Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie who is 34 bodies away from the English throne. She’s also not as wealthy as her long name and title would have you think. So, anyways, Georgiana runs away from her home in Scotland and an engagement to ugly Prince Stiegfried to London – where she earns some money by working as a housemaid.

It’s in this capacity that Georgiana overhears a conversation that could potentially lead her to danger. She must unravel the mystery of who wants to kill her before it is too late. Meanwhile, there’s also a certain person who catches Georgiana’s attention and well, I will leave you at that.

What Did I Ultimately Think Of This Audiobook?

Lady Georgiana certainly has pluck. I love that she’s not too good to light her own fires and fix herself some breakfast. In fact, she is willing to work for money, albeit in disguise – still I admire her work ethic. I was absolutely won over by Lady Georgiana and look forward to more in this series.

I also liked how sex was dealt with in this book. There’s one character who is insistent that Georgiana be rid of the burden that is her virginity and so she contrives to help Georgiana with that. It’s quite funny but if you are like oh no sex, then maybe don’t read this book.

ALSO! The setting! This book is set during the Depression era so there’s talking about food and cutting back and I thought it was interesting.

Who Should Listen To This Book?

  • Fans of Lady Julia Grey
  • Anyone obsessed with royals
  • Mystery lovers

How’s The Narration?

Katherine Kellgren is the literal best. I say that in every single review where I discuss her audiobooks because it is the god’s honest truth. I love her narration skills and truly believes she adds spark to all of the audiobooks that she happens to narrate. This is a very quick listen – it is perfect for road trips and driving. I got into the story very quickly and did not find my attention wandering to other things. I highly recommend this audiobook of Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen. I am to the point where I am about to investigate other books in the series once I finish Kellgren’s brilliant narration of the Jacky Faber books.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Clearly a Harriet The Spy gif is most appropriate.

four-stars
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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. I love this series on audio (and Katherine Kellgren). I became addicted and listened to the whole series over the past few months.

  2. Mysteries can be so fun! Admittedly, I’m drawn to this one because main character Georgiana sounds like a firecracker. Definitely glad to hear you found it enjoyable, and will perhaps check it out at some point 😉

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