Georgie and Darcy are finally on their honeymoon in Kenya’s Happy Valley, but murder crashes the party in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series.I was so excited when Darcy announced out of the blue that we were flying to Kenya for our extended honeymoon. Now that we are here, I suspect he has actually been sent to fulfill another secret mission. I am trying very hard … mission. I am trying very hard not to pick a fight about it, because after all, we are in paradise! Darcy finally confides that there have been robberies in London and Paris. It seems the thief was a member of the aristocracy and may have fled to Kenya. Since we are staying in the Happy Valley—the center of upper-class English life—we are well positioned to hunt for clues and ferret out possible suspects.
Now that I am a sophisticated married woman, I am doing my best to sound like one. But crikey! These aristocrats are a thoroughly loathsome sort enjoying a completely decadent lifestyle filled with wild parties and rampant infidelity. And one of the leading lights in the community, Lord Cheriton, has the nerve to make a play for me. While I am on my honeymoon! Of course, I put an end to that right off.
When he is found bloodied and lifeless along a lonely stretch of road, it appears he fell victim to a lion. But it seems that the Happy Valley community wants to close the case a bit too quickly. Darcy and I soon discover that there is much more than a simple robbery and an animal attack to contend with here in Kenya. Nearly everyone has a motive to want Lord Cheriton dead and some will go to great lengths to silence anyone who asks too many questions. The hunt is on! I just hope I can survive my honeymoon long enough to catch a killer. . . .
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I went through it quickly. New characters but a bit predictable. Situationally, it is something different. I think the next in the series may build a little on the characters.
Have read whole series, enjoyable!
I am a fan of “her spyness” and this addition to the series does not disappoint the reader. I am glad I have taken these in order as they somewhat build on the previous book.
Good mystery with a little romance and adventure. Enjoyed it very much! Recommend it!
I love this series!
Love reading Her Royal Spyness books. Golly! Such easy fun!
Love the characters.
Good period mystery set among the upper-class set in Happy Valley in Kenya. Shorter than the usual Royal Spyness book.
A honeymoon trip that turns into a look at a whole different society for the nobly-born Lady!
Africa not realistically portrayed. Disappointed.
I love this series!
An African Honeymoon for Georgiana
Mature audiences
Sex – Nothing is described in detail between the newlyweds. There are, however, explanations of “games” played by the bed-hopping colonials. Ew! I would not want my teen reading those parts.
No memorable harsh language
Action – Good action sequences and tense situations. Any violence, however, is implied but not described in detail.
Finally! Darcy and Georgie are married. After the bliss of stage one of their honeymoon, Darcy surprises Georgie with a trip to Kenya, a rather surprising destination. Of course, there’s nothing simple about it since both newlyweds are tasked with jobs during their stay. The Queen wants a report from Georgie about whether her son is continuing to cavort with the very unsuitable Mrs. Wallis, and Darcy has a jewel thief to track. Unsurprisingly, there are complications besides wild animals and perhaps even wilder parties (Darcy and Georgie do NOT join in). Yep. There’s a murder.
Entertaining continuation of the series. Reading the previous installments is highly recommended in order to understand a few of the characters’ relationships with one another.
I love how Rhys Bowen really puts you into the time and setting of her Lady Georgiana Royal Spyness mysteries. I often find myself reading up more afterward on some of the circumstances or places in her novels, such as pre WWII Happy Valley in this current outing, and the mystery is always fast paced without being rushed and the solution well played. These novels can be read as stand alones but I feel would be more enjoyable if read in sequence.
Her books are very detailed and descriptive, great reads.
This latest installment of the royal spyness series is very entertaining as were all the previous ones. I really enjoy all these books! This author is one of my favorites.
I really enjoy reading this series by Rhys Bowen. It is a delightful look into the British aristocracy pre-world war II.
Bowen’s wonderful descriptions of the setting made it feel like I was on an African safari right alongside Georgie and Darcy. I could practically feel the heat radiating off the pages and hear the calls of wild animals in the distance. I only wish Georgie had shown a little more gumption, as she sometimes seemed to stand in her husband’s shadow.
Inspired by a real-life unsolved murder of a leader of the Happy Valley set in the 1930s, the story is rich with historical facts. Bowen touches upon the issue of racism, prevalent among the British in Kenya at the time, while at the same time providing the reader with the lighthearted sleuthing the series is known for. Delightful!
The adventures of Georgie and Darcy continue with much more historical reference and a more sophisticated plot line.
Always a treat to read Ms. Bowen’s books. She knows how to develop characters you remember.
Have read the entire series and enjoyed every one! Unconventional and delightful main character.