Lady Georgiana Rannoch juggles secret missions from the Queen, her beau, and her mother in this mystery in the Royal Spyness series.When royal sleuth Georgie Rannoch receives a letter from her dearest friend Belinda, who’s in an Italian villa awaiting the birth of her illegitimate baby, she yearns to run to her side. If only she could find a way to get there! But then opportunity presents itself … opportunity presents itself in a most unexpected way—her cousin the queen asks her 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, even if it is under the guise of stopping unwanted nuptials. Only that’s as far as Georgie’s fortune takes her. She soon discovers that she attended finishing school with the hostess of the party—and the hatred they had for each other then has barely dimmed. Plus, she needs to hide Belinda’s delicate condition from the other guests. And her dashing beau, Darcy’s (naturally) working undercover on a dangerous mission. Then her actress mother shows up, with a not-so-little task to perform. With all this subterfuge, it seems something is bound to go horribly wrong—and Georgie will no doubt be left to pick up the pieces when it does.
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Sometimes you just want to be entertained, not taught, not inspired; you just want to read a book that takes you on an enjoyable jaunt. It’s especially fun if that jaunt is led by a protagonist you wouldn’t mind adding to your contact list. A reluctant spy, a fiance who’s a romantic, dedicated agent for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and a grand villa filled with German agents, double agents, and even the Prince of Wales with Wallace in tow make interesting house guests that are part of this Christiesque 1930’s whodunit. I enjoyed it.
Another delightful installment of the series.
Rating: PG 13 only because grade school students probably wouldn’t enjoy the story.
No sex
Cozy mystery style violence if you can call it that – probably more accurately classified as action and intrigue.
Limited strong language – NO F-bombs whatsoever. Amusingly and refreshingly, the main character often says words like golly and then chastises herself for talking like a schoolgirl.
Plot no spoilers:
Georgie, who by the way wants to renounce her claim to the throne in order to marry a Catholic, has been sent by the Queen to a house party in Italy. The reason is that Prince David continues to court Wallis Simpson, an unsuitable woman to become the next queen. Georgie is to report as to whether Wallis has gotten a divorce, and whether she and David are planning an Italian elopement.
Meanwhile Nazis are making nefarious plans, Georgie’s best friend has secluded herself in a Swiss home for unwed mothers, a blackmailer lurks, Georgie’s beloved Darcy is off on yet another secret assignment, and lives are in danger.
Good entertainment.
Recommended – but it’s best to read the other stories in the series first in order to appreciate the various characters.
If you are looking for an entertaining cozy mystery, similar to Agatha Christie style, you will enjoy On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service, along with the entire The Royal Spyness series. With this particular installment, readers are engaged with a historical backdrop (The Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson), the Italian countryside, and political chaos.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for an honest review. Read the original full review here: http://bit.ly/RAPTReviewMajesty
On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service is the eleventh book in the A Royal Spyness Mystery series.
I love this lighthearted series set in 1930’s England and a wonderful cast of characters. Lady Georgianna Rannoch, or Georgie as most of her friends are prone to call her, has no pretensions with her title is a salt of the earth young lady. Darcy O’Mara has had his share of girlfriends but has decided that there is no one else but Georgianna. But there are two hurdles facing them, one Lady Georgianna is 35th in line to be Queen and Darcy is Catholic. But Georgianna is realistic and knows that the chances of becoming Queen are slim and none and probably closer to none. Figs Rannoch is back to be a thorn in Georgie’s side. The one character that I did miss is Queenie, Georgianna’s personal maid. Queenie is now working in the kitchen at Darcy’s Uncle Dooley. Fortunately, she hasn’t destroyed anything lately and wishes to stay where she is.
Georgie has received a letter from her friend Belinda saying she is in Italy and will be, soon, going to a clinic to have her baby and asks Georgie to come and be with her for the birth. First, Georgie needs to visit her cousin, the Queen, to inform her that she wants to give up her slot in succession. She’s willing to do this for Georgie, but like Georgie to visit an Italian villa where a former schoolmate, Camilla, and now married to an Italian Count. It seems that Wallis Simpson and the Prince of Wales will also be visiting the villa. The Queen wants Georgie to make sure that the Prince and Simpson don’t sneak off and get married. Also attending the party at the villa are high-ranking officials representing Italy and Germany. Also, Darcy is undercover disguised as a gardener. The party turns deadly when Count Rudolf von Rosskopf is killed. Darcy soon advises that something that may come out from this party might affect world peace. So in addition to finding clues in on who killed the Count, but also has to keep her ears open for any clues on what country might want to go to war.
As always, Rhys Bowen provides the reader with a well-plotted and told story with very enjoyable characters.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this very enjoyable series to see what Georgie and Darcy are up to.
Georgie is off the Italy in the spring of 1935. She is going to keep her friend Belinda company until she gives birth to her baby in secret. However, when the Queen finds out about Georgie’s plans, she worms Georgie’s way into a nearby house party to Georgie can learn if the Prince of Wales has secretly married Mrs. Simpson. When Georgie arrives, she finds a strange assortment of guests, which include her mother with another mission for Georgie. Can she accomplish any of it?
I look forward to this series because they are always fun, and this book is no exception. As Georgie is heading out to her ultimate destination, we get updates on everyone in her life. This may slow things down for those new to the series, but fans will absolutely love it. Once we reach Italy, things pick up and get very interesting quickly. I love how the global politics of the day was woven into this book while still giving us an entertaining mystery and keeping the tone light as always.
The Audible copy is worth listening to as the voice artist – Katherine Kellgren – does a splendid job of bringing the different characters alive. She is definitely the most talented voice artist I have encountered so far.
This is a delightful series!
Not as good as some of the others in the series.
Another in this lovely series.
A very enjoyable continuation of Bowen’s wonderful series.
Rhys Bowen’s “Royal Spyness” series is a fun romp through the life of a very minor Royal! (She’s something like 35th in line for the throne.) It’s nice to have a lighthearted series that’s well written.
Fun read.
I wish they would get married already, but still enjoy the stories and characters.
Very entertaining good read.
This series is always a fun read.
Love all of Rhys Bowens books. She has been very skillful in building her characters, settings and story lines. Although each book can be read as a stand alone I have been reading in order. Kept me awake to finish a book several times!
Rhys Bowen writes wonderful books!!
One of my favorite series. Always pre order as soon as announced.
Her Royal Spyness books are easy to read, fun and compelling period pieces. They take me away from the intensity of our chaotic world with their own kind of chaos.
I’m addicted to these books. Definitely a lark, but the characters are properly British and Georgie is delightful. And–most important–they’re well written romps.