Lady Georgiana Rannoch is just back from her honeymoon with dashing Darcy O’Mara when a friend in need pulls her into a twisted Gothic tale of betrayal, deception and, most definitely, murder. . . .I am a bit at loose ends at the moment. My cook, Queenie, is making my new role as mistress of Eynsleigh something akin to constant torture as Darcy is off on another one of his top secret jaunts. And … secret jaunts. And Grandad is busy helping wayward youths avoid lives of crime. So when my dearest friend, Belinda, inherits an old cottage in Cornwall and begs me to go with her to inspect the property, I jump at the chance.
After a heart-stopping journey in Belinda’s beast of a motorcar, we arrive at the creaky old cottage called White Sails and quickly realize that it is completely uninhabitable. Just when I’m starting to wonder if I would have been better off trying to get Queenie to cook a roast that hasn’t been burnt beyond all recognition, we meet Rose Summers, a woman Belinda knew as a child when she spent time in Cornwall. Rose invites us to stay at Trewoma Hall, the lovely estate now owned by her husband, Tony.
Belinda confesses that she never liked Rose and had a fling with Tony years ago, so staying with them is far from ideal but beggars can’t be choosers as they say. Trewoma is not the idyllic house Belinda remembers. There’s something claustrophobic and foreboding about the place. Matters aren’t helped by the oppressively efficient housekeeper Mrs. Mannering or by the fact that Tony seems to want to rekindle whatever he and Belinda once had right under his wife’s nose.
Our increasingly awkward visit soon turns deadly when a member of the household is found murdered and all clues point to Belinda as the prime suspect. I soon learn that some long buried secrets have come back to haunt those in residence at Trewoma Hall and I’ll need to sift through the ruins of their past so Belinda doesn’t lose her chance at freedom in the present. . . .
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I love Rhys Bowen’s mysteries–exactly the right amount of humor featuring good-natured and loyal Lady Georgie with a terrific cast of English characters and spooky mansions
It’s fall 1935, and Lady Georgiana O’Mara is back from her honeymoon and settling into her new married life until Darcy is called away on another of his assignments. Suddenly at loose ends, Georgie jumps at a chance to join her friend Belinda is looking at the cottage she just inherited in Cornwall. However, the cottage turns out to be more of a shack. The friends are deciding what to do when they run into Rose, a childhood friend of Belinda’s. Rose announces she is now the mistress of one of the nearby mansions, and insists that Georgie and Belinda stay with her. However, something is off about life at the mansion. Will Georgie figure out what is going on before tragedy strikes?
It’s always fun to slip back into Georgie’s world, and I picked up this book with anticipation. As usual, the book opens with updates on Georgie’s various friends and family, and I enjoy finding out how life is going for them. Once the story gets going, we are treated to a mystery filled with confusing happenings and plenty of atmosphere. The plot is minimally inspired by the classic Rebecca, and it uses the gothic elements well. I’m not familiar with Rebecca, but not picking up on nods to that book didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. The new characters we meet along the way help pull us into the book. Naturally, everything makes sense once Georgie figures it all out. When you pick up this book, be prepared to be swept back in time. Fans of the series will be thrilled to catch up with Georgie’s latest adventures.
I love the Royal Spyness Mystery series and enjoyed the latest book, The Last Mrs. Summers. Georgie and Belinda go to Cornwall to check out a cottage that Belinda inherited from her grandmother. Belinda ends up in jail for murder. It’s always enjoyable how Georgie figures out the mystery. A good read.
I’m a fan of this wonderful series and this latest is just as good as the previous ones. Truly enjoyable!
Lady Georgiana ‘Georgie’ Rannach aka Mrs. Darcy O’Mara and her friend Belinda Wharburton-Stoke are off to the Cornwall coast to check out a cottage Belinda recently inherited from her grandmother. The ladies reminisce on the drive to the coast as Belinda shares some of her childhood memories, including the tale of a ne’er-do-well uncle with groping hands and a dark side, and the accidental death of a boy. They get a harsh surprise when they find the cottage is in a state of disrepair, will it be worth it to fix it up?
On the hunt for a builder to plan renovations, Belinda and Georgie encounter a former friend, Rosie, the daughter of a cook who was part of her childhood clique. Rosie is now married to Tony Summers (a former beau of Belinda’s) and lady of the manor at Trewoma Hall. She invites Belinda and Georgie to stay at the hall for a few days–little do they know their journey will take a deadly twist that leads to Belinda becoming a prime suspect!
Dark secrets from childhood, deadly revenge, love triangles, and flirtatious encounters emerge during the ill-fated stay–will Georgie be able to piece together the scattered memories and events of the past and present in time to help out her friend? This is the 14th book in Author Bowen’s Royal Spyness Mystery series. I’m a huge fan and this tale does not disappoint!
It was a take off of my favorite book, Rebecca. Bowen did a great job with the story and characters. Even though you can guess the ending, because of the Rebecca connection I enjoyed it.
Series: Royal Spyness #14
Publication Date: 8/4/20
Number of Pages: 304
I always look forward to Georgie’s next adventure because you never know what she’ll get herself into. While I enjoyed this read, it was my least favorite so far – not sure why. Maybe there was too little Darcy or maybe it just didn’t seem to ‘ring true’ to the series – I’m not sure, but I am pretty sure the problem was mine and not the book.
Georgie and Darcy are home from their African honeymoon and Darcy is headed back to work for the Crown. At Georgie’s urging, he turned down a desk job and is headed back to the field. Georgie encouraged it because she knew he loved his work and wouldn’t be happy with a desk job. However, she is now presented with the fact that he has to leave on an assignment and he cannot tell her where he is going nor how long he’ll be gone. She’s at loose ends and has no idea what to do with herself, so she heads to London to meet up with her friend and to see her grandfather. Bummer – the friends aren’t in town and her grandfather has new tasks to see to as well. So – now what is she to do. Well, hang on to your hats because she’s off on a most unexpected adventure.
As she is returning home, having walked from the train station, she is almost run down by a speeding, very sporty, shiny new, red, Aston Martin Le Mans – named Brutus. Brutus is being driven by Georgie’s good friend Belinda who has just returned from Paris where she had studied clothing design with none other than Chanel. Belinda is excited because her grandmother’s will has finally been settled and she is now a very rich lady. Belinda also inherited a small cottage in Cornwall and she wants Georgie to go with her to check it out. She fondly remembers one property her grandmother owned there, but her grandmother sold it years ago, and she has absolutely no clue about the small cottage called White Sails.
And … the adventure begins. When the cottage turns out to be all but uninhabitable, they are at a loss because in this part of the country, finding a place to stay is near impossible. Then – their fortunes change when an old ‘friend’ recognizes Belinda and asks them to stay with her and her new husband for a few days. Belinda and Georgie are very hesitant – especially once Belinda learns the husband’s name – but it is almost impossible to refuse the invitation.
There is, of course, a murder, and then another, and hints of one from years ago. The house is forbidding even though the host and hostess are not. Something is definitely amiss in the household, tensions are thick, but nothing obvious – at first.
Given that the book-blurb likens the book to a Daphne du Marier murder, you immediately know who the villain is. What you don’t know is why or how. You especially don’t know why that villain might want to harm Belinda by causing her to be arrested for murder. You’ll find the answers to all of that as you move through the story to its exciting end.
I was so afraid the author was going to commit one of my cardinal sins – making me really like a character before killing them off. Luckily, it didn’t happen, because I have a really hard time liking a book after that happens. I didn’t dislike the victim but wasn’t in love with them either.
I really enjoyed the read and hope you will as well!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the first book that I have read by Rhys Bowen, but I enjoyed it so much that I can’t wait to go back and start this series from the beginning. I liked the main character Georgie and how supportive she is of her friend Belinda. They have traveled to Cornwall, a town where Belinda spent many summers while growing up, to see about a cottage that she has inherited from her grandmother. They come across some people from Belinda’s childhood and when a murder takes place Belinda is the main suspect. The mystery had many red herrings and I surprised by the ending.
Marvelous storytelling and great character building. This author is on my must read list.
Another book from Her Royal Spyness Series, and another fun mystery. This one gives Belinda center stage as she becomes the suspect in another whodunit. I’ve listened to them all on Audible, enjoying Georgiana as one might any royal relative. Highly recommended.
Rebecca DeWinter vs Georgiana Rannoch
-Suitable for teen – adult
-Although this is the 14th book in the series, I think a person could enjoy it without having read the others since enough, but not too much, explanatory background is given.
-Sexual situations discussed but not described in any great detail
-No memorable harsh language
-Action without gory violence
The author, Rhys Bowen, opens the book with a forward explaining the storyline is a tribute, of sorts, to the plot of the famous book “Rebecca” by Daphne DuMaurier. Seriously, if you have not read it and enjoy a good mystery “Rebecca” is a must read. Furthermore Ms Bowen warns of one character’s reprehensible habit of targeting young girls with his unwanted attentions.
Plot no spoilers:
Georgie travels with her good friend Belinda to check out a house Belinda has inherited in Cornwall. There, they have a chance meeting with Rose who knew Belinda when they were in their early teens. Rose invites them to stay at her beautiful home. Belinda is hesitant since she didn’t know Rose well, but for convenience and because Rose so obviously wants their company, they agree.
Though the house is lovely, the housekeeper is intimidating, and Rose’s husband and Belinda had had a brief fling years ago making the situation uncomfortable. But then again, the sophisticated Belinda can handle herself well.
Then, of course there’s a murder, the wrong person is implicated, and so the plot evolves.
I truly enjoyed the “Rebecca” parallels and the task of figuring out the puzzle of who and why. (I did it!)
Brilliantly done, Ms Bowen!
Highly recommended.
a great book enjoyed it so much
I love this series.
The Last Mrs. Summers by Rhys Bowen
Nothing is ever easy for Georgie. Newly married, in a lovely home courtesy of a stepfather, she finds Darcy must go away on secret business. Sigh . . . she did encourage him not to take a boring office job, but time hangs heavy until . . . Belinda shows up in a convertible she’s named Brutus (powerful) and news that she had inherited property in Cornwall, so off they go! Belinda’s “fishing cottage” is dreadful, but not as creepy as Trewoma Hall and Mrs. Mannering, the head housekeeper. They’ve been invited by Belinda’s childhood playmate, the daughter of the cook, grown and married to another old friend,Tony, whose first wife Jonquil died in fall from cliffs. Yes, there’s much of REBECCA in this tale.
There is much ill will in town over Tony’s raising of the rates for docking and lobstering, Belinda’s uncle is diabolical, there might be gun smugglers in the house Belinda’s grandmother once owned . . . and then no, more would just spoil it, and I don’t spoil.
This is part of a series, but could stand alone, and references to previous adventures are subtle enough not to interfere with reading out of order. I gulped this down greedily, wishing for scones and clotted cream to accompany the adventure.
This is unabasedly a tongue in cheek homage to Rebecca.
If you miss that, you miss a lot.
The creepy manor, isolated in the wilds. Omnipresent housekeeper who seems to be everywhere and know everything. Seemingly weak mistress of the house. Odd people wandering the proerty.
So, who is in charge? Who is the murderer? Why has Belinda been set up?
It’s all great fun with lots of atmosphere.
And we know one question is: When will Darcy show up?
Always fun
Fun to read and see what will happen next
I love the books by Rhys Bowen. I have read every one in this series and the Molly Murphy series. She creates strong interesting characters and I love the mystery. I look forward to reading another one.
Saying a novel is a du Maurier-like mystery, immediately catches a reader’s attention and sets a pretty high bar for an author to attain. Rhys Bowen, however, is one of the few writers who achieved that goal with flare. In her latest installment of the Her Royal Spyness Mystery series, The Last Mrs. Summers, Ms. Bowen was not only inspired by the Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, she matched the the novel with her own creative genius. After all, within this one series Ms. Bowen has tackled the love of the romance genre, the intrigue of a classical murder mystery, the suspense of a spy thriller, the angst of a historical drama, the friendship found in women’s fiction, (I’m sure I’m leaving something out) and now the foreboding of a gothic novel. How an author does that in one cozy mystery series is beyond brilliant.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier not only fascinated readers because of its gothic style, but also for its narrative format from the viewpoint of the second Mrs. de Winter. I love that Ms. Bowen named her character Mrs. Summers—the seasons may be opposite, but her characters are equally captivating. On page one du Maurier began: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Bowen started her novel, The Last Mrs. Summers, in very similar manner: “Last night I had a strange dream. I dreamed that I was mistress of an enormous house.”
Georgie, of course, is not the second wife of this mystery. Our heroine is, however, the new mistress of the Eynsleigh estate—a name remiscent of du Maurier’s Manderley House. I don’t think a stage could be set better than that even if Eynsleigh estate isn’t the scene of the crime—thank goodness!
But that’s not all The Last Mrs. Summers has in common with Rebecca.
Rebecca was published in 1938. Georgie is living in pre-World War II 1935.
Obviously, the plot’s are similar: a young wife obsessed with her husband’s first marriage and the death of his first wife.
Rebecca was the first wife, Rose, in The Last Mrs. Summer, was the second. Since the name of the second wife was never revealed in Rebecca, it’s only fitting that Rebecca and Rose be an alliteration. Don’t you think?
Like the second Mrs. de Winter, Rose found herself going from rags to riches.
Both stories are set in the wilds of Cornwall. Wilds by English standards are a bit different than American:)
The murders of both first wives were hidden until the second wife meddled into the past.
There are plenty of red herrings who are guilty of other offenses
Innocence is lost but justice prevails
There are many more similarities between the two novels, and I found myself looking for commonalities that Ms. Bowen artfully twisted. Rebecca may be the inspiration for The Last Mrs. Summers, but this is far from a repeat of the timeless tale. Ms. Bowen has matched du Maurier’s gothic style with literal and figurative secret passages, hidden panels, and trapdoors with the bonus of her clever whit in a mystery to enthrall readers until the very end. I have to say that I agree with Georgie. Perfection is scary, but in Ms. Bowen’s case, it’s utterly delightful.
Rhys Brown always seems to write books that entertain me. I know that when I pick up one of her books I will laugh, smile, and cringe all while loving every word that I am reading. Her books have mysteries, quirky characters, and unique storylines.
In The Last Mrs. Summers, we find Georgia traveling with her friend Belinda to check out a property that was left to her. Of course, there is more to the story. The property is a shack, the first night there a man climbs into bed with them. The next day, in search of a new place to stay, they run into an old friend and are invited to stay with her. The story continues with a murder, an investigation, and a mystery of who-dun-it to be solved. I cringed at some of the events they uncovered, I tried to put the clues together as they were revealed, and I laughed at the situations that Georgia and Belinda found themselves in.
I recommend picking up your own copy and reading about the wild situations that Georgia finds herself in.