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burningupasun's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh this was SO GOOD??? I think this was definitely one of my top books of the series. So perfectly cozy and Christmasy. Very fitting with the genre to be honest, and I really loved it. I could have done without that one guy creeping into Georgie's room to rape her (seriously does that have to happen every book??) but otherwise there was nothing I disliked. Plus also:
Spoiler
DARCY FINALLY PROPOSED AHHHHHHHH YES GOOD!!!rebelmouse's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this one. All centred in a small Devon village. Very likeable characters and a good plot line.
Thank you Rhys.
Looking forward to the next one now.
Thank you Rhys.
Looking forward to the next one now.
cooperca's review against another edition
4.0
Lady Georgiana Rannoch may have a title and be 34th in line to the throne, but she still has to find a way to support herself or forever be in debt to friends and relatives. Desperately wanting to get out of the cold, damp Castle Rannoch in Scotland (not to mention getting away from her sister-in-law and her sister-in-law's mother), Georgiana takes on a job playing the role of social hostess to a posh holiday party in Tiddleton-under-Lovey for Lady Hawse-Gorzley.
Expecting a quiet and uneventful holiday, Georgiana's world is turned upside down when the love of her life and society rebel Darcy O'Mara shows up. Trying to figure out her feelings towards Darcy is suddenly interrupted when town villagers start dying....one a day. Georgiana works with Darcy and the local police to figure out the who and the why and we get to join them as each new victim is found...to when the killer is revealed. Oh, and did I mention the village witch?
This is the first book in the series that I've read and I was throughly enchanted by Georgiana's world. Ms. Bowen certainly gives us a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the British upper class and their holiday traditions (yule logs, christmas crackers, and wassailing!).
Expecting a quiet and uneventful holiday, Georgiana's world is turned upside down when the love of her life and society rebel Darcy O'Mara shows up. Trying to figure out her feelings towards Darcy is suddenly interrupted when town villagers start dying....one a day. Georgiana works with Darcy and the local police to figure out the who and the why and we get to join them as each new victim is found...to when the killer is revealed. Oh, and did I mention the village witch?
This is the first book in the series that I've read and I was throughly enchanted by Georgiana's world. Ms. Bowen certainly gives us a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the British upper class and their holiday traditions (yule logs, christmas crackers, and wassailing!).
winemakerssister's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I always enjoy the Georgie Rannoch mysteries but it's past time for Queenie to move on. I understand that she's meant to be comic relief, but I don't find her funny at all, just frustrating. Perhaps Bowen can find her another position... or maybe have her fall in love?
I always enjoy the Georgie Rannoch mysteries but it's past time for Queenie to move on. I understand that she's meant to be comic relief, but I don't find her funny at all, just frustrating. Perhaps Bowen can find her another position... or maybe have her fall in love?
vangalapriya's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Another success by Rhys Bowen. I love how fast I get through these books. This was one was especially lovely, with her descriptions of Christmas and a very clever solve. The perfect book for a winter's day during the festive season!
librarydancer's review against another edition
4.0
A light and fun mystery series, this has been a perfect series to read during Covid.
This mystery is one of the better ones in the series.
This mystery is one of the better ones in the series.
girl_curious's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mrs_gippy's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first 'Her Royal Spyness' Mystery and it won't be my last! I am giving it a 4.5 instead of a 5 because the audience can figure out how the various deaths fit a certain pattern long before the characters do (though admittedly the title of the book helps with this deduction). That being said, _how_ the various victims are selected was a twist/surprise for me, and overall this was an excellent Christmas cozy!
I especially loved hearing (I listened to the audiobook--Katherine Kellgren is a fantastic narrator, btw!) about all the quintessential English Christmas traditions in detail! And the best part?
Unlike so many other cozy mysteries I've read lately, I actually liked our heroine! Georgiana actually cares for other people beside herself (like her hilarious lady's maid, Queenie, whom she keeps on despite how abysmal she is as a maid, because she knows no one else would employ her), makes sure to keep the police involved rather than trying to do everything herself, and has one love interest instead of the stero-typical love triangle! I also liked how she is '35th (previously 34th) in line for the throne'--it was a humorous and interesting component to her backstory!
I look forward to reading more of Georgie's and Darcy's adventures together!
Spoiler
(ie, their deaths are being staged in such a way that each one parallels a different day in "The Twelve Days of Christmas")Spoiler
(they were on the same jury)I especially loved hearing (I listened to the audiobook--Katherine Kellgren is a fantastic narrator, btw!) about all the quintessential English Christmas traditions in detail! And the best part?
Unlike so many other cozy mysteries I've read lately, I actually liked our heroine! Georgiana actually cares for other people beside herself (like her hilarious lady's maid, Queenie, whom she keeps on despite how abysmal she is as a maid, because she knows no one else would employ her), makes sure to keep the police involved rather than trying to do everything herself, and has one love interest instead of the stero-typical love triangle! I also liked how she is '35th (previously 34th) in line for the throne'--it was a humorous and interesting component to her backstory!
I look forward to reading more of Georgie's and Darcy's adventures together!