A Royal Pain

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

The Queen of England has concocted a plan in which penniless aristocrat Lady Georgie is to entertain a Bavarian princess and conveniently place her in the playboy prince's path, in the hopes that he might finally marry.

But queens never take money into account. Georgie has very little, which is why she moonlights as a maid-in-disguise. She must draw up plans: clean house to make it look like a palace; have Granddad and her neighbor pretend to be the domestic staff; un-teach Princess Hanni the English she's culled from American gangster movies; cure said princess of her embarrassing shoplifting habit; and keep an eye on her at parties.

Then there's the worrying matter of the body in the bookshop and Hannis' unwitting involvement with the Communist Party. It's enough to drive a girl crazy.

Listen to more Royal Spyness mysteries.

©2008 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Macavity Award, Historical Mystery, 2009

"All the characters from the first book in this rollicking series are present here - Georgie's much-married actress mother, her kind-hearted and resourceful Cockney grandfather, her sophisticated friend Belinda and the enigmatic Darcy O'Mara, a penniless Irish peer to whom Georgie finds herself attracted. There are also fleeting references to the war clouds that are gathering in Europe and the rise of fascism at home and abroad, both of which are neatly tied in with the murders and their solution. It works - both as a grand period piece and a lighthearted and completely diverting mystery." (The Denver Post)

Do yourself a favor

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I enjoyed Her Royal Spyness so much that I referred the series to my friends and family.
In the second book, A Royal Pain, I was so disappointed with the German Princess Character that I almost did not get book number three. Do yourself a favor, skip this book and go on to book three. This was just as enjoyable as one. I think I have found a new series to follow (as long as a book two is not repeated).

Has A Royal Pain turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes, I thought that book number one was a fluke and was not going to continue with the series. I am so glad I did. Now getting number four.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

She is brilliant and I will follow her as a narrator

Could you see A Royal Pain being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, I could see this series being on TV. Everyone loves the Royals. But please no more mistakes like A Royal Pain.

A very leading squeal

I enjoyed not only the story line and twist of this book, but the ending set up well for books to come. That is very exciting for me since I am definitely one of those people who want to see a character grow and different stories and books to grow with them.

the series is just a fun type of series

I'm on my second book, and this series proves to be more lighthearted and you don't have to pay attention to figure out a lot of what's going on. However, I do like the time period, that it is in England and the Royal family. If you want something as a departure from anything serious this is a series to enjoy.

Wonderful Series!

Funny and entertaining. I find I do not want to stop listening! This is the 2nd book in the series and I finished in 2 sittings. I cannot wait for the next book!

Another Great Escape from life

Georgie, georgie, georgie. How do you get yourself into these scrapes. it's a good thing you have Belinda, Darcy and your granddad to help you out. but good for you also in following your own path and not settling down so young! I can't wait to read about the next pickle you find yourself in.

Fun light reading that will keep me buying more of

clever entertaining listen, easy to turn on and off to continue on the drive to work yet I was anxious to listen to more... some bits did not seem historically accurate.
where do my reviews go? seems like I do them but they do not post.

This series is a hoot!

The stories of this 'royal' who is 'down on her luck' are charming. The author integrates some notions of contemporary culture (an independent young woman unafraid of challenges) with the culture of the '30s in England. Funny characters and lots of red herrings make the reader's attention soar.. and the narrator simply drives the fun. She is incredible. Looking forward to more.

Delightful!

Good story, but the narrator brought it to full color!m and life! Ms. Kellgren is awesome!

Excellent narrator!

Katherine Kellgren masters the distinct voices of every character! I'd really like to listen to anything she might narrate.

really enjoyable

I Really enjoyed this book and and the series as a whole. The series gives a fun insight into an earlier time in the ruling class of England