Her Royal Spyness

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Agatha Award-winning author Rhys Bowen’s charming combination of intrigue and romance blended with a touch of humor shines when performed by Audible Hall of Fame narrator Katherine Kellgren, whose deft range and impeccable accent work make it hard to believe this isn’t a multicast performance.

In this irresistible cozy set in 1930s London, Rhys Bowen introduces the lively Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie—or "Georgie" for short. Despite standing 34th in line for the throne and occasionally having tea with (…and spying for!) Her Majesty the Queen, Georgie is penniless and down-on-her-luck. And just when it seems things might be looking up, she finds a body in her bathtub.

Listeners are sure to be hooked on this royally enjoyable series—and luckily for them, the collaboration between author and narrator only gets richer over the course of 12 books.

©2007 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Summary

I really enjoyed this royal spy story. The audio is impeccable and the story flowed from the beginning to the end!!

Funny, but the Title Doesn't Match the Book at All

If you could sum up Her Royal Spyness in three words, what would they be?

Cute, Funny, Surprise-less

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bertie, Georgianna's brother has the most amazing sense of entitlement I have ever seen. It's alternately hilarious and aggravating.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Georgie is stuck outside the window after trying to retrieve evidence from the dead man's room, she shows a quick wit by pretending to be a maid who was going the extra mile for her employer.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Lots of class, not much cash - learning to live as a pauper royal.

Any additional comments?

The idea of Georgie's time as a maid could have been more fully developed. It was actually the most fun part of the book. After reading the book's title, I was expecting her to get orders from the queen to spy on the people she was working for.The queen seemed to know a lot about what was going on, so it wouldn't be a stretch for her to know what Georgie was up to and to use it for her own ends. That would have give the book more mystery. It was fun and enjoyable , but predictable.

Loved it!

If you could sum up Her Royal Spyness in three words, what would they be?

I loved the storyline and the performance made the audio book irresistible! I couldn't wait to here more.

A new GO TO read!

Would you listen to Her Royal Spyness again? Why?

Oh goodness, yes. This is a delightful story, with a magnificent narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot is fun, the characters well developed, and the whole thing is lighthearted.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Because of Ms. Kellgren, this is a better listen than it is a read. And I know! I have the book, as well as the audiobook. The characters come alive with her voice acting in a way they do not on the page. Not to say the book is not good. It is! But with the vocal artistry of Ms Kellgren, a good book is transformed to spectacular.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I'm rooting for Our Heroine (and Our Hero) throughout the series! I don't know how they end up, since I've not finished them all yet, but I'm in their corner!

Love Katherine Kellgren

What did you love best about Her Royal Spyness?

Ms Kellgren manages to find voices for the characters in this series. What a joy!

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Audible with Katherine Kellgren. It won't be my last.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The visual you get while listening to Ms Kellgren read is wonderful.

A Great Start to a New Series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would. I found this to be a lighthearted read/listen with murder, mystery, royalty and romance. I also think it is an appropriate book for tweens...although it may be too tame and innocent for some of them.

What did you like best about this story?

The book has references to historical happenings and people as seen through the eyes of a fictitious relative. I love the humor and the story hints at some very serious things like war, drugs and murder. But it is basically fast-paced story, with likable characters that you want to see succeed.

Which scene was your favorite?

All the scenes that describe the main character's ability to be a klutz.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No tears, but there were a number of giggles throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

The narrator did a fine job portraying the various accents. It aided in visualizing the class system in Britain at the time.

Something light for easy listneing!

What made the experience of listening to Her Royal Spyness the most enjoyable?

The entire series follows a nice theme with a touch of history.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

Love to listen to her

Pleasant, entertaining

I enjoyed this book and the reading. I felt Ms Kellgren captured the personality of the central character very well. Her voice is young, clear and lilting. I would be glad to buy a second adventure Lady Georgianna read by her. As for the plot and the writing, I thought both were very good. Four stars all around!

Fun Cozy Mystery

I was sold on these books by the name alone. And it's that kind of humor that just really makes this book. One of those little things that I always enjoy is a good little cozy mystery and this is the definition of a cozy. Georgie is a terrific character. She's fun, hilarious and caring. Plus, she thinks pretty quickly on her toes. Rhys Bowen created terrific side characters in Belinda, Georgie's non-royal grandfather, her mother, and some insignificant little Irishman named Darcy. ;) The series is also set in a wonderful time period. It's a time when women are just starting to stand on their own but there's still enough of the old aristocracy and ways around that they're limited. I can just feel that Georgie is going to end up being one of the trailblazers for women.

The mystery wasn't too predictable but I did figure out who did it before the reveal in the story. I didn't mind that though because I was having so much fun listening to the story. The narrator Katherine Kellgren was perfect for the book. I don't think I've listened to any of her work before but I am definitely going to be keeping an eye out for her in the future.

Actually, there's a good chance that I'll move straight to book two in the series from here.

Five Stars

Fun story -- quirky characters -- and oh my goodness, what a wonderful reader!

If Agatha Raisin and P.G. Wodehouse went out on a date...