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.

Ridiculously Good Fun!

This book and the subsequent series is enjoyable because they are so clever. It might seem like a simple toss-away after you finish. However, the historical setting, real places/people, require research and thought in plotting out.
The narrator is fantastic and I suggested to friends who have read the paper versions. I dare say they aren't getting nearly the same experience as the audiobook is richly performed.
Of course, I'm now completely addicted and working my way through the series like an addict!

Katherine Kellgren is a star!

The book is enjoyable, the mystery engaging, but what will keep me interested in this series is the narrator! Katherine Kellgren is on the same level as Jim Dale. Hers is a name I will search for, every time, knowing she can truly bring a book to life.

Fun Read

If you are looking for an easy, well written, enjoyable book. this title is a good choice.

It takes place in London in the 1930's. There is a murder, and a good mystery surrounding it. The murder is just part of the story. There are many interesting characters, some subtle humor, and a bit of romance.

What you will not find is non-stop action, explicit sex and violence, and coarse language.

Narrator Katherin Kellgren does a superb job. Her voice is pleasing. She does a fine job of giving characters distinctive voices.

Won't be reading the sequels

Any additional comments?

This was a really frustrating listen. I liked the characters and wanted to get into the plot, but that was exactly the problem. It took 3 hours to get to the mystery part of this "royal spyness mystery". I almost deleted this book several times, usually after yet another description of a young man that she may or may not marry.

Once the story got rolling, the main character was pretty fun and likeable. Not enough to get me to come back for more though. There are way too many good books out there to read and listen to.

This story is refreshingly different!!

This is a bit of a cross between a Bridget Jones and a light mystery. The story was a nice change of pace for me and so good all of the way through that I plan to listen to all of the other books in the series.

Ms. Kellgren's performance brought the characters to life and made them distinctive and interesting. She has a very nice voice.

One other point to make is that this story is set in London (mostly) in the early 1930s, which is also a very nice change for me. I seem to read stories in may other settings, but not the early 20th century. I'm really enjoying that setting!

Fun and entertaining!

Great intro to a promising series

What did you love best about Her Royal Spyness?

The characters were lovable and believable and could have walked out of a P.G. Wodehouse story with equal charm. The portrait of the genteel and useless royals set against a real world with cruelty, avarice, hunger and murder is starkly compelling. A tough thing for a republican to admit, but there you are.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Georgiana, the protagonist, seized my heart early and held it throughout the book. Her pluckiness and willingness to do whatever it took to clothe and feed herself and to discover who had framed her brother for murder was totally enchanting. And while her naivete and the limitations in her experience hindered her from taking some obvious shortcuts to the answers, her actions were totally believable. Her proper upbringing kept her a prisoner in some scenes of the book, but that upper class self-confidence and integrity certainly helped her out of some bad spots, as well. I want to read/listen to the remaining books, hoping that her character will stand the fire and come out stronger rather than letting the world get to her.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Every word, every inflection, every pause in this performance was polished perfection. I think this is one of those wonderful matches of the perfect reader for a great book.

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

This book made me want to sit in the driveway and listen to it rather than come in the house for dinner. Quite remarkable.

Any additional comments?

The only reason to give a 4/5 for the story rather than 5's all the way across was the length of time it took the author to get to the point--and the fact that I had it figured out rather earlier than is usual for me for a mystery novel. Looking forward to the next one in the series!

So much fun!

I checked out the reviews before buying this, and they were positive enough that I gave it a shot. I wasn't disappointed! Sure, it's not full of twists and psychological bad guys... but I was pleasantly surprised by the solution, and as a lighthearted read, it's fantastic. The narrator absolutely brings this book to five stars; her accents and intonation give it that extra something, bringing the characters to life. I can't wait to listen to more, and Georgie ranks right up there now as one of my top ten Girl Sleuths!

Very enjoyable!

Delightful story with good humor thrown in. Story kept me interested and entertained and I am interested in reading more from this author.

commuters delight

this was a perfectly light English murder mystery, perfect for my 25 minute commute each day. narrator does various regional accents well and they aren't distracting to the rhythm of the book. I plan on listening to more

My favorite!

I’m embarrassed to say that I’m on my 3rd or 4th replay if this series. That’s how much I love it!