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Her Royal Spyness

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
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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.

Our favorite moments from Her Royal Spyness

From dreadful heights to lakeside drear...
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Those horrid common Americanisms.
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An eyebrow-raising lesson in Royal etiquette.
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I am here to take tea with Her Majesty. I am expected.
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Meet Georgie's quirky and lovable granddad.
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  • Her Royal Spyness
  • From dreadful heights to lakeside drear...
  • Her Royal Spyness
  • Those horrid common Americanisms.
  • Her Royal Spyness
  • An eyebrow-raising lesson in Royal etiquette.
  • Her Royal Spyness
  • I am here to take tea with Her Majesty. I am expected.
  • Her Royal Spyness
  • Meet Georgie's quirky and lovable granddad.

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.
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About the Performer

One of Audible’s most beloved narrators, Katherine Kellgren fell in love with book narration at a very young age. As a child, she recorded her first stories on a cassette player for her ailing father. Her passion for storytelling turned into a life-long career, and earned her superstar status among a legion of fans. A master at impersonations and different accents, Kellgren won multiple awards–including four Best Female Narrator Audie Awards–and in 2017 she was inducted to the inaugural Audible Narrator Hall of Fame. She passed away in early 2018 following a battle with a rare form of cancer, but her legacy lives on.

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About the Author

Rhys Bowen's awe-inspiring career began in audio. When she was just 22 years old, Bowen marched into the office of the head of BBC drama and handed him a script she’d written. After he told her they were going to produce it, she never looked back. Originally from Bath, England, Bowen now lives in San Francisco. While she has built her reputation on numerous best-selling children’s books and young adult novels, her writing is now devoted to several award-winning mystery series and a growing number of stand alone historical fiction novels set during World War II. Her books have won Agatha and Anthony Awards.

What listeners say about Her Royal Spyness

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Almost a guilty pleasure

As a way-to-the-left American it's hard to discuss this book and get people to sympathise with a member of the royalty that grew up in a castle, visits the Queen of England, and needs to get a job. But Rys Bowen does just that. This book is funny, educational (if you want to know about early 20th Century England),thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable. I have friends that say the series falls into the Romance category, but I refuse to agree...I don't read romance novels. #OhSoBrittish #comingofage #mystery #humor #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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pleasantly surprised

I purchased this book because it was a buy one get one free in the mystery section. I love mystery books but I've never listen to anything quite like this. It wasn't the norm for me but I enjoyed every single chapter of this book and I'm now on a journey to discover the rest of the books in this series. Definitely a lot of fun!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Piece of British Pagentry

Narration was superb, the story fun and interesting (though I figured it out halfway through), and I found myself listening when I could have been watching something. Good show ole boy!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional performance

I like Rhys Bowen stories but was delighted with Katherine Kellgren’s reading. Her characters were wonderful!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

First class narrator, second class story

Any additional comments?

The narrator was brilliant--she can do all classes and genders to a tee without sounding ridiculous or cartoony. The story was...sufficient. It definitely has its humorous moments. I felt the ending was on the edge of the bleeding obvious, but the main character was relatable and fun. Perhaps it's just a weak introduction story and the series keeps getting better. The characters are definitely enjoyable.

Perhaps my biggest problem with the plot was that I expected it to be a story of a Queen sending a lesser royal relative out to spy for her, when in reality that took up a total of about 7 minutes in the plot (and that includes describing the room the scene took place in) and was a majorly low-stakes addition to the high-stakes plot.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun Quick Read

Any additional comments?

This book was much better than I expected. I enjoyed that the plot took some interesting turns. At first, I found the main character rather annoying, but that changed the further I delved into the book. Definitely a fun quick read.

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What a great surprise

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

Yes definitly!

What did you like best about this story?

Great story. I loved the whole experience of this book.

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

Ms Kellgren was fabulous. One of the best readers I have ever listen to. I loved her accent, her dramatization and her interruption of the story. I will be looking for more books that she narrates.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, only wish I have the time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A delightful easy read.

This was a delightful period piece that I quite enjoyed. I recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Downton Abby.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A light easy read

What did you love best about Her Royal Spyness?

Fun and enjoyable read .. different angle on the usual mystery

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Life in London from different perspectives

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Very entertaining

I listened to 2nd in the series 1st and enjoyed it so much I had to seek out the original. I was not disappointed.

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