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.

Perfect in every way!!!!

I read a review that said this was exciting and couldn't be put down. SO TRUE!! It was exciting and interesting with great narration and story/character development that leaves plenty open for a full series! Can't wait to listen to the next!!!

Silly, kind of fun

Any additional comments?

The author of this book has a very engaging voice and the performance is excellent. I find the setting a little kitschy but in an enjoyable kind of way. The dialog is very well done and the deployment of phrases like "what ho old bean" are delightful. This isn't a deep book but it is very entertaining and I expect that although it isn't steampunk that it would appeal to fans of that genera.

light and engaging

I enjoyed this very much. It was a well written historical cozy mystery, and the performer was wonderful. I'll definitely check out the next in the series.

Very Entertaining!

What fun! The narrator is awesome and varies her voice among her characters superbly. The royalty aspect is an entertaining glimpse into the royal world. The characters are well developed. The writing is terrific and I found myself laughing out loud at times. Can't wait to start the 2nd book in the series.

Listen for the Narrator

This story is light and frothy, and the mystery itself quite silly and predictable, but the writing is clever enough to hold the silliness together. The real enjoyment here is the narrator, Katherine Kellgren. Her skill with accents brings the penniless-Royal schtick to life.

Love the book, and love the narrator

I love this book! Can't wait till the next one. I'm all about England and the English.

Entertaining piece of fluff

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

Yes, if my friend was in the mood for some absolutely delightful yet totally frivolous fiction. I am not trying to sound like a snob, because I truly enjoyed this book, but it is the fluffiest pastry of a book that I've either read or listened to in quite some time. That being said, I bought this book for one reason--the narrator. Katherine Kellgren is one of my absolute favorites (is there a fan club?) and I will purchase almost anything she performs. And performance it is. She is a gifted vocal actress and I recommend her to everyone I know, with the caveat that her books tend to be on the light side. Story was fine, sweetly old fashioned British mystery. Safe enough to recommend to aged parents.

Excellent

Amusing and thrilling; fine narration; intriguing plot and characterization; among the best of this author's books.

Her royal spyness

Very similar to Agatha Christie but better I think. Also great reader. I loved her queen voice especially

This Series Has Hooked Me On Mysteries

I was a non-believer in the magic of mystery until I discovered this series. Bowen enchanted me with her well-crafted characters and the unpredictable plots she places them in. At first blush, Georgianna seems a character hard to identify with--a young royal, 34th in line for the British crown, educated at a finishing school in Switzerland, whose social crowd is the royalty of Europe. But it's 1932, nearly everyone, including her family, has lost nearly all their money. Georgie is penniless, and struggling like all the common folk to find a job, get a stable home, and hopefully find someone to love. It's not much help that she is a regular guest to tea with the Queen who wishes to arrange a marriage for her or send her off to the country to be lady-in-waiting to an aging princess, and has no compunction about asking her to spy and do other illegal things on her behalf.

The strength of this book (and the four that follow in this series) is the fine crafting that Bowen has used to create her characters. Georgie is human, basically good to the core and lovable, and we can all identify with her struggles to make it on her own in the world. She also has a penchant for finding dead bodies strewn in her path and a remarkably good head for solving mysteries. Bowen has also provided a charming rogue to bring the tease of romance into the stories, which makes each one the equivalent of a page-turner. And a Cockney grandfather you want to hug.

The best part, however, is the narration. Kellgren is outstanding with not only her accents, which abound in these books, but also with bringing the characters to life with richness and authenticity. She is a master with her interpretation and gives a tour de force performance.

All in all, a great read and one that will make me search out other mysteries. However, I doubt I'll find any that will rise to the level of Bowen's.