Above the Bay of Angels

A Novel

De: Rhys Bowen

Narrado por: Gemma Dawson

"...Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!" (Louise Penny, number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels)

A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful historical mystery by the New York Times best-selling author of The Tuscan Child and The Victory Garden.

Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings.

Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies.

Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down - if it doesn’t send her to the gallows.

©2020 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

5 Star Book!

I loved this book! Great book and performance. I want to read other titles by this author. I love historical fiction, and this was a fun story! It has a little bit of everything: historical setting, royalty, blackmail, murder, love story, female main character, triumph over adversity, food and lots of fun elements of a good story. I highly recommend it. It's nice to read a book that relies on good writing rather than crude language and sex.

Rhys Bowen never disappoints

Good read with nice context of Victorian-era food, culture, & history. Novel approach. Sometimes things stretch believability, but likeable characters & interesting plot make me overlook that.

Rhys Bowen delivers!!

Delightful novel!
Well written with Author Rhys Bowen flare of proper girl with with beauty brains and wit with added mystery & suspense & a spark of romance.
When a girl of noble descent finds herself working in the Queens kitchen she becomes entangled in a web of secrets that will expose her own!
A Princesses secret -A dead royal -
A blackmailer & The Queen!
This is a gentle read that keeps you turning the page!

a good read

this book was long but not boring at all it held my attention to the end the plot was good the narrator was good too

Perfectly delightful story

This was one of the most satisfying stories I've ever read. It is the perfect combination of drama and lightness, entertainment and history. One of Bowen's best, in my opinion.

Rhys Bowen never disappoints

Thank you thus for giving your fans another new heroine to enjoy! I wasn’t sure who to trust as I read, and I really appreciate your twists and turns.

Cute story

Sweet story of a girl raising up from her circumstances. Nice oration using different voices and accents.

Good foodie history mystery

I enjoyed the setting, the food info, and the likeable character. Could have had more romance. Kinda made me hungry sometimes.

Perfect listening, completely engrossing

This book was completely engrossing from beginning to end, beautifully plotted, perfect dialogue, really vivid settings and a complete surprise to me. Even though I love the Royal Spyness books for their interesting stories and settings, and charming main character, I somehow didn't expect to like this. How wrong I was! It is one of the best books I have read this year. An unexpected delight! In fact, was really hoping for a sequel as it neared the ending, but the conclusion didn't give much hope for that. I can see I need to give this talented author's other books that are not part of the Royal Spyness series, another try.

This was perfectly read in every possible way. Well-done, Gemma Dawson!

Loved it! Warmly recommended.

Another Great Read from Rhys Bowen

As usual, I enjoyed every minute listening to this newest Rhys Bowen novel. Her vivid descriptions of life above and below stairs at the royal palace were intriguing. The blend of fascinating characters and intricate plot kept me moving along as quickly as I could to get to the next exciting stage of the plot's development. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story, well designed and beautifully narrated.