The Proof of the Pudding

Royal Spyness, Book 17

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Lady Georgiana Rannoch is looking forward to her first ever turn as hostess for her very own house party when the festivities lead to murder....

Georgie, back home at her estate in Eynsleigh, impatiently awaits the birth of her baby. But she has plenty to occupy her: Her new chef, Pierre, has arrived from Paris, and Sir Hubert, who owns Eynsleigh, is back from his latest expedition. It's time for Georgie to throw her first house party to celebrate his return and show off her new chef. The dinner party is a smashing success. Sir Mortimer Mordred—famous author of creepy Gothic horror novels—is one of the guests. He recently purchased a nearby Elizabethan manor nearby because it has a famous poison garden. After the dinner, Sir Mortimer approaches Georgie and asks to borrow her new chef for his upcoming party, and Georgie and Darcy, her dashing husband, are invited!

The tour of the poison garden is fascinating, as is Sir Mortimer’s laboratory. Shockingly, just after the banquet several of the guests become sick. And one dies, apparently poisoned by berries from the garden. But how could this be when they all ate the same meal and the same delectable dessert? Georgie has to find the culprit to save her new chef and her own reputation—all before her bundle of joy arrives!

©2023 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

I enjoy the series and Darcy’s acquiescence to Georgie’s dumb luck mystery solving.

The new reader is spot on for the difficult and multiple accents of the characters.

Still enjoyable

I did guess the ending as it eventually became predictable however it took a while before that happened and I enjoyed being stumped for most of the story.

Another great Georgie romp

I was expecting the usual Christmas theme for a Lady Georgiana book released at the holidays, especially with "pudding" in the title, and this is set in July - but who cares? I devour every book in the series the moment it it comes out, because they're consistently delightful.

All the usual Georgie-world characters are here except Belinda (whom I missed), though some arrive late in the story. But two renowned celebrities - a mystery writer and an actor - are stirred into the pudding for good measure, so it's as much fun as usual. The author is amazingly skilled at making everyone's presence seem natural to the plot, even though I'm sure she feels obligated to include the regulars. She's an exceptionally good writer.

Unusual for me, I spotted means, motive and opportunity and pegged the perpetrator early on - all the clues are there. But it didn’t detract from wondering how Georgie would get there. That held my interest right to the end.

The narrator nails it as usual, moving seamlessly among a variety of accents from Fig's ultra-posh to Queenie's cockney. Reading in print instead of listening would miss out on a lot.

I'll be careful here to avoid spoilers, but the accurate treatment of both the physical and emotional elements of Georgie's pregnancy pleased me as a childbirth educator and birth doula. Well done!

Another delight. I hope Bowen keeps them coming!

Her Royal Spyness in Murder she wrote

Possible Spoiler









I love all the characters that come up that are fictional and historical. I just got BritBox on Prime and have been watching Poirot. I was so excited when Agatha Christie showed up on the scene.

Bravo!!! Excellant story

I love this series & have listend to it severial times. The plot twists and characters are wonderful and hope tqhere are many more books to come.

Still like Georgie’s sleuthing

Georgie seemed to be getting stuck at being a royal more than in her previous books.

I love these books

all of these books are so enjoyable! I love the historical fiction aspect of them as well as the characters. please keep writing them!

Great mystery!

This was another good story by Rhys Bowen! After so many books, authors usually start to sound the same. However, this story was not only fun, but new & interesting! Great mystery & she kept us guessing to the end. Although I had my suspicions, I like Georgie, couldn’t get past the obvious. The surprise ending filled in the details! Can’t wait for the next book!!!

My favorite series!

Most enjoyable mysteries! Love the characters, the drama and the intrigue all in a light hearted bouquet!

Wonderful Story

The narration was very good. All the distinct characters have their own unique voices.
I also loved that the story included my favorite author as a character, Mrs. Agatha Mallowan. I believe she and Georgie will become friends and work together again soon.
Great old country house murder, odd characters with several motives, red herrings, two, or more, deaths, a birth, all add up to a satisfying read.
I hope this series continues.