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Her Royal Spyness #5
Naughty in Nice
Royalty has its privileges, even when you’re thirty-fourth in line to the throne, as Lady Georgiana Rannoch discovers on the glamorous—and dangerous—French Riviera…
Why should my clueless brother, Binky, and his decidedly disagreeable wife, Fig, be the only ones to enjoy the fun and sun of the French Riviera? Thankfully, Her Majesty the Queen has once again come to my rescue. She is sending me off to Nice with a secret assignment—recover her priceless, stolen snuff box from the disreputable Sir Toby Groper.
Her Majesty’s trust is an honor, but an even greater honor is bestowed upon me in Nice—none other than Coco Chanel herself asks me to model her latest fashion. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong on the catwalk and before I can snatch the snuff box, someone’s life is snuffed out in a very dastardly way. With a murderer on the loose—and my dearest Darcy seen in the company of another woman—how’s a girl to find any time to go to the casino?
Why should my clueless brother, Binky, and his decidedly disagreeable wife, Fig, be the only ones to enjoy the fun and sun of the French Riviera? Thankfully, Her Majesty the Queen has once again come to my rescue. She is sending me off to Nice with a secret assignment—recover her priceless, stolen snuff box from the disreputable Sir Toby Groper.
Her Majesty’s trust is an honor, but an even greater honor is bestowed upon me in Nice—none other than Coco Chanel herself asks me to model her latest fashion. Unfortunately, things go disastrously wrong on the catwalk and before I can snatch the snuff box, someone’s life is snuffed out in a very dastardly way. With a murderer on the loose—and my dearest Darcy seen in the company of another woman—how’s a girl to find any time to go to the casino?
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2011
804 people are currently reading
3384 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
127 books9,611 followersI'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,152 reviews
June 12, 2021
Another fun, easy read in this light hearted series. This time Georgie gets posted off by the Queen to repossess a stolen snuff box. Luckily for Georgie said box is in Nice so she gets free tickets for herself and her maid to travel on the famous Blue Train to visit the French coast during the Season.
Of course everyone is there including Georgie's mother, Coco Chanel and even Darcy O'Mara although he plays a small (but important) role. Georgie contrives to avoid sexual assault by leaping over the side of a boat, is accused of murder, models for Chanel and comes close to having a romantic affair with a dark and handsome man (not Darcy). No one could ever say she leads a boring life.
There is some interesting history in there as well. Wallis Simpson is around expressing her views of Adolf Hitler as viewed by many people in 1933. The Blue Train is described which encompasses the way the rich lived and travelled between the wars, as does the châteaux life style in Nice.
All very enjoyable and good fun. I am glad I still have lots more in the series still to read.
Of course everyone is there including Georgie's mother, Coco Chanel and even Darcy O'Mara although he plays a small (but important) role. Georgie contrives to avoid sexual assault by leaping over the side of a boat, is accused of murder, models for Chanel and comes close to having a romantic affair with a dark and handsome man (not Darcy). No one could ever say she leads a boring life.
There is some interesting history in there as well. Wallis Simpson is around expressing her views of Adolf Hitler as viewed by many people in 1933. The Blue Train is described which encompasses the way the rich lived and travelled between the wars, as does the châteaux life style in Nice.
All very enjoyable and good fun. I am glad I still have lots more in the series still to read.
July 22, 2017
these books are so good. cozy, light reads but page turning. i would have liked if there was more of Darcy & Georgina's romance.
all in all perfect relaxing read.
all in all perfect relaxing read.
September 22, 2011
5/15/11: *gasp* She's writing another one! Will Georgie finally be deflowered by Darcy?!?! I don't know how long I can wait to find out!!! :P
9/22/11: Welp, looks like there's going to be another book in this series. For some reason, I have no doubt that we are to be strung along at least until Georgie and Darcy's relationship is, er... consummated. Of course, this consummation could take the form of marriage even; I don't know! Still, I'm not complaining. This series is one of my few guilty pleasures.
(And speaking of Darcy - why was he so absent in this book? I didn't realize how much I liked him till his presence was basically nil.)
9/22/11: Welp, looks like there's going to be another book in this series. For some reason, I have no doubt that we are to be strung along at least until Georgie and Darcy's relationship is, er... consummated. Of course, this consummation could take the form of marriage even; I don't know! Still, I'm not complaining. This series is one of my few guilty pleasures.
(And speaking of Darcy - why was he so absent in this book? I didn't realize how much I liked him till his presence was basically nil.)
August 15, 2011
Rhys Bowen’s latest offering in her Royal Spyness series, Naughty in Nice, is pure fun. The French Riviera in 1933, Coco Chanel, Mrs. Simpson and the Duke of Windsor lurking on the sidelines, handsome scoundrels and clever thieves, gorgeous gowns and too much champagne, not to mention a dark, handsome lover and a clever if somewhat naïve young Lady Georgiana (cousin to Queen Mary) out to solve all the puzzles even if it puts her life in danger.
Rhys Bowen is the master of the historical mystery that is not quite as tame as most cozies but is delightfully entertaining without vivid violence or ugliness. She combines gentle satire of the English upper classes with a genuine affection for many of her characters, and her depiction of the period, setting and people reflects her careful research and knowledge, all to give her readers an engrossing, page-turning, can’t-put-it-down read.
Click for the rest of the review and a great photo of Coco Chanel and Vera Bate Lombardi, two stars of Naughty in Nice.
Rhys Bowen is the master of the historical mystery that is not quite as tame as most cozies but is delightfully entertaining without vivid violence or ugliness. She combines gentle satire of the English upper classes with a genuine affection for many of her characters, and her depiction of the period, setting and people reflects her careful research and knowledge, all to give her readers an engrossing, page-turning, can’t-put-it-down read.
Click for the rest of the review and a great photo of Coco Chanel and Vera Bate Lombardi, two stars of Naughty in Nice.
June 9, 2018
Review written June 9, 2018
3.7 Stars - Enjoying and funny mystery solving...
Book #5
**********************************************
« Lady Georgie has once again been called into service by Her Majesty the Queen. This time she's sent to Nice on a secret assignment that's nothing to sneeze at: recover the Queen's stolen snuff box. »
Our heroine Lady Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie Rannoch, is a noble young lady and a cousin of King George V of England. When the Queen once again ask Georgie for a spy favor in sunny warm Nice (on the French Riviera) in the middle of the cold British January winter it is just to good to be true.
Together with her quite hopeless (actually hilarious... ha ha!!) chambermaid Queenie is our witty heroine soon on her way to France. ... But what about the gorgeous sexy, as always shamelessly flirting, Darcy O'Mara? Will he appear and will it ever be more?
I always listening to these lovely dorky oldish style UK stuff with a big happy smile — This fifth installment Naughty in Nice isn't in any way unique, or so much different from the previous parts, but I got 9:25 enjoyable audiobook hours. As always with excellent “snobbish upperclass English” great narrated by Katherine Kellgren. — Looking forward to the sixth part.
**********************************************
I LIKE - some cozy and simple Lady Georgie style
3.7 Stars - Enjoying and funny mystery solving...
Book #5
**********************************************
« Lady Georgie has once again been called into service by Her Majesty the Queen. This time she's sent to Nice on a secret assignment that's nothing to sneeze at: recover the Queen's stolen snuff box. »
Our heroine Lady Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie Rannoch, is a noble young lady and a cousin of King George V of England. When the Queen once again ask Georgie for a spy favor in sunny warm Nice (on the French Riviera) in the middle of the cold British January winter it is just to good to be true.
Together with her quite hopeless (actually hilarious... ha ha!!) chambermaid Queenie is our witty heroine soon on her way to France. ... But what about the gorgeous sexy, as always shamelessly flirting, Darcy O'Mara? Will he appear and will it ever be more?
I always listening to these lovely dorky oldish style UK stuff with a big happy smile — This fifth installment Naughty in Nice isn't in any way unique, or so much different from the previous parts, but I got 9:25 enjoyable audiobook hours. As always with excellent “snobbish upperclass English” great narrated by Katherine Kellgren. — Looking forward to the sixth part.
**********************************************
I LIKE - some cozy and simple Lady Georgie style
March 20, 2016
The Her Royal Spyness series is a fluffy historical mystery series that takes place around Europe during the early 1930's. It's protagonist is a young woman named Lady Georgiana who is 34th in line for the British crown. Despite her social position her family is near penniless and the British royal family keeps asking her to assist them in various ways unaware of her situation. Each book also has a light mystery in which Lady Georgiana gets involved in as well.
Naughty in Nice started out promising. I was disappointed with the previous book in the Her Royal Spyness series as the fun bubbly tone was mostly missing. In Naughty in Nice that seemed to have returned and I was really invested in the story at the beginning. I feel like despite Naughty in Nice's fun beginning it began to eventually feel as though it was following the same kind of pattern as the previous books. This is a common problem with books in a longer series and it's one of my reading pet peeves. Although the mystery elements, the dialogue, and the changing settings are entertaining, the lack of character development began to frustrate me. I'm someone who gets emotionally invested in characters more so than plot. Obviously I prefer both to be equally as good, however if the characters don't interest me in some way or there isn't any development to them I lose interest quickly. While I feel like the characters in this series are interesting they also feel now in the fifth book somewhat static. The characters are still the same, their relationships have not changed, and the same mistakes and misunderstandings are being made. It might also not have been as helpful to read so many of these back to back as with the first couple of books I read with a good amount of time in between. Either way I don't really care to read any more of the series at this point.
I would still recommend the first few books in the series to anyone whom the blurb catches their attention as they were really fun to read. However I would warn going in that it does get very repetitive after a while and perhaps space them out as you go.
Naughty in Nice started out promising. I was disappointed with the previous book in the Her Royal Spyness series as the fun bubbly tone was mostly missing. In Naughty in Nice that seemed to have returned and I was really invested in the story at the beginning. I feel like despite Naughty in Nice's fun beginning it began to eventually feel as though it was following the same kind of pattern as the previous books. This is a common problem with books in a longer series and it's one of my reading pet peeves. Although the mystery elements, the dialogue, and the changing settings are entertaining, the lack of character development began to frustrate me. I'm someone who gets emotionally invested in characters more so than plot. Obviously I prefer both to be equally as good, however if the characters don't interest me in some way or there isn't any development to them I lose interest quickly. While I feel like the characters in this series are interesting they also feel now in the fifth book somewhat static. The characters are still the same, their relationships have not changed, and the same mistakes and misunderstandings are being made. It might also not have been as helpful to read so many of these back to back as with the first couple of books I read with a good amount of time in between. Either way I don't really care to read any more of the series at this point.
I would still recommend the first few books in the series to anyone whom the blurb catches their attention as they were really fun to read. However I would warn going in that it does get very repetitive after a while and perhaps space them out as you go.
October 12, 2011
This series officially counts as a guilty pleasure. I really look forward to another lighthearted romp through a 1920's/30's style murder and mayhem high-society style with Georgie and Co.
This book whisks us away to Nice in the winter of 1933, at HRH Queen Mary's behest. (I won't say why it'll spoil the plot). We get a right dose of Fig before departing London and a view of the soup-lines and general conditions of the Depression. Seriously Fig needs a good one up the backside - and no her name is no justification for her behavior/actions. Then again I have a few family members like her so I can sympathize with Georgie a bit more than many I suspect. We get a bit more background on Binky as well, Belinda breezes through, and we get to meet Coco Chanel amongst other society celebrities of the day!
This is not a serious read of course but it is well posited, researched, and placed in its setting. Ms. Bowen is a pleasure to read for her period mystery fiction.
This book whisks us away to Nice in the winter of 1933, at HRH Queen Mary's behest. (I won't say why it'll spoil the plot). We get a right dose of Fig before departing London and a view of the soup-lines and general conditions of the Depression. Seriously Fig needs a good one up the backside - and no her name is no justification for her behavior/actions. Then again I have a few family members like her so I can sympathize with Georgie a bit more than many I suspect. We get a bit more background on Binky as well, Belinda breezes through, and we get to meet Coco Chanel amongst other society celebrities of the day!
This is not a serious read of course but it is well posited, researched, and placed in its setting. Ms. Bowen is a pleasure to read for her period mystery fiction.
December 31, 2023
Another enjoyable book in this series. I like how the author includes real historical characters in the books. Georgie is accused of murder while staying in Nice at a chateau owned by her mother and none other than Coco Chanel is another guest. The mystery is good and I enjoy the humor peppered throughout the book. It's especially funny when Georgie has to deal with her very stiff and stingy sister in law Fig, as well as the snotty Wallis Simpson. Definitely recommended!
October 24, 2023
Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen is the 5th book in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Lady Georgiana Rannoch is sent to Nice by the Queen to recover her stolen snuff box and befriends Coco Chanel who asks her to model. Unfortunately, the Queens necklace is stolen while Georgiana is modelling and their neighbour, Sir Toby Groper, the snuffbox thief, is murdered. Another fun and entertaining book. It was nice to catch up with all the characters and we get to spend more time with Georgiana's mother, but unfortunately we do not see much of Darcy. A nice, light and very enjoyable mystery.
May 15, 2022
Book five in the Her Royal Spyness cozy mystery series had Lady Georgiana Rannoch headed to the Riviera to try to retrieve a snuffbox that has been stolen from Queen Mary’s collection. She certainly doesn’t expect to be arrested for a murder she could not possibly have committed!
I came late to this party, but I’m really enjoying this series. Georgie is sometimes incredibly clueless, but I love her good intentions and her determination to succeed on her own. I also really like her friend Belinda, her totally inept maid Queenie, her grandfather (with his Cockney sayings) and, of course, the mysterious Darcy O’Mara.
Bowen took inspiration from some real-life historical coincidences to build her mystery. Coco Chanel really did spend time in Nice with her business partner Vera Bate Lombardi; she really did put on a fashion show that featured jewels on loan from Queen Mary (who was related to Lombardi). I enjoyed hobnobbing with these people as much as Georgie did!
I came late to this party, but I’m really enjoying this series. Georgie is sometimes incredibly clueless, but I love her good intentions and her determination to succeed on her own. I also really like her friend Belinda, her totally inept maid Queenie, her grandfather (with his Cockney sayings) and, of course, the mysterious Darcy O’Mara.
Bowen took inspiration from some real-life historical coincidences to build her mystery. Coco Chanel really did spend time in Nice with her business partner Vera Bate Lombardi; she really did put on a fashion show that featured jewels on loan from Queen Mary (who was related to Lombardi). I enjoyed hobnobbing with these people as much as Georgie did!
July 25, 2015
Lady Georgiana is spending the winter in Nice. All the regular characters are there to liven thing up. Queen Mary has paid her way and Georgie agrees to do favor for HRM. Her Mother meets her at casino and invites Georgia to stay with her. Coco Chanel is holding a show and Georgie is modeling wear the Queens necklace. Georgie stumbles and the necklace is stolen. Trying to find one of the items Georgie finds a murdered man. The French inspector accuses Lady Georgiana of the MURDER. Who will come to her aid is one of the many twists and surprises that are fun in this fast moving funny book. A large print books from library.
October 10, 2023
One of my favorites so far. I liked the mystery, though some of the reveals at the end were weird. I like the introduction of Jean-Paul and the other people at Nice. I hope to see more of them in future books. Darcy wasn't in here near enough for my taste but what we did get was nice and sweet (Georgie is ridiculous when it comes to him but its funny)
October 6, 2019
~*Check out all my reviews over on The Bent Bookworm!*~
If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, they are very enjoyable cozy mysteries with a long-running plot regarding the main characters, and I highly recommend you start with the first book, Her Royal Spyness. 🙂 I apparently started up reviewing this series under the impression I had already posted reviews of the first three books, and I have not. Bad book blogger. I do have a review up of the 4th book, but that’s not very helpful…sigh. I will remedy that shortly, but it has been a VERY long time since I read those!
Things I Liked
- Georgie seemed to come a little more into her own in this one, become a little less of the naive schoolgirl. I was happy to see her lose a little of her reserve, even if it ended up being a moot point.
Even though most of her family things of Georgie as an ornament at best and a useless nuisance at worst, the Queen somehow thinks the world of her and sends her off on these strange and sometimes exotic assignments…always “cracking” fun!
- I love how Rhys Bowen brings actual historical figures into her books, like Coco Chanel in this one. Even though of course it’s still fiction, it’s fun to imagine them as they might have lived and acted.
We also got a little more of a glimpse into Georgie’s long-dead father’s life, in a rather SHOCKING reveal at the very end! Holy crap. I really hope something plays out of that in future books.
- There were a lot of witty moments and in this one, which one expects from Rhys Bowen, but this story seemed to have more than the usual number of zingers.
Things I Didn’t Like
- Can Darcy never give Georgie straight answers? I mean, he seems to like her well enough, why not trust her a little? And why does he keep showing up in these strange places and making her question his regard for her?
- The mystery aspect seemed slightly lacking in this one, but I was interested enough in Georgia’s doings with her mother and her friend Belinda, and also the general atmosphere, to keep reading.
This one just seemed to flounder a bit. Still enjoyable, but without the best punch.
If You Like…
…the Amelia Peabody series, or the Maisie Dobbs series, you’ll probably enjoy the Her Royal Spyness series as well!
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“Please don’t go and die on me, my lady,” she said. “If you go and die, nobody else will employ me, as you bloody well know.”
If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, they are very enjoyable cozy mysteries with a long-running plot regarding the main characters, and I highly recommend you start with the first book, Her Royal Spyness. 🙂 I apparently started up reviewing this series under the impression I had already posted reviews of the first three books, and I have not. Bad book blogger. I do have a review up of the 4th book, but that’s not very helpful…sigh. I will remedy that shortly, but it has been a VERY long time since I read those!
Things I Liked
- Georgie seemed to come a little more into her own in this one, become a little less of the naive schoolgirl. I was happy to see her lose a little of her reserve, even if it ended up being a moot point.
Even though most of her family things of Georgie as an ornament at best and a useless nuisance at worst, the Queen somehow thinks the world of her and sends her off on these strange and sometimes exotic assignments…always “cracking” fun!
- I love how Rhys Bowen brings actual historical figures into her books, like Coco Chanel in this one. Even though of course it’s still fiction, it’s fun to imagine them as they might have lived and acted.
We also got a little more of a glimpse into Georgie’s long-dead father’s life, in a rather SHOCKING reveal at the very end! Holy crap. I really hope something plays out of that in future books.
- There were a lot of witty moments and in this one, which one expects from Rhys Bowen, but this story seemed to have more than the usual number of zingers.
How Binky could have plucked up enough courage to have created a first child with Fig is still a matter of speculation. Why he did it a second time indicates insanity in the family.
Things I Didn’t Like
- Can Darcy never give Georgie straight answers? I mean, he seems to like her well enough, why not trust her a little? And why does he keep showing up in these strange places and making her question his regard for her?
- The mystery aspect seemed slightly lacking in this one, but I was interested enough in Georgia’s doings with her mother and her friend Belinda, and also the general atmosphere, to keep reading.
This one just seemed to flounder a bit. Still enjoyable, but without the best punch.
If You Like…
…the Amelia Peabody series, or the Maisie Dobbs series, you’ll probably enjoy the Her Royal Spyness series as well!
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram |
January 2, 2013
It's funny to read other reviewers admit that this is their guilty pleasure, because that's kind of how I feel. The stories in the series are just frothy and not particularly deep. Georgie isn't a an especially good detective, either; she barely manages to (literally) stumble unto the clues that help her solve the mysteries. Speaking of which, the clumsiness is getting a bit tiresome. I know that's a character trait of hers, but it's starting to get a little bit ridiculous. Regardless, this is a nice, light mystery series that's perfect for anyone who wants a bit of fun.
February 19, 2019
4.5 Stars
January 5, 2013
Naughty in Nice took Georgie’s character developments in a great new direction and highlighted the fact that she’s really made giant leaps since the beginning of the series. I always love it when characters progress. We also see some changes in her family circumstances and the formation of important new social connections for Georgie. However, “Wherefore art thou, Darcy?” was my first thought when I realized that Darcy was pretty much MIA for 99% of Naughty in Nice. As a Darcy fan (who doesn’t like Darcy?) I felt his absence rather keenly.
On the other hand, it was refreshing for the story to depart from the question of “will they, won’t they?” that had dominated much of the previous books. Not only did we see Georgie becoming more adventurous and outspoken while exploring other romantic options (which was fun and a welcome development for her character), but it also allowed Georgie to spend some much needed time with her mother and other older and more experienced ladies that surely did her a world of good. It’s really nice to see her flighty mother take a more active role in her life, rather than flitting away immediately as she used to do – I hope we’ll see more of Georgie’s mummy being a mother in later books. And as someone who’d been wishing that Georgie could finally get some decent clothes and food, I cannot describe how much I LOVED her hanging around Chanel and coming away with Chanel gowns. Perhaps we can now have a slightly upgraded and slightly less socially-embarrassing Georgie? Provided Queenie doesn’t burn any of those new gowns, I suppose.
If it wasn’t evident from the above, fashion and flirting with the cool crowd on the Riviera was a lovely break from the remote locations with limited festivities and a great new step for our heroine. Seeing Georgie learning to mingle was really the best part of Naughty in Nice, and the silver-lining from the Darcy shortage was new suitors, even if they were only temporary. I almost wish Jean Paul, he of the suspicious motivations and silver tongue, could have hung around, but the love-triangle hater in me approved of the outcome and the brief glimpse of a jealous Darcy was well worth it. Surely he should be taught that Georgie’s not that easy?
All this fun, fashion and flirting has its drawbacks, however, and what suffered here was the actual mystery. There was little time to focus on the mystery of who stole the snuffbox and it was really conveniently found in the end. Worse, it was close to half the book before the murder took place, and by then it had little impact other than to give Georgie a sense of urgency to remove herself from the useless detective’s suspect list. There is also a little family secret for Georgie that is introduced out of the blue at the end and just as quickly bundled off, so that it feels like and unnecessary throwaway tidbit. You win some, you lose some, I guess. The mystery fan in me hopes there’ll be a better balance in the next installment, combined with further developments for Georgie’s character, her relationship with Darcy and her family circumstances that had begun to head in a positive new direction with this book.
On the other hand, it was refreshing for the story to depart from the question of “will they, won’t they?” that had dominated much of the previous books. Not only did we see Georgie becoming more adventurous and outspoken while exploring other romantic options (which was fun and a welcome development for her character), but it also allowed Georgie to spend some much needed time with her mother and other older and more experienced ladies that surely did her a world of good. It’s really nice to see her flighty mother take a more active role in her life, rather than flitting away immediately as she used to do – I hope we’ll see more of Georgie’s mummy being a mother in later books. And as someone who’d been wishing that Georgie could finally get some decent clothes and food, I cannot describe how much I LOVED her hanging around Chanel and coming away with Chanel gowns. Perhaps we can now have a slightly upgraded and slightly less socially-embarrassing Georgie? Provided Queenie doesn’t burn any of those new gowns, I suppose.
If it wasn’t evident from the above, fashion and flirting with the cool crowd on the Riviera was a lovely break from the remote locations with limited festivities and a great new step for our heroine. Seeing Georgie learning to mingle was really the best part of Naughty in Nice, and the silver-lining from the Darcy shortage was new suitors, even if they were only temporary. I almost wish Jean Paul, he of the suspicious motivations and silver tongue, could have hung around, but the love-triangle hater in me approved of the outcome and the brief glimpse of a jealous Darcy was well worth it. Surely he should be taught that Georgie’s not that easy?
All this fun, fashion and flirting has its drawbacks, however, and what suffered here was the actual mystery. There was little time to focus on the mystery of who stole the snuffbox and it was really conveniently found in the end. Worse, it was close to half the book before the murder took place, and by then it had little impact other than to give Georgie a sense of urgency to remove herself from the useless detective’s suspect list. There is also a little family secret for Georgie that is introduced out of the blue at the end and just as quickly bundled off, so that it feels like and unnecessary throwaway tidbit. You win some, you lose some, I guess. The mystery fan in me hopes there’ll be a better balance in the next installment, combined with further developments for Georgie’s character, her relationship with Darcy and her family circumstances that had begun to head in a positive new direction with this book.
March 13, 2022
Im 5. Band der Reihe rund um Georgiana, geht es nach Südfrankreich. Der britische Januar ist trüb und voller Armut, warum also diesem Leben nicht entkommen und ein wenig Sonne tanken? In Frankreich begegnen wir nicht nur bereits liebgewonnenen Charakteren, sondern auch Coco Chanel, die eine größere Nebenrolle hat.
Dieser Band, obwohl er im Januar spielt, passte sehr gut zum Juni-Lesewetter. So schien nicht nur die Sonne auf mich nieder, sondern strahlte mir auch von den Buchseiten entgegen. Wer allerdings denkt, dass der Aufenthalt in Frankreich für Georgiana zum Urlaub wird, liegt falsch. Liebeskummer wegen Darcy, ein schwieriger Auftrag der Königin und ruckzuck steht sie auch noch unter Mordverdacht.
Ich habe mich mittlerweile sehr gut in diese Buchreihe eingelebt. Die Charaktere sind mir so vertraut, dass es einfach entspannend ist sie wieder zu treffen. Natürlich denke ich oft, dass Georgiana es bei ihrem Verhalten nicht besser verdient hat, als in Schwierigkeiten zu geraten, aber ihre Handlungsweisen passen stets zu dem Charakter, der sie auch den vergangenen vier Büchern war.
In diesem Band war mir allerdings zu wenig Darcy, denn bei allem was ich an dieser Geschichte mag, ist es ihre Liebesgeschichte, die mich durch die Bücher zieht. Für meinen Geschmack, kam die Liebe hier zu kurz.
Der Krimi an sich war zufriedenstellend und die Atmosphäre von einem sonnigen Frankreich hat mir sehr gefallen.
Dieser Band, obwohl er im Januar spielt, passte sehr gut zum Juni-Lesewetter. So schien nicht nur die Sonne auf mich nieder, sondern strahlte mir auch von den Buchseiten entgegen. Wer allerdings denkt, dass der Aufenthalt in Frankreich für Georgiana zum Urlaub wird, liegt falsch. Liebeskummer wegen Darcy, ein schwieriger Auftrag der Königin und ruckzuck steht sie auch noch unter Mordverdacht.
Ich habe mich mittlerweile sehr gut in diese Buchreihe eingelebt. Die Charaktere sind mir so vertraut, dass es einfach entspannend ist sie wieder zu treffen. Natürlich denke ich oft, dass Georgiana es bei ihrem Verhalten nicht besser verdient hat, als in Schwierigkeiten zu geraten, aber ihre Handlungsweisen passen stets zu dem Charakter, der sie auch den vergangenen vier Büchern war.
In diesem Band war mir allerdings zu wenig Darcy, denn bei allem was ich an dieser Geschichte mag, ist es ihre Liebesgeschichte, die mich durch die Bücher zieht. Für meinen Geschmack, kam die Liebe hier zu kurz.
Der Krimi an sich war zufriedenstellend und die Atmosphäre von einem sonnigen Frankreich hat mir sehr gefallen.
October 7, 2014
The Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen features engaging, impoverished noblewoman Lady Georgiana Rannoch as heroine. In this installment, Georgie is ordered by her relative, the Queen, to recover a stolen snuffbox from Sir Toby Groper, a private collector currently residing in Nice. Excited for the change of scenery from dreary England, Georgie heads for the coast, meeting Coco Chanel along the way. And who other than Georgie’s own mother owns a villa overlooking Sir Toby’s residence? Georgie moves in, gets a fashion makeover, and proceeds to meet her new neighbor. She also meets a dashing marquis who distracts her from the elusive love of her life, Darcy O’Mara. Where Georgie goes, trouble inevitably follows, and soon she’s up to her boots in murder, deceit and secret identities. Already I’m impatient for the sequel. Highly recommended.
May 5, 2019
Another fun adventure with Lady Georgiana, this time dispatched by the Queen to the French Riviera in order to retrieve a purloined snuffbox. Georgie has no idea how she will possibly manage such a thing but she's happy enough to escape the grey chill of London for a warmer climate. It's always fun to see how the author will manage to pull in Georgie's cast of supporting characters, no matter where she travels, however there wasn't enough Darcy this time around. Georgie also makes a surprising discovery, the potential future storylines of which get nixed almost immediately. If this were a more serious series, I'd be more disappointed and annoyed at never seeing this explored. But this just isn't that type of deep, introspective series so it's all good.
December 14, 2018
Actual rating: 3.75
October 24, 2020
Review to follow.
November 3, 2020
This book made me want to travel to the beach right now. It gave me major summer vacation vibes and it worked for me. Georgie and Queenie travel to Nice on the HRM behalf to retrieve a stolen snuffbox. Naturally along the way there is a mystery and Georgie is in the thick of it. I enjoyed the repeated and new characters in this book. Really a great read.
June 27, 2020
'Naughty In Nice' sees Georgie on another covert mission for the Queen, this time retrieving a small piece of art that no one wants to admit was lifted by a guest at Buckingham Palace. The mission takes Georgie to winter on the Riveria, where England's wealthiest escape the English weather and the dreariness of a country going through an economic depression, to party and gamble and do things that would be frowned upon if done back home in England.
While she's in Nice, Georgie becomes a model for Coco Chanel, is courted by a French Baron, is almost raped by an English industrialist, loses a stunningly expensive necklace belonging to the queen, finally gets to experience her mother's hospitality, gets arrested for murder and becomes a target for the real killer.
The book is full of colour and action. The plot turns out to be more complicated than it seems. Georgie is centre stage throughout but we see less than usual of her ensemble cast, although they all make an appearance.
I liked the way Rhys Bowen displayed the extravagance of the wealthy against a back-drop of general poverty. The book opens with Georgie working in a soup kitchen in Victoria station, watching the rich walk by to catch the Boat Train as they head for sunshine and ease. This puts Georgie's first-class on Le Train Bleu from Paris to Nice into context. The rich come across as superficial, self-absorbed, unpleasant and completely unaware of the enmity that their behave produces in the people who service their lifestyle.
The attempted rape, which takes place on a yacht, is described in a way that makes it clear that the would-be rapist, who would describe what he's doing as seduction, not rape, abuses a lot of women and takes his right to do this for granted. Georgie, once she understands the man's intentions, defends herself. I liked that the man's behaviour wasn't normalised and the Georgie didn't just brush it off.
This was a sort of 'Winter Sun Vacation' episode in the series. It was fun but it also made aware of how much I dislike the people Georgie associates with. Le Train Bleu is gone and the Riviera is no longer the destination of choice but the rich are still with us and their behaviour hasn't changed.
As usual, my enjoyment of the story was enhanced by Katherine Kellgren's excellent narration. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
https://soundcloud.com/audible/naught...
While she's in Nice, Georgie becomes a model for Coco Chanel, is courted by a French Baron, is almost raped by an English industrialist, loses a stunningly expensive necklace belonging to the queen, finally gets to experience her mother's hospitality, gets arrested for murder and becomes a target for the real killer.
The book is full of colour and action. The plot turns out to be more complicated than it seems. Georgie is centre stage throughout but we see less than usual of her ensemble cast, although they all make an appearance.
I liked the way Rhys Bowen displayed the extravagance of the wealthy against a back-drop of general poverty. The book opens with Georgie working in a soup kitchen in Victoria station, watching the rich walk by to catch the Boat Train as they head for sunshine and ease. This puts Georgie's first-class on Le Train Bleu from Paris to Nice into context. The rich come across as superficial, self-absorbed, unpleasant and completely unaware of the enmity that their behave produces in the people who service their lifestyle.
The attempted rape, which takes place on a yacht, is described in a way that makes it clear that the would-be rapist, who would describe what he's doing as seduction, not rape, abuses a lot of women and takes his right to do this for granted. Georgie, once she understands the man's intentions, defends herself. I liked that the man's behaviour wasn't normalised and the Georgie didn't just brush it off.
This was a sort of 'Winter Sun Vacation' episode in the series. It was fun but it also made aware of how much I dislike the people Georgie associates with. Le Train Bleu is gone and the Riviera is no longer the destination of choice but the rich are still with us and their behaviour hasn't changed.
As usual, my enjoyment of the story was enhanced by Katherine Kellgren's excellent narration. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
https://soundcloud.com/audible/naught...
December 13, 2011
3.5 Stars
Many of you may not know this about me, but I read fluffy little mysteries as a guilty pleasure. I prefer British ones the best. It started when I discovered Agatha Christie in my early 20's, and though nothing compares I enjoy a quaint little who-done-it.
As much as I enjoy these books, I sometimes get frustrated. I just want to scream:
Many of you may not know this about me, but I read fluffy little mysteries as a guilty pleasure. I prefer British ones the best. It started when I discovered Agatha Christie in my early 20's, and though nothing compares I enjoy a quaint little who-done-it.
As much as I enjoy these books, I sometimes get frustrated. I just want to scream:
August 8, 2019
This is book 5 in the Royal Spyness series which is my new favorite series! I listen to them on Audible and I adore the narrator who does a fantastic job with all the different voices and nationalities. In this book she introduced a French inspector who reminded me of the Pink Panther. Very fun!
March 1, 2023
I adore this series and I never get to it enough. Georgie is great and I love her adventures. The French Riviera was a great setting and I loved the glamour and fun guest characters as well as the series regulars. All the crime and intrigue kept me guessing as to how it all fit together.
July 11, 2015
This series has once again surprised me by getting even better than the last four! In Naughty in Nice the queen asks Georgie to retrieve a very expensive snuffbox for her, but when a murdered body shows up and Georgie becomes the number one suspect what can she do but investigate the murder? With a great cast of new characters, including Coco Chanel, and some returning characters this book was simply wonderful and I finished it in one night!
The characters are so well written in this series, that you find the mystery taking the "back burner." In the previous books I had hoped that we'd see and learn more about Darcy, and in this book you see him less, however that did not take away from the book, if anything it added to the book because some characters wouldn't have appeared if Darcy would have been there. You still see more of Darcy and I still hope we learn more about him later, but it was a nice change. You also see less of Belinda in this book, which again was a nice change.
However you see tons more of Georgie's mother and two new characters who are thrown to center stage, Coco Chanel,and Vera, two hilarious and loyal ladies that I hope appear more in future books. In this book Georgie's mother shows a different side of herself, a more caring, gentle, motherly side that if almost the opposite of what we've seen of her in former books, I really liked the new attitude she had and I hope she continues to appear in future books.
The mystery was excellent, there were plenty of clues for the reader to look for, and yet I didn't guess the killer until Georgie did. The author did a great job of steering you off-course with other clues and conflicting viewpoints.
Overall a stellar book Naughty in Nice was probably better than the first four books in the series combined, so it will get 5/5 stars. Can't wait to read the next one!
The characters are so well written in this series, that you find the mystery taking the "back burner." In the previous books I had hoped that we'd see and learn more about Darcy, and in this book you see him less, however that did not take away from the book, if anything it added to the book because some characters wouldn't have appeared if Darcy would have been there. You still see more of Darcy and I still hope we learn more about him later, but it was a nice change. You also see less of Belinda in this book, which again was a nice change.
However you see tons more of Georgie's mother and two new characters who are thrown to center stage, Coco Chanel,and Vera, two hilarious and loyal ladies that I hope appear more in future books. In this book Georgie's mother shows a different side of herself, a more caring, gentle, motherly side that if almost the opposite of what we've seen of her in former books, I really liked the new attitude she had and I hope she continues to appear in future books.
The mystery was excellent, there were plenty of clues for the reader to look for, and yet I didn't guess the killer until Georgie did. The author did a great job of steering you off-course with other clues and conflicting viewpoints.
Overall a stellar book Naughty in Nice was probably better than the first four books in the series combined, so it will get 5/5 stars. Can't wait to read the next one!
February 3, 2017
This installment of the Royal Spyness series was a lot of fun. It would have been more fun if not for the stupid misunderstanding between Georgie and Darcy, but I realize their estrangement served a dual purpose: it allowed Georgie to be free for a flirtation with the sexy jewel thief who calls himself the Marquis of Ronchard, and it maintains the sexual tension between G & D for another book. Will they or won't they? or when will they?
Instead of having Georgiana spy on the Prince of Wales and That American Woman, this time Her Majesty sends Georgie to the French Riviera to recover a stolen antique snuffbox. HM suspects the thief is one Sir Toby Groper (as Georgie muses, he is aptly named, because he gropes any nearby female.)
Then he turns up murdered and the French police suspect Georgie because the gardener saw her enter the house. But Georgie was miles away at the time with the fake Marquis! So apparently Georgie has a twin/double.
I thought the mystery was well done in this one. The bit about Georgie's doppelgänger was touching and sad. I also enjoyed the appearance of Coco Chanel. And Georgie's mother was actually nice in this one - she buys Georgie some much needed gowns, plus a fur coat!
3.75 stars.
Instead of having Georgiana spy on the Prince of Wales and That American Woman, this time Her Majesty sends Georgie to the French Riviera to recover a stolen antique snuffbox. HM suspects the thief is one Sir Toby Groper (as Georgie muses, he is aptly named, because he gropes any nearby female.)
Then he turns up murdered and the French police suspect Georgie because the gardener saw her enter the house. But Georgie was miles away at the time with the fake Marquis! So apparently Georgie has a twin/double.
I thought the mystery was well done in this one. The bit about Georgie's doppelgänger was touching and sad. I also enjoyed the appearance of Coco Chanel. And Georgie's mother was actually nice in this one - she buys Georgie some much needed gowns, plus a fur coat!
3.75 stars.
July 28, 2014
I thoroughly enjoy this delightfully British mystery series set in the 30's. This installment Georgie (once again thanks to the Queen) is set out on special mission which takes her to Nice. There are plenty of twists and turns and hijinks occur as always. . Georgie, due to instances which I cannot discuss as it will ruin the story, begins a romance with a charming and sexy French man. I got a huge kick out of the introduction of Coco Chanel, which leads to Georgie FINALLY getting some much needed additions to her wardrobe. The setting is truly divine, and I now have an obsessive need to see Nice (Though lets face it, I truly believe this bookworm would be disappointed, as it won't be like it was in the 30's)I have mentioned on any occasions, that my love of this series is based on the fabulous characters, not the mystery itself. You won't be disappointed this time around as there are some delightful scenes with Belinda, Queenie, Darcy, and Georgies Mom and maternal grandfather. If you haven't had a chance, I highly recommend the audio versions of this series. Katherine Kellgren does a brilliant job of bringing to life each and every character
April 14, 2024
Naughty in Nice
4 Stars
Asked by the Queen to recover a stolen snuff box, Lady Georgiana Rannoch jumps at the opportunity to escape dreary London for the sunshine of Nice. The trouble starts when Georgie stumbles across a body and is accused of murder. Can she clear her name before she causes a diplomatic incident?
As always, Bowen's never misses a trick in her satirical descriptions of the British upper classes and this time her focus in on the spoiled and wealthy (or those pretending to be wealthy) living it up on the French Riviera. As Georgie hobnobs with the likes of Coco Chanel and Wallis Simpson, she manages to find the time to do a little sleuthing. While her investigative skills are improving, she still overlooks many of the obvious clues and finds herself in dire situations.
On the romance side, Georgie learns something troubling about Darcy and he is MIA for most of the book. Hopefully, their relationship will progress more significantly in the next book.
All in all, Georgie's adventures are always good for a laugh, and this is no exception.
4 Stars
Asked by the Queen to recover a stolen snuff box, Lady Georgiana Rannoch jumps at the opportunity to escape dreary London for the sunshine of Nice. The trouble starts when Georgie stumbles across a body and is accused of murder. Can she clear her name before she causes a diplomatic incident?
As always, Bowen's never misses a trick in her satirical descriptions of the British upper classes and this time her focus in on the spoiled and wealthy (or those pretending to be wealthy) living it up on the French Riviera. As Georgie hobnobs with the likes of Coco Chanel and Wallis Simpson, she manages to find the time to do a little sleuthing. While her investigative skills are improving, she still overlooks many of the obvious clues and finds herself in dire situations.
On the romance side, Georgie learns something troubling about Darcy and he is MIA for most of the book. Hopefully, their relationship will progress more significantly in the next book.
All in all, Georgie's adventures are always good for a laugh, and this is no exception.
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