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Her Royal Spyness #19
From Cradle to Grave
Lady Georgiana “Georgie” Rannoch is just like any other new mother, balancing responsibilities such as being 34th in line for the British throne and solving the mysterious deaths of several young men, in the newest case from the queen of historical mystery, Rhys Bowen.
Georgie may not have much in common with your average new mother, but she does have one a new nanny she despises. Knowing she must find a nanny more suited to her young son, Georgie travels to London to see her old friend ZouZou, only to find her about to depart for a funeral, after the unexpected death of a young man. It quickly becomes clear there’s more than one mysterious death around town, when another friend, Georgie Gormsley, reveals he’s just returned from the funeral of a school friend, who seemingly drowned while swimming. And then Georgie's best friend, Belinda, receives a telegram informing her that the son of family friends has died tragically. It begins to seem like too much of a coincidence to Georgie. Yet the victims didn’t seem to have any connection to one another.
Georgie returns to ZouZou, who puts the final nail in the coffin—she’s sure that the deaths were not an accident and begs Georgie to solve the case. As Georgie begins investigating, she can’t help worrying that her own husband, Darcy, may be next. She begins to suspect there might be a serial killer at work and as she delves deeper into the case, realizes that the young men may all share a link to a crime many years ago. Will Georgie solve the murders before it’s too late for Darcy, and manage to find the perfect nanny all at the same time?
Georgie may not have much in common with your average new mother, but she does have one a new nanny she despises. Knowing she must find a nanny more suited to her young son, Georgie travels to London to see her old friend ZouZou, only to find her about to depart for a funeral, after the unexpected death of a young man. It quickly becomes clear there’s more than one mysterious death around town, when another friend, Georgie Gormsley, reveals he’s just returned from the funeral of a school friend, who seemingly drowned while swimming. And then Georgie's best friend, Belinda, receives a telegram informing her that the son of family friends has died tragically. It begins to seem like too much of a coincidence to Georgie. Yet the victims didn’t seem to have any connection to one another.
Georgie returns to ZouZou, who puts the final nail in the coffin—she’s sure that the deaths were not an accident and begs Georgie to solve the case. As Georgie begins investigating, she can’t help worrying that her own husband, Darcy, may be next. She begins to suspect there might be a serial killer at work and as she delves deeper into the case, realizes that the young men may all share a link to a crime many years ago. Will Georgie solve the murders before it’s too late for Darcy, and manage to find the perfect nanny all at the same time?
336 pages, Hardcover
Published November 18, 2025
460 people are currently reading
6226 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
128 books9,615 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 174 reviews
July 19, 2025
I love this series so much. It’s such a comfort read for me. It always feels like catching up with friends. Georgie is settling into motherhood, but Fig is being controlling about a nanny. Then some unexpected deaths are happening. Georgie decides to investigate. We see Zou Zou, Belinda, Granddad, Darcy, and Queenie. I liked that this one was Georgie’s show. She really proved her skills in this one. Love it. Have not been disappointed with any of them.
December 31, 2025
From Cradle to Grave was a nice little mystery but the best part is that Georgiana finally stopped letting other characters boss her about - way to go, Georgie!
June 27, 2025
Sometimes Georgie's adventures irritate me, but as she juggles a nanny she didn't want for her baby, a visit from her hypercritical sister in law (who gifted her with the nanny) and the suspicious deaths of 4 young men, it all works well and ends satisfactorily. A fun installment in this series.
October 26, 2025
We spend more time in Georgiana’s domesticities than the mystery. This book takes a while to get to the suspense, but it’s not as bad as the previous book.
Fans who have loved Georgie since she came to London broke and hired Queenie will enjoy it, although I doubt the mystery will appeal to new readers. I thought an obvious question about the victims would get to the resolution faster. Belinda’s subplot was painfully obvious and the excuse that no one could call Scotland Yard on a Friday night was a far fetched.
What six month old is pulling himself to standing and saying up, mama, dada, and no? Darcy had a few out of character moments where he was more like Molly Murphy’s charmless Daniel in wanting Georgiana to stick to the home stuff, but he redeemed himself at the end. Is Derbyshire really that more frigid in March compared to Sussex? And I know the real Mrs. Simpson was in France at the time, but she brings some “love to hate her” humor that was lacking here and not replaced by anyone else.
Hopefully, Queen Mary will have a mystery for Georgie when they go to the coronation.
I received an arc from NetGalley
Fans who have loved Georgie since she came to London broke and hired Queenie will enjoy it, although I doubt the mystery will appeal to new readers. I thought an obvious question about the victims would get to the resolution faster. Belinda’s subplot was painfully obvious and the excuse that no one could call Scotland Yard on a Friday night was a far fetched.
What six month old is pulling himself to standing and saying up, mama, dada, and no? Darcy had a few out of character moments where he was more like Molly Murphy’s charmless Daniel in wanting Georgiana to stick to the home stuff, but he redeemed himself at the end. Is Derbyshire really that more frigid in March compared to Sussex? And I know the real Mrs. Simpson was in France at the time, but she brings some “love to hate her” humor that was lacking here and not replaced by anyone else.
Hopefully, Queen Mary will have a mystery for Georgie when they go to the coronation.
I received an arc from NetGalley
December 3, 2025
While I miss the days of Georgie desperately trying to find employment and enough money to keep her going, she has definitely come into her own and I love how things have turned out for her. This one was particularly satisfying as she has finally put a few people in their place. The mystery was threadbare to start, but then once everything fell into place, thanks to Georgie, it moved along at a good pace and a satisfying ending. I look forward to more in the series.
November 25, 2025
Golly, I love this series!
If you “get” that, it means you’re well acquainted with the delightful antics of Lady Georgiana Rannoch – just as I have been for quite some time now (this is the 19th in the “Royal Spyness” series). If you don’t, I suggest you waste no time learning about it for yourself, especially if you like historical fiction with a mystery twist and a cozy flavor (just a titch; Georgie is not your typical cozy mystery heroine, but like most cozies, the blood and gore of other mysteries is noticeably absent).
At this point, Georgie is married to an heir to Irish royalty – Darcy O’Mara, and they have a not-yet-year-old son James and live in a good-sized mansion courtesy of an elderly relative who’s happy to share (and lives elsewhere, even though he’s welcome to live with them). Darcy is some kind of agent with Scotland Yard, often disappearing for days at a time on an assignment he can’t share with his wife. Georgie’s mother, a rather flighty character, lives the good life in Germany. That shouldn’t be much of an issue, except it’s the late 1930s, when Hitler was just getting revved up. Despite warnings from Georgie and her husband, she refuses to leave; Hitler, she says, is a friend who admires her (Georgie and Darcy, though, have very different opinion of the guy).
Such is the setting at the start of this installment; Georgie, who is a bit of a detective (both unwittingly and willingly), is for the most part a stay-at-home mom. Bucking most of the “rules” for aristocracy at the time, she’s loves interacting with her son as often as possible. While they’re far from wealthy, both she and Darcy will one day inherit tidy sums; for now, they’ve got servants courtesy of the homeowner so Georgie doesn’t need to do dishes, laundry or cook. When she goes to visit a couple of old friends (who will be familiar to regular readers). In part, Georgie was happy to escape the uber-rigid nanny her very annoying sister-in-law hired without her knowledge to underscore Georgie’s lack of all things regal – and one of those friends asks for help with the suspicious death of her friend’s son. Despite Georgie’s begging when she gets back home, given the official declaration that the death was an accident, Darcy hesitates to get involved.
Not long thereafter, other suspicious deaths come to light; Georgie once again escapes her awful nanny (as well as Fig, the uppity sister-in-law who invited herself to occupy a room at Georgie’s home and takes great pleasure in ordering the servants around) to do more sleuthing in hopes of finding some kind of connection among all the deaths. That, she reasons, will force Darcy to take notice.
Over the course of the book, readers will follow Georgie as she tries to solve what she’s sure are murders, find a nanny who’s willing to share James with his mother and father and give Fig the boot – the latter hopefully for good. Sprinkled in between are details that make this series so interesting, such as the abdication of King Edward VII when he opted to marry divorced commoner Wallis Simpson. As a relative of Edward’s who has met “Mrs. Simpson” several times, Georgie has no shortage of opinions on that subject, by golly.
The ending, of course, ties up almost all the loose ends, leaving a bit of a teaser for the next installment. If I have a concern, it’s that Darcy, usually extremely supportive of his wife’s interests and opinions when they differ from what’s expected of “upper class” society folks, was a bit more critical than usual. And I’m still wondering how Georgie, a nursing mother, was able to leave her child for days at a time without being super-uncomfortable (to say the least). All told, though, it’s rousing good fun once again, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
If you “get” that, it means you’re well acquainted with the delightful antics of Lady Georgiana Rannoch – just as I have been for quite some time now (this is the 19th in the “Royal Spyness” series). If you don’t, I suggest you waste no time learning about it for yourself, especially if you like historical fiction with a mystery twist and a cozy flavor (just a titch; Georgie is not your typical cozy mystery heroine, but like most cozies, the blood and gore of other mysteries is noticeably absent).
At this point, Georgie is married to an heir to Irish royalty – Darcy O’Mara, and they have a not-yet-year-old son James and live in a good-sized mansion courtesy of an elderly relative who’s happy to share (and lives elsewhere, even though he’s welcome to live with them). Darcy is some kind of agent with Scotland Yard, often disappearing for days at a time on an assignment he can’t share with his wife. Georgie’s mother, a rather flighty character, lives the good life in Germany. That shouldn’t be much of an issue, except it’s the late 1930s, when Hitler was just getting revved up. Despite warnings from Georgie and her husband, she refuses to leave; Hitler, she says, is a friend who admires her (Georgie and Darcy, though, have very different opinion of the guy).
Such is the setting at the start of this installment; Georgie, who is a bit of a detective (both unwittingly and willingly), is for the most part a stay-at-home mom. Bucking most of the “rules” for aristocracy at the time, she’s loves interacting with her son as often as possible. While they’re far from wealthy, both she and Darcy will one day inherit tidy sums; for now, they’ve got servants courtesy of the homeowner so Georgie doesn’t need to do dishes, laundry or cook. When she goes to visit a couple of old friends (who will be familiar to regular readers). In part, Georgie was happy to escape the uber-rigid nanny her very annoying sister-in-law hired without her knowledge to underscore Georgie’s lack of all things regal – and one of those friends asks for help with the suspicious death of her friend’s son. Despite Georgie’s begging when she gets back home, given the official declaration that the death was an accident, Darcy hesitates to get involved.
Not long thereafter, other suspicious deaths come to light; Georgie once again escapes her awful nanny (as well as Fig, the uppity sister-in-law who invited herself to occupy a room at Georgie’s home and takes great pleasure in ordering the servants around) to do more sleuthing in hopes of finding some kind of connection among all the deaths. That, she reasons, will force Darcy to take notice.
Over the course of the book, readers will follow Georgie as she tries to solve what she’s sure are murders, find a nanny who’s willing to share James with his mother and father and give Fig the boot – the latter hopefully for good. Sprinkled in between are details that make this series so interesting, such as the abdication of King Edward VII when he opted to marry divorced commoner Wallis Simpson. As a relative of Edward’s who has met “Mrs. Simpson” several times, Georgie has no shortage of opinions on that subject, by golly.
The ending, of course, ties up almost all the loose ends, leaving a bit of a teaser for the next installment. If I have a concern, it’s that Darcy, usually extremely supportive of his wife’s interests and opinions when they differ from what’s expected of “upper class” society folks, was a bit more critical than usual. And I’m still wondering how Georgie, a nursing mother, was able to leave her child for days at a time without being super-uncomfortable (to say the least). All told, though, it’s rousing good fun once again, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
December 1, 2025
Another lively edition to the series
November 30, 2025
Disappointing.
I felt like the editor kind of phoned this one in; there were some jarring linguistic anachronisms and Georgie breaks the fourth wall (she’s supposed to be writing in her diary).
Add to that a mediocre audio narrator who could not do an Irish accent and made Darcy sound like an overbearing and judgemental arse, and my enjoyment of this series instalment was significantly affected for the worse.
Fingers crossed for better editing and better narration next time. 🤞
I felt like the editor kind of phoned this one in; there were some jarring linguistic anachronisms and Georgie breaks the fourth wall (she’s supposed to be writing in her diary).
Add to that a mediocre audio narrator who could not do an Irish accent and made Darcy sound like an overbearing and judgemental arse, and my enjoyment of this series instalment was significantly affected for the worse.
Fingers crossed for better editing and better narration next time. 🤞
November 21, 2025
If you are this far in the series, well you just love Lady Georgiana! Nothing less than 5 Stars will do!
January 16, 2026
What a great mystery as usual. Georgianna and Darcy are back again , with their little baby James. This one was exciting, and funny S many of her usual friends are on board. One would think by now people would believe Georgie from the start, when she announces that murders have taken place, not accidents. She’ll just have to show them how it was done. Jolly Good. 5 stars.
December 18, 2025
This mystery in the Royal Spyness series was a departure from all the ones in the past. Lady Georgiana always is present on the setting when past murders have occurred. In this one, she must use her sleuthing skills to tie past murders together and hopefully prevent a new one. It was an interesting and refreshing change and I greatly enjoyed sleuthing along with her as a reader.
I always enjoy the historical aspects of these mysteries. It was interesting to see the concern of people around German’s growing power before WWII and the comments made about Wallace Simpson and the abdication of the king. In the next book, she and her husband will he attending the coronation of King George, so that will be a unique perspective.
I always enjoy the historical aspects of these mysteries. It was interesting to see the concern of people around German’s growing power before WWII and the comments made about Wallace Simpson and the abdication of the king. In the next book, she and her husband will he attending the coronation of King George, so that will be a unique perspective.
December 5, 2025
Meh.
Is it me, or have all my favorite series authors dropped the ball with their newest releases? Maybe I’m more critical than I used to be or maybe I’m more discerning. Who knows? In any event, this one was fine. It felt contrived, and the mystery/resolution was just okay. If this was an author/series I had never read before, the rating would be more like 2 stars, or even 1 1/2. I gave credit for my love of the characters and hope this series will be back on track with the next installment.
Also, I listen to this series on Audible, and it’s usually an auto buy on the day it drops. Sometimes it’s even a preorder. I love the authentic British/Irish/continental accents previous narrators have brought to the series. After the original narrator passed away, Jasmine Blackborrow took over narration duties. She took a little getting used to, but I came around. Gemma Dawson narrated this one, and I have to say, I was very disappointed and that may have affected my perception of the story. Darcy sounded more like a pompous old English aristocrat than the cheeky, charming Irish lad that he is. Zuzu and Belinda also sounded like titled English matrons, and not the exotic and sexy vamps we’ve come to know and love. Maybe she will improve or maybe I’ll get used to her.
It has be me.
Is it me, or have all my favorite series authors dropped the ball with their newest releases? Maybe I’m more critical than I used to be or maybe I’m more discerning. Who knows? In any event, this one was fine. It felt contrived, and the mystery/resolution was just okay. If this was an author/series I had never read before, the rating would be more like 2 stars, or even 1 1/2. I gave credit for my love of the characters and hope this series will be back on track with the next installment.
Also, I listen to this series on Audible, and it’s usually an auto buy on the day it drops. Sometimes it’s even a preorder. I love the authentic British/Irish/continental accents previous narrators have brought to the series. After the original narrator passed away, Jasmine Blackborrow took over narration duties. She took a little getting used to, but I came around. Gemma Dawson narrated this one, and I have to say, I was very disappointed and that may have affected my perception of the story. Darcy sounded more like a pompous old English aristocrat than the cheeky, charming Irish lad that he is. Zuzu and Belinda also sounded like titled English matrons, and not the exotic and sexy vamps we’ve come to know and love. Maybe she will improve or maybe I’ll get used to her.
It has be me.
November 27, 2025
3.5
Disappointing. I felt a little rushed, and the story had big holes. It wasn't believable that the villain could have possibly killed 5 people he had never met in different locations in different ways and made them all look like accidents. it would take way too much knowledge about the people, their habits, and the various actions and locations. The villain would also have to have mad skills, which doesn't follow with his background as a poor boy raised in an orphanage.
Also, Fig paying a nanny's salary for 6 months? That isn't Fig.
The dialog was weak, and story wasn't quite there, and it all wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. Not terrible for a fun read, but certainly not up to par.
Disappointing. I felt a little rushed, and the story had big holes. It wasn't believable that the villain could have possibly killed 5 people he had never met in different locations in different ways and made them all look like accidents. it would take way too much knowledge about the people, their habits, and the various actions and locations. The villain would also have to have mad skills, which doesn't follow with his background as a poor boy raised in an orphanage.
Also, Fig paying a nanny's salary for 6 months? That isn't Fig.
The dialog was weak, and story wasn't quite there, and it all wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. Not terrible for a fun read, but certainly not up to par.
November 26, 2025
Entertaining and comforting in that way of revisiting old friends. But there really isn’t much happening but a lot of travel to and fro and back again. The mystery, such as it is, is so far removed from Georgiana and has no suspense or thrill to it. The best parts of the book were Georgie’s interactions with Fig and household staff.
Mildly amusing overall but not memorable in the least.
Mildly amusing overall but not memorable in the least.
November 20, 2025
I gave this entry in the Royal Spyness series 4 stars mainly because Georgie finally tells off her awful sister-in-law, Fig. Fig has been a thorn in her side - and mine - from the beginning. This time she crosses the line when she insults Georgie's mother and grandfather. Good riddance.
The plot is far-fetched, but the writing is good, and the characters are entertaining. An easy light read.
The plot is far-fetched, but the writing is good, and the characters are entertaining. An easy light read.
October 27, 2025
Another rousing Lady Georgianna 30s mystery. I have followed her from the beginning and can't say if it would all make sense if you started the series here. But they are highly entertaining, so why not begin at #1?
Georgie is married to the dashing Darcy now, and he is working for the British government while they both settle into marriage, domesticity and parenthood -- their son Jamie is less than a year old. Georgie is rebelling against the British upper class system of not seeing your children except for once a day when they are trotted out by the nanny. She wants to be a warm, nurturing, hands on mother. Her plans appear to be thwarted when her truly awful sister in law Fig high handedly hires a stern drill sergeant of a nanny and then appears herself to oversee. It takes Georgie longer than it should to finally get rid of them both.
In the meantime, she realizes that she is hearing about a disturbing number of deaths among young aristocrats, too many to be a coincidence, she thinks. Her intuition is doubted by the police and most others, but Georgie is dogged and is eventually proved right as she investigates whether someone is bumping off young toffs and why.
These books are great fun, even with the specter of Hitler looming in the background. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Georgie is married to the dashing Darcy now, and he is working for the British government while they both settle into marriage, domesticity and parenthood -- their son Jamie is less than a year old. Georgie is rebelling against the British upper class system of not seeing your children except for once a day when they are trotted out by the nanny. She wants to be a warm, nurturing, hands on mother. Her plans appear to be thwarted when her truly awful sister in law Fig high handedly hires a stern drill sergeant of a nanny and then appears herself to oversee. It takes Georgie longer than it should to finally get rid of them both.
In the meantime, she realizes that she is hearing about a disturbing number of deaths among young aristocrats, too many to be a coincidence, she thinks. Her intuition is doubted by the police and most others, but Georgie is dogged and is eventually proved right as she investigates whether someone is bumping off young toffs and why.
These books are great fun, even with the specter of Hitler looming in the background. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 28, 2025
At this point in the series, this is as cozy as it gets. The story hums along quite well with Lady Georgina finally off Fig and putting her in her place. It was quite satisfying. Hopefully, the succeeding books will address this fall out. Less satisfying for me was Queenie’s storyline. I hope she gets a chance to help Lady Georgina on another murder plot and perhaps move her love life along as well—whoever the lucky guy maybe.
I love that Belinda and Zou Zou has more prominent roles in this book.
To some, the murder plot maybe farfetched, but to me, this was a perfect plot for Lady Georgina. On a side note, I usually get tired of reading cozy mystery novels where the place happens in a small town and throughout the series the murders take place in that small town. That stretches believability more than the plot here. End of side.
Now, why do I say this is a perfect murder plot for Lady Georgina? Because only her status and circle would allow her to make the connections—and it’s great that the murders didn’t happen close by. Instead, it sent Lady Georgina to other places. The plot also means that it explains why Scotland Yard cannot help since the connections were barely there. Only someone like Lady Georgina would be suspicious about the seemingly disconnected accidents.
Overall, this was a perfect cozy read for me. Hope the series continues for a long time.
I love that Belinda and Zou Zou has more prominent roles in this book.
To some, the murder plot maybe farfetched, but to me, this was a perfect plot for Lady Georgina. On a side note, I usually get tired of reading cozy mystery novels where the place happens in a small town and throughout the series the murders take place in that small town. That stretches believability more than the plot here. End of side.
Now, why do I say this is a perfect murder plot for Lady Georgina? Because only her status and circle would allow her to make the connections—and it’s great that the murders didn’t happen close by. Instead, it sent Lady Georgina to other places. The plot also means that it explains why Scotland Yard cannot help since the connections were barely there. Only someone like Lady Georgina would be suspicious about the seemingly disconnected accidents.
Overall, this was a perfect cozy read for me. Hope the series continues for a long time.
December 11, 2025
I've been reading this series for so long now that the characters feel like old friends. But in this outing, they felt like strangers - they were very different, especially Darcy; though I am glad Georgie finally stood up to Fig. I also missed the interaction between Georgie and her mom and Miss Simpson. If those characters are gone, maybe we can get similar character foils for Georgie? I think their selfishness and self-centeredness was what always made Georgie seem like a good person but that was missing from this book. And Darcy needs more to do than doubt Georgie and then take her into dangerous situations (which in the past she accidentally ended up there but this time she kept choosing it even though she has a baby at home.) And what is up with Belinda's maid? Why did that storyline just kind of end?
All in all, not satisfied with this book but will read the next one because I have always loved Royal Spyness and I'm not ready to give it up yet.
All in all, not satisfied with this book but will read the next one because I have always loved Royal Spyness and I'm not ready to give it up yet.
December 15, 2025
I waited until I got this book from the Library, thus was not given it for free as an incentive to write a (hopefully, and generally positive) review. So what I honestly think is what I write. What I write below is just my own personal opinion.
Well done, from cover to cover!!! I had been almost ready to give up on the series when it started to go off the rails with a couple of "inspired by famous books" stories a few years back. The (to me) ghastly "Love and Death among the Cheetahs" (inspired by White Mischief), and, also in my opinion the melodramatic and rather tiresomely Gothic "The Last Mrs. Summers" (which was inspired by Rebecca) were in my opinion, the least interesting of the bunch; particularly the dreary and unbelievable sex crazed African honeymoon one. One trouble of "tribute" books is that if you have already read the originals, you kind of know much of the story-line before you start.
But we are solidly back on track and (equally importantly) back in Britain, which is always the best place for the setting of a British "Cosy" mystery. Maybe less exotic research trips required, but an English cosy is an English cosy, after all.
Some of the great old characters are missing; Georgie's mother Claire and her arch-enemy Wallis Simpson for example, but we have a heapin' helpin' of Queenie, who is one of my favourites! A small amount of Granddad which was lovely, but I could have handled more; he's not going to be around forever.
As much as we all hate Fig, she is a very strong character, and we see plenty of her this time. However, she pushed things wayyy too far (which I found even Fig would not dare to), and encountered the wrath of our Georgie. An excellent and most gratifying encounter ensues whereby Georgie reads the Riot Act to her. As delicious as it was, Lady Georgiana is FAR too well-bred to ever dream of haggling like fishwives and calling her sister-in-law a "cow" to her hard face. A small detail, but details are important. Queenie calls Duchesses "a cow" but Georgie would be incapable of hurling such a deliciously vulgar insult... and then rather proudly gossiping to others about it. In fact, Georgie gossips with some of the household staff in a most unrealistic manner for a Lady of her generation as well as bad-mouthing the wife of her cousin David's American Divorcee wife to complete strangers. One doesn't gossip in public about one's family especially when it is the Royal Family.
This book is a no-show for Binkie (who seems to have been sidelined of late).... not a sausage. I expect that Fig will in the future be chastened, and perhaps the incident will spur the lovable but spineless Binkie into finally putting his foot down with the incorrigible Fig.
The one character that doesn't ring true to me (or maybe I just can't relate to it) is Princess Zou Zou. The very name conjures up images for me of ordinary women I knew in the 90s who rather improbably adopted this exotic nickname of Zou Zou, only to lose it a decade later when the novelty wore off, but it is worth pointing out the that first reference I can find online of the nickname Zou Zou for anyone was the French model Zouzou (Danièle Ciarlet) who wasn't born until a decade after the period this book is set in. A minor point, but small details are important when writing a period piece "Cosy".
I find Zou Zou's character a bit one dimensional; a wealthy and exotic foreign Princess Fairy Godmother who flits in and out of Georgie and Darcy's lives, sprinkling expensive treats and stardust along the way... but we never really get to know anything about her character because she is busy improbably flying around the world in her little plane. And, call me sceptical, but I cannot envision Georgie chumming with a woman that she pretty much knows used to sleep with her husband Darcy. It's just not ringing true.
In this case Zou Zou becomes slightly more 3 dimensional by contributing to the beginning of the investigation; she shared concern and even fear with Georgie that some young aristocrats may have been murdered, and not just dying of natural causes. These are strong emotions for the usually impenetrable Zou Zou. However... true to form she plays no part in the solution and doesn't even keep in contact to find out results, but rather just flits off in her plane, never to be heard of for the rest of the book.
However, these small points aside, I liked this book possibly the best of the last seven. Georgie is not wholly consumed by her son James, and she is given a few days away on her own from the family. I'm glad to see Georgie on her own a bit; her new instant family and the problems of running a country estate can be a bit claustrophobic at times
Good show! Now we have to wait a very long full year for the next instalment.
Well done, from cover to cover!!! I had been almost ready to give up on the series when it started to go off the rails with a couple of "inspired by famous books" stories a few years back. The (to me) ghastly "Love and Death among the Cheetahs" (inspired by White Mischief), and, also in my opinion the melodramatic and rather tiresomely Gothic "The Last Mrs. Summers" (which was inspired by Rebecca) were in my opinion, the least interesting of the bunch; particularly the dreary and unbelievable sex crazed African honeymoon one. One trouble of "tribute" books is that if you have already read the originals, you kind of know much of the story-line before you start.
But we are solidly back on track and (equally importantly) back in Britain, which is always the best place for the setting of a British "Cosy" mystery. Maybe less exotic research trips required, but an English cosy is an English cosy, after all.
Some of the great old characters are missing; Georgie's mother Claire and her arch-enemy Wallis Simpson for example, but we have a heapin' helpin' of Queenie, who is one of my favourites! A small amount of Granddad which was lovely, but I could have handled more; he's not going to be around forever.
As much as we all hate Fig, she is a very strong character, and we see plenty of her this time. However, she pushed things wayyy too far (which I found even Fig would not dare to), and encountered the wrath of our Georgie. An excellent and most gratifying encounter ensues whereby Georgie reads the Riot Act to her. As delicious as it was, Lady Georgiana is FAR too well-bred to ever dream of haggling like fishwives and calling her sister-in-law a "cow" to her hard face. A small detail, but details are important. Queenie calls Duchesses "a cow" but Georgie would be incapable of hurling such a deliciously vulgar insult... and then rather proudly gossiping to others about it. In fact, Georgie gossips with some of the household staff in a most unrealistic manner for a Lady of her generation as well as bad-mouthing the wife of her cousin David's American Divorcee wife to complete strangers. One doesn't gossip in public about one's family especially when it is the Royal Family.
This book is a no-show for Binkie (who seems to have been sidelined of late).... not a sausage. I expect that Fig will in the future be chastened, and perhaps the incident will spur the lovable but spineless Binkie into finally putting his foot down with the incorrigible Fig.
The one character that doesn't ring true to me (or maybe I just can't relate to it) is Princess Zou Zou. The very name conjures up images for me of ordinary women I knew in the 90s who rather improbably adopted this exotic nickname of Zou Zou, only to lose it a decade later when the novelty wore off, but it is worth pointing out the that first reference I can find online of the nickname Zou Zou for anyone was the French model Zouzou (Danièle Ciarlet) who wasn't born until a decade after the period this book is set in. A minor point, but small details are important when writing a period piece "Cosy".
I find Zou Zou's character a bit one dimensional; a wealthy and exotic foreign Princess Fairy Godmother who flits in and out of Georgie and Darcy's lives, sprinkling expensive treats and stardust along the way... but we never really get to know anything about her character because she is busy improbably flying around the world in her little plane. And, call me sceptical, but I cannot envision Georgie chumming with a woman that she pretty much knows used to sleep with her husband Darcy. It's just not ringing true.
In this case Zou Zou becomes slightly more 3 dimensional by contributing to the beginning of the investigation; she shared concern and even fear with Georgie that some young aristocrats may have been murdered, and not just dying of natural causes. These are strong emotions for the usually impenetrable Zou Zou. However... true to form she plays no part in the solution and doesn't even keep in contact to find out results, but rather just flits off in her plane, never to be heard of for the rest of the book.
However, these small points aside, I liked this book possibly the best of the last seven. Georgie is not wholly consumed by her son James, and she is given a few days away on her own from the family. I'm glad to see Georgie on her own a bit; her new instant family and the problems of running a country estate can be a bit claustrophobic at times
Good show! Now we have to wait a very long full year for the next instalment.
January 20, 2026
From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen is book 19 of 19 in Her Royal Spyness mystery series. I’ve read 3 other books by Rhys Bowen: The Victory Garden, The Proof of the Pudding, and We Three Queens, the last two #17 and #18 in her Spyness series. The Cradle to Grave is a slow start out of the gate, and it isn’t until page 67 friend Zoe Zoe and the indomitable Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Rannoch are discussing concerns about a recent death of a friend’s young son, “But the point is that he was an expert driver. He prided himself on his driving skills, in fact he had actually done some motor racing. He came third at Brooklands once. Not bad. And he'd taken that corner so many times. So what went wrong that particular time nobody can tell." "Might his brakes have failed?" She sighed. "We'll never know. The car fell onto the rocks at the bottom of the ravine and caught fire.” Her friend fears it might be an intentional death, which Georgie immediately thought might mean murder, and Zoe Zoe replied, "Oh no. Not that. What I meant was whether he took his own life.”
By page 77, a young passionate climber has an “accident” while “training in Snowdonia in preparation for going on an expedition to the Himalayas when his rope broke and he fell hundreds of feet." By this time Georgie begins to think coincidences of deaths might be intentional, and not in the “self harm” category. At this point the seed of criminality is firmly planted in her head, the narrative’s momentum picks up, and additional deaths are discovered, culminating in an exciting finish, while previously she’s been dealing with the joys of her infant son, her marriage with Darcy, and the less joyful intolerable sister in law who foists a regimented, harsh nanny upon her and decamps to Georgie’s own household to ensure her hire is firmly ensconced.
The best thing about this book is watching how Georgie builds her own case for deaths by “mischief,” vs accidental, a tough sell for a woman in the midst of Britain’s turmoil as Edward abdicates his throne for the woman he loves (while the populace holds far less ardor for her), and the world anticipates “Bertie’s” coronation. For Georgie it soon gets very personal, “The one thing all those men had in common was their age and their class. Sons of peers or gentry. I froze, staring unseeing out the window as the scenery flashed past...What if someone with a chip on his shoulder, a fervent communist maybe, was targeting the sons of peers? And sons of peers also included Darcy.” She focuses her intellect upon ending the string of murders, and the cases soon go from “If you told Scotland Yard, they’d laugh at you,” to “There will be plainclothes police stationed along the route today,” Darcy said, “and as for me, I usually work with the Home Office and bigger fry than this, but we have a personal connection to these men and inside knowledge that the police don’t have.” If Georgie’s past is prologue, readers hope all’s well that ends well” will soon rule the day!
By page 77, a young passionate climber has an “accident” while “training in Snowdonia in preparation for going on an expedition to the Himalayas when his rope broke and he fell hundreds of feet." By this time Georgie begins to think coincidences of deaths might be intentional, and not in the “self harm” category. At this point the seed of criminality is firmly planted in her head, the narrative’s momentum picks up, and additional deaths are discovered, culminating in an exciting finish, while previously she’s been dealing with the joys of her infant son, her marriage with Darcy, and the less joyful intolerable sister in law who foists a regimented, harsh nanny upon her and decamps to Georgie’s own household to ensure her hire is firmly ensconced.
The best thing about this book is watching how Georgie builds her own case for deaths by “mischief,” vs accidental, a tough sell for a woman in the midst of Britain’s turmoil as Edward abdicates his throne for the woman he loves (while the populace holds far less ardor for her), and the world anticipates “Bertie’s” coronation. For Georgie it soon gets very personal, “The one thing all those men had in common was their age and their class. Sons of peers or gentry. I froze, staring unseeing out the window as the scenery flashed past...What if someone with a chip on his shoulder, a fervent communist maybe, was targeting the sons of peers? And sons of peers also included Darcy.” She focuses her intellect upon ending the string of murders, and the cases soon go from “If you told Scotland Yard, they’d laugh at you,” to “There will be plainclothes police stationed along the route today,” Darcy said, “and as for me, I usually work with the Home Office and bigger fry than this, but we have a personal connection to these men and inside knowledge that the police don’t have.” If Georgie’s past is prologue, readers hope all’s well that ends well” will soon rule the day!
November 11, 2025
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2025/1...
This is a fine Royal Spyness mystery. I think, however, after 19 outings, that perhaps I've grown tired of Georgie's shtick. She's always flustered, always wanting to say something, but "good breeding" won't let her (something that those who are belittling her seem to have no problem with) and now she's struggling with the age-old question - can a woman really have it all? Which, I mean, she's a relation to the King, who doesn't have to have a job, lives on a borrowed estate, and one of the main conflicts in this story is whether or not the Nanny who will bring up her boy to be a leader of men is nice enough.
Her sister-in-law is a snobby menace, who sends a frightful nanny to Georgie and even though EVERYONE says, just send her away, Georgie dithers until the problem solves itself. Similarly, SIL Fig comes to stay to "manage" the Nanny since Georgie couldn't possibly know how and even though everyone agrees that she's a menace, she remains. And when they might finally be rid of Queenie after an incident while Georgie's away, that doesn't last either, even though Georgie's sure it'll be different this time. LOL.
There's a bit of a mystery as well, but it takes so long to get to it and so long to even determine that it IS a mystery that by the time we're getting to the good stuff, there's only about 10% of the book left. She's a little more tetchy about getting credit for her mystery-solving this time, which is a little wild when she's also saying stuff like she needs to defer to her husband in important matters. If Georgie's involved, then the deaths are probably murders and she'll probably solve it while everyone doubts her, but it was cutting it fine this time.
She's no longer the Bright Young Thing, living by her wits and doing favors for the Queen, but a married, mother who lives on a country estate, whose big accomplishments for the day is taking her son for a pram ride around the farm. Alright for some, but I think I've reached the end of the road for this one.
https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2025/1...
This is a fine Royal Spyness mystery. I think, however, after 19 outings, that perhaps I've grown tired of Georgie's shtick. She's always flustered, always wanting to say something, but "good breeding" won't let her (something that those who are belittling her seem to have no problem with) and now she's struggling with the age-old question - can a woman really have it all? Which, I mean, she's a relation to the King, who doesn't have to have a job, lives on a borrowed estate, and one of the main conflicts in this story is whether or not the Nanny who will bring up her boy to be a leader of men is nice enough.
Her sister-in-law is a snobby menace, who sends a frightful nanny to Georgie and even though EVERYONE says, just send her away, Georgie dithers until the problem solves itself. Similarly, SIL Fig comes to stay to "manage" the Nanny since Georgie couldn't possibly know how and even though everyone agrees that she's a menace, she remains. And when they might finally be rid of Queenie after an incident while Georgie's away, that doesn't last either, even though Georgie's sure it'll be different this time. LOL.
There's a bit of a mystery as well, but it takes so long to get to it and so long to even determine that it IS a mystery that by the time we're getting to the good stuff, there's only about 10% of the book left. She's a little more tetchy about getting credit for her mystery-solving this time, which is a little wild when she's also saying stuff like she needs to defer to her husband in important matters. If Georgie's involved, then the deaths are probably murders and she'll probably solve it while everyone doubts her, but it was cutting it fine this time.
She's no longer the Bright Young Thing, living by her wits and doing favors for the Queen, but a married, mother who lives on a country estate, whose big accomplishments for the day is taking her son for a pram ride around the farm. Alright for some, but I think I've reached the end of the road for this one.
November 23, 2025
This series centers around the exploits of Lady Georgiana Rannock. I picked up the first book in the series on a whim a few years ago and enjoyed it. Most of the books in the long series are a bit silly but charming and fun.
Georgie, as she is known to friends, is the descendant of an English princess and Queen Victoria and the daughter of a duke. Unfortunately it's the 1930's and like everyone else she's broke. One of the great things about the portrait of her is she's human. She may be snobby and upper class but she can laugh at herself for having privilege but no money or clout. Over the course of her life so far she's been expected to marry a gay foreign prince, steal things for Queen Mary and endure her sister-in-law's snide condescension. We all have relatives who make us crazy.
For most of the series she does so with good humor, grace and the realization that she can still find happiness and even solve a few crimes now and then.
That vaguely enjoyable persona goes by the wayside in this tedious new book. Much of the book is her whining about her life for pages and pages and pages. She hates her new nanny. She hates Fig. She hates that no one is listening to her when she thinks people are being murdered. Even Zou Zou is out of sorts as her fairy godmother cum unrealistic detective partner.
The only really interesting part is the author explaining how upper class Brits are taught to be a upper class Brits. Lady Georgie freely tells us why a warmly loving housemaid couldn't possibly raise her son to be yet another insufferable upper class Brit.
Let's hope the next book is better plotted. A less whiny, more grateful Georgie would be a welcome change.
Georgie, as she is known to friends, is the descendant of an English princess and Queen Victoria and the daughter of a duke. Unfortunately it's the 1930's and like everyone else she's broke. One of the great things about the portrait of her is she's human. She may be snobby and upper class but she can laugh at herself for having privilege but no money or clout. Over the course of her life so far she's been expected to marry a gay foreign prince, steal things for Queen Mary and endure her sister-in-law's snide condescension. We all have relatives who make us crazy.
For most of the series she does so with good humor, grace and the realization that she can still find happiness and even solve a few crimes now and then.
That vaguely enjoyable persona goes by the wayside in this tedious new book. Much of the book is her whining about her life for pages and pages and pages. She hates her new nanny. She hates Fig. She hates that no one is listening to her when she thinks people are being murdered. Even Zou Zou is out of sorts as her fairy godmother cum unrealistic detective partner.
The only really interesting part is the author explaining how upper class Brits are taught to be a upper class Brits. Lady Georgie freely tells us why a warmly loving housemaid couldn't possibly raise her son to be yet another insufferable upper class Brit.
Let's hope the next book is better plotted. A less whiny, more grateful Georgie would be a welcome change.
November 19, 2025
1937 Lady Georgina ‘Georgie’ is enjoying motherhood, or would be if she didn’t hate the new nanny her sister-in-law had foisted on her and, worse, shown up, herself, to ensure Georgie is showing proper respect towards the woman.
Georgie is distracted from her domestic problems when she hears that several men, acquaintances of them or their friends, have all died in what have been declared tragic accidents recently but she isn’t convinced they were accidents. True, they all died while taking part in potentially dangerous activities but they were also all highly experienced and skilled at the activities. They were also all about the same age and only sons of aristocratic parents. Is it possible a serial killer is targeting men who match this criteria, men like her husband, Darcy?
From Cradle to Grave is the 19th novel in the Royal Spyness historical mystery series by Rhys Bowen and it is well-written with an interesting mystery. And for those of us who like some real history with our fiction, Bowen has also clearly done a great deal of research into the period and draws a fascinating picture of class, the expectations and limitations placed on women, and the attitudes of the aristocracy towards domestics in England during the period. The story also takes the reader across much of the United Kingdom with vivid descriptions of the varied landscapes. A very enjoyable tale and I recommend it highly.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Georgie is distracted from her domestic problems when she hears that several men, acquaintances of them or their friends, have all died in what have been declared tragic accidents recently but she isn’t convinced they were accidents. True, they all died while taking part in potentially dangerous activities but they were also all highly experienced and skilled at the activities. They were also all about the same age and only sons of aristocratic parents. Is it possible a serial killer is targeting men who match this criteria, men like her husband, Darcy?
From Cradle to Grave is the 19th novel in the Royal Spyness historical mystery series by Rhys Bowen and it is well-written with an interesting mystery. And for those of us who like some real history with our fiction, Bowen has also clearly done a great deal of research into the period and draws a fascinating picture of class, the expectations and limitations placed on women, and the attitudes of the aristocracy towards domestics in England during the period. The story also takes the reader across much of the United Kingdom with vivid descriptions of the varied landscapes. A very enjoyable tale and I recommend it highly.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
December 27, 2025
In the 19th installment of author Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness Mysteries, we find Lady Georgiana “Georgie” Rannoch contentedly caring for her baby, James, when her peace is shattered by the unexpected arrival of a domineering, officious nanny sent by her meddlesome sister-in-law, Fig. Worse, the Dreadful Duchess herself has soon descended upon Georgie’s home. Condescending and mean, Fig constantly spouts unrequested opinions and advice while savoring the delicious food prepared by Georgie’s French chef and basking in the relative warmth of Georgie’s home compared to freezing, snowy Scotland.
To escape these domestic woes, Georgie heads to London to seek the aid of her friend ZouZou in looking for a more suitable nanny but arrives as ZouZou is heading off to the funeral of a young man, the son of close friends. Several days later, Georgie’s dear friend, Belinda is also summoned to the funeral of her cousin, a young man of approximately the same age as the other. When Georgie hears of another young man’s death and then another’s, she is the first to see a pattern. Since all these deaths have been deemed accidental, she is mostly on her own in proving a connection.
Long time fans of the series will love seeing how Georgie finds the clues and missing pieces to the mystery, and they will cheer when Georgie has the last word with the despicable Fig.
I both read the book and listened to the audiobook. If you are an audiobook lover, be aware that there is a different narrator.
To escape these domestic woes, Georgie heads to London to seek the aid of her friend ZouZou in looking for a more suitable nanny but arrives as ZouZou is heading off to the funeral of a young man, the son of close friends. Several days later, Georgie’s dear friend, Belinda is also summoned to the funeral of her cousin, a young man of approximately the same age as the other. When Georgie hears of another young man’s death and then another’s, she is the first to see a pattern. Since all these deaths have been deemed accidental, she is mostly on her own in proving a connection.
Long time fans of the series will love seeing how Georgie finds the clues and missing pieces to the mystery, and they will cheer when Georgie has the last word with the despicable Fig.
I both read the book and listened to the audiobook. If you are an audiobook lover, be aware that there is a different narrator.
November 24, 2025
I quite enjoyed this one. It opens with Georgie enjoying peace and quiet in her life little knowing it will all be turned upside down.
A knock on the door brings her a surprise and not a nice one. Fig has hired a nanny for her and also invites herself over to supervise. Knowing she needs a nanny Georgie reluctantly let's her stay while heading to London with Belinda to find a nanny on her own. She wants a Mary Poppins kind of nanny.
While in London she learns of two young men who died in accidents. Then the number of accidents turns to two more and Georgie wonders if they really are accidents. They take place in different parts of the country and the only connection is their ages, being from well off families and only sons.
Georgie begins to travel around with both Zou Zou and Belinda and soon uncovers a sinister plot linked to an incident from years ago.
The mystery plot is woven in with the difficulties in Georgie's domestic life. Georgie finally gets some guts and stands up to Fig and its glorious. There is a b plot about Belinda and an Austrian maid who's not as she seems and Queenie is up to her usual exploits and nearly loses her job for good. As much fun as Queenie has been she's starting to wear a bit thin after all these books. The story closes out with a hint of what's to come as the coronation is nearly here.
A knock on the door brings her a surprise and not a nice one. Fig has hired a nanny for her and also invites herself over to supervise. Knowing she needs a nanny Georgie reluctantly let's her stay while heading to London with Belinda to find a nanny on her own. She wants a Mary Poppins kind of nanny.
While in London she learns of two young men who died in accidents. Then the number of accidents turns to two more and Georgie wonders if they really are accidents. They take place in different parts of the country and the only connection is their ages, being from well off families and only sons.
Georgie begins to travel around with both Zou Zou and Belinda and soon uncovers a sinister plot linked to an incident from years ago.
The mystery plot is woven in with the difficulties in Georgie's domestic life. Georgie finally gets some guts and stands up to Fig and its glorious. There is a b plot about Belinda and an Austrian maid who's not as she seems and Queenie is up to her usual exploits and nearly loses her job for good. As much fun as Queenie has been she's starting to wear a bit thin after all these books. The story closes out with a hint of what's to come as the coronation is nearly here.
January 6, 2026
In this latest entry in the Royal Spyness mysteries, Lady Georgiana is enjoying life as a new mother, cuddling, feeding, and playing with her adorable James. Which is when a Nanny Hardbottle knocks on her door and informs her that she has been hired by the dreaded Fig, Georgie's sister-in-law, to take over the care and feeding of her child. In addition, Fig herself arrives to help the Nanny get settled and to teach Georgie how the upper classes take care of their children, which is to say not at all. Fortunately, a distraction occurs in the form of multiple deaths of young men in her social circle and Georgie is convinced it is more than the coincidence everyone seems to think it is.
The nineteenth book in the series and it is still as pleasurable as ever to spend time with Georgie and her cohorts in pre-World War II England. Frequent mention is made of the coming threat from Germany but it does nothing to take away from the cozy charm of these books.
My one tiny quibble is that Georgie is a tad meeker than usual in her dealings with the nanny, Fig, and even Queenie. However close in line one is to the British throne (34th), your baby is your baby and there's only so much anyone would be willing to put up with when someone gets in the way of your time with him.
Still, the series remains a must-read for me.
The nineteenth book in the series and it is still as pleasurable as ever to spend time with Georgie and her cohorts in pre-World War II England. Frequent mention is made of the coming threat from Germany but it does nothing to take away from the cozy charm of these books.
My one tiny quibble is that Georgie is a tad meeker than usual in her dealings with the nanny, Fig, and even Queenie. However close in line one is to the British throne (34th), your baby is your baby and there's only so much anyone would be willing to put up with when someone gets in the way of your time with him.
Still, the series remains a must-read for me.
December 19, 2025
From Cradle to Grave is the nineteenth in the Royal Spyness series. I have to admit that there's very little in the way of spying in this. In fact there's hardly a mystery. The majority of the book deals with the domestic trials of young mother Georgie who's been sent an old-fashioned nanny for her young son James. Her interfering sister-in-law Fig has done this without permission. The militant nanny shows up and pretty much takes over. Fig arrives soon after. Fig has always been a piece of work, arrogant and insulting, but she's over the top in this one. The first half of the book Georgie hates what's going on, but doesn't stand up for herself in her own house. I found that to be very out of character.
Then the mystery comes in the form of the seemingly unrelated deaths of four young men, all about the same age, all only sons. I suppose Georgie gets involved mainly because she wants to escape being stuck in the house with Fig and the horrible nanny.
Even Darcy seems to be uninvolved in what's going on with Georgie. I felt he was out of character, too.
All in all, it's a readable mystery, but not up to the usual standard in terms of the mystery and the spunky heroine I've come to admire.
Then the mystery comes in the form of the seemingly unrelated deaths of four young men, all about the same age, all only sons. I suppose Georgie gets involved mainly because she wants to escape being stuck in the house with Fig and the horrible nanny.
Even Darcy seems to be uninvolved in what's going on with Georgie. I felt he was out of character, too.
All in all, it's a readable mystery, but not up to the usual standard in terms of the mystery and the spunky heroine I've come to admire.
December 23, 2025
This mystery is part of a series with Lady Georgiana "Georgie" as the main character. In this particular installment, Georgie runs across four different young men who have died accidentally. In each instance, the man dies doing something that he's passionate about - one mountain climbing, one long distance swimming, one boat racing, and one driving his car. And in each instance, Georgie believes the circumstances suspicious.
On a positive note, I felt like this was a book you could pick up in the middle of the series and not feel lost. That's always important. Additionally, the author clearly is invested in developing these characters, as much of the book was about their domestic life instead of the actual mystery. Unfortunately, that's also a downside of this book if you are looking for a good mystery - the book is light on actual mystery and heavy on how Georgie manages her servants (the book takes place in England during a time when aristocracy employed servants).
My overall assessment of the book is that it's just ok. Not a super compelling mystery. Seemed a bit slow to develop. A little annoying having to read about Georgie stressing about her son's nanny and her maid.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
On a positive note, I felt like this was a book you could pick up in the middle of the series and not feel lost. That's always important. Additionally, the author clearly is invested in developing these characters, as much of the book was about their domestic life instead of the actual mystery. Unfortunately, that's also a downside of this book if you are looking for a good mystery - the book is light on actual mystery and heavy on how Georgie manages her servants (the book takes place in England during a time when aristocracy employed servants).
My overall assessment of the book is that it's just ok. Not a super compelling mystery. Seemed a bit slow to develop. A little annoying having to read about Georgie stressing about her son's nanny and her maid.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2025
This is a review of an ARC from Edelweiss.
Lady Georgiana Rannoch has settled into her life as a new mother, despite the fearsome Nanny deposited on her by her sister-in-law Fig. But at least the Nanny allows her free time to visit with her friends in London. But when several of them shar that they have recently been to funerals for young men who died in strange accidents, she begins to suspect that someone is hunting young aristocrats. Could her husband Darcy be next?
It's always fun to visit with Georgie and her family. This time we're focused on friends - we get drop-ins from Belinda and Princess Zou Zou as they run over England looking into the deaths of young aristocrats. As usual, Georgie's sleuthing is mixed in with domestic drama - in this case, a search for a nanny and other servant issues. And I confess, I enjoyed the domestic troubles more than the mystery this time, mainly because Georgie et al fail to ask what seems to me an incredibly obvious question that connects all the victims until far too long into the book. Still it was a pleasant and diverting visit, and fans of the series should enjoy it.
Lady Georgiana Rannoch has settled into her life as a new mother, despite the fearsome Nanny deposited on her by her sister-in-law Fig. But at least the Nanny allows her free time to visit with her friends in London. But when several of them shar that they have recently been to funerals for young men who died in strange accidents, she begins to suspect that someone is hunting young aristocrats. Could her husband Darcy be next?
It's always fun to visit with Georgie and her family. This time we're focused on friends - we get drop-ins from Belinda and Princess Zou Zou as they run over England looking into the deaths of young aristocrats. As usual, Georgie's sleuthing is mixed in with domestic drama - in this case, a search for a nanny and other servant issues. And I confess, I enjoyed the domestic troubles more than the mystery this time, mainly because Georgie et al fail to ask what seems to me an incredibly obvious question that connects all the victims until far too long into the book. Still it was a pleasant and diverting visit, and fans of the series should enjoy it.
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