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Her Royal Spyness #13
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs
Georgie and Darcy are finally on their honeymoon in Kenya's Happy Valley, but murder crashes the party in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series.
I was so excited when Darcy announced out of the blue that we were flying to Kenya for our extended honeymoon. Now that we are here, I suspect he has actually been sent to fulfill another secret mission. I am trying very hard not to pick a fight about it, because after all, we are in paradise! Darcy finally confides that there have been robberies in London and Paris. It seems the thief was a member of the aristocracy and may have fled to Kenya. Since we are staying in the Happy Valley--the center of upper-class English life--we are well positioned to hunt for clues and ferret out possible suspects.
Now that I am a sophisticated married woman, I am doing my best to sound like one. But crikey! These aristocrats are a thoroughly loathsome sort enjoying a completely decadent lifestyle filled with wild parties and rampant infidelity. And one of the leading lights in the community, Lord Cheriton, has the nerve to make a play for me. While I am on my honeymoon! Of course, I put an end to that right off.
When he is found bloodied and lifeless along a lonely stretch of road, it appears he fell victim to a lion. But it seems that the Happy Valley community wants to close the case a bit too quickly. Darcy and I soon discover that there is much more than a simple robbery and an animal attack to contend with here in Kenya. Nearly everyone has a motive to want Lord Cheriton dead and some will go to great lengths to silence anyone who asks too many questions. The hunt is on! I just hope I can survive my honeymoon long enough to catch a killer. . . .
I was so excited when Darcy announced out of the blue that we were flying to Kenya for our extended honeymoon. Now that we are here, I suspect he has actually been sent to fulfill another secret mission. I am trying very hard not to pick a fight about it, because after all, we are in paradise! Darcy finally confides that there have been robberies in London and Paris. It seems the thief was a member of the aristocracy and may have fled to Kenya. Since we are staying in the Happy Valley--the center of upper-class English life--we are well positioned to hunt for clues and ferret out possible suspects.
Now that I am a sophisticated married woman, I am doing my best to sound like one. But crikey! These aristocrats are a thoroughly loathsome sort enjoying a completely decadent lifestyle filled with wild parties and rampant infidelity. And one of the leading lights in the community, Lord Cheriton, has the nerve to make a play for me. While I am on my honeymoon! Of course, I put an end to that right off.
When he is found bloodied and lifeless along a lonely stretch of road, it appears he fell victim to a lion. But it seems that the Happy Valley community wants to close the case a bit too quickly. Darcy and I soon discover that there is much more than a simple robbery and an animal attack to contend with here in Kenya. Nearly everyone has a motive to want Lord Cheriton dead and some will go to great lengths to silence anyone who asks too many questions. The hunt is on! I just hope I can survive my honeymoon long enough to catch a killer. . . .
291 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2019
1357 people are currently reading
4718 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
116 books9,652 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 909 reviews
May 24, 2019
However historically accurate this may have been, it was not enjoyable to read about a group of privileged twits insulting everything they could about Kenya while still complaining about whatever they were unable to forcefully covert to traditional British conditions. Too many wild animals! The shopping here is horrible! These gardens don't look English enough, let's bring in non-native plants! How boring, the only activities here are polo, bed-hopping and shooting animals! Why don't the 'natives' cook traditional French/British food?
Queenie and Georgie's mother were hardly in the story, and Belinda not at all, so the only familiar characters besides Georgie and Darcy were Wallis Simpson and 'cousin David.'
And Georgie, after everything that she has been through, you would have thought that she would grow and change as a result. How can she still be the same clueless naif? No wonder Darcy doesn't tell her what he really does for the government - she tries to blow his cover when she introduces him. I thought that she was growing more backbone and common sense. Golly! Why are there mirrors on the ceiling in a house where the hostess greets us while nude in her bathtub?
And the mystery!
This is a review of an e-arc, and perhaps the editors will take another look at how this book reads and consider whether they really want to portray people in Kenya so disrespectfully, and the British as so pompous and callous. No joke, at one point while Georgie and other Brits are on safari, a group of Maasai warriors pass, and were described in terms very similar to how all of the other animals were described.
A much better title would have been: Drug-running, partner-swapping, and colonial exploitation in 1930s Kenya.
*eARC Netgalley
Queenie and Georgie's mother were hardly in the story, and Belinda not at all, so the only familiar characters besides Georgie and Darcy were Wallis Simpson and 'cousin David.'
And Georgie, after everything that she has been through, you would have thought that she would grow and change as a result. How can she still be the same clueless naif? No wonder Darcy doesn't tell her what he really does for the government - she tries to blow his cover when she introduces him. I thought that she was growing more backbone and common sense. Golly! Why are there mirrors on the ceiling in a house where the hostess greets us while nude in her bathtub?
And the mystery!
This is a review of an e-arc, and perhaps the editors will take another look at how this book reads and consider whether they really want to portray people in Kenya so disrespectfully, and the British as so pompous and callous. No joke, at one point while Georgie and other Brits are on safari, a group of Maasai warriors pass, and were described in terms very similar to how all of the other animals were described.
A much better title would have been: Drug-running, partner-swapping, and colonial exploitation in 1930s Kenya.
*eARC Netgalley
August 12, 2019
As a true fan of Rhys Bowen, having read all of her books, I could not wait for the latest installment in Her Royal Spyness series. However, I find myself rather disappointed with this entry and am trying to figure out why exactly. So I read the reviews on Goodreads hoping that someone would put their finger on what was missing, but no one has expressed the sense of what I'm actually feeling upon completing this story. I absolutely love the way Rhys is able to intertwine real history into a cozy mystery. I believe she handled many of the less desirable truths of this historical time period, and in particular, the debauched, colonial activity in Kenya with aplomb. However, the character development that she has built into the last twelve books of this series was severely lacking in this book. In fact, my two favorites, Georgie and Darcy, are supposed to be in love and on their honeymoon yet they act more like pals than newlyweds. Trust me, I don't need a romance novel here, I would just appreciate dialog that was more in keeping with two people in love, rather than "You're a cracking girl, Georgie. I made a good choice when I asked you to marry me." Since they're both good at solving puzzles (It's the first time that I remember that Darcy actually mentions Whitehall), I was hoping that their future adventures might be more in keeping with say, Nick and Nora Charles of that time period. While the vernacular of that time period would use "cracking", does a newlywed say that to his lady love? I think not.
The mystery in this book was very easy to solve, even with all the red herrings being tossed out. This, too, was a departure for Rhys. Absolutely no surprise here. The wrap up, as others have mentioned, was hasty and very unsatisfying. Rhys is about to enter a new historical time period in this series that is exceedingly serious and I am truly hoping that Rhys will be able to flesh out more dynamic dialog between lovers solving crimes together. Georgie and Darcy, along with all the Old Faithful characters, are worth saving! I love them and want this series to continue.
I hate coming to the end of an author's books and having to wait for the next installment! It's hard to wait, so Rhys, please keep them coming!
The mystery in this book was very easy to solve, even with all the red herrings being tossed out. This, too, was a departure for Rhys. Absolutely no surprise here. The wrap up, as others have mentioned, was hasty and very unsatisfying. Rhys is about to enter a new historical time period in this series that is exceedingly serious and I am truly hoping that Rhys will be able to flesh out more dynamic dialog between lovers solving crimes together. Georgie and Darcy, along with all the Old Faithful characters, are worth saving! I love them and want this series to continue.
I hate coming to the end of an author's books and having to wait for the next installment! It's hard to wait, so Rhys, please keep them coming!
January 20, 2022
The reviews here are making me ROTFLMAO.
First, you've got the people who want to scrub history sparkling clean and are getting offended at what is factual history in its portrayal of colonial Kenya. I would suggest that these people, whose knowledge of history is clearly pretty limited, at least read this summary of the movie "White Mischief." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_M..., (which itself is based on a book), where you will see that the plot of this book is clearly taken from things that really happened. Yes, it's offensive stuff and did you read the forward, where Bowen clearly states as much? Again,this stuff REALLY HAPPENED.
Then there are the folks offended by the sexuality. Not of Georgie and Darcy, which is as cleanly scrubbed as the above complainers would like the history to be, but of the Happy Valley set--and truthfully, even that is pretty tame. Yes, there is talk of partner swapping but not the teenie weenie littlest depiction of that sex. Truthfully, I think that some of the complainers are disappointed that there are no dirty details, and as for your teens reading this, there are better things in most YA sections for them to read.
Besides, no matter how much you tried to isolate them from the world, they know about this stuff. Hell, some of your kids probably know more about this stuff than you do!
No, my problem with this book is that it just doesn't work. I mean, these books are mindless fluff, but this one isn't good fluff. It's not very funny (I guess we miss more time with Queenie the hopeless maid, Granddad, and other fun characters), and it's not very clever. Mixing in the Happy Valley history just doesn't work, and the ending is both clumsy and pat.
And the reviewers sputtering over sex and political correctness don't seem to notice the literary quality. Or lack thereof in this book.
This is one series that I can't get review copies for on Edelweiss. And truthfully, that doesn't bug me that much.
First, you've got the people who want to scrub history sparkling clean and are getting offended at what is factual history in its portrayal of colonial Kenya. I would suggest that these people, whose knowledge of history is clearly pretty limited, at least read this summary of the movie "White Mischief." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_M..., (which itself is based on a book), where you will see that the plot of this book is clearly taken from things that really happened. Yes, it's offensive stuff and did you read the forward, where Bowen clearly states as much? Again,this stuff REALLY HAPPENED.
Then there are the folks offended by the sexuality. Not of Georgie and Darcy, which is as cleanly scrubbed as the above complainers would like the history to be, but of the Happy Valley set--and truthfully, even that is pretty tame. Yes, there is talk of partner swapping but not the teenie weenie littlest depiction of that sex. Truthfully, I think that some of the complainers are disappointed that there are no dirty details, and as for your teens reading this, there are better things in most YA sections for them to read.
Besides, no matter how much you tried to isolate them from the world, they know about this stuff. Hell, some of your kids probably know more about this stuff than you do!
No, my problem with this book is that it just doesn't work. I mean, these books are mindless fluff, but this one isn't good fluff. It's not very funny (I guess we miss more time with Queenie the hopeless maid, Granddad, and other fun characters), and it's not very clever. Mixing in the Happy Valley history just doesn't work, and the ending is both clumsy and pat.
And the reviewers sputtering over sex and political correctness don't seem to notice the literary quality. Or lack thereof in this book.
This is one series that I can't get review copies for on Edelweiss. And truthfully, that doesn't bug me that much.
August 6, 2019
Lady Georgiana and Darcy have finally wed, and Darcy has a surprise – an extended honeymoon in Kenya. Georgie is excited to get to see local wildlife, but once they arrive, she quickly learns that Darcy is hoping to get some information on a notorious jewel thief that is rumored to be making an appearance in the country soon. The couple are quick to settle into the British colony in the country, but they begin to realize that not everyone is as friendly as they first appear. Then a murder interrupts their trip. Can they figure out what is happening?
Those who are fans of Darcy (like me), will be pleased with his presence in this book. As is befitting a honeymoon, he and Georgie are true partners in figuring out what is happening around them. Not that he steals the show from Georgie, who still figures out just about everything along the way. We do get the usual slow start, which allows us a little time to hear from most of the series regulars before heading down to Kenya. And let me say their trip made me very happy for how travel has advanced since the 1930’s. Even when we arrive in Kenya, it takes a bit of time for the murder to take place, but once it does, the mystery is well worth the wait with some great secrets that Georgie and Darcy must bring to light. I did have a hard time keeping all of the British colonists straight, but that never got in the way of following the mystery. My bigger complaint is an event that takes place in the middle of the book that seems force to have Darcy and Georgie where they are needed for the plot. I appreciated how the book worked in the world politics of the time without feeling out of place in the series. And I also appreciated the ability to be an arm chair traveler since I can’t take a vacation this year, although it really made me want to go on a safari of my own.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Those who are fans of Darcy (like me), will be pleased with his presence in this book. As is befitting a honeymoon, he and Georgie are true partners in figuring out what is happening around them. Not that he steals the show from Georgie, who still figures out just about everything along the way. We do get the usual slow start, which allows us a little time to hear from most of the series regulars before heading down to Kenya. And let me say their trip made me very happy for how travel has advanced since the 1930’s. Even when we arrive in Kenya, it takes a bit of time for the murder to take place, but once it does, the mystery is well worth the wait with some great secrets that Georgie and Darcy must bring to light. I did have a hard time keeping all of the British colonists straight, but that never got in the way of following the mystery. My bigger complaint is an event that takes place in the middle of the book that seems force to have Darcy and Georgie where they are needed for the plot. I appreciated how the book worked in the world politics of the time without feeling out of place in the series. And I also appreciated the ability to be an arm chair traveler since I can’t take a vacation this year, although it really made me want to go on a safari of my own.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 1, 2019
Series: Royal Spyness #13
Publication Date: 8/6/19
Number of Pages: 304
I have wanted to start reading this series since its beginning, but for some reason I never did. I remedied that by starting with this book – and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t find starting with the thirteenth book a problem. Yes, I missed the development of the relationship between Darcy and Georgie, but – goodness – I got to start with the honeymoon! I’m sure I missed out on the development of other characters and relationships, but I fully intend to go back and read the first books of the series when I have a chance to do so. None of what I’d missed detracted from my enjoyment of this book. It is well written and witty with great characters and multiple mysteries. All of the loose ends were wrapped up and justice was served just as it should be.
Georgie and Darcy spent the first few days of their honeymoon on a friend's houseboat in a secluded section of the Thames. That was a wonderful, private first few days of marriage, but soon enough the food ran out and they had bumped their heads on the low ceilings one too many times. They both decided it was time to head back into London – where Darcy soon announced that he’d arranged for the remainder of their honeymoon to be in Kenya. WOW! The trip of a lifetime and Georgie is so excited.
Soon, our sharp-as-a-tack heroine comes to suspect that there is more to the destination than meets the eye. When she confronts Darcy, he tells her that he’s been assigned to keep an eye out for a suspected jewel thief. She buys that and soon settles in to help him determine who the thief might be – and to catch him or her.
Once they arrive in Kenya, things soon begin to happen – but none of them actually point toward a jewel thief. There are lots of other mysteries as well – a murder, attempts on Georgie and Darcy’s lives, residents swapping spouses, drug parties – you name it. Then, when you add in the political intrigue, you have quite a busy story.
I thoroughly enjoyed and certainly recommend this book. It is well written, well-plotted and I really loved the characters. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series as well as going back to read the previous books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 8/6/19
Number of Pages: 304
I have wanted to start reading this series since its beginning, but for some reason I never did. I remedied that by starting with this book – and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t find starting with the thirteenth book a problem. Yes, I missed the development of the relationship between Darcy and Georgie, but – goodness – I got to start with the honeymoon! I’m sure I missed out on the development of other characters and relationships, but I fully intend to go back and read the first books of the series when I have a chance to do so. None of what I’d missed detracted from my enjoyment of this book. It is well written and witty with great characters and multiple mysteries. All of the loose ends were wrapped up and justice was served just as it should be.
Georgie and Darcy spent the first few days of their honeymoon on a friend's houseboat in a secluded section of the Thames. That was a wonderful, private first few days of marriage, but soon enough the food ran out and they had bumped their heads on the low ceilings one too many times. They both decided it was time to head back into London – where Darcy soon announced that he’d arranged for the remainder of their honeymoon to be in Kenya. WOW! The trip of a lifetime and Georgie is so excited.
Soon, our sharp-as-a-tack heroine comes to suspect that there is more to the destination than meets the eye. When she confronts Darcy, he tells her that he’s been assigned to keep an eye out for a suspected jewel thief. She buys that and soon settles in to help him determine who the thief might be – and to catch him or her.
Once they arrive in Kenya, things soon begin to happen – but none of them actually point toward a jewel thief. There are lots of other mysteries as well – a murder, attempts on Georgie and Darcy’s lives, residents swapping spouses, drug parties – you name it. Then, when you add in the political intrigue, you have quite a busy story.
I thoroughly enjoyed and certainly recommend this book. It is well written, well-plotted and I really loved the characters. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series as well as going back to read the previous books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 20, 2019
What a disappointment! This has been one of my favorite series and a favorite author, and I was so looking forward to the new book. If I had started with this one, I wouldn’t have read any other books by the author. I didn’t care for the subject matter at all.
August 26, 2019
One and a half stars. Let's get this out of the way: a majority of this story is set in Kenya, and the author was trying to be accurate for the time, so racism abounds. It doesn't make for a particularly comfortable story in the modern day. Keep that in mind if you read it. But that's hardly the only problem.
The major issue here is the same issue that was present in the last book: the author has apparently forgotten this is a mystery series. The murder doesn't happen until the halfway mark, and the man who is killed is so utterly awful and had so many enemies that I couldn't bring myself to care who killed him. I wanted to stab him myself. There was literally nothing likable or sympathetic about this guy. Prior to that, there's the mystery of the jewel thief and we learn there's a drug runner somewhere. All of this is dealt with in a manner that suggests the author completely forgot about them periodically while writing.
The bigger issue with the jewel theft and drug running is Darcy. First off, I'm annoyed that he took a job while planning their honeymoon--I would have been seriously annoyed if my husband dragged me off halfway around the world to work during what was supposed to be a relaxing time. Secondly, despite the fact that Georgiana is usually very helpful during these missions, he doesn't tell her anything until she puts it together herself--although the author also has her nearly blow his cover, something I don't think she's done in any previous book, so I'm not sure what that was about. I'm pretty sure she's smart enough to know that telling people her husband is a government agent isn't a good thing. (Although this tends to happen in most mystery series as they go on--at some point it starts to feel like the characters are getting dumber instead of learning more. presumably because if they actually did things intelligently and thoroughly it would ruin the fun factor.) Anyway, my main issue here is Darcy doesn't do anything useful, really. He doesn't find out who the murderer is, or even contribute any meaningful information to Georgie for her to figure it out, and he doesn't even suspect who the drug runner is. Either he's bad at his job or the author has forgotten this could be a group effort so Darcy doesn't look useless.
Side note: the romance between Georgie and Darcy remains oddly unsatisfactory, which was main complaint for the first few books. Somehow it feels worse in this one, probably because they're the only main characters in it for a majority of the book. Without our usual cast of side characters, their relationship takes the stage so the flaws in it show.
The side characters were all pretty awful. I mean, they were bound to be--it's a bunch of Englishmen in Kenya during the height of Britain's empire. Racism and superiority complexes aside, it's not that enjoyable to read about a bunch of people who sleep with each other's spouses and sue each other in court and otherwise make each other's lives miserable while acting as though they were above the law. Oh and SUPPORTING HITLER. It's supposed to be a humorous mystery, but while Georgie is off being naive and childish for her age, the background noise reads more like a bleak look into how atrocious people can be. So it wasn't a fun, interesting, or breezy read. It was just a lackluster mystery with an unsatisfactory ending.
The major issue here is the same issue that was present in the last book: the author has apparently forgotten this is a mystery series. The murder doesn't happen until the halfway mark, and the man who is killed is so utterly awful and had so many enemies that I couldn't bring myself to care who killed him. I wanted to stab him myself. There was literally nothing likable or sympathetic about this guy. Prior to that, there's the mystery of the jewel thief and we learn there's a drug runner somewhere. All of this is dealt with in a manner that suggests the author completely forgot about them periodically while writing.
The bigger issue with the jewel theft and drug running is Darcy. First off, I'm annoyed that he took a job while planning their honeymoon--I would have been seriously annoyed if my husband dragged me off halfway around the world to work during what was supposed to be a relaxing time. Secondly, despite the fact that Georgiana is usually very helpful during these missions, he doesn't tell her anything until she puts it together herself--although the author also has her nearly blow his cover, something I don't think she's done in any previous book, so I'm not sure what that was about. I'm pretty sure she's smart enough to know that telling people her husband is a government agent isn't a good thing. (Although this tends to happen in most mystery series as they go on--at some point it starts to feel like the characters are getting dumber instead of learning more. presumably because if they actually did things intelligently and thoroughly it would ruin the fun factor.) Anyway, my main issue here is Darcy doesn't do anything useful, really. He doesn't find out who the murderer is, or even contribute any meaningful information to Georgie for her to figure it out, and he doesn't even suspect who the drug runner is. Either he's bad at his job or the author has forgotten this could be a group effort so Darcy doesn't look useless.
Side note: the romance between Georgie and Darcy remains oddly unsatisfactory, which was main complaint for the first few books. Somehow it feels worse in this one, probably because they're the only main characters in it for a majority of the book. Without our usual cast of side characters, their relationship takes the stage so the flaws in it show.
The side characters were all pretty awful. I mean, they were bound to be--it's a bunch of Englishmen in Kenya during the height of Britain's empire. Racism and superiority complexes aside, it's not that enjoyable to read about a bunch of people who sleep with each other's spouses and sue each other in court and otherwise make each other's lives miserable while acting as though they were above the law. Oh and SUPPORTING HITLER. It's supposed to be a humorous mystery, but while Georgie is off being naive and childish for her age, the background noise reads more like a bleak look into how atrocious people can be. So it wasn't a fun, interesting, or breezy read. It was just a lackluster mystery with an unsatisfactory ending.
December 14, 2019
So satisfying to finally have Georgiana and Darcy married. Everything else is incidental really.
I agree with some commenters, that this book lacks a bit due to the absence, or rare appearance, of delightful secondary characters. But, it'd hardly be realistic to have them all pack off with the newlyweds, so I'm forgiving there. Even so, this installment lacks a bit of charm of the series in general, and as unpleasantly realistic as the British aristocracy was portrayed in Kenya, the murder mystery itself a bit bland.
Overall, yay for the newlyweds, looking forward to happy married life and Georgie stepping on more dead bodies in her path.
I agree with some commenters, that this book lacks a bit due to the absence, or rare appearance, of delightful secondary characters. But, it'd hardly be realistic to have them all pack off with the newlyweds, so I'm forgiving there. Even so, this installment lacks a bit of charm of the series in general, and as unpleasantly realistic as the British aristocracy was portrayed in Kenya, the murder mystery itself a bit bland.
Overall, yay for the newlyweds, looking forward to happy married life and Georgie stepping on more dead bodies in her path.
August 24, 2019
It's a shock and disappointment to give this book 2 stars. I've read the whole series and I am a Georgie fan for sure, but this was an absolute bore. Georgie is barely present, Darcy is a shell of himself, and the story is completely context driven. Pages and pages of contextual description with barely a plot line thrown in for good measure. And about that plot. The mystery here springs from a night at a bed-hopping party that, for this series, is out of tune. There have been other hints in other books of the debauchery of the time, but only hints, really. Here it is spelled out in technicolor. Not something I expect to find in this series, and an unpleasant surprise. Reading the Afterword I see that the story is based on historical fact, and maybe that's the problem here: the whole story was already sketched out in history and Bowen had to wrench something entertaining out of it. But it was not. Entertaining, that is. A real low point in an otherwise great series.
October 18, 2025
This one was different but all the events were based on real historical happenings. For awhile it was only 4 stars and I thought about quitting but glad that I did not. A lion tried to come into their tent to get some meat! Scary!
August 29, 2019
Oh, it's so delightful to be back with Lady Georgie and her handsome new husband Darcy O'Mara. It is a balm to my soul, a respite from the world. Knowing that when I open a book in this series I will be swept away by great storytelling, some good humor, and characters that I love is a reassurance that feeling good is still an option in our challenging world. And, then there is the history that I crave in a story, an authentic connection to the time period in which the story takes place. There is certainly nothing didactic about Rhys Bowen's writing, but you will absolutely come away having learned something about the 1930's in England, and in this instance Africa, too, from reading Georgie's experiences and adventures. The "Historical Note" page at the end of the book will inform the reader of any historical inconsistencies in the story and point out the facts upon which the story is based. It is the perfect blend of imagination and fact that makes this series, and this book, so thoroughly enjoyable. Although the issues of what's going on in the world at the time of this book are serious, and the author doesn't gloss over the bad behavior of the British colonists in Kenya, there is still the wit and charm of Georgie and Darcy to satisfy fans of the series.
It is the end of July 1935 in England and the end of supplies on the houseboat on which Lady Georgie and her just-wedded husband Darcy are honeymooning on the Thames River in London. Georgie is yearning for some cucumber sandwiches and Darcy is ready for some additional space beyond the cramped confines of the houseboat, although for a short time neither food nor space was the most important focus. So, back to regular life and hopefully some more honeymoon elsewhere. It won't be at Georgie's brother's home in London, with sister-in-law Fig's sour reception, but as often happens with Georgie and Darcy, something turns up, and they don't have to return to their new home in Eynsleigh either. Darcy surprises Georgie at the Queen's garden party with the news that they will be traveling to Kenya for an exciting extended honeymoon, and that they will be traveling by plane via Imperial Airlines, an adventure in itself.
Once in Kenya, Georgie and Darcy meet up with Freddie Blanchford, an old friend of Darcy's and an employee of the British government. He takes them along the rutted roads to the rich enclave of British aristocrats called Happy Valley, where the newlyweds will be staying during their visit. Of course, Georgie catches on fairly quickly that Darcy is not just in Kenya to enjoy a honeymoon and that Freddie is part of whatever is going on. She also catches on that life in Happy Valley is far removed from anything she's ever known or imagined. Drinking, partying, and mate swapping seem to be accepted as the norm, and one of the biggest players in this depravity is Lord Cheriton. Georgie and Darcy have no interest in what passes for Happy Valley norm though, and Georgie firmly rejects a pass from Lord Cheriton. Things go from shocking social behavior to murder when Lord Cheriton is found murdered in the brush off the side of the country road. Georgie and Darcy find this leader of the pack dead after one of the community’s wild parties. There is no shortage of suspects for the murder, and the possibilities include jealous husbands, jealous wives, and Nazi sympathizers. Our favorite couple soon find themselves fearing humans more than the wild animals as they try to figure out if a murderer or someone connected to Darcy’s mission is out to get them.
One of the ways I determine if a book was a good read for me is if it keeps me thinking beyond the story and wanting to know more about a setting, either the time or place, and the events that happened. At the end of the book, Rhys Bowen not only includes her brief historical notes, but she also includes a bibliography of research sources she used. I appreciate having these titles to further explore. So, Love and Death Among the Cheetahs was a most satisfying read in giving me reading beyond a single book or story.
As always, Rhys Bowen has given readers an engaging tale, full of adventure that is uniquely Georgie. The minor characters in this book were not always likeable, but they were interesting. I rather wish that Queenie had accompanied Georgie to Kenya for that unique Queenie humor, but I expect we will see more of her soon. This series continues to be one of my favorite. I can't wait to see how Georgie and Darcy settle into married life at Eynsleigh, with all the supporting cast of home.
It is the end of July 1935 in England and the end of supplies on the houseboat on which Lady Georgie and her just-wedded husband Darcy are honeymooning on the Thames River in London. Georgie is yearning for some cucumber sandwiches and Darcy is ready for some additional space beyond the cramped confines of the houseboat, although for a short time neither food nor space was the most important focus. So, back to regular life and hopefully some more honeymoon elsewhere. It won't be at Georgie's brother's home in London, with sister-in-law Fig's sour reception, but as often happens with Georgie and Darcy, something turns up, and they don't have to return to their new home in Eynsleigh either. Darcy surprises Georgie at the Queen's garden party with the news that they will be traveling to Kenya for an exciting extended honeymoon, and that they will be traveling by plane via Imperial Airlines, an adventure in itself.
Once in Kenya, Georgie and Darcy meet up with Freddie Blanchford, an old friend of Darcy's and an employee of the British government. He takes them along the rutted roads to the rich enclave of British aristocrats called Happy Valley, where the newlyweds will be staying during their visit. Of course, Georgie catches on fairly quickly that Darcy is not just in Kenya to enjoy a honeymoon and that Freddie is part of whatever is going on. She also catches on that life in Happy Valley is far removed from anything she's ever known or imagined. Drinking, partying, and mate swapping seem to be accepted as the norm, and one of the biggest players in this depravity is Lord Cheriton. Georgie and Darcy have no interest in what passes for Happy Valley norm though, and Georgie firmly rejects a pass from Lord Cheriton. Things go from shocking social behavior to murder when Lord Cheriton is found murdered in the brush off the side of the country road. Georgie and Darcy find this leader of the pack dead after one of the community’s wild parties. There is no shortage of suspects for the murder, and the possibilities include jealous husbands, jealous wives, and Nazi sympathizers. Our favorite couple soon find themselves fearing humans more than the wild animals as they try to figure out if a murderer or someone connected to Darcy’s mission is out to get them.
One of the ways I determine if a book was a good read for me is if it keeps me thinking beyond the story and wanting to know more about a setting, either the time or place, and the events that happened. At the end of the book, Rhys Bowen not only includes her brief historical notes, but she also includes a bibliography of research sources she used. I appreciate having these titles to further explore. So, Love and Death Among the Cheetahs was a most satisfying read in giving me reading beyond a single book or story.
As always, Rhys Bowen has given readers an engaging tale, full of adventure that is uniquely Georgie. The minor characters in this book were not always likeable, but they were interesting. I rather wish that Queenie had accompanied Georgie to Kenya for that unique Queenie humor, but I expect we will see more of her soon. This series continues to be one of my favorite. I can't wait to see how Georgie and Darcy settle into married life at Eynsleigh, with all the supporting cast of home.
July 24, 2019
In this latest entry in the Royal Spyness series, Georgie and Darcy finally are married and they set off for Kenya on the second stage of their honeymoon. Only Georgie quickly discerns that the trip is part of an assignment from the Foreign Office for Darcy, and soon they are embroiled in possible robbery, treason, and a very definite murder.
While the Kenyan locale was interesting, I found this story less engrossing than most of the previous ones in the series. For someone who had been involved in solving multiple previous murders and mysteries, Georgie seemed unrealistically naive and clumsy in her approach both to the debauchery around her and to the murder. At one point, she almost blabbed to relative strangers about Darcy’s secret vocation, and her wide-eyed “golly” response to much of what she saw got to be a bit annoying.
Furthermore, aspects of the mystery were left to inference and a couple other plotlines were wrapped up hastily at the end by other people, making for an unsatisfying conclusion to the couple’s adventure.
This was not a particularly strong addition to the series, but I’m hoping for better in Georgie and Darcy’s next outing.
While the Kenyan locale was interesting, I found this story less engrossing than most of the previous ones in the series. For someone who had been involved in solving multiple previous murders and mysteries, Georgie seemed unrealistically naive and clumsy in her approach both to the debauchery around her and to the murder. At one point, she almost blabbed to relative strangers about Darcy’s secret vocation, and her wide-eyed “golly” response to much of what she saw got to be a bit annoying.
Furthermore, aspects of the mystery were left to inference and a couple other plotlines were wrapped up hastily at the end by other people, making for an unsatisfying conclusion to the couple’s adventure.
This was not a particularly strong addition to the series, but I’m hoping for better in Georgie and Darcy’s next outing.
October 6, 2019
I give this book 5 stars because I love all of Rhys Bowen's books.
August 18, 2019
This was a very good read. I liked the realistic description of Africa and its wildlife. However, I was disappointed that Lady G. Did not get involved in more hi jinxs, and we did not have the benefit of Belinda’s sassy comments. It read as a mystery with very little comic relief.
November 12, 2019
Believe it or not, this is the thirteenth Royal Spyness novel, and the author’s characters and plots have not run out of steam whatsoever. This time out, Georgie and Darcy are enjoying their honeymoon in Kenya’s Happy Valley but, as always with this duo, a murder interrupts their entertainment.
It is Darcy who announces that they are flying off to Kenya for an extended honeymoon, which makes Georgie extremely excited. Trouble is, she finds out soon after they arrive that this was not just time for them; Darcy was actually sent here on an assignment. Apparently, there have been some wild robberies in both London and Paris, and supposedly the thief (a member of the aristocracy, no less) fled to Kenya.
Georgie isn’t angry; she’s still excited because, after all, they are in the stunning landscape of Kenya staying in a beautiful house in Happy Valley, so what could possibly go wrong?
Georgie finds herself a bit taken aback by Happy Valley, however. It is the “center” of English nobility; it’s filled with people who tend to walk around with their noses in the air while complaining about absolutely everything they can complain about. The lifestyle is beyond decadent and even a Lord tries to hit on Georgie and she quickly tells him where to go. The Lord, however, is then found dead along an abandoned stretch of road. What first seems to be the product of a lion attack soon turns into something more as Georgie and Darcy begin to investigate further. There are many motives to be found and a great many secrets and lies are unveiled in the Happy Valley community.
Rhys Bowen just keeps on going. This 13th tale is just as sharp, keen, and interesting as the twelve that have come before.
It is Darcy who announces that they are flying off to Kenya for an extended honeymoon, which makes Georgie extremely excited. Trouble is, she finds out soon after they arrive that this was not just time for them; Darcy was actually sent here on an assignment. Apparently, there have been some wild robberies in both London and Paris, and supposedly the thief (a member of the aristocracy, no less) fled to Kenya.
Georgie isn’t angry; she’s still excited because, after all, they are in the stunning landscape of Kenya staying in a beautiful house in Happy Valley, so what could possibly go wrong?
Georgie finds herself a bit taken aback by Happy Valley, however. It is the “center” of English nobility; it’s filled with people who tend to walk around with their noses in the air while complaining about absolutely everything they can complain about. The lifestyle is beyond decadent and even a Lord tries to hit on Georgie and she quickly tells him where to go. The Lord, however, is then found dead along an abandoned stretch of road. What first seems to be the product of a lion attack soon turns into something more as Georgie and Darcy begin to investigate further. There are many motives to be found and a great many secrets and lies are unveiled in the Happy Valley community.
Rhys Bowen just keeps on going. This 13th tale is just as sharp, keen, and interesting as the twelve that have come before.
September 23, 2019
This is a fun addition to this series I have faithfully read and enjoyed. Our young heroine, now married to Darcy, enjoys a honeymoon that starts on a houseboat on the Thames and then morphs into a real adventure that includes a safari in Kenya.
I just took a glance at reviews on this site that are on the negative side, something I cannot fathom. I have always enjoyed the campiness of the characters in Lady Georgiana's world, all quite time appropriate with a comic twist during the era of American divorcee Simpson and her pursuit of cousin Edward.
The acting up of the British residents in Happy Valley quite outside of British normal behavioral norms was simply factual, thus not offensive to me in the least that these activities were on display and appropriately included in the plot. It also showed a maturing Lady G as she conscientiously reduced the number of times she said, "Golly!" She again is the one who figures out who the murderer is when one gentleman is killed. PLUS, we get the safari experience described nicely.
I look forward to her next outing as Hitler is preparing for his next moves.
Library Loan
I just took a glance at reviews on this site that are on the negative side, something I cannot fathom. I have always enjoyed the campiness of the characters in Lady Georgiana's world, all quite time appropriate with a comic twist during the era of American divorcee Simpson and her pursuit of cousin Edward.
The acting up of the British residents in Happy Valley quite outside of British normal behavioral norms was simply factual, thus not offensive to me in the least that these activities were on display and appropriately included in the plot. It also showed a maturing Lady G as she conscientiously reduced the number of times she said, "Golly!" She again is the one who figures out who the murderer is when one gentleman is killed. PLUS, we get the safari experience described nicely.
I look forward to her next outing as Hitler is preparing for his next moves.
Library Loan
March 9, 2019
I'm not sure why I didn't enjoy this outing with Georgie as much as I usually enjoy the entries in the series. I think I missed the regular supporting characters (especially Queenie and Georgie's grandfather) because of the removed setting (Kenya), and the central mystery wasn't as compelling as it usually is to me. Or maybe it's just unlucky number 13. :) No worries; I will happily join Georgie and Darcy on their next adventure no matter where it may take them.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2020
Lady Georgiana Rannoch has married and is on her honeymoon with her new husband, the Honorable Darcy O’Mara. Rhys Bowen’s Love and Death Among the Cheetahs ( Royal Spyness Mystery #13) takes Georgie and Darcy to Wanjohi Valley aka Happy Valley in Kenya. Happy Valley is home to many British aristocrats who live there basically by their own rules. Lots of polo, agriculture, large beautiful houses decorated in the British style of the 1920s and 1930s (The time the story is set.) horse racing, and parties with much misbehaving. Georgie’ naïveté gets quite an education! Of course, where Georgie goes, murder is never far behind. Darcy is always off on some secret assignment, but this time as it is their honeymoon. Georgie finds herself included in Darcy’s work, but does she know the whole story? She is determined every little detail. Georgie, also, is extremely observant which comes in handy for Darcy and enables Georgie to become involved in the investigation of the murder as well. The author uses history in her smooth narrative. Thus, the reader learns what Happy Valley was truly like for those who lived there
The ‘double entendre’ of the title is just marvelous! 5 stars.
The ‘double entendre’ of the title is just marvelous! 5 stars.
October 5, 2019
3.5 stars
You would think with Darcy and Georgie getting married and off on a romantic honeymoon in Kenya that this would be a more entertaining read. It had all the elements with exotic animals, a British colony of expats who party hearty and have sex parties, an appearance by the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson, and the search for an international jewel theft to make a charming book but it seemed a little flat.
It could be that the British characters were so unlikable that it just spoiled the flavor. Insulated from the local culture and intent on creating a little England and their own depraved entertainment, they are not the most enjoyable people to spend time with. When one of them gets murdered at a sex party, I wanted to get up and cheer. But as Darcy and Georgie find the body, they get into investigating but no one really cares who did it including the reader.
You would think with Darcy and Georgie getting married and off on a romantic honeymoon in Kenya that this would be a more entertaining read. It had all the elements with exotic animals, a British colony of expats who party hearty and have sex parties, an appearance by the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson, and the search for an international jewel theft to make a charming book but it seemed a little flat.
It could be that the British characters were so unlikable that it just spoiled the flavor. Insulated from the local culture and intent on creating a little England and their own depraved entertainment, they are not the most enjoyable people to spend time with. When one of them gets murdered at a sex party, I wanted to get up and cheer. But as Darcy and Georgie find the body, they get into investigating but no one really cares who did it including the reader.
August 21, 2019
2019 bk 262. Another excellent entry in the Royal Spyness series. My only wish, that Rhys Bowen had opened with the wedding, I would have loved more details of that. I love Mrs. Simpson's /David's snippy comment - "We weren't invited to the wedding." Of course not - the Queen does not want Mrs. Simpson in her presence ninny. Any way, I digress - Darcy and Georgiana begin their honeymoon on a houseboat moored on the Thames - until they run out of food, at that point they return home for food and comfort and a royal tea party. It is there under questioning that Darcy reveals the next part of their honeymoon will be in Kenya. The pair fly to the African Colony where they are immediately embroiled in the activities and misadventures of the Happy Valley set - and set out to solve both the real and the cover mysteries that is the reason behind that location for the honeymoon. Georgiana has problems of her own - the queen has charged her with keeping David and Mrs. Simpson from getting married while in Kenya, how is one honeymooner to do that?
March 13, 2019
What could be more thrilling than to dip into a story featuring our favorite couple, Georgina and Darcy, right in the middle of the notorious Happy Valley set in 1930's Kenya? I've read many accounts of Happy Valley, so it was super exciting to discover that this iconic group of decadent settlers was included in the story.
The young couple is on their honeymoon but that doesn't stop the intrigue. This may be the very best in the series - but it is one of my favorite series, so it's hard to choose! I loved the setting, certainly. Finally getting to this stage in the saga of Georgina and Darcy is very rewarding, too. Bowen is an effortless writer - the prose flows, the plots intrigue, and the characters delight! Lovely!
The young couple is on their honeymoon but that doesn't stop the intrigue. This may be the very best in the series - but it is one of my favorite series, so it's hard to choose! I loved the setting, certainly. Finally getting to this stage in the saga of Georgina and Darcy is very rewarding, too. Bowen is an effortless writer - the prose flows, the plots intrigue, and the characters delight! Lovely!
December 23, 2023
Wasn’t as good as previous book! Too many characters and the ending was a bit rushed. I’m looking forward to the next few books as the time period rapidly changes
September 3, 2019
Another fun adventure with Georgie and Darcy. I enjoyed the African setting and appreciate that Bowen did not sanitize the prejudices of the era. The attitudes are important for the story and lend authenticity to the tale. The resolution(s) of the murder mystery and other threads is somewhat hasty. Still, a satisfying read.
August 19, 2019
Love my yearly dose of Her Royal Spyness! This year's honeymoon trip to Kenya wasn't quite what I'd hoped but the mystery was solved on a bittersweet note; Georgie followed her heart on this one and it touched my own heart a bit as well.
July 10, 2025
3.5 🌟. I really enjoy this series. Georgie is one of my favorite characters. This time Georgie and Darcy are on their honeymoon in Africa. I was interested to read this since it's based on a real murder that took place in the Happy Valley of Kenya. Unlike the real murder, this time the crime is solved. This is a glimpse of the shallow, self centered aristocrats that made up the community.
August 3, 2021
This book not as good as some other books in the series. Still an interesting story though
August 10, 2019
Not up to the previous Royal Spyness
The murder didn't seem to be the focus of the book. While the story moved the series along, it appeared to be just bits and pieces hung together - the lifestyle of the rich and decadent in Happy Valley, the difficulty of getting from England to Kenya, the murder, the approaching world war. Not one of Bowen's best, but I have faith she will bounce back in the next book.
The murder didn't seem to be the focus of the book. While the story moved the series along, it appeared to be just bits and pieces hung together - the lifestyle of the rich and decadent in Happy Valley, the difficulty of getting from England to Kenya, the murder, the approaching world war. Not one of Bowen's best, but I have faith she will bounce back in the next book.
August 27, 2019
Loved all the other “Spyness” novels. This one was very different and not just because Georgie is now married to Darcy.
The Africa setting was too far afield from what these novels have been in the past. I’m still not even sure why Darcy was sent to Africa in the first place.
There were some rather horrid people and I missed Queenie. Queenie in Africa would have been a hoot.
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs lost that nice cozy feel of the other books.
The Africa setting was too far afield from what these novels have been in the past. I’m still not even sure why Darcy was sent to Africa in the first place.
There were some rather horrid people and I missed Queenie. Queenie in Africa would have been a hoot.
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs lost that nice cozy feel of the other books.
July 18, 2022
Love and Death Among the Cheetahs by Rhys Bowen is the 13th book in the Her Royal Spyness Mystery series. Georgie and Darcy travel to Kenya for their honeymoon, but find themselves investigating a murder as well as searching for a jewel thief. Fun and entertaining. It was nice to have this book focus mainly on Georgie and Darcy with only mentions of the other secondary characters. I loved the descriptions of the setting and the safari experience. A light and enjoyable cozy mystery.
March 15, 2024
The murder was boring but I found all the people we met in Kenya to be interesting. The African safari setting isn't something I would ever be interested in but the change of atmosphere was nice. I will be glad to be back with the old gang in the next book but hopefully, with less of Mrs. Simpson. I really don't like or care about her or David.
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