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(review 2)A Royal Spyness
Mystery #8
Rhys Bowen
Berkley Prime Crime
August 4, 2015 / ISBN 978-0425260647
Mystery //Historical - 1934, Europe & Hollywood
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
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Georgiana Rannoch, whose great-great grandmother was Queen
Victoria, is penniless and staying with friends when her actress
mother, Clare Daniels, scoops in and whisks Georgie off to
the Continent. They travel on the SS Berengaria, along with
movie impresario Cy Goldman, his star Stella Brightwell whom
Clare knows, and Juan, a young Spaniard whom Cy wants to cast
in his upcoming movie. One evening, Georgie sees something
fall overboard. Though no one is missing, a precious ruby
and diamond ring are. Georgie's beau, Scotland Yard detective
Darcy O'Mara, is on board following a jewel thief, but his
attempts to find the thief and the stolen items are unsuccessful.
After arriving in New York, Georgie and her mother head to
Reno, where Clare hopes to divorce her current husband so
she can marry a rich German. Cy convinces Clare to star in
his next movie and they head for Hollywood, then to Cy's retreat
castle with the cast for a break. After Cy meets Darcy, he
asks the young detective to take over Juan's role. Then Cy
is found, slain by one of a pair of precious bejeweled Sterling
silver candlesticks.
This is my first excursion into the world of Rhys Bowen's
Royal Spyness mysteries, and the Queen of Hearts was for me
a lighthearted romp into Hollywood history. Georgie reminded
me of Australian Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series, which
I adore, as well as P.G. Wodehouse and other English authors
who have a knack for writing charming mysteries that can keep
me entranced for hours. The novel had sparks of humor, spattered
with keen observations and references to people we recognize,
such as Mrs. Simpson, William Randolph Hearst and a devilish
Charlie Chaplin. Queen of Hearts is an enchanting and entertaining
mystery, and a thoroughly delightful read.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Her Royal Spyness #1 [review]
A Royal Pain #2 [review]
Naughty
in Nice
#5 [review]
The Twelve Clues of Christmas #6 [review]
Heirs and Graces #7 [review]
Queen of Hearts #8 [review
1] [review
2]
Malice in the Palace #9 [review]
Crowned and Dangerous #10 [review
1] [review
2]
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