Book Review - God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen

One more holiday themed mystery, just in case you are missing all the holiday movies and such!  You have to ween yourself!

"Georgie is back and hanging the stockings with care when a murder interrupts her Christmas cheer in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness series from Rhys Bowen."  See what I thought of the newest in this historical cozy mystery series.

Here are the reviews I have posted of prior books in the series. 

#14 The Last Mr. Summers (click here)

#8 Queen of Hearts (click here) 

#7 Heirs and Graces (click here)

#6 The Twelve Clues of Christmas (click here)

#5 Naughty in Nice (click here) 

#4 Royal Blood (click here) 

Author interviews and guest posts:

2017 (click here) 

2016 (click here) 

2010 (click here) 

Author: Rhys Bowen

Copyright: Oct 2021 (Berkley) 302 pgs

Series: 15th in Royal Spyness Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: historical Cozy, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Lady Georgianna, 35th in line for the throne, cousin to the prince 

Setting: 1935, Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England

Obtained Through: Netgalley for an honest review

Book Blurb: "Georgie is excited for her first Christmas as a married woman in her lovely new home. She suggests to her dashing husband, Darcy, that they have a little house party, but when Darcy receives a letter from his aunt Ermintrude, there is an abrupt change in plans. She has moved to a house on the edge of the Sandringham estate, near the royal family, and wants to invite Darcy and his new bride for Christmas. Aunt Ermintrude hints that the queen would like Georgie nearby. Georgie had not known that Aunt Ermintrude was a former lady-in-waiting and close confidante of her royal highness. The letter is therefore almost a royal request, so Georgie, Darcy, and their Christmas guests: Mummy, Grandad, Fig, and Binky all head to Sandringham.

Georgie soon learns that the notorious Mrs. Simpson, mistress to the Prince of Wales, will also be in attendance. It is now crystal clear to Georgie that the Queen expects her to do a bit of spying. There is tension in the air from the get-go, and when Georgie pays a visit to the queen, she learns that there is more to her request than just some simple eavesdropping. There have been a couple of strange accidents at the estate recently. Two gentlemen of the royal household have died in mysterious circumstances and another has been shot by mistake during a hunt. Georgie begins to suspect that a member of the royal family is the real target but her investigation will put her new husband and love of her life, Darcy, in the crosshairs of a killer."

Georgiana is still self-conscious as she tries to be more mature as a married woman, but she can't change her sleuthing ways. Especially when the Queen asks for her to investigate.  Darcy and his rather carefree single days raise a specter that he and Georgie must deal with in this addition to the series.  Georgiana's brother "Binky" and his wife "Fig" invite themselves along and Fig is still insufferable.  Darcy's Aunt Ermintrude is an eccentric artist and was once part of the Queen's retinue and close confidante who has fallen on hard times since her husband's death.  Georgiana's mother, a former actress who is now the steady girlfriend of a German businessman, joins the festivities and has less of a role than usual.  Queenie, the walking disaster zone, is working in the kitchen for the most part when she isn't ruining some lady's dress or other mishap.  The Prince (Georgiana's cousin) and Mrs. Simpson, the American Divorcee, are present and part of the reason why Georgie and her group have been invited.  

My Thoughts:  

I enjoyed this addition to the series.  The accidents that were really murders are well done for creating a suspicious environment where everyone could be the killer.  Were the victims the intended target, or were they mistakes trying to kill the Prince?  This kept me reading and guessing.  The 20,000 acre Sandringham estate (where the royal family spends every Christmas) was a great location and felt isolated and eerie at times.  Georgie has developed well in her deductive skills and that is tested as well as how secure she feels with Darcy.  The characters are all real-feeling, the setting is shared faithfully, the mystery isn't easy to figure out, and I didn't realize who the killer was until Georgie did and it will surprise many.  This is a delightful mystery that provides a great escape with an interesting tableau and puzzle to solve.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Here is a short video of Sandringham House 

from a tourist.