A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen (A Royal Spyness Mystery: Book Two)

Publication Date:

July 1, 2008

Length:

320 Pages

Summary:

I read the first book in the series awhile ago but for some reason didn't write a review. I decided to start with book two and have requested the latest book from Net Galley to review. While I'd enjoy the whole series I just don't have time to read them all right now but this book gave me some refresher on the main characters in case I get approved to read the new one. 

Lady Georgiana is a hot mess. She is living in sparse conditions in her family's London townhouse with a secret job as a maid of sorts for the aristocracy. While her job is easy and gives her a little money and flexibility it doesn't erase the fact that she is distantly related to royalty and must keep up personal appearances. In her struggles she is aided often by her flighty, independently wealthy friend, Belinda. 

When the queen summons Georgie to help her with her wayward son, David (the current Prince of Wales) and his scandalous interaction with the infamous Wallis Simpson, she can hardly refuse. During the course of the visits to the queen, Georgie is forced to take on Princess Hannelore of Bavaria and her entourage as guests so that the Prince can hopefully be persuaded to fall in love and forget his mistress. 

Princess Hannelore is naive, young, and innocent and although has watched her fair share of American gangster movies (through which she has acquired a way of speaking with inappropriate slang) is not equipped to handle the bustle of London society with ease. She proves to be a difficult charge to keep out of trouble and when two murders occur involving people with ties to political tensions of the day, Georgie must try to keep her wits about her all while protecting the Princess, pleasing the queen, her clients, and convincing her family all is well. This while trying herself to solve the murders along with her love interest, Darcy.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I liked it better than the first one. The characters were more established and interesting and I thought it was hilarious. The first book was too but it just wasn't as exciting and the plot seemed to drag a bit. I felt it was more of an introduction to things. I almost didn't read book two because of that but I'm glad I did and will carry on with the series as I can. I sometimes realize when I'm blogging a review that I tend to read books that aren't new but hopefully someone like me hasn't read these yet and the above information will be helpful!

This mystery was well thought out. It had lots of twists and there were some things I suspected about the murderer that turned out to be true but it didn't spoil the fun of the story. Georgie's mother is a great addition to the cast and is the polar opposite of her more introverted, modest daughter. It reminds me of the dynamic with Hannah Swenson of the Murder She Baked series of Hallmark and her mother. While Georgie is a one man woman and only has eyes for Darcy, her mother is on multiple husbands and looking for another. She means well but is flighty and self indulgent. It makes a good storyline between them.

Princess Hannelore, the queen, and even Mrs. Simpson are all portrayed just as you'd expect and although the Princess is not a real person you feel as though she is with her development throughout the story. She wants to party and be out and about and you feel for Georgie as she is constantly trying to stay one step ahead of her. 

There weren't a lot of cons to this story. Just a funny, cozy mystery with a good plot and murder to solve. I enjoyed it!