Royal Flush (A Royal Spyness Mystery) Mass Market Paperback – September 7, 2010

Interesting characters. Lots! Interesting time.

I enjoy the wit and mild insanity of this series; it reminds me a little of the Lord Peter Wimsey series ( Whose Body? (Lord Peter Wimsey) , Lord Peter : The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories ) of Dorothy Sayers or the Albert Campion series ( More Work for the Undertaker (Albert Campion Mystery) , Flowers for the Judge: #7 Albert Campion mystery ) by Marjorie Allingham. I often felt that the two should go on forever so that I could enjoy the company of the characters. In a way Ms Bowen's series fills the gap created by their end.Here too the central character, again a side-lined member of the British aristocracy though female this time, is caught up in a murder at the behest of others and manages to solve it by intelligent sleuthing before the formal authorities are able to do so. The setting, again, is between the world wars. Modern society is "going to the dogs," running amuck with "free love," alcohol, and drugs--in short, just the same complaints laid at the feet of the younger generation by the older that has been going on for generations! The modern reader is at once treated to life in the so-called "fast lane" in a familiar fashion while being given a much needed breather from the massive technology of our own age. For those of the 1920's and 1930's breakneck speed is 50 miles per hour, "test" speeds are in the 70's, and the airplane is still something that a wealthy private person can "tinker" with as a hobby. How delightful and uncomplicated.Ms Bowen's plots in this series seem a little weak at times, almost invented as simple backdrops for the social story. She's very clever at introducing shear chance into her story by way of red herrings, but sometimes I feel a little cheated in the end. My experience of the classic murder mystery--and this book is essentially that--leads me to expect that every event that misleads must also be explained, and I don't always feel the author is able to do that.While I sometimes take issue with her plots, I find Ms Bowen's characters and their ambience are wonderful. The heroine, Lady Georgiana, is ditzy enough to be thoroughly enjoyable, and the collateral characters are even more fun. I especially enjoy the frision of mixed feelings between the heroine and the dark, enigmatic Darcy O'Mara--he strikes me as being akin to that epitome of dark, enigmatic hero, the Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Amazing what just the right amount of absence-of-information can do for a story. I also always enjoy a visit from Lady Georgiana's mother, the "notorious bolter" and classic anti-mother. This lady's interactions, particularly with the unpleasant Mrs. Simpson, are worth the price of the book. Unfortunately her appearances are all too infrequent and brief. Georgiana's granddad, the retired London bobby, are also entertaining, and he appears and takes an active part in all three books. It is principally his presence in the midst of activities in "polite" society that makes the whole thing work as well as it does, since it brings into stark contrast the differences between the classes and just what this means for the heroine.More than anything, these books are about a society undergoing change at a turning point in history. The growing pains of a world in transition are very familiar to us all; this book makes it clear that it has never been otherwise.

This is the third book in a new cozy mystery series by the author, and it is a winner. This is a charming, funny look at life among the upper crust in 1930s England, as seen through the eyes of Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, known as Georgie to those near and dear. Her grandmother was one of Queen Victoria's daughters, making Georgie thirty-fourth in line to the throne.Georgie is definitely a thoroughly modern Millie, who is currently living alone in her family's New Hyde Park London townhouse, where she fends for herself as best she can. While there, she meets old acquaintances, makes new friends, and feels romantic stirrings for an irresistible and handsome Irish peer, Unfortunately, she is flat broke, as her brother, Binky, cut off her allowance due to a reversal of fortune.So, what is a girl to do, especially a royal who is not supposed to work? Well, having already tried a stint as a cleaning lady, Georgie decides to do something else. What Georgie comes up with is sure to set tongues wagging were members of her set to find out, and it would certainly get the Queen in a tizzy were she to discover Georgie's new occupation and means of support. Apparently, Georgie has decided to advertise herself as an escort, and what she thinks the duties of an escort are is at odds with what her clients think they are.Of course, all this is great fun, and it leads to Georgie being set up on a secret assignment involving the Royal Family by Scotland Yard. So, mystery abounds. There is also a certain amount of hilarity when Georgie is on her family's estate in Scotland, and her brother and sister-in-law are entertaining a group of Americans that includes Ernest and Wallis Simpson. Coincidentally, the Prince of Wales is close by at Balmoral. This leads to a lot of delicious and humorous encounters.As with all cozy mysteries, it is the lives of the characters that propel the story forward. While the mystery is intriguing, it is merely the framework around which the characters evolve. The combination of some history with mystery, as well as a touch of romance, is irresistible. Set within the social mores of the time, all the characters, both downstairs and upstairs, manage to add to the ambience of the book. Those who enjoy cozy British mysteries will find this one to be an entertaining and humorous romp.

This story involves the king and queen and even princess elizabeth. Also prince david and Mrs. Simpson. I like that real people and events are mixed up in this story. Georgie has quite the adventure in this book.

Interesting look at the time and characters. Enjoyed seeing Darcy make an appearance but I am sort of sad he has to rescue our heroine again. Honestly I would like to see her rescue herself more often. Seeing the young Elizabeth in her pony and being so cool was brilliant

Fun story for a weekend of reading. Some parts were a stretch, but Rhys Bowen knows how to tell a good story.

I am currently bowling through this series and each book is witty, intriguing and entertaining. You warm to the characters and I cannot put the books down. Georgie is a gem and you find yourself routing for her as embarks on another mystery. You can read each book independently but I would recommend starting at the beginning to really enjoy these stories. Just love them!

Although I enjoyed the historical background and references to factual people and events of the period.I found the story a little too complex and rather too many characters to keep tabs on.However I did enjoy the book and it certainly made me smile

This series is absolutely great. I do love Georgiana and Wish she was real, it would be delightful to meet such a sensible and clver and self confident lady!Long may she tell us her stories-though I do think it is time she married her Darcy!

It was a good storyline but would have been better if there weren't so many typos that should have been edited out

5+++++. Agatha Christie could have written this series. It's GREAT!!!!! Hardly seemed read. Looked nearly new!