Royal Blood

Her Royal Spyness #4

by Rhys Bowen

A royal wedding brings Lady Georgiana Rannoch to Transylvania and lands her in a truly draining state of affairs in the fourth mystery in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness series.

London, 1932 . With her hateful brother Binky in town, Georgie has been desperately seeking an escape. So when an invitation from the Queen of England arrives asking her to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania—legendary home of vampires—she's delighted to accept. But when the bride starts acting a little batty and a prominent wedding guest is poisoned, something must be done lest the couple's vows become "till undeath do they part..."

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Audiobook

305 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 7, 2010

About the author

I'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

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series definitely leans well towards the cosy type of mystery. The books are light with some very quirky characters and huge entertainment value.

In Royal Blood Georgiana is selected on precisely that basis. As a cousin to the king her blood is royal enough that she is sent to represent the royal family at a wedding in, of all places, Transylvania. The only thing which goes right for her in the whole book is that her favourite person, Darcy O'Mara, turns up there too.

There are whispers of vampires, people die suddenly, others fall into oubliettes, someone is seen drinking blood. It is actually all a bit silly but in the nicest possible way. I enjoyed it very much.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I really do love a trip to see Lady Georgiana! Afterall she is of royal blood... being 34th in line for the throne...not too shabby lol. I was a little hesitant about this visit. Although I was excited to hear I wouldn’t have to deal with Binky and Fig (thank goodness), and that Georgie was getting some independence…I was shocked that she was living in London with no heat, no servants, hardly any food, and no job. Somehow, I knew Fig was behind this. What an awful woman! However, this would not sway me from a chance to catch up with Georgie, Darcy, Belinda, and fingers crossed maybe even the QUEEN. Wouldn’t that be something? Arriving and settling in at Georgie’s was just as I expected. Georgie informed me that she was indeed being summoned to the castle by the QUEEN. OH MY GOSH!!! OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! This was so exciting, but Georgie seemed more apprehensive then excited. She reminded me that when she is summoned to the castle it is usually for a favor (or an order really since you don’t say no to the QUEEN). As we were talking about what the QUEEN might want Georgie got a horrific phone call. No, No one died it was her brother and sister in law (bleh) informing Georgie they were coming to stay in London for the winter. Drat...I thought I was going to get out of seeing them this time around. They arrived at the most inopportune time...Georgie and I ran into Darcy and things got a little crazy. Darcy escorted us home and was still there when you know whose showed up. Man, all the yelling...Georgie and I were both sporting massive hangovers. When Darcy finally made his exit Binky and Fig started making demands...a fire be made, breakfast...unreal. In all the hubbub we forgot about lunch with the QUEEN...well until the escort arrived that is. I will say the outrage and jealousy from Fig was worth it!! Lol. I wished Georgie luck with her visit, and quietly made off myself. Anywhere was better than staying with those two. Later, Georgie filled me in on her visit. She is going to represent the Royal family at a wedding in Transylvania. A ROYAL WEDDING!!...and I was going to get to go?? OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! After some breathing in a bag (lol) we were off to Romania. Things were going well ( I mean I was a little creeped out to be in Transylvania...isn’t this where all the vampires are?) that is until one of the guests turns up dead. I was ready to get out of there, but I knew Georgie was going to stick her nose into figuring out what was going on. She always does. Which translates into me helping lol. There was one OTHER thing keeping me from leaving this spooky castle we were snowed in...no one was going anywhere…




Another royal installment to this series! The change in settings was so cool. I loved the idea of the castle in Transylvania! The author does a fantastic job painting the picture. I really felt like I was walking those spooky halls. The usual cast of lovable characters were all present. I even like that Binky and Fig were included (they are so much fun to dislike). This installment was enhanced by the addition of Georgie’s “maid” Queenie. She was so not like what you would imagine for a servant in those times and made for some hilarious incidents. I hope to see more of her in the future lol. I can’t say enough what a fun series this is! I am already planning my next visit...i just need a little rest after this one lol.


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[Ingie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review written January 8, 2017

3 1/2 Stars - Another fun and cozy 1930s mystery adventure with Lady Georgie

Book #4

Her Royal Spyness is one of my favorite cozy mystery audiobooks series. Always jolly fun to meet the British Queen's amateur spy in the 1930s. — Time for the fourth installment.

Year 1934...
Our heroine Lady Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie Rannoch, is a cousin of King George V of England and when the Queen ask it's hard to say a simple "NO". Our poor penniless heroine is consequently leaving London for far away east Europe to represent the royalties at a foreign relatives a Romanian princess' wedding.

Our Gergie is this time traveling with a quite hopeless (actually hilarious..) newly found chambermaid (Queenie) and two older very proper 'English' ladies as chaperones. They all arrives in a very cold, white and snowy Transylvania and already the second evening is there a murder case to solve. They are all running around in this big castle in the middle of royalties (... and of course are there blood-drinking vampires and scary howling wolves in the corners). Luckily is gorgeous sexy, as always shamelessly flirting, Darcy O'Mara (will it ever be?) appearing as well. Hmmm!!!

I was listening with a (loving dorky oldish style UK stuff) big happy smile — This fourth installment Royal Blood isn't in any way stunning fab or very exclusive newish but I got 9:25 good audiobook hours. As always excellent narrated by Katherine Kellgren.

A non-romance series I will stay with.

I LIKE - to know what to expect

[Zyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love how cozy the books in this series are.
i have come to like the characters so much.
i absolutely loved the addition of queenie in this book & its also going to be continued. i m going to get to read more antics of her. i am so looking forward to it.

[Jude: The Epic Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this one! I love being in Transylvania with the gang. I love the process Darcy and Georgie are making, still going slow which I like (this is a long series). Belinda and the mom are still really fun, definitely don't think they treat Georgie with all the respect she deserves but whatever. Queenie finally showed up (which I was really dreading) but she was funnier than I remember, I'm still dreading most of her parts though.

[Natalia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series!Such a fun,entertaining historical cozy.

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I enjoyed another great Georgiana adventure. In this edition she is to represent the Royal family by attending a wedding of the Prince of Transylvania, at a family castle in Transylvania. Hilarity ensues when she is, at the last minute, indentured with a maid who is anything but cultured or proficient. Upon her arrival, after a long journey fraught with strange events, she is to find out that her presence there may not be by chance or simple representation. A fun romp with some of the reoccurring characters, in a spooky old castle, cut off from civilization. Imaginations are heightened and running rampant, after the death of one of the guests, that may or may not have been murder. Katherine Kellgren does a fantastic job as Georgiana and takes all the characters on an exciting ride.

[Annu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, what a delightful book!! I had a smile plastered on my face all throughout while reading this book. Georgie as usual is sent on a voyage by the queen representing the royal house to Romania, the place known for vampires, to attend a royal wedding. Her companion lady Middlesex was an utter delight. Sure enough when she reaches the castle, she sees a vampire, but Georgie isn’t sure if it really is a vampire or something shady happening at the castle. And when a murder occurs at the castle, Georgie is thrown into solving what really is going on in this place. There were all the usual characters, which added to so much comedy. But my absolute favourite character in this book was hands-down Queenie, and I’m so glad we’ll be seeing more of her in the series.

[Melissa McShane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm increasingly dissatisfied with this series, probably because it suffers so much in comparison to the other series I'm reading. The problem with this one is that Georgie comes off as kind of stupid, particularly in supposing that real vampires could be responsible for the mayhem surrounding her school friend's nuptials. I also didn't like her temporary maid Queenie, who is also extremely stupid but is meant to be endearing, and the fact that Queenie is going to be a recurring character or at least appear in the next book makes me less interested in reading it. And I'm getting tired of Georgie and Darcy dancing around the issue of whether they have a relationship or not. I didn't realize how much I liked Georgie's grandfather until he wasn't in the book, and it turns out he's one of my favorite parts of the series, so that might have contributed to my dissatisfaction. I may or may not continue; the series has been a good way to occupy my brain during my short break, when I don't want to get into something I care more about.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! The audiobooks are also excellently done by Katherine Kellgren. She does a great job on all the accents.

The characters are fun and the historical context is engaging. The period between the Wars is one of my favorites. But she also refers to all sorts of things: the rise of Hitler, the Bolsheviks, the Abdication Crisis, the Depression.

The romance is nice too. You want one of them to find some hidden inheritance so they can marry, but I think the tension is great too! Love it!!

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read about Lady Georgie. In this one she finds her maid and they have to travel immediately to Romania for a wedding. There is lots of murder and mayhem and a few funny bits. Darcy shows up and I adore Darcy. He sure helps Georgie out as she inadvertently becomes engaged to fish face again. Wish I had the next one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Penniless and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself in a truly draining state of affairs. To escape her hateful sister-in-law, Georgie accepts an invitation from the Queen to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania. But at the macabre-looking castle, Georgie finds the bride with blood running down her chin, and a wedding guest is poisoned. Now it’s up to Georgie to save the nuptial festivities before the couple’s vows become “to love and to cherish, till ‘undeath’ do them part…”'
_________________________________

4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.

Royal Blood is the fourth book in Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series and is a historical mystery set into he 1930s.

I'm so glad that it lined up perfectly for me to be reading this particular book in the series so close to Halloween, it was the perfect fun and spooky vibe with the Transylvanian castle, Georgie's fear of vampires, and a murder.

I love that the main characters tend to make an appearance in ridiculous fashion. Like Belinda for example, getting herself invited to the weedding in the most absured fashion. Georgie has gotten a new lay's maid and despite Queenie's inability to play the part of a proper lady's maid, I'm honestly loving her. She's such a disaster, I love it.

Darcy is so yummy, but so infuriating. I don't understand how he is constantly surprised by Georgie's unwillingness to put faith in his affections when he fades in and out of her life like a phantom. Things are improving here though! I hope they don't take any big steps back in the next book.

One thing bothered me from the book, and it truly doesn't matter to the plot itself but I felt like it was a missed potential. When Georgie startles the bride, who has lost a shocking amount of weight since they were at school together and Georgie is beginning to fear may be a vampire, and finds her with(what appears to be) blood dripping off her chin in a secluded staircase. My suspicion was that it was from bullmia since she'd lost so much weight, but instead it was filling from some pies she was binge eating in secret. It just seems a little silly to me that Georgie, who has so much experience with stumbling across murders, would confuse cherry tart filling for blood and turn and flee. Granted her fear of the castle was getting the best of her, but still. Overall though, this has been one of my favorites in the series so far.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series, I adore Georgie's character. Looking forward to the next book.

[Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieser Band hat mir ganz besonders gefallen. Eine ablegene und eingeschneite Burg, eine königliche Hochzeit und Morde. Würde am liebsten gleich weiterhören.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Royal Spyness series! Georgie ends up in Transylvania of all places and of course Darcy, Belinda and her mother are all around somehow! A fun romp in a possibly vampire-ridden castle.... I love these audiobooks! So well done.....onto book 5!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royal Blood
4 Stars

Lady Georgianna Rannoch is sent to represent the British Royal family at a wedding in Transylvania. However, events soon escalate out of control at gloomy Bran Castle when Georgie sees the bride drinking blood; an annoying politician is poisoned at the dinner table, and her incompetent maid disappears into thin air. Can Georgie solve the mystery before she becomes one of the undead?

Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series is silly and predictable, but also a lot of fun, especially the audiobook version narrated by the incredible Katherine Kellgren.

As with previous installments, the murder investigation isn't the most original, and the identity of the culprit is easy to guess. Nevertheless, Georgie's detecting skills are improving although her willingness to accept vampires as an explanation, even if for a short time, is a bit mind boggling.

Darcy O'Mara puts in another appearance as Georgie's enigmatic love interest. Darcy's attitudes are not always the most appealing, but he does seem to be developing a genuine affection for Georgie. Time will tell if he lives up to his potential.

All in all, an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more about Georgie's shenanigans.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Her Royal Spyness series sees Lady Georgiana - "Georgie" to her family and friends - sent off to Transylvania to represent the royal family at the nuptials that will unite Prince Nicholas of Bulgaria to Princess Marie Teresa of Romania. Georgie, in danger of being "on the shelf" at the ripe old age of 22, suspects that this is yet another ploy by her royal relatives to set her up with the Romanian Crown Prince...which wouldn't be so bad except that he prefers men and goes by the unattractive nickname of "fishface". Georgie has more important matters to worry about soon enough however what with the possibility of vampires scaling the castle walls and an important political figure dropping dead at dinner.

This is just a fun series. Period. It's nothing to be taken seriously and if you're looking for solid mysteries you won't find them here. What you will find is a highly likable heroine, some fun and quirky secondary characters, and some smile-inducing shenanigans. I continue to highly recommend reading this series via audiobook. The narrator is outstanding. I find it perfect to listen to while on the treadmill.

[Lesa Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

11/1/17
This one had to be my favorite one out of the whole series. I enjoyed laughing while reading this book. Loved how the setting took place in Romania in a nice creepy large gothic like a castle. of course someone died, murdered and Georgie was on it trying to find out who the murder was. I had my ideas on who it could have been, but I was completely wrong. But loved the story and I can't wait to move on to book #5 now.

Reread 9/22/18
I love this cozy read. Better the second time. Love the sense of humor about the story. Got my laughs on. This when Queenie was introduced omg gotta love her so much. The dark gothic like setting still nice.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen is the 4th book in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Lady Georgiana Runnoch travels to Romania to represent the Royals at a wedding, but when a guest is poisoned, she is once again investigating a murder. I loved the addition of Queenie and look forward to her progress in the next instalment. I especially love the narrator in the audible version and she she does a wonderful job with all the different voices and accents.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampires, Transylvania Castle, Murder… oh my! 🧛‍♂️ Perfect October read! I loved meeting Queenie (Lady G’s “lady’s maid”). She’s just the right amount of humor this series needs. I listened to this via audible and while I highly enjoyed it, every time Darcy was talking I was cringing at the super cheesy Irish accent. 🫣 but that won’t stop me from moving forward with this series!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to the structure of the first two books in this series, Her Royal Spyness and A Royal Pain, there's no mystery until a murder occurs almost exactly halfway through the book. This time, though, the whole second half of the book is full of amateur detection, police, and general fuss about the dastardly deed, because, you see, it can't easily be kept secret but public revelation of the murder could cause a war between Romania and Bulgaria.

That's right. London for the first two books, Scotland for the third, and now (still in 1932) the queen sends Georgie (Lady Georgiana, great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and 34th in line to the throne) to Transylvania. To a remote snowbound castle no less. Vampires! There are strange happenings at the castle from beginning to end, and Georgie keeps thinking vampires. It's a relief to get back to solid ground once she has a real-life murder to deal with.

The cast of characters includes some familiar faces--Georgie's love interest Darcy O'Mara, her suitor Prince Siegfried (aka Fishface), and her best friend Belinda the apostle of free love still trying to convert virginal Georgie. As the blurb tells us, her "old school chum Matty" has invited her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding at that castle: Matty is really Princess Maria Theresa of Romania, about to marry Prince Nicholas of Bulgaria, and Georgie will also be King George's official representative at the wedding.

Comic blunders ensue as Georgie, still penniless, tries to hold her own in one impossible social situation after another...but this time the adventure element overshadows the comedy. It's still charming, but not as funny as the first two books. Maybe that's because I didn't get many laughs from Queenie, hired in a pinch in London because no one in royal circles would ever travel without a maid. Poor Queenie, who's never done anything like this before, keeps saying things like "Bob's your uncle, miss" instead of "Yes, my lady." She's truly a fish out of water, and she has a terrible time. I felt sorry for her--hard up for work, willing to do anything for a pittance, and scared out of her mind at what she'd gotten herself into. Was she really supposed to be comic material? Humor is individual, I know.

The fun of this book shades into excitement as Georgie's predicaments multiply beyond all bounds. The suspense grows, and there will be physical danger for Georgie and others before it's over. It's an old castle in Transylvania, after all, and life could be scary in that part of the world. After a certain point (no spoilers, sorry) I found I couldn't put the book down.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it, I caved and pushed on through to read this one, even though I try to make it a personal rule not to read more than two books from the same series in a row. I keep that rule, because I find that I get burnt out on characters in a series, especially if it's a long series, if I read more than two in a row. But I am absolutely NOT burnt out on this series or the characters yet!

Georgie is once again extremely charming and hilarious in her sleuthing. Darcy and Belinda, also, come to Transylvania, though in a more roundabout way in Belinda's case, so the main crew is on center stage for the majority of this book. You see a lot more of Darcy and more scenes with he and Georgie, also in this book, which is a very good thing, though I still wish Ms. Bowen would reveal more about Darcy and what he does for a living, but he's still a good, solid character.

A new character joins the cast for this installment, Queenie, a hilarious maid who is employed by Georgiana and is helpless when it comes to doing her job. I really liked Queenie, he didn't know quite how to be a proper maid, but she tried and was extremely earnest in her trials.

The plot was simply amazing, you couldn't go wrong with it. A spooky Transylvanian castle, legends of vampires, a few murders, and a royal wedding. It was wonderful. However, the mystery was quite lacking. Before in her books Ms. Bowen has done a wonderful job of plotting the mystery, however in this book it fell quite flat. The murderer was quite obvious, but he was quite detached from what was going on. I like a huge "wow" moment when I read a mystery when the murderer completely blows me away because I never expected them. However, that wasn't the cast here.

Overall an amazing book with a stellar cast of characters, however a weak mystery plot makes me take off one star, giving Royal Blood 4/5 stars. But I would still recommend this book highly to anyone. Can't wait for the next one!

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if I've ever described a book as "just pure fun", but if I were to do so it would be in reference to Royal Blood, the fourth story featuring penniless, noticeably single and 34th-in-line to the British throne Lady Georgianna "Georgie" Rannoch. Because that's what it is.

Georgie is asked by Queen Mary to attend a wedding at an ancient castle in Transylvania. Georgie has no choice but to agree, and figures it will be wonderful. The bride is an old school mate, and also a princess marrying a prince. It will be luxurious! It will be relaxing! It will be none of those things. Instead there is a snowstorm, rumors of vampires, drafts, "Bob's yer uncle" and murder. Georgie soon finds herself thrust into the reluctant role of sleuth in the hopes of preventing an international incident.

The strength of this book is its mix of drama, comedy and setting. I would wager that comedy is the most difficult of the three, but Rhys Bowen does it expertly. The humor in this book is not forced or silly, because it comes from the cores of the characters. When a book has clearly-drawn characters, their personal foibles and personas are a virtual well of humor -and drama - if played right. And it is so in this book. I had pretty much figured out many of the little mysteries halfway through (any reader paying attention to details will), but I didn't care all that much because the real draw is Georgie and her supporting cast. The setting - a stone castle set on a crag in the land of Vlad the Impaler - is perhaps the perfect mystery locale.

So, Bob's yer uncle.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying Rhys Bowen's stories about Lady Georgiana, cousin to King George, and think this 4th and most recent book in the series is the best so far. Lady Georgiana goes to Transylvania to be a member of a wedding party, and the topic of vampires is central. I am not generally attracted to vampire stories, but I read this one because of the continuing tale of Lady Georgiana. The story incorporates the traditional idea of vampires (dress, behavior, aversion to garlic, crosses, wooden stakes, etc.) but instead of dwelling on the presence of a vampire, it plays on the influence of Bram Stoker's novel, and the implied history of Vlad the Impaler. There is a murder mystery to be solved and I think the plot was well crafted. I have been captured by Lady Georgiana's romantic interest in the handsome Irishman, Darcy O'Mara (there must be some influence here from Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice). He is still mysterious and I certainly hope that Rhys Bowen gives us more of him. I don't generally read romance novels, either, but this is very romantic without being a bodice-ripper.

I think this novel would stand on it's own, but I recommend reading the first three in the series first, for the background events that are only hinted at in this book.

[Sigrid A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, don't judge, but I'm powering my way through this (admittedly fluffy) series, and it is the perfect distraction during Michigan's shelter-in-place order to combat COVID-19. This one is fun because there's a gothic element to it. Georgie has to go off to a scary castle in Transylvania, and you can imagine what kinds of things start happening. This is another excellent addition to the series.

[The Audiobookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ★ Audiobook

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4th in a series) As Georgie’s brother and his wife come to London and are appalled at how Georgie lives, Georgie is asked by the queen to represent the royal family at a royal wedding in Romania. But Georgie is expected to bring her (nonexistent!) maid. At the last minute, Georgie finds someone willing to come, despite the perceived dangers of travelling abroad. Unfortunately, Queenie is a disaster as a maid! Even worse, when they arrive at the isolated castle where the wedding will take place – none other than Vlad the Impaler’s castle! – they are snowed in. Georgie is certain she is seeing vampires around the castle. Then at supper one night, a guest – hated by most of the others – suddenly dies, an apparent poisoning.

There is to be a lot going on in this one, but I loved the setting at the castle in Transylvania and the slightly gothic atmosphere of it. I really enjoyed some of the secondary characters (and I do like Georgie, too), but what a hopeless case Queenie is! In addition to the gothic atmosphere, there was humour scattered throughout the book. I was thinking I might like this best of the series so far, but it looks like I also rated the 2nd book the 4 stars.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal Flush was so good that I had wondered whether Rhys Bowen would manage to produce something equal to that yet again, but Royal Blood fulfilled every one of my expectations and more. I still preferred the setting of Georgie’s ancestral home in Scotland over remote Romania, but there were so many fun new aspects here that I didn’t mind in the slightest – I particularly enjoyed Ms. Bowen’s obviously tongue-in-cheek references to vampire mythology. Above all else, there was just as much Darcy in this book as there was in the previous, and that can only be a good thing!

For Georgie’s latest adventure, she’s off to Bran Castle in a remote part of Romania to act as bridesmaid to Princess Maria Theresa (a supposed school chum whom she barely remembers), who’s about to be married to Prince Nicholas to cement a political alliance between Germany and Romania. It sounds like a heaven-sent to Georgie considering her deplorable financial state, but as usual for Georgie, everything derails quite hilariously right from the start. Firstly she’s saddled with a female bull of a chaperon, Lady Middlesex, and her nervous companion, Miss Deer-Harte (snort), and then she has a frightening late-night visit from a fair-haired young man who appeared to be a vampire. To top this off, an odious political figure, Pirin, is offed during dinner and her only back-up appears to be Queenie, her disaster of a Cockney maid.

Watching Georgie moving around in her social circles never gets tiring, and the addition of plenty of Darcy is a huge bonus. I really enjoyed seeing Georgie’s relationship with Darcy grow – finally, he actually takes her on a proper date to dinner! – and, despite his continued refusal to commit, it’s obvious he cares so much about her that he’d eventually come around. He’s of the frustrating variety that says one thing while he means something else; for example, telling Georgie that she should find a prince to settle down with, but reacting with clear dismay when she does become accidentally betrothed to Prince Siegfried (i.e. Fishface). You just can’t hate him, though, and he tops my list of favourite lead male characters. Not that I don’t hope he’ll put Georgie’s doubts to rest soon!

There’s never a quiet moment in Royal Blood, and I enjoyed it all immensely. As for the mystery front, Ms. Bowen does a great job of keeping us interested in it even with so many different things going on, and the revealing of clues is well-paced so that it doesn’t feel crammed in at the end. Like the previous three books, though, it’s more of a roaring good adventure with a spice of murder mystery than a traditional whodunit. This is by no means a detriment; the whole package – historical setting, fun characters, amusing situations and mysteries to be solved – is what makes these books so good. And Royal Blood is definitely one of the strongest installments in the Royal Spyness series so far. Highly recommended!

[Cheryl James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4!!

This is my go to series when my reading days are not so serious. Lady Georgiana is my favorite British Blond character. The audible version is pleasant and the twist and turns are enjoyable!!

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "Her Royal Spyness" series has become one of my go-to comfort reads when I need something light but not fluffy that I know will have enough of a mystery to keep me curious and more than a few scenes that will make me laugh.

I've also grown attached to all the characters, and yes, it is a stretch that Darcy, Belinda and Georgie's mother always turn up at some point but after a few mock groans, as the plot is twisted to accommodate them, I find myself smiling because I'm glad to have them there. Part of the appeal is the excellent narration from Katherine Kelligran who has given such distinctive voices to the main characters that I recognise them as soon as they speak.

"Royal Blood" livens things up by sending Georgiana as the Queen's representative to a Royal Wedding in Romania. The Queen claims that this is at the request of the bride, who was at school with Georgie, but that doesn't mean she is without an ulterior motive.

We have great fun with a spooky castle, the possibility of vampires, the reality of assassination, a bride who used to be unremarkable and now isn't, the Romanian Secret Police and a chaperone for Georgie who makes Lady Bracknell seem cuddly.
The mystery here is very satisfying, not so easy to work out, lots of credible possible killers and a rising body count.

I liked that we finally get to see Georgiana getting a but more physical this time. She's strong and determined and even when thrown in an oubliette, doesn't wait on someone else to come and rescue her.

Now if only she'd be a little more determined with Darcy things might get even more interesting. Still, maybe that will happen in the next book. Or the one after that? Or the one after that? It's all part of the fun.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Royal Blood,Georgie is off to a castle in Transylvania at the request of Queen Mary to represent the royal family at a wedding and to be a bridesmaid for the bride, Princess Maria. The wedding will join the royal families of Romania and Bulgaria, and Princess Maria has insisted that the ceremony take place in Castle Bran, former home to Vlad the Impaler. Georgie is happy to escape Rannoch House in London, as her brother and his disagreeable have arrived to spend the winter there. Georgie goes from dreary to gothic in her change of scenery, and Vlad's castle is everything a mythical vampire's castle promises to be. From a mysterious man climbing up the outside wall of the castle to a strange man showing up in Georgie’s bedroom at night and peering in at her while she tries to sleep, it's clear something unsettling is afoot. When a Bulgarian police chief is murdered, the few, including Georgie, in the know must try to keep his death quiet to avert a political crisis. Not only concealing a murder until it can be figured out has Georgie busy. She must also deal with a new maid she hired in London named Queenie, who is a red hot mess and possibily the worst maid ever. The brother of the bride, known to Georgie as Prince Fishlips has been trying to convince her that they would make a good marriage for their royal families. And, of course Darcy shows up, making any other man pale in comparison. In the middle of it all the wedding party becomes snowed in at the castle, and Queenie goes missing. It would seem Georgie's longing for adventure is fulfilled and then some.