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Queen of Hearts
(Royal Spyness #8)
by
Lady Georgiana Rannoch, thirty-fifth in line for the British throne, knows how to play the part of an almost royal—but now she’s off to Hollywood, where she must reprise her role as sleuth or risk starring in an all-too-convincing death scene…
My mother, the glamorous and much-married actress, is hearing wedding bells once again—which is why she must hop across the pon ...more
My mother, the glamorous and much-married actress, is hearing wedding bells once again—which is why she must hop across the pon ...more
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Start your review of Queen of Hearts (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #8)
I swore if there wasn't some sort of progress in Georgie and Darcy's relationship I was going to swear off reading this mystery series. Or progress in Georgie's life situation. Neither happened, and on top of that Queenie, the quintessential hapless, comedic, idiosyncratic character, is no longer an endearing touch of whimsy, but a one-note joke that has been told too many times and is irritating. Further, it has gone on to the point that Georgie's soft-heartedness is now a glaring weakness that
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2.5 stars
I like reading cozy mysteries and apart from Dame Christie I hadn't found any other writer that wrote satisfactory cozy mysteries. But after starting this series I have to say I have clearly a favorite cozy mystery series from recent times.
This is the 8th book in the series and even though this book is a standalone from the mystery perspective, I would suggest to read this series in order as there are recurring characters (and it's more fun when you know the nature of these characters) ...more
I like reading cozy mysteries and apart from Dame Christie I hadn't found any other writer that wrote satisfactory cozy mysteries. But after starting this series I have to say I have clearly a favorite cozy mystery series from recent times.
This is the 8th book in the series and even though this book is a standalone from the mystery perspective, I would suggest to read this series in order as there are recurring characters (and it's more fun when you know the nature of these characters) ...more
A breezy, fun read.
What a disappointment. This is a good book and fun as you'd expect right up until the last quarter or so, when the author suddenly realizes the need to tie up all the plot points she's opened up and proceeds to do so in the clunkiest way possible. The deductions are straight out of Encyclopedia Brown, and the setting and characters mostly wasted. This makes me think the series is just running out of steam.
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These are consistently lovely cozy mysteries.
Are they great literature? No.
Are they the literary equivalent of a cupcake with sprinkles? Yes.
Are they great literature? No.
Are they the literary equivalent of a cupcake with sprinkles? Yes.
Lady Georgiana is the star of one of my favorite cozy mystery novel series. She is thirty-fifth in line for the royal throne and poor as a church mouse. Her mother is a famous actress who neglects her and her brother runs the family castle in Scotland crippled by her father's gambling debts. Georgie is plucky though and often sent on errands by the Queen that seem to involve dead bodies.
In this addition her mother decides to travel to Reno to get a quickie divorce from her Texan husband so she ...more
In this addition her mother decides to travel to Reno to get a quickie divorce from her Texan husband so she ...more
I absolutely LOVED all of the previous books in this series! When I saw that a new one was available, I didn't bother with the reviews - I just purchased it. The characters are still well-developed and narrator Katherine Kellgren continues in her masterful vien. But the story falls flat here. First, I like British novels because.....well, they take place in the UK! This one has our familiar crew in the U.S. with not so believeable "American" characters. I don't like my posh aristocrats mixed in
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A really nice easy read. I just wish georgianna and Darcy would get married already! When am i going to meet Mr. Darcy! Lol Rhys Bowen, you need to crank them out faster!! Cant get enough of the Royal Spyness or Molly Murphy series
Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen is the 8th book in the Royal Spyness Mystery series. Lady Georgiana Runnoch accompanies her actress mother to Hollywood in America and gets caught up in the hunt for a jewel thief and the murder of movie mogul Cy Goldman. An enjoyable and very entertaining book that I loved. It was nice that Georgie got to spend some time with Darcy. Queenie though was starting to get a bit obnoxious and it is a shame that Georgie has taken her back. The audible version is particula
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Jul 25, 2019
Veronica
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-mystery
The eighth book is this delightful cozy-historical mystery series is another fun adventure with Lady Georgiana Rannoch, 34th in line to the English throne. This time her mother decides to take a trip to America where she hopes to score a quickie divorce and she takes Georgie along for companionship. As usual, various plot contrivances are employed to ensure that several of the series' supporting characters wind up in America as well. In a more serious series this would be an annoyance but here i
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I didn’t like this book as much as the others in the series. The murder was solved in a very clunky manner and the end result was kind of lame. The American characters were very one dimensional and using Charlie Chaplin didn’t add anything. The second to last chapter could have been left out altogether since the relationship between Georgie and Darcy is not developing. The author should either have them marry and work as a sleuthing team or drop the relationship altogether.
Jul 12, 2018
Meg
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-2018,
on-kindle-read
Very good addition to this fun series.
Mind you, there were several snide comments in there that would not be politically correct today, but were, unfortunately, acceptable at the time (1930's). So I just had to keep that in mind whenever I ran into these.
The mc's mother also said some rather cruel things to her, but then she has always been portrayed as self-centered and entitled, so I had to take these for what they were, as well.
Looking forward to the mc's next adventure! ...more
Mind you, there were several snide comments in there that would not be politically correct today, but were, unfortunately, acceptable at the time (1930's). So I just had to keep that in mind whenever I ran into these.
The mc's mother also said some rather cruel things to her, but then she has always been portrayed as self-centered and entitled, so I had to take these for what they were, as well.
Looking forward to the mc's next adventure! ...more
In Queen of Hearts Georgie accompanies her mother to America so her mother can get a quickie divorce in Reno, but on the way they are invited to take part in a movie production in Hollywood. But when Georgie stumbles into the investigation of a jewel thief and then a dead body is found Georgie must investigate before another person is knocked off. It's great going back to a series that you love because it feels like you're revisiting old friends. That was the case with this book, it was another
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I'm over this series. As another reviewer put it, Rhys Bowen phoned this one in. It's painfully cliched and poorly plotted. Georgiana becomes less likeable with every book as she whines about her charmed life and bitches at her maid.
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Eighth in the Her Royal Spyness historical mystery series and revolving around Lady Georgiana Rannoch as she sails off to America.
My Take
Georgie's mummy drives me bats. She's so totally clueless when it comes to her own daughter. She's got money up the wazoo but never does anything to help her penniless daughter. Well, except to point out that her daughter could simply take up with a rich man, if only she weren't so huge and homely… So it was a total treat to read about Mummy actually paying for ...more
My Take
Georgie's mummy drives me bats. She's so totally clueless when it comes to her own daughter. She's got money up the wazoo but never does anything to help her penniless daughter. Well, except to point out that her daughter could simply take up with a rich man, if only she weren't so huge and homely… So it was a total treat to read about Mummy actually paying for ...more
A luxurious ocean liner voyage, stops in New York, Reno, and onto the bright lights and glamour of L.A. -- Hollywood's calling, the starlets are vamping, and Georgie's in the middle of it all!
Mummy's decided to finally ditch the stuffy Texan and whisks herself, her lady's maid, Georgie, and Queenie off to the States where she's heard a quickie divorce can be had for the right price. While they're there she might as well revive her acting career and take part in the shooting of one of the new-fan ...more
Mummy's decided to finally ditch the stuffy Texan and whisks herself, her lady's maid, Georgie, and Queenie off to the States where she's heard a quickie divorce can be had for the right price. While they're there she might as well revive her acting career and take part in the shooting of one of the new-fan ...more
In this fun addition to the series Georgiana is off on an adventure to the America's with her Mother. Her mother is quite a piece of work, she is a famous actress who has made marriage into an art form. When she recieves a new marriage proposal from a very wealthy German she must get to Nevada to file for a divorce from her current oil barron husband.
They sail to New York, do some shopping, and then they are off to the Reno Court House. When they find out there is a waiting period, Georgiana's ...more
They sail to New York, do some shopping, and then they are off to the Reno Court House. When they find out there is a waiting period, Georgiana's ...more
I like Georgie. She is one smart cookie and she stays true to her values and ideas. However, she did make some mistakes in this book(kissing another man, telling herself it was all innocent, but enjoying the attention from a big movie star) and I'm growing weary of her waiting and waiting and waiting for Darcy as he is also waiting for her. I get it. If he likes it he should put a ring on it. Got it. So, please Ms. Bowen, come up with a way that they can finally get married. It wouldn't affect h
...more
Georgie is off to America with her mother, actress Claire Daniels. But their Atlantic crossing is marred by a jewel thief and a possible murder that only Georgie witnesses. And the danger follows them when they hit America and head to Hollywood of the 1930's.
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and ...more
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and ...more
Lady Georgina accompanied her Mother, Grace Daniel to United States. Her Mother is going to Reno for a divorce. On the boat over they meet a Hollywood mogul who wants to make Grace Daniel a star. A ruby necklace goes missing and Georgie sees what appears to be a person thrown overboard. In Hollywood the Mogul is from dead in his library. Georgie needs to finds answers before she and her friends lose all that is dear to them.
Hmmm. These stories are becoming very predictable. They have all followed the same pattern - just changed the setting!
Actual rating: 3.00
'My mother, the glamorous and much-married actress, is hearing wedding bells once again—which is why she must hop across the pond for a quickie divorce in Reno. To offer my moral support, and since all expenses are paid by her new hubby-to-be, Max, I agree to make the voyage with her.
Crossing the Atlantic, with adventure in the air and wealthy men aboard, Mother all but forgets about Max and matrimony—especially when movie mogul Cy Goldman insists on casting her in his next picture.
Meanwhile, ...more
Crossing the Atlantic, with adventure in the air and wealthy men aboard, Mother all but forgets about Max and matrimony—especially when movie mogul Cy Goldman insists on casting her in his next picture.
Meanwhile, ...more
Queen of Hearts
3 Stars
Accompanying her mother on board the Berengaria bound for America and a quickie divorce in Reno, Lady Georgie becomes involved in the search for an enterprising jewel thief. When her mother is offered a part in film producer, Cy Goldman's, latest picture, Georgie and her mother travel to Hollywood where the drama reaches epic proportions after the movie mogul is found dead. Who amongst the entourage was angry enough to kill?
The book begins well but fizzles in the middle, an ...more
3 Stars
Accompanying her mother on board the Berengaria bound for America and a quickie divorce in Reno, Lady Georgie becomes involved in the search for an enterprising jewel thief. When her mother is offered a part in film producer, Cy Goldman's, latest picture, Georgie and her mother travel to Hollywood where the drama reaches epic proportions after the movie mogul is found dead. Who amongst the entourage was angry enough to kill?
The book begins well but fizzles in the middle, an ...more
Queen of Hearts finally takes Georgie outside of Britain and Europe - all the way to America, where she's ready to settle down to play companion to her mother... only to end up embroiled in another crime or two. I'm happy to report that this 8th installment is an improvement on the previous book (Heirs and Graces was relatively dull, as much as I hate to admit it), but it's still far from being as strong as The Twelve Clues of Christmas or the earliest books.
Georgie's colourful life amongst the ...more
Georgie's colourful life amongst the ...more
I am listening to this entire series on Audible. They are fun, light, completely ridiculous at times and in my opinion very refreshing. My favorite character is Belinda. I'm so impressed by the narrator doing all these voices so well!
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In "Queen of Hearts" the eighth book in "Her Royal Spyness Mysteries " Lady Georgiana Rannock is swept away to Reno, Nevada so her mother can get a quickie divorce and marry her rich German hubby-to-be Max. But crossing the Atlantic Georgie not only reunites with her beau Darcy O'Mara who's undercover, tracking the whereabouts of a notorious cat burglar suspected of stealing a valuable ruby and a diamond bracelet on board the ship, but she meets the inimitable Hollywood mogul Cy Goldman who offe
...more
Lady Georgiana Rannoch--Georgie to her friends--is 35th in line for the English throne but basically penniless. Physically awkward and with few skills, she spends her time caring for richer relatives and solving mysteries. In this book, her flighty mother demands her company for a trip to the USA, where she hopes to get a quickie divorce. Georgie accompanies her, willing to bear her mother's cutting comments in exchange for a free trip across the Atlantic. But anywhere Georgie goes, trouble is s
...more
Yet another wonderful installment of the Her Royal Spyness series. Once again I listened to the wonderful narration by Katherine Kellgren. Georgie finds herself in investigative territory yet again as she is on the lookout for a suspected jewel thief. Shenanigans ensue in true Georgie style with the lovely side characters of her beau - Darcy, the incompetent maid -Queenie, her Mother, as well as new unique characters. I highly recommend this series, especially on audio!
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Maybe it's because I jumped in at the 8th book in the series and didn't have more background.
Maybe it's because the audio narrator was so over the top with Thurston Howell III type snobby accents.
But I found nearly every character to be insufferable and self absorbed. Even the protagonist, whom I think I'm supposed to like, starts out by lamenting her lady's maid for being fat and not knowing her place. But, so sad, she can't afford a better maid.
The plot itself is a standard little cozy mystery ...more
Maybe it's because the audio narrator was so over the top with Thurston Howell III type snobby accents.
But I found nearly every character to be insufferable and self absorbed. Even the protagonist, whom I think I'm supposed to like, starts out by lamenting her lady's maid for being fat and not knowing her place. But, so sad, she can't afford a better maid.
The plot itself is a standard little cozy mystery ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I really hoped that Queeny | 5 | 41 | Feb 27, 2016 07:29PM | |
| Madison Mega-Mara...: #23 - Queen of Hearts | 1 | 5 | Feb 27, 2015 09:58AM |
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"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 two internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, the other selling almost half a million copies to date.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in th ...more
I have recently published two internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, the other selling almost half a million copies to date.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in th ...more
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