The Proof of the Pudding: Royal Spyness, Book 17

Fun plot that held my interest. Wonderful to see Georgie back in form, albeit still pregnant, and joining forces with the Agatha Christie character to solve the crime. I was happy to see the return of beloved characters like Queenie, Grandfather, Zou Zou, Fig, and Binky. What a relief not to have Wallis Simpson involved in this one. Not to spoil anything, but the ending was as it should be.Ms. Bowen put forth a well-written, fast-paced story with familiar characters and some unusual new ones. Well-done!

This was the first Rhys Bowen novel I have read, and certainly not the last. The author writes convincingly about her characters where one pretty much absolutely knows them and is there with them. Unique story and detective work. Very good book.

What a very perplexing puzzle that Georgie is presented with. Such a cleverly woven mystery and I loved the aha moment when the pieces clicked and she figured out who was behind the whole thing. Lovely to meet her little baby and such a sweet name! I wonder how he will change the way she goes about investigating. And such a treat a visit with Agatha Christie!!! Absolutely delightful read!

Lady Georgie and her honorable husband, Darcy are preparing for big changes at the Eynsleigh estate. Their firstborn is due within weeks, and they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their Parisian chef to up the standard of culinary offerings served at the house. A dinner party is planned, Georgie's first. Will the chef live up to his talents? Or will this inaugural dinner be not-so-bon?The chef arrives, his proper attire acquired, and faithful servant and sometime cook, Queenie's ruffled feathers are smoothed. When one of the guests asks to borrow Georgie's chef for an upcoming event, she agrees, although somewhat reluctantly. She doesn't want her newly found chef whisked away to the gothic author's kitchen. He's known for his fabulous garden, which includes poisonous plants of all varieties. The evening of his event is a success, until a few of the guests take deathly ill. When one dies of poisoning, suspicion falls on Georgie's new chef. Will she and Darcy solve who might have poisoned the pudding?Author Bowen once again delights fan of her A Royal Spyness Mystery series with this clever whodunnit. The characters are a delight and the run-up to Georgie's delivery has everyone on pins and needles. An entertaining story, sure to delight cozy mystery fans!

I finished the 17th novel, and at this point I’m disappointed that I can’t continue on until the next book is published. I hope it’s not too long.I have never read a complete series, but I read all 17 in the past month. Fun characters, fun plots, British mysteries to compete with Agatha Christie. (Admire her, but have not engaged with her mysteries.) Goodbye Georgiana, until we meet again.

The Royal Spyness mysteries are always fun to read. Georgiana is my favorite character. Never a dull moment in her life. You will like this novel. I recommend all the Royal Spyness Mysteries.

Georgia hires a French chief. Her neighbor borrowers her chief for his party. Several people become ill after eating the dinner. The French chief is suspected. Then one of the guests dies. Now Georgians must find the real killer and the motive.

I have the entire series, and was disappointed in this one. The mystery is a backdrop to Darcy and Georgie's coming baby. The good - almost all of our old friends are here for the impending birth, including Fig and Binky (I like Binky and wish he'd show up more often). Queenie - well, she's still a person in progress, sometimes good, sometimes bad. - she was a bit too strident in parts. Wasn't too thrilled with the appearance of Agatha Christie in the story, she was basically a sounding board for Georgie, which Darcy should have been. The mystery part: the setup was good and atmospheric. But . . . I'm a huge mystery buff, and I rarely figure out who the killer is. But this time, when the victim appeared . . . Let me put it this way. I knew who the victim was going to be by the end of that chapter, knew why, and knew who the killer was. The how was the only question. Rhys should consider a short story series for Georgie and her extended family as the characters are fun by themselves without a murder to interfere.

This series has enraptured me from the beginning. Waiting for the next installment is agony. Rhys Bowen expertly gives us characters and plots that never get stale. TY!

Every Agatha Christie fan should read this one. Normally I read Her Royal Spyness for my Wallis Simpson fix, but this one had Laurence and Jill Olivier and Agatha and Max Mallowan at a murderous dinner party. Oh it was a delight to read, even if the poisonous plot I recognised immediately from Christie and Georgette Heyer. The murderer stood out from the very beginning, but Lady Georgiana and Darcy are just so much fun.Queenie keeps on improving, and I was very surprised that the Dowager Duchess never mentioned attending the Mosley/Mitford wedding, and that Darcy hasn't had to head to the Spanish Civil War to rescue someone. This is such a delightful series with so much more potential...