Book Bite: God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen

While I have already shared some of my favourite holiday chick lit books, I am also an avid reader of holiday-themed mysteries. And when I found out that there would be a new Royal Spyness mystery where Georgie is called on to help the royal family at Christmas, I knew I needed to read it! God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen by Rhys Bowen is one of the holiday season’s best books, and is a must-read! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

God Rest Ye, Royal Gentleman, Rhys Bowen

Georgie is excited for her first Christmas as a married woman in her lovely new home. She suggests to her dashing husband, Darcy, that they have a little house party, but when Darcy receives a letter from his aunt Ermintrude, there is an abrupt change in plans. She has moved to a house on the edge of the Sandringham estate, near the royal family, and wants to invite Darcy and his new bride for Christmas. Aunt Ermintrude hints that the queen would like Georgie nearby. Georgie had not known that Aunt Ermintrude was a former lady-in-waiting and close confidante of her royal highness. The letter is therefore almost a royal request, so Georgie, Darcy, and their Christmas guests: Mummy, Grandad, Fig, and Binky all head to Sandringham.

Georgie soon learns that the notorious Mrs. Simpson, mistress to the Prince of Wales, will also be in attendance. It is now crystal clear to Georgie that the Queen expects her to do a bit of spying. There is tension in the air from the get-go, and when Georgie pays a visit to the queen, she learns that there is more to her request than just some simple eavesdropping. There have been a couple of strange accidents at the estate recently. Two gentlemen of the royal household have died in mysterious circumstances and another has been shot by mistake during a hunt. Georgie begins to suspect that a member of the royal family is the real target but her investigation will put her new husband and love of her life, Darcy, in the crosshairs of a killer.

Why You Should Read This…

I have to say, this is quite possibly the most enjoyable cozy mystery that I’ve read. Rhys Bowen’s books are always good fun, but God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen is the perfect blend of mystery, character development, and royal history. Georgie and Darcy are settling into married life, and seeing them navigate Christmas together is exciting (if not slightly stressful). While past murders and the current murder do take centre stage, we also get to spend a fair amount of time with highly entertaining supporting characters. 

Georgie’s attitudes are quite modern, especially in regards to her employees, and that is a fascinating counterpoint to some of her older and more royal relatives. I also have to give Bowen extra points- she skillfully weaves in a Sandringham Christmas for the royal family without having it take over the whole book. 

Note: while this is the fifteenth book in the series, I think you can absolutely read this without feeling lost. (Though do go back and read the rest!) 

An Interview With Rhys Bowen

Tell us about the book!

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Georgie at Christmas! (Nine years since the release of The Twelve Clues of Christmas in 2012). What is it about setting the mystery at Christmas that sets it apart for you?

RHYS: I suppose I am nostalgic about the good old British Christmas. I remember the roaring fires, the flaming Christmas pudding, the silly party games, the carols—such a magical time. So I’ve tried to recreate it in my story. And because it’s a time of peace and contentment the crime is all that more shocking, jarring us from our celebration and reminding us that the real world outside is still there and is sometimes dangerous.

Are there any Christmas traditions from the Royal Family you came across in your research?

RHYS: They used to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, in the German tradition brought over by Prince Albert. And Christmas trees are always a feature at Sandringham. In the time I am writing about there was one in every reception room and several down the long central hallway. And in those days there were real candles on the branches.  Another Christmas tradition at Sandringham was the Boxing Day shoot.

What was it like incorporating the famous Wallis Simpson into Georgie’s story?

RHYS: Mrs. Simpson has appeared in almost all the Royal Spyness books. We have seen her relationship with the Prince of Wales get more serious. I have read a lot about her and I know how catty she could be, so I have great fun writing her put-downs. And even more fun writing Georgie’s mother when the two lock horns.

Have you started reading God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen yet?

Cheers,
The Historian
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