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Queen of Hearts

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Queen of Hearts

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
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Lady Georgiana Rannoch, 35th 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 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, I find myself caught up in the secret investigation of a suspected jewel thief. Lucky for me, the lead investigator happens to be my dashing beau, Darcy!

Mother's movie and Darcy's larceny lead everyone to Cy's Hollywood home, where the likes of Charlie Chaplin are hanging about and there’s enough romantic intrigue to fill a double feature. But we hardly get a chance to work out the sleeping arrangements before Cy turns up dead - as if there wasn’t enough drama already.

©2014 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2014 Audible Inc. Cosy Detective Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Royalty
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Editor reviews

Editors Select, August 2014 - Usually when I choose a book as my Editors Select pick, I read it in advance of the audio being completed so that I am confident in my recommendation. Not so with this month’s book. Rhys Bowen and Katherine Kellgren team up again for the next installment of my all-time favorite series, and – truly – audio is the best way to experience it. I have no doubt that this book will be as wonderful as its predecessors. I’ll say it again: if you haven’t listened to the Her Royal Spyness series, do so immediately. Utterly charming and totally un-put-down-able, you’ll join me in counting down the days to each book’s new release. Emily, Audible Editor
All stars
Most relevant
Lady Georgina is invited to accompany her mother to America, to get a divorce so she can marry her German industrialist. While there her mother is asked to star in a movie picture, when everything fills apart. Murder, fire and burglary all seem to happen leaving then with plenty of mysteries. Read brilliantly again by Katherine Kellgren.

Queen of Hearts

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Usual good fun. But I did miss Georgia's Granddad. Darcy was as perfect as ever.

Ripping Yarn

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Some dramatic change in fortune, with Darcy & Georgiana working on a more serious case...perhaps Germany, Max & the looming war playing a part? This novel was too predictable, and the characters shallow & stereotyped. Nevertheless a pleasant holiday read.

Dragging on a bit.

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Would you try another book written by Rhys Bowen or narrated by Katherine Kellgren?

I will probably try other Rhys Bowen books, but I really am not impressed with Katherine Kellgren anymore.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The ending was a little flat, but that is something I have noticed in the last three or four books. It is almost as though a required number of words have to be written, so there is quite a lot of padding out.

What didn’t you like about Katherine Kellgren’s performance?

The hysterical nature of the reading is getting worse by the book. I doubt the great grandmother of our heroine would be very impressed as she is no longer acting as a lady should. Even Belinda has been screeching, which is very unlike her, though perhaps three accents that sound similar was probably asking too much.

Although I haven't been that keen on Darcy having an Irish accent, I have never heard a member of the Irish aristocracy have an Irish accent, but in this book it seemed to be all over the place.

Could you see Queen of Hearts being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

Please get rid of that maid Queenie. She is becoming a real pain.

Not my favourite

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The first book in the series I found to be disappointing. Enjoyed all the previous yarns, but the narration spoiled this for me.
So strident and the accent was dreadful. Listening to the excerpt of the next book, sounds much better.

Disappointing!

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