by Rhys Bowen
Part of Her Royal Spyness, book 19
First published 2025
Lady Georgiana Rannoch has her hands full as a new mother. She needs to replace a nanny she cannot stand, and she holds the unusual distinction of being 34th in line for the British throne. When Georgie travels to London to visit her friend ZouZou, she discovers ZouZou preparing to attend a funeral for a young man who died unexpectedly. More troubling news follows. Another friend, Georgie Gormsley, has just returned from burying a school companion who apparently drowned while swimming. Then Belinda, Georgie's closest friend, receives word that the son of family acquaintances has died in tragic circumstances. The pattern disturbs Georgie, even though the victims appear unconnected. ZouZou shares her conviction that these deaths were no accidents and pleads with Georgie to investigate. As Georgie digs into the mystery, fear grips her that her husband Darcy might become the next target. She suspects a serial killer stalks young men linked to an old crime. Georgie races to solve the murders before Darcy falls victim, all while trying to secure proper childcare for her son.
Genres: suspense, mystery, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family, race-against-time
Setting: London
Period: 20th Century
336 pages · Hardcover · Berkley