by Rhys Bowen
Part of Her Royal Spyness, book 15
First published 2021
Georgie looks forward to her first Christmas as a married woman until a letter from Darcy's Aunt Ermintrude changes everything. The aunt lives near Sandringham estate and invites the newlyweds for the holidays, hinting that the queen wants Georgie close by. Georgie discovers that Ermintrude served as a royal lady-in-waiting and confidante. The invitation feels like a command, so Georgie and Darcy pack up their Christmas guests and head to the royal estate. Mrs. Simpson, the Prince of Wales's controversial mistress, will also attend the festivities. The queen confirms Georgie's suspicions about spying duties, but the assignment proves more dangerous than simple eavesdropping. Two royal household gentlemen have died under strange circumstances, and a third was shot during a hunting accident. Georgie suspects someone targets a member of the royal family itself. Her investigation threatens to put Darcy directly in a killer's path, forcing Georgie to choose between her loyalty to the crown and protecting the man she loves.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, spy
Setting: Sandringham, United Kingdom
Period: 20th Century
304 pages · Hardcover · Berkley