A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
Jul. 27th, 2009 11:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meganbmooreThe first Georgie Rannoch book was the first book by Rhys Bowen that I read, but I read most of her Molly Murphy books in between. (I think there are two Molly books out that I haven’t read, though one is still in hardcover.) The Georgie books, which are about 1930s British aristocracy, are much lighter and fluffier than the Molly books, which are about the lower classes, immigrants, and gangs in 1900 New York City. Of the two, I definitely prefer the Molly books, but the Georgie books definitely have an appeal.
In her second outing, Georgie, the 34th in line for the throne who secretly runs a cleaning service to make ends meet, is asked by the queen and put up Hannelore, a 18-year-old Bavarian princess who the queen hopes will distract the crown prince from his married, American mistress, Mrs. Simpson. As one cannot deny a request from the queen, Georgie has to find a staff, find a way to keep the princess from learning how she’s making money, and find a way to keep the princess entertained and out of trouble. This is not easy, as Hanni, who apparently learned English from gangster movies, is determined to have fun, is apparently an absentminded shoplifter, drinks like a fish, and is more than a little boy-crazy. Then there’s the bodies that start piling up.
Like Molly, Georgie is working on acquiring an extremely entertaining supporting cast. I’m particularly fond of her grandfather, who is a retired police officer. (Her mother was an actress who her father married against everyone’s wishes.) And while I prefer Molly as a character and the Molly books, I have to admit that Georgie seems to have better taste in men. Darcy, while still a bit on the irritating side and not my type, actually seems to be pretty decent. And not an overambitious two-timer who thinks she should stay home and knit and cook or something.
In her second outing, Georgie, the 34th in line for the throne who secretly runs a cleaning service to make ends meet, is asked by the queen and put up Hannelore, a 18-year-old Bavarian princess who the queen hopes will distract the crown prince from his married, American mistress, Mrs. Simpson. As one cannot deny a request from the queen, Georgie has to find a staff, find a way to keep the princess from learning how she’s making money, and find a way to keep the princess entertained and out of trouble. This is not easy, as Hanni, who apparently learned English from gangster movies, is determined to have fun, is apparently an absentminded shoplifter, drinks like a fish, and is more than a little boy-crazy. Then there’s the bodies that start piling up.
Like Molly, Georgie is working on acquiring an extremely entertaining supporting cast. I’m particularly fond of her grandfather, who is a retired police officer. (Her mother was an actress who her father married against everyone’s wishes.) And while I prefer Molly as a character and the Molly books, I have to admit that Georgie seems to have better taste in men. Darcy, while still a bit on the irritating side and not my type, actually seems to be pretty decent. And not an overambitious two-timer who thinks she should stay home and knit and cook or something.