We Three Queens (A Royal Spyness Mystery)
“Don’t let the subtitle of the series fool you into thinking this novel will lean into espionage. Georgie’s no spy.”
This is the 18th in a gentle British mystery series from Rhys Bowen, featuring Georgie, who is now (in 1936) Lady Georgiana Rannoch and mother of a baby boy that she adores, as does her husband, Darcy. Bowen’s deft portrait of the less often revealed side of “titled” life in the country—rotating fireplace attention for a large house without central heating, managing aging servants whose ways may be out of date or not classy enough (alas, Queenie’s been with Georgie for so long, but she can’t pour tea without dripping on someone), taking turns with the household’s transportation—creates a charming tale.
Georgie’s biggest concern, and toughest to manage, is around expectations of childrearing: really, send a boy away to a toughen-them-up boarding school at age seven? Her sister-in-law Fig has no doubt that cold water, bad food, and an unquestioned military career are best for boys.
So when a letter from Fig announces an imminent visit with husband Binky, son Podge, and more, Georgie and her doting granddad know the household’s about to lose its calm sweetness. And that’s the second twist to arrive, since Georgie’s already aware that her cousin the king—whom she calls by his nickname David—is sending his new and scandalous beloved to stay with her. History buffs will quickly pull together that this is American Wallis Simpson, a divorcée who’s drawn the attention of King Edward. Georgie’s family doesn’t like the abrasive American or the way the affaire is threatening to have the king leave his throne for her sake.
As if that’s not enough, Georgie’s godfather Sir Hubert, who actually owns the home that will eventually be left to her, suddenly announces his own arrival. And with him will come an entire American film crew to take advantage of the mansion’s exterior and elegant grounds for a movie about Henry the Eighth and his wives and children.
Don’t let the subtitle of the series fool you into thinking this novel will lean into espionage. Georgie’s no spy. Her husband Darcy may be one (she suspects as much), but he’s now under salary for His Majesty’s government with a nice long London stretch envisioned, so he can help with his growing family. His role in this volume remains parental until a twist in the film production causes him to connect with investigation on his own home grounds. As for Georgie, her biggest challenges will be protecting the interior of her home from actor invasion (a losing battle!) and helping her French cook plan meals for thoughtless Americans.
Snippets from Georgie’s personal notes (a diary perhaps) add frank entertainment to the plot. About one-third of the way in, this November note hints at the complex issues she’s coping with: “It appears we have lost Mrs. Simpson. I should be glad, I suppose. I really didn’t want her here in the first place, but I do feel responsible for her and I certainly wouldn’t want anything to have happened to her. Where can the wretched woman be?”
Amusing, often tender, and written in lively modern language, not that of the 1930s, We Three Queens offers diversion and kindly entertainment. Series readers will enjoy keeping up with the changes in Georgie’s life, while those new to the series will find Bowen’s smooth writing carrying them nicely, without need for knowing anything about the earlier 17 titles.