Lady Georgiana Rannoch learns that not everyone knows their table manners when a knife ends up in a duke’s back in the seventh Royal Spyness Mystery.
London, 1934. Entrusted by Her Majesty the Queen with grooming Jack Altringham—the Duke of Eynsford’s newly discovered heir fresh from the Outback of Australia—for high society, Georgie now has the luxurious opportunity to live in one of England’s most gorgeous stately homes. But upon her arrival at Kingsdowne Place, Georgie finds herself in a manor full of miscreants, none of whom are pleased with the discovery of her new ward.
Then the duke announces he wants to choose his own heir and causes quite the hubbub. Somewhere along the way Jack’s hunting knife ends up in the duke’s back. Eyes fall, backs turn, and fingers point to the young heir. As if the rascal weren’t enough of a handful, now he’s suspected of murder. But while Jack may be wild, Georgie would bet the crown jewels it wasn’t he who killed the duke...
I want to say right up front that I truly think after [b:The Twelve Clues of Christmas|13542533|The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #6)|Rhys Bowen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1342983249s/13542533.jpg|19106822], which was just absolutely superb, any book was going to feel pale in comparison. Such was the case for me with this book. But - I truly feel it only suffers by comparison, as I can't find a single thing to say to the negative about Heirs and Graces.
I really enjoy the recurring characters in this series: Georgie is sweet, naive and correct, while maintaining a firm hand and a steel backbone; no simpering or sniveling going on here. Belinda is the scarlet woman, the best friend that keeps Georgie in the present. And Darcy is the divine love interest with an air of mystery surrounding his super secret work life. No irritating, annoying characters (except Fig, and she's a bit player that doesn't always make appearances in the books and was blissfully present-in-name-only in this book).
The plot of Heirs and Graces was good and the characters surrounding the plot were colourful enough to keep my attention. I was surprised by the ending - it was an excellent plot twist and though it doesn't seem right to say, it made me laugh. Such a creative twist, with a tip of the hat to old murder mysteries.
A thoroughly enjoyable entry to a very solid series.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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22 August, 2013:
Finished reading
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22 August, 2013:
Reviewed