God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen

It’s 1935 in Agatha winner Bowen’s warmhearted 16th Royal Spyness mystery (after 2020’s The Last Mrs. Summers), and newlyweds Lady Georgie Rannoch and dashing Darcy O’Mara are looking forward to their first Christmas together. But when Darcy’s Aunt Ermintrude, once lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary, invites the couple to spend Christmas at her manse near the royals’ Sandringham retreat and hints that the queen herself wants Georgie to call on her, that’s an end to Georgie’s plans for a comfy Christmas at home. After all, one can hardly turn down the queen. When the Prince of Wales shows up with Wallis Simpson in tow, the queen senses trouble and asks Georgie to keep an eye on her son. It seems Her Majesty’s foreboding is justified after the Christmas gathering is interrupted by a series of freakish accidents and unlikely deaths. Is the prince a target, or perhaps Mrs. Simpson? Or does someone have another motive for murder entirely? The humor and wit match a cast of charming, quirky characters. Bowen’s lovely English Christmas cozy doesn’t disappoint. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.)