Being 34th in line for the British throne proves utterly unhelpful to Lady Georgiana (Georgie) Rannoch. Nothing but royal expectations for Georgie's future, but she is without the money, tolerable husband candidates or conventional disposition to meet them. In this stifling situation, striking out on her own to London seems a great idea ... except for the fact that she has no servants, cooking knowledge or the ability to light a fire. Georgie's quest to correct these oversights finds her mixing with new circles, learning scandalous secrets and struggling with a murder investigation. Letting a dead Frenchman bring down her family name would never do, but can Georgie straighten it out while still managing to avoid deadly accidents and marriage machinations?

Lady Georgie proves a marvelous combination of Elizabeth Bennet's good sense and sense of humor, and Anne of Green Gable's penchant for new experiences and getting into trouble. The novel's quick pace reflects Georgie's quick wit and bright spirits. The supporting cast balance strong personalities with expected English types. The world of 1930s London appears with enough scope to draw everyone in, but never drags down the tone or pace. The mysteries bob and weave gracefully through the plot, buoying the reader's enjoyment and fascination with Georgie's world even more without proving overly suspenseful.

In short, this is a quick, delightful read with a heroine you'll love to cheer on and a way of making one want high tea. Recommended for the society of travelers, beach-goers and at-home readers, Her Royal Spyness introduces a world I'll be glad to read more of.

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