Tag Archives: Rhys Bowen

Brilliant British Historical Mysteries: From Cradle to Grave and Sister Boniface Mysteries

19 Nov

From Cradle to Grave
Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness Mystery Series, set in the 1930s, is always charming. From Cradle to Grave has heroine Georgie, a cousin to the royal family experiencing new motherhood as well as a mystery involving the suspicious deaths of several first sons. What seems like tragic accidents might be something much more sinister. I liked that Georgie wants to care for her son beyond simply seeing him at tea time and flouts some of the traditions of the time period, but yet still feels enough pressures of her age that it doesn’t feel unrealistic for the 30’s and take the reader out of the story. I also thought she did a good job with foreshadowing the upcoming war and the complexities of British attitudes to Germany and Hitler during that time period. The mystery element of the novel takes a bit to get started, but it is an intriguing one. I’d recommend reading the series in order, but you can jump in at this novel and not feel lost.

Sister Boniface Mysteries
If you are a fan of the Father Brown TV series then you will be delighted that the first two seasons of spinoff series Sister Boniface Mysteries, set at the start of the 1960s, is now also available from Hoopla to Hoboken Library card holders. The series stars a nun who uses her interest in forensics science to help the local Great Slaughter Constabulary solve crimes. This a funny cozy series that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie’s mysteries set in small British towns. Episodes involve everything from a pirate radio station to a possible ritualistic killing.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Marvelous Mysteries: We Three Queens and Guilt and Ginataan

20 Nov

We Three Queens
Rhys Bowen
We Three Queens is the latest novel (the 18th) in the Royal Spyness Mystery series about Georgie, a cousin of the King of the England, who despite being part of the royal family has had to struggle financially over the years. Things seem to be going mostly well now with a new sweet baby and a loving husband and use of her godfather’s house which she is due to inherit. However, first she is asked to house the King’s fiance, an American divorcee hiding from the media. Then a movie crew decides the house would be the perfect location to film at. Add to that a kidnapping and a murder. I liked how they balanced Georgie wanting to mother in a more modern way with the antiquated view of upper class of her time period that believed children were to be kept separate from their parents. This one was a real page turner with mystery after mystery to be solved. As usual the cast of characters surrounding Georgie including her cockney former police officer granddad, actress mum, comical maid and know-it-all sister-in-law provide humor to the tale. Even if you have not read the others in the series this novel should be an enjoyable medley.

Guilt and Ginataan
by Mia P. Manasala
Another of my favorite series is Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries which is now on volume 5, Guilt and Ginataan. The series revolves around Lila Macapagal, a Filipino American living in Shady Palms a small midwestern town. Her aunt owns the Filipino restaurant, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen, but Lila is now co-owner of a café with two of her friends, Adeena and Elena which provides a fusion of their Filipino, Mexican, and Pakistani heritage. Living in an area with a large number of immigrants from the Phillipines, I’ve been lucky enough to have tried several of the dishes discussed in the novel, which are delicious! The ginataan in the title refers to a variety of dishes served with coconut milk including a popular rice ball dessert. This is not a novel to be read on an empty stomach. The novel also provides a younger voice and perspective than often I find in cozy mysteries and many novels touch on contemporary social issues. As much as Lila’s family can be a source of interesting drama, I really enjoyed the latest novel which focuses on a crime pinned on one of Lila’s friends since I find the dynamic between them is always a highlight for me. This novel provides both a unique self-contained mystery while also driving the larger story of Lila’s life in Shady Palms.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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