A Royal Spyness Book 18
Berkley Pub
Nov 19th, 2024
We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen is a delightful blend of historical fiction with a cozy mystery. There are three different subplots in this story.
“This series is driven by real history. We followed the whole relationship between King Edward and Mrs. Simpson. From when they first met, to getting more serious, and this book is their relationship at the beginning of 1936 where he insists on marrying her. The King, who is a good friend of Georgie’s husband Darcy, asks Darcy to help hide Mrs. Simpson. I also included others coming to the house, including Georgie’s brother and sister-in-law as well as a film crew. She has three lots of people she must juggle.”
The story takes place in 1936 where King Edward wants to marry the divorced Mrs. Wallis Simpson. He asks Georgie’s husband, Darcy to hide Wallis in their home until Parliament decides if they will allow the marriage.
“The three queens are the Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn that are part of the film and then Mrs. Simpson who expects to be Queen. I tried to make Mrs. Simpson true to life.”
Also coming as guests are Georgie’s brother Binky, his wife Fig, and their two children. They plan to use Darcy and Georgie’s home as a base while they investigate nearby boarding schools for their oldest son. Now Georgie must deal with two people she dislikes, both bossy, Fig and Mrs. Simpson.
“Fig is rude, demanding, and critical. Georgie does not stand up to her more because she does not want to lose contact with her brother who she adores.”
To make matters worse Sir Hubert, the owner of the estate, has given a film crew permission to shoot a motion picture about Henry the Eighth, Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn on the premises.
There are also references to WWII, how the Nazis were treating the Jewish people, and Mrs. Simpson’s friendship with those in the Nazi regime.
“: People in England were not aware of what is happening in Germany. But in 1936 there are Jewish people arriving telling how they are being threatened so people are more aware. I want people to think about what happened in Germany when good people did nothing. In a previous book I wrote how Edward met with the Germans to discuss how they could help each other.”
The mystery comes into play when Georgie’s black labs find the strangled body of the film’s leading lady. Georgie and Darcy must use all their skills and connections to thwart a murderer.
“Georgie and Darcy gave each other one as a Christmas present the year before. They are chewing everything up. For Georgie they are quite loveable but also quite naughty. Everyone in English houses have naughty dogs where they run everywhere they shouldn’t. Until labs are about two, they are very naughty and then they settle down and are adorable.”
This story is amusing with sharp banter blending humor, wit, and the desires to solve a murder.
