To Crown It All

Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Rannoch prepares for the biggest family reunion of the decade-which just so happens to be the coronation of the new king of England-in the landmark twentieth book in the Royal Spyness series from the queen of historical mystery, Rhys Bowen. 1936. There's great excitement in England in the weeks leading up to the crowning of King George VI. Georgie receives a series of letters from family members coming to London for the coronation-all of whom expect to stay with Georgie and her husband, Darcy. But one letter is unlike the others-it's from Georgie's mother, the Dowager Duchess of Rannoch, and quite unlike her in style. The last time Darcy saw Georgie's mother, she was surrounded by Hitler and his bodyguards. Georgie suspects that something is very wrong, and the two study the letter, finding hidden clues that she's asking for help. Georgie and Darcy concoct a scheme to get the duchess invited to the coronation to attempt a rescue. The duchess arrives as part of the German embassy, with a "minder"- one young Count von Sissheim-in tow. When the count is found murdered, the duchess is the obvious suspect. Will Georgie be able to clear her mother's name in time for the coronation?