Masked Ball at Broxley Manor Audiobook By Rhys Bowen cover art

Masked Ball at Broxley Manor

A Royal Spyness Novella

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Masked Ball at Broxley Manor

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
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A delectable prequel to the national best-selling Royal Spyness mysteries featuring Lady Georgiana Rannoch - 34th in line to the throne, and England’s poorest heiress. At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad. When the prince, dressed as the devil, rescues her from an embarrassing situation at the ball, Georgie is surprised to find her unwanted suitor to be a dashing, charming man - especially when he pulls her aside and gives her the kiss of a lifetime. But as the time comes for the unmasking, Georgie’s rescuer vanishes and the party is thrown into chaos, making it clear that everything at Broxley Manor is not as it appears…

©2012 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2014 Audible Inc. Cozy Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Royalty Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Feel-Good

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Enjoyable Prequel • Fun Concept • Excellent Character Voices • Clever Protagonist • Cozy Mystery • Humorous Dialogue
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This is a short describing a particular ball of Georgie's season, with a touch of all the usual elements--Georgie's accomplishments from finishing school (or lack thereof), Binky & Fig, Georgie's virginity, Queen Mary's scheming, a house party, cameo by Mrs. Simpson, and something bigger going on in the background.

The series is not particularly consistent overall and this short is no exception. While she meets a couple of the series staples here for the first time, in later books her thoughts/reactions imply that she has no memory of this meeting. There are also a few more general inconsistencies--for instance, she receives what should probably be called a very acceptable proposal in this short, when a consistent refrain through the first few books is that no one acceptable to the family made her an offer.

So the good news is this story is not forced into a prequel situation where nothing interesting is allowed to happen. The bad news is that almost everyone in universe apparently suffers collective amnesia about what did happen. It also has some pacing issues as the usual introductory build up made up a good portion of the first 30min, and a preview of "Her Royal Spyness" made up the last 30min, leaving little room for a plot or interesting mystery.

I had fun listening, but I do wish I had known it was effectively a 1hr book instead of what appears to be almost 2hrs. If you are new to the series, I would recommend skipping over this until you have finished at least the second book.

Last 30min are preview of "Her Royals Spyness"

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I loved it...I love all her royal spyness mysteries. The narrator was amazing and really plays THE part on audible books.

Spy mystery

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I have not read the main part of this series, but I am hooked in now. The reader is good, though a bit brash. Bless you and cheers!

Pretty Good Little Hook

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I really like this series. But in this case I felt like someone shout on me constantly...Performance is really funny but it was a torture to listen high tones and shouts....

I’m confused

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A very short story that felt incomplete. When the story ended, I thought another chapter was coming but that was it.

Very short story

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I truly enjoyed this preview and will definitely get the book. It has all the elements needed for a good story.

Great book

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This brief audiobook is strictly for devotees of the full-length Royal Spyness series. I am one, but didn't enjoy it as much as the novels. There's very little plot and no mystery. I'm guessing that it was written on demand from Amazon/Audible, as it doesn't exist in hard copy.

Bowen exhibits her obsession with Wallis Warfield Simpson again, and Katherine Kellgren, whose narration I otherwise love, continues to voice American women characters as strident harpies.

Slight 'Prequel' to Royal Spyness Novels

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This was a fun little story and a glimpse into Georgie's past. Not as much mystery, but still plenty of humor and romance. Definitely worth picking up and listening to on a slow afternoon.

Wonderful little addition to the series.

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A friend of my has been reading this series and just loves them. I see why totally fun.

Totally Fun

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Story kept my attention, wanted more. The high pitch English accents were annoying. Next time tone the pitch down.

Good story, bad voices

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