Better than the previous book in the series in that the plot was more probable (not really probable but more likely than the last one!). And I found it satisfying that in several instances Georgiana got the better of Fig :) ( )

With Georgie’s persistent insecurities, I really appreciate her going for what she thinks she wants, in this installment. Her fears are unfounded (this is a cozy read, after all), but still completely understandable, given her family history and sheltered upbringing.

I do love the nods and handshakes with real historical figures, in these books, but this one had far too much Coco Chanel for my comfort. I’m writing this review after starting “Queen of Hearts”, and I haven’t seen what Chanel added to the narrative that couldn’t have been accomplished by a fictional fashion designer. Since “Royal Flush” included a historical note on the character of Ronny Padgett (who was based on a real-life pilot), I expected something at the end of “Naughty in Nice” explaining why the Nazi agent featured so prominently in this story. ( )

Naughty in Nice
4 Stars

Asked by the Queen to recover a stolen snuff box, Lady Georgiana Rannoch jumps at the opportunity to escape dreary London for the sunshine of Nice. The trouble starts when Georgie stumbles across a body and is accused of murder. Can she clear her name before she causes a diplomatic incident?

As always, Bowen's never misses a trick in her satirical descriptions of the British upper classes and this time her focus in on the spoiled and wealthy (or those pretending to be wealthy) living it up on the French Riviera. As Georgie hobnobs with the likes of Coco Chanel and Wallace Simpson, she manages to find the time to do a little sleuthing. While her investigative skills are improving, she still overlooks many of the obvious clues and finds herself in dire situations.

On the romance side, Georgie learns something troubling about Darcy and he is MIA for most of the book. Hopefully, their relationship will progress more significantly in the next book.

All in all, Georgie's adventures are always good for a laugh, and this is no exception. ( )

Imbued with the sights and sounds of the French Riviera in the 1930s, Naughty in Nice is just plain fun to read. The Queen must have her necklace and snuff box returned to her. There's a dead man in a swimming pool overlooking the Mediterranean. There's a dashing French aristocrat paying attention to Georgie as well as a very unwelcome pompous police officer. And who can resist a fashion show featuring the creations of Coco Chanel?

Amidst all the fun, there were only two annoying flies buzzing around my head. One was the voice narrator Katherine Kellgren used for Georgie's best friend Belinda. There's only so much of that bored, nasal, upper-class British whine that I can take, so it was a very good thing that Belinda had few scenes in the book. (It was bad enough that I'm considering going back to reading the physical books so I can supply my own voice for this character.)

The second annoyance was Georgie's maid, Queenie. I know she's supposed to be funny, but I would have sacked that woman after the first week and thought I'd been magnanimous in waiting that long to show her the door. (In case you haven't guessed, gross incompetence wrapped in humor does not work for me.)

However, both those annoyances were fleeting, and I really enjoyed the light-hearted fun in Naughty in Nice. I'm looking forward to Georgie's next escapade. It's bound to be a good one. ( )

Book five in the Her Royal Spyness cozy mystery series had Lady Georgiana Rannoch headed to the Riviera to try to retrieve a snuffbox that has been stolen from Queen Mary’s collection. She certainly doesn’t expect to be arrested for a murder she could not possibly have committed!

I came late to this party, but I’m really enjoying this series. Georgie is sometimes incredibly clueless, but I love her good intentions and her determination to succeed on her own. I also really like her friend Belinda, her totally inept maid Queenie, her grandfather (with his Cockney sayings) and, of course, the mysterious Darcy O’Mara.

Bowen took inspiration from some real-life historical coincidences to build her mystery. Coco Chanel really did spend time in Nice with her business partner Vera Bate Lombardi; she really did put on a fashion show that featured jewels on loan from Queen Mary (who was related to Lombardi). I enjoyed hobnobbing with these people as much as Georgie did! ( )