Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Royal Spyness #13
Publication Date: 8/6/19
Number of Pages: 304

I have wanted to start reading this series since its beginning, but for some reason I never did. I remedied that by starting with this book – and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t find starting with the thirteenth book a problem. Yes, I missed the development of the relationship between Darcy and Georgie, but – goodness – I got to start with the honeymoon! I’m sure I missed out on the development of other characters and relationships, but I fully intend to go back and read the first books of the series when I have a chance to do so. None of what I’d missed detracted from my enjoyment of this book. It is well written and witty with great characters and multiple mysteries. All of the loose ends were wrapped up and justice was served just as it should be.

Georgie and Darcy spent the first few days of their honeymoon on a friend’s houseboat in a secluded section of the Thames. That was a wonderful, private first few days of marriage, but soon enough the food ran out and they had bumped their heads on the low ceilings one too many times. They both decided it was time to head back into London – where Darcy soon announced that he’d arranged for the remainder of their honeymoon to be in Kenya. WOW! The trip of a lifetime and Georgie is so excited.

Soon, our sharp-as-a-tack heroine comes to suspect that there is more to the destination than meets the eye. When she confronts Darcy, he tells her that he’s been assigned to keep an eye out for a suspected jewel thief. She buys that and soon settles in to help him determine who the thief might be – and to catch him or her.

Once they arrive in Kenya, things soon begin to happen – but none of them actually point toward a jewel thief. There are lots of other mysteries as well – a murder, attempts on Georgie and Darcy’s lives, residents swapping spouses, drug parties – you name it. Then, when you add in the political intrigue, you have quite a busy story.

I thoroughly enjoyed and certainly recommend this book. It is well written, well-plotted and I really loved the characters. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series as well as going back to read the previous books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.