Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Published: February 11, 2020

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Available Formats: Digital, Audio, Hardcover, and Paperback

My Review: I admit I do not know much about the monarchy in England so I didn’t realize that this was based on a real Queen and some of her life experiences. I think if I had known that I would have gotten a little more out of the story.

The book was enjoyable and I really liked the main character. Isabella (Helen). Her spunk and gumption was fun. I like that for the most part she was portrayed as a strong heroine.

What I did not like was the crime did not occur until the last 20% of the book. I kept expecting it to occur much sooner. When it did occur it felt rushed.

This is my first Rhys Bowen book and my appetite is whetted for more.

From Goodreads: A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful, historical mystery by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and The Victory Garden.

Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings.

Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies.

Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down—if it doesn’t send her to the gallows.