Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and author Rhys Bowen for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

This is the 19th book in Rhys Bowen’s “Her Royal Spyness” series. I’ve read at least one of the earlier books in the series, but I haven’t followed it closely. I didn’t have a hard time following the characters in this story, so he does a great job making the books in this series accessible, even if you haven’t picked up one before.

Lady Georgiana Rannoch is a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and 34th in line to the throne in Great Britain. Georgie, as she’s generally known, is balancing life while still trying to maintain her identity. She’s the new mother of a young son and isn’t following society’s demands completely. She has yet to employ a nanny, something her sister-in-law, Fig, tries to help her with. Fig is very overbearing, and the nanny she has sent to Georgie really doesn’t fit in well with her lifestyle or desires. When Fig arrives following the nanny, ostensibly to “help out,” Georgie needs any excuse to get out of the house, even if that means being away from the baby she adores.

When Georgie learns of the deaths of four young men, all around the same age, her curiosity is piqued. They all seem to have perished in tragic accidents, but Georgie thinks it’s too coincidental. Her friends ZouZou and Belinda have ties to two of the young men, and Georgie’s suspicions are contagious. The three set off on an adventure across England to try to figure out the connection between the men and who could have done it. Georgie is also frightened that her husband, Darcy, who works for the War Department, may also be in the killer’s sights.

When I read a lot of “heavy” books, it’s good to intersperse them with clever, light reading such as in From Cradle to Grave. From Georgie’s issues with her family to the mystery, it was entertaining and fun. I liked that Georgie struggled with the concept of having a nanny. She knows her son has certain expectations on him and eventually must have a nanny who will teach him the things necessary for his station in life, but she also wants to raise her son. The nanny sent to her by her sister-in-law wants to rigidly schedule the infant’s life, which means she wouldn’t see him as much as she normally does. At first, Georgie tries to embrace this. It gives her free time to spend with her friends and investigate the deaths. Eventually, though, Georgie grows a backbone and asserts herself with both the servant and Fig.

The mystery is a good one. At first, no one believes Georgie that the men have been murdered. Each death seems like a tragic accident. Even Darcy thinks she’s just looking for a reason to get out of the house. A number of dead ends discourages Georgie a great deal, but she has friends behind her cheering her on. It’s a mystery only Georgie can solve, as no one in authority would believe the slim evidence.

I enjoyed From Cradle to Grave quite a bit. It’s light reading, great for the summer, and a good break from more serious topics, not that murder isn’t serious. Still, it’s nearly the perfect crime, but she’s determined to find the truth. Georgie is fun and smart, not typical of women during this time period just prior to World War II. As a royal, she has certain things expected of her, and there’s more coming with her cousin, Bertie (King George), about to ascend the throne after his brother has abdicated. For those of us who live outside of Great Britain, there are some good insights into what’s expected of a royal, even one as minor as Georgie.

I recommend this book and this series for people who need a bit of escapism. It’s fun and not a difficult read. Bowen describes the times and setting very well, helping me be all the more eager to take another trip across the pond.

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