Perils In Paris
Royal Spyness Book 16
Rhys Bowen
Berkley Pub.
Nov 8th, 2022
Perils in Paris by Rhys Bowen is the “Sweet Sixteen” of these novels. Readers get to laugh with the antics of the characters, but also learn about the signs of the times.
This novel has Lady Georgiana Rannoch pregnant and deciding on a last fling before the baby is born. She can visit her friend Belinda when her husband Darcy says they are off to Paris. She will be looking at the new fashions of Coco Chanel while he is off on his latest spy assignment.
When Darcy realizes he cannot get a package from a German scientist’s wife, he enlists Georgie to help, since both women will be attending the fashion show. The world is on the brink of WWII. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong when Georgie is a major person of interest in a murder. It seems that the attendee she was to meet was not sitting in the seat assigned and the person sitting in the wrong seat is killed.
To prove her innocence Georgie gets the help of real-life people, Wallis Simpson, and Coco Chanel, along with the fictional characters including Georgie’s mom.
What makes this book stand out is the funny dialogue, some international intrigue, and some historical facts about the Germans and the cultures of the time.
Elise Cooper: You have Georgie on a visit to Paris?
Rhys Bowen: The main character, Georgie, is now pregnant so before she has a child, I want her to travel. I knew her friend Belinda is in Paris and studying under Chanel, so I had Georgie visit her. Plus, these books are light-heartened, funny but because it takes place in the 1930s the political situation is dire. Things are getting more serious.
EC: The role of Georgie’s mom?
RB: Georgie’s mother lives in Germany with a German. A large German woman is the minder for the mother. The Germans sent someone with her to keep her in line and report back wherever she went. This is where readers might think this is not funny. I wanted the background to hit the readers. Georgie’s mom is not beyond making fun of a high-ranking Nazi, which could put her in a precarious and dangerous situation. The mom is the ultimate survivor. Georgie and her mom are not close since her mother walked out when she was a young child. The mother cannot be relied on.
EC: Mrs. Simpson, the future King’s wife is in this story?
RB: She is tough as nails. She was nice to Georgie, especially in dealing with the French inspector who is anti-aristocratic with tunnel vision.
EC: Why Labrador puppies?
RB: They are the type of dog for a big estate. These big softy dogs are so loveable. They are a bit naughty as puppies, even when the age of two they are naughty teenagers. As they grow older, they will follow you around and look at you adoringly. Who would not want one?
EC: A sign of the times?
RB: Alcohol and smoking by a pregnant woman was accepted. I put in notes at the end of the book. When I had my first child my mother-in-law told me to drink plenty of beer to help the milk come in. My mother when she was pregnant with me during WWII was told by her doctor to keep smoking to calm her nerves. Georgie was given a drink to calm her nerves in the book. When writing historical novels there is a fine line to walk. I want to write exactly as it was.
EC: What about your next books?
RB: The next book that comes out in March is a Molly Murphy book titled, All That Is Hidden, written with my daughter Clare Broyles. It is about Tammany Hall corruption with William Randolph Hearst running for election against them.
Out in August is a historical novel. There is no title yet. The story starts in the 1930s going through WWII and finishes up in Australia.
The next Princess Georgie book is called The Proof of the Pudding. She acquires a French chef where at a big banquet bad things happen. It will probably come out in November of next year.
THANK YOU!!
