Rhys Bowen is a New York Times bestselling author known for her captivating mystery novels. With over forty books to her name, Bowen is celebrated for her skillful storytelling and compelling characters. Bowen’s novels often feature strong female protagonists and are set in various historical periods, making her a favorite among readers of historical fiction and mystery genres.
Rhys Bowen Books in Order
- The Tuscan Child
- The Venice Sketchbook
- In Farleigh Field
- The Victory Garden
- Her Royal Spyness (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #1)
- Above the Bay of Angels
- Where the Sky Begins
- A Royal Pain (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #2)
- Murphy’s Law (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #1)
- The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #6)
Summary of Rhys Bowen Books in Order
The Tuscan Child
“The Tuscan Child” by Rhys Bowen is a gripping story that follows the protagonist, Joanna Langley, as she uncovers her father’s mysterious past. When Joanna’s father, Sir Hugo Langley, passes away, she discovers a letter written to his lover in Italy during World War II. Intrigued by the contents of the letter, Joanna sets out to unravel the secrets of her father’s time in Italy.
As Joanna delves deeper into her father’s past, she learns of his time as a pilot in Italy and his connection to a remote Tuscan village. She unravels a captivating story of love, betrayal, and tragedy set against the backdrop of war-torn Italy. Along the way, she encounters locals who remember her father and is drawn into a world of secrets and mysteries that have been hidden for decades.
The novel artfully weaves together two timelines, combining Joanna’s present-day journey with her father’s experiences during the war. As Joanna uncovers the truth about her father’s past, she must also come to terms with the impact it has had on her own life. “The Tuscan Child” is a powerful and emotional tale of family, love, and resilience that will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end.
The Venice Sketchbook
“The Venice Sketchbook” by Rhys Bowen follows the story of Caroline Grant, a young woman who inherits her late great aunt’s sketchbook and uncovers a family secret that leads her to Venice. As Caroline delves into her great aunt’s past, she discovers a love story and a web of secrets that date back to World War II. The novel alternates between Caroline’s present-day journey and her great aunt’s experiences during the war, unfolding a tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice.
Set against the backdrop of the charming and mysterious city of Venice, the novel captures the beauty and allure of the city while also delving into its dark history. Bowen’s descriptive prose brings the city to life, creating a vivid and immersive setting for the story. As Caroline navigates her great aunt’s past, she comes to understand her own family history and finds herself drawn into the same temptations and dangers that her great aunt faced decades before.
“The Venice Sketchbook” is a captivating blend of historical fiction, romance, and mystery, offering a compelling and poignant portrayal of love and loss. With its richly developed characters and evocative storytelling, the novel explores themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the enduring impact of war. Bowen weaves together the threads of the past and present to create a poignant and unforgettable tale of love and redemption.
In Farleigh Field
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The Victory Garden
“The Victory Garden” by Rhys Bowen is a historical fiction novel set during World War I in England. The story follows Emily Bryce, a young woman who volunteers for the Women’s Land Army and finds herself working on a country estate in Cornwall. As Emily tends to the estate’s land and gardens, she forms strong bonds with the other women working there and discovers her own resilience and strength. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and female empowerment against the backdrop of war.
As Emily navigates the challenges of war and the constraints placed on women during that time period, she also finds love and friendship in unexpected places. The story delves into the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices made by individuals during wartime. “The Victory Garden” offers a poignant portrayal of life on the home front during World War I and the ways in which women played a crucial role in supporting the war effort.
Rhys Bowen’s evocative prose and rich historical detail bring the setting and characters of “The Victory Garden” to life, offering readers a gripping and emotional tale of resilience, love, and the enduring power of friendship in the face of adversity.
Her Royal Spyness (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #1)
“Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the throne, is flat broke. She’s bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed. London is a place where she’ll experience freedom, and more importantly, find a husband. She has the perfect cover for her mission – a garishly colored orange and green dress that would make a last-ditch-daddy’s-funded-dowry look like a pittance. With proprietary information to sell, private investigator extraordinaire Sarah Kincaid is turning Charlotte’s quiet and orderly world upside down. With trouble at the mill, the demand for locomotives, and the business of organizing the inaugural First Exhibition of Georgian Treasures all conspiring against him, the set of one of Georgie’s fiancé’s plays dissolves into chaos. Georgie will have a hard time trying to prevent another rocking scandal. Especially since Charlotte hasn’t yet quite realized that awarded the title of Lady Fairhaven swiftly turned her from being Georgie to Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie Lottie Can Peach Royal to you.”
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Above the Bay of Angels
“Above the Bay of Angels” by Rhys Bowen is a historical fiction novel set in the early 20th century. The story follows the journey of a young English woman named Bella Waverly, who takes on the role of a chef in the household of the Duke of Olympia in the French Riviera. As Bella becomes immersed in the culinary world and the high society of the time, she uncovers a long-held family secret which leads her to question her own identity and destiny.
The novel delves into themes of love, ambition, and self-discovery as Bella navigates the complex social dynamics and personal challenges of her new environment. The lush setting of the French Riviera and the sumptuous descriptions of food add an extra layer of charm to the story, making it a delightful read for fans of historical fiction and romance.
With its engaging plot and well-developed characters, “Above the Bay of Angels” offers a captivating glimpse into the world of aristocracy and culinary arts in early 20th century Europe, while also exploring the universal themes of identity and passion. Rhys Bowen’s skillful storytelling and vivid historical details make this novel a compelling and enjoyable read for anyone interested in a blend of romance, mystery, and rich historical settings.
Where the Sky Begins
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A Royal Pain (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #2)
Lady Georgiana, the protagonist of “A Royal Pain,” is a distant relative of the royal family, living in 1930s England. When she is asked to look after a high-spirited actress in the country, she is drawn into a world of scandal and intrigue. Lady Georgiana must navigate the social customs and expectations of the upper class while also solving a murder mystery.
As she delves deeper into the mystery, Lady Georgiana discovers that the seemingly innocent country house party is rife with secrets and hidden agendas. With her quick wit and resourcefulness, she unravels the truth and ultimately saves the day. Along the way, she must also confront her own feelings for the dashing and enigmatic Darcy, adding a romantic element to the story.
“A Royal Pain” is a delightful blend of historical fiction, mystery, and romance, offering readers a charming and captivating glimpse into the world of the British aristocracy. Rhys Bowen’s engaging storytelling and vivid depiction of the time period make this book a compelling and enjoyable read.
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Murphy’s Law (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #1)
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The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #6)
“The Twelve Clues of Christmas” by Rhys Bowen is the sixth book in the Her Royal Spyness Mysteries series. Set in 1933, the story follows Lady Georgiana Rannoch, a distant relative of the Queen of England, as she finds herself in the midst of a Christmas mystery in the cozy English village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey. Georgie is invited to spend the holidays at a grand estate, where she is drawn into a series of strange and deadly incidents that seem to point to a homicidal maniac lurking in the village. As Georgie investigates, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies, and must navigate through the traditions and festivities of an English Christmas to catch the culprit before it’s too late.
The book is filled with all the Christmas charm and warmth of a traditional English holiday, and Bowen skillfully weaves in the tension and suspense of a classic murder mystery. “The Twelve Clues of Christmas” is a delightful and entertaining read that combines the best elements of historical fiction, cozy mystery, and holiday romance. With its engaging characters, intricate plot, and charming setting, this book is sure to appeal to fans of both the mystery and holiday genres.
Readers will be transported to a bygone era and will find themselves immersed in the festive and sometimes macabre traditions of an English Christmas. Bowen’s writing is evocative and vivid, bringing the village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey to life with its quirky inhabitants, lavish parties, and snowy landscapes. “The Twelve Clues of Christmas” is a perfect read for anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday mystery with a touch of danger and romance.
Biography Rhys Bowen
I am a New York Times bestselling mystery author, known for my award-winning Molly Murphy mysteries set in 1902 New York City. In addition to my successful mystery series, I have recently published four bestselling WWII novels, including The Tuscan Child, which has sold nearly a million copies. My novels have been translated into 29 languages and have gained me fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, a lighter, sexier, and funnier take on the British royal family in the 1930s. This series was voted by readers as the best mystery series one year. Additionally, I am known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
Born and raised in England, I currently split my time between California and Arizona. When I’m not writing, I enjoy traveling, singing, hiking, and playing my Celtic harp. Thank you for your support as I continue to bring you engaging historical novels and intriguing mysteries.
Overall, Rhys Bowen’s books offer a captivating blend of historical fiction, mystery, and character-driven storytelling. With her meticulous research and attention to historical detail, Bowen brings the past to life in a way that educates and entertains readers. Her strong heroines and well-crafted plots provide important ideological lessons about resilience, determination, and the power of the human spirit. By delving into the complexities of the past, Bowen’s books offer a valuable perspective on the human experience and the enduring themes of justice, equality, and perseverance.
FAQs about author Rhys Bowen
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