The Proof of the Pudding - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Proof of the Pudding (A Royal Spyness Mystery #17) by Rhys Bowen

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Lady Georgiana Rannoch is looking forward to her first ever turn as hostess for her very own house party when the festivities lead to murder…

Georgie, back home at her estate in Eynsleigh, impatiently awaits the birth of her baby. But she has plenty to occupy her new chef, Pierre, has arrived from Paris, and Sir Hubert, who owns Eynsleigh, is back from his latest expedition. It's time for Georgie to throw her first house party to celebrate his return and show off her new chef. The dinner party is a smashing success. Sir Mortimer Mordred—famous author of creepy Gothic horror novels—is one of the guests. He recently purchased a nearby Elizabethan manor nearby because it has a famous poison garden. After the dinner, Sir Mortimer approaches Georgie and asks to borrow her new chef for his upcoming party, and Georgie and Darcy, her dashing husband, are invited!

The tour of the poison garden is fascinating, as is Sir Mortimer’s laboratory. Shockingly, just after the banquet several of the guests become sick. And one dies, apparently poisoned by berries from the garden. But how could this be when they all ate the same meal and the same delectable dessert? Georgie has to find the culprit to save her new chef and her own reputation—all before her bundle of joy arrives!

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:   I have enjoyed this series from the beginning (though I missed a few in the middle) and the most recent few have been especially fun.

My Impression:  Oh this was a good one!  I've been a long time fan of Georgie and have really been enjoying the more recent books where she's gotten a bit more capable and Queenie is in a bit of a smaller role.  Georgie has hired a new chef - though Georgie being Georgie she didn't go about it in quite the usual way so references and things like that were never checked.  Things are going well and Pierre is proving himself most capable in preparing amazing meals and avoiding Queenie.  But things in Georgie's life can never stay peaceful for long and soon they are pulled into a murder investigation.  Since Pierre is accused Georgie must get involved - mostly because she knows he's innocent with a touch of not wanting to have to hire a new chef.  

There's a lot of setup before the investigation starts but it was never a slow read as we meet all the local characters as well as getting to know those in Georgie's household.  I knew something bad was going to happen and couldn't wait to see just how everything transpired.  And when it did I had a delightful surprise as Georgie has some help investigating from a fellow guest at the dinner party.  I don't want to ruin the surprise of the mystery guest's identity but this appearance was well done and made my reading experience even better.  

I did guess the who and the why but I enjoyed watching Georgie figure things out enough that it didn't bother me in the slightest.  As a long time reader of the series I'm really enjoying seeing Georgie a bit more confident and sure of herself and I can't wait to see more of these characters.  If you enjoy light historical mysteries this is such a fun series. You could jump in here with very few issues but like most series the better you know the characters the better the book is.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're looking for a lighter historical mystery with a good cozy feel this series (and this book) is a great choice.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *