Above the Bay of Angels

A Novel

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Gemma Dawson

"...Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!" (Louise Penny, number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels)

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 best-selling 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.

©2020 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Unexpected delight

Wow! This story was a delight. Bella was a character to love. I so enjoy a story about a sensible woman who makes her way in the world with such grace and character. In keeping with many of Rhys' stories, she travels on the edge of being super scandalous without being grotesque. There is enough romance and mystery to delight any mystery reader.

¿¿she did what??

I liked the atory, the mystery, the brave main character, the chances she took and the choices she made - and that I couldn't guess the ending. Thanks for that.

Loved it!

Being a Brit, I really enjoyed this and could relate to it. Bought many memories back of my years in London. Will be looking to read more of Rhys Bowen's work. Gemma Dawson did a wonderful job with her narration of all of the different accents. Loved it!

fun

I enjoyed that it was not just a love story, but that there was some intrigue as well.

Cooked To Perfection

Love, Love, Loved This Story!!
It is The Rhys Bowen that we have all grown to Love! A rags to riches story that is filled with her usual charm, wit, and mystery! I highly recommend this read!! - P. Smith