Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow

Handpicked by Rhys Bowen, Jasmine Blackborow is the dazzling narrator for the 12th installment of Rhys Bowen's best-selling Royal Spyness Mystery series.

Georgie, or Lady Georgiana Rannoch, is busy planning her upcoming nuptials to Darcy O'Mara. Unfortunately, what has started as a simple wedding has become quite a royal headache and grand affair, thanks to a guest list that includes the queen and the appointment of princesses as Georgie's bridesmaids. “If only Darcy and I had eloped!” she thinks, as she attempts to organize her wedding and find a place for her and her husband-to-be to live.

Just as she despairs of ever finding a home, her godfather offers his fully staffed country estate. With Darcy off in parts unknown, Georgie makes her way to Eynsleigh alone, only to find the grounds in disarray, and the small staff suspiciously incompetent. Not to mention the gas tap leak in her bedroom, which is beginning to look like an attempt on her life. Something sinister is afoot - and bringing the place up to snuff may put Georgie six feet under before she even gets a chance to walk down the aisle....

©2018 Janet Quin-Harkin (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Overall I loved it!

I have to admit I was ready to launch the audiobook, listen to 10 minutes and say the series is ruined without Katherine Kellgren. She had brought me so many hours of joy throughout 11 books. She will be missed! (PS: Rhys you added a lovely intro on how we all feel about Katherine's early passing. It was beautiful)
But to my great surprise I loved Jasmine Blackborow's narration for the series. It took a little getting used to and there are some small issues I have like her pronunciation of Georgies surname Rannoch (I will never know if Katherine had it right or if Jasmine has it right but I do like my continuity)
Jasmine is a keeper and I look forward to more Georgie stories with her.

As for the story itself I still have some of the same issues I had in book 11 with continuity and repetition. Examples for this book are - why does Belinda still act like she has money issues when she became a wealthy woman a few books ago with an inheritance? Why does Georgies mother prefer Claridge's when it was Browns hotel she favored for reverting to her old title of duchess? Why did we reference Belinda's maid leaving when she already left in a previous book to be a typist. I know people might think these are small issues but it really is sloppy writing.
On the positive side I feel the mystery itself was more solid than previous efforts. And it kept me entertained. I will gladly listen to this one again.
Yay for Georgie finally getting married. If this was the last book in the series that would be a lovely way to bookend it. But I know its not and I know there will be more. Consistency issues aside I love the series and will be back next year for a new adventure!!!

Not bad. Could be better.

I found the story fine. However, this narrator often gives Georgie a strident voice and even has her snapping at Darcy. She has lost her sweet innocence which is what makes her so lovable. Zuzu and Queenie are well done as is her mother. I did miss the old Belinda as well. She is no longer nearly as distinctive and blends into other characters. I know the old narrator is impossible to replace but I am sad that our Georgie has gone. Maybe a another narrator should have a shot at it.

Disappointing

I wanted to like the new narrator to be supportive but I just didn’t. The performance definitely made the book less fun to listen to. I don’t think I’ll listen to any more in the series.

Narration was not up to expectation

Obviously it’s not the late great Katherine Kellgren but there were times that characters sounded the same and it was confusing to follow dialogue. I also think this isn’t one of the best Royal Spyness stories. It was slower that usual. Pace was much slower and some intonation sounded out of character for Georgie.

Missing Katherine Kellgren

So sad to have lost the marvelous original voice for this series. I was put off at first, but the more I listened, the more I realized just how good this new voice is. Very happy with book 12 and looking forward to future stories with Jasmine.