Christmas with Georgie

LOVED IT!! This is Bowen at the top of her game and showing the best that this series can be. In the world of cozies, this one really manages to stand out as something special. Not only is Georgie as fabulously adorable and klutzy as ever, but the mystery really has definite substance to it. Twelve days leading up to the New Year, mysterious violent deaths, escaped convicts, a house party of mismatched guests, and our favorite member of the royal family with Grandad, Mummy and dreamy Irish peer in tow are the ingredients for this fiendishly clever conundrum.

The cast was broader and more varied than what we've seen heretofore. There are the guests of the house party, Georgie's loved ones, the pertinent villagers, the village idiot and wild woman. And never forget the bumbling local representatives of the police force -- man, Bowen doesn't seem to have a high opinion of British law enforcement. The many characters are not difficult to keep track of however, and it makes for a delightful mix of social class, prejudice and hilarity.

Something that really endears this book to me is the time that Bowen sets aside for the relationships. The interactions between Georgie and her mother really set a different tone than what we have seen in their exchanges in previous books. There has always been a sense of deep hurt in Georgie whenever she's around Claire, but in this there seems to be a closeness that is reassuring. The big relationship is, of course, the romantic one. Darcy really shapes up in this and demonstrates that his feelings for Georgie are genuine - and that he has come to believe it for himself. It is very satisfying, though Bowen is clearly not done with them yet ... the road to happily ever after will continue to present challenges and pitfalls for them.

As always, this is a quick read ideal for a sleepless night, rainy day, or just because. Bravo!