ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS BY RHYS BOWEN

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BOOK DESCRIPTION

“…Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling 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 bestselling 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.

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Release date 

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

MY REVIEW

There's nothing I enjoy more than a book that both entertains and educates me, and Above the Bay of Angels does both. Following Bella/Helen through the twists and turns of her personal life as she is able to "seize the day" to rise from a lowly servant's position to cook for Queen Victoria is fascinating. A mystery added to the mix only seasons the plot. Obviously a great deal of research went into creating this story and it immerses the reader into life in a Royal household as well as the beauty and culture of the French Rivera. A wonderful escape reading for a cold winter day. Now -- back to snow and plain comfort food!