Another well written story by Rhys Bowen. These novels are all well written and this was no exception. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the area as well.

Another wonderful period mystery by Rhys Bowen. Isabella Waverly from a once prosperous family is sent into servitude by her father. She rises from the lowest servant to the cook in a home where she is unhappy. A serendipitous encounter lands her a position as a cook in Queen Victoria's kitchen under an assumed identity. Accompanying the queen and her staff on a trip to the French Reviera, she is embroiled in a murder mystery where she is suspect and her true identity may be discovered.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union for this e-copy in return for my honest review. I always love Rhys Bowen books and this one doesn't disappoint!! The story is one of hardship and adversity, reminds me of Lesley Pearse's earlier books. Enjoyed it very much.

I enjoyed this mostly for it's historical and geographical setting.

Isabella Waverley isan educated girl from an aristocratic family who was forced to work as a maid after her mother died and her alcoholic father lost everything. She secures a job in the kitchen of a large house where she discovers a love of cooking and this leads to a through a poistion in Queen Victoria's kitchen where she starts to specialise as a pastry cook.

When the pastry chef is injured prior to the court decamping to Nice for the summer Isabella takes their place.. She falls in love with the town, the markets and French food. However disaster strikes when a member of German royalty falls ill and she is suspected of poisoning him!

This is a pleasant read if a little slow perhaps but entertaining. . I thought more could have been made of the murder mystery and perhaps not had it solved quite so quickly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle story, about a young woman, Isabella Waverley, who despite a genteel background falls on hard times when her father loses his job. Isabella is forced to take a job as a maidservant for a rather obnoxious couple. She sometimes helps the cook to prepare meals, and realises that she loves cooking, and wants to find a job as a cook. Her employer heard about it and tells Isabella in no uncertain terms that she would refuse to give her a reference. She liked having Isabella around when she had visitors, she would boast that Isabella was an aristocrat, she had taken her in after her father died. All of Isabella’s wages went to keep her father and sister. After their father died isabella’s sister became an apprentice milliner, and also became engaged to the butcher’s son, whose shop they had lived above. So Isabella could at last make some choices for her alone, she contemplated going to America, where it wouldn’t matter that she could not produce a reference.

On her next day off she took the underground to the West End, to do some window shopping. On impulse she decided to go and take tea at Fortnum and Mason, in Piccadilly. While waiting to cross the road she heard a loud scream, shouting and a police whistle; there had been an accident that would change her life. Soon she had a new job, she was an assistant cook in the Royal household, at Buckingham Palace. She had needed to change her name for the appointment, she was now Helen Barton.

And so begins her new life. We find out about all the fancy dishes that are served to Queen Victoria, and how Helen learns to make them. Because she is good at what she does she gets the opportunity to make a few things for Her Majesty, rather than mostly cooking for the palace servants. She eventually gets the opportunity to assist the pastry chef, where she learns so much about cakes and pastries. Then an announcement is made, the Queen is going to spend the summer at the French Riviera, and is taking her own kitchen staff with her. Although not intended to be one of those going, Helen suddenly find she has to, when Monsieur Roland, the Pastry Chef, has a accident, so has to be left behind. Plus, she speaks fluent French, which is going to be an asset on their travels

And so, her life changes very much for the better. Helen has a few hiccups along the way, some more threatening than others, but all gets resolved, and she can finally use her own name again, marry the man she lives, and embark on a new life doing a job that has long been her ambition. The story is interesting and factual, you learn a great deal about life in Victorian times, and the formalities involved in whatever level of society you belong in. Well worth reading.

Read it! It begins in 1896 when Queen Victoria is still on the throne. Bella had had to go into service from a very young age when her mother died and her father fell from grace and returned home from India and went to work in the Savoy Hotel as guest relations manager. He subsequently drank himself to death when Bella was 20 and Bella had to go into service to provide a home for her younger sister Louisa . Bella worked for the Tilleys in St John's Wood as a housemaid. The work was soul destroying and Bella had to share a bed with the scullery maid. Bella wanted a better position and this came about in a very intriquing way. She had been walking on her day in Mayfair and a young woman stepped out in front of an omnibus. She had been holding a letter - something to do with the Palace. Sadly this young woman died, but Bella had the letter which was to change her life in many ways. The letter revealed that this young woman Helen Barton had received a letter from Buckingham Palace to be interviewed for the position of under-cook and it was here she was travelling to, when she had this unfortunate accident. Bella attended the interview, assumed the Helen and set to work. Her life was to change for ever.
This is a book that we all need in times like we're living through and I enjoyed this book immensely. The author had done her research about Queen Victoria and I'd recommend this book wholeheartedly.

What an amazing story!. I always love Rhys Bowen books and this one doesn't disappoint!! It's a story about hardship and keeping on going when things get tough.
It's an easy read that you will read and enjoy!..
I highly recommend this book !.

This was my introduction to Rhys Bowen. I loved the book. Many are finding it to concentrate on books during the Corvid 19 pandemic. I was struggling but started reading this and was hooked. Helen Barton is on her way to take up a post as a cook to Queen Victoria when she is killed crossing the road. Bella, a servant interested in cooking, tries to help and is given t’he letter of appointment before Helen dies. She takes over Helen’s identity and becomes a cook in the Palace’s kitchens. She makes good progress and is even one of Queen Victoria’s entourage when the Queen visits the south of France. She is accused of poisoning one of the royal party. Is blackmailed by the real Helen’s brother , is propositioned by the Prince of Wales so life is not easy. From the very beginning I found this to be a page-turner. It was beautifully written and offered me much-needed escapism. Imshall be investigating of Rhys Bowen’s books.

sadly unable to post my review as it was on a different Laptop & that got infected by a Windows 10 Virus which completely wiped out my Hard Drive , but I do know I really enjoyed the Book & did recommend it to several friends .

Expertly written, enjoyable characters, heart warming story of rise to success of young woman whose early life was hard .. literally moving into a castle! Perfect easy read in these weird times .. thank you!! I relaxed with pleasure reading this plausible historical novel ..

A thoroughly enjoyable read! The life of Bella Waverley, from a rich family who turn on hard times, Bella finds herself sent off to work before finishing school. She then finds herself in a position where she is working in the kitchens of Queen Victoria. I enjoyed this story very much, and could really picture how life would have been during this period! Thank you very much net galley for this I would definitely recommend.

I simply love Rhys Bowen. Her books are so enchanting and full of historical fiction wonderfulness. This book was no different. The premise was fantastic with a lonely girl, fallen from her social standing at birth, to become a cook at Buckingham palace. The setting was my favorite part, as well as the mystery that unearths the protagonist's secrets. You can't go wrong with this book.

I do enjoy Rhys Bowen but in all honesty she is a little hard to take in her books. Her books are a little slow in general and this was no different.

Rhys Bowen knows how to bring the genre of Historical Fiction to life- and this book is no exception. Characters that breathe and pull you into their lives...with an added twist or two.
"Isabella Waverly" grabs onto an opportunity handed to her...only it comes with a large price tag. But given her current circumstances, she has no option other than to lie and go where the opportunity leads her- straight into the kitchens at Buckingham Palace.
As we all know, with every lie spoken, another lie is born and soon Isabella will have to pay for her stolen opportunity and her deceptions...especially when royalty is on the menu.
4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Ms. Rhys Bowen for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "Above the Bay Of Angels". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

Above the Bay of Angels is a really great historical fiction novel. I really enjoy books set in the Victorian time period, especially when they include "upstairs/downstairs" setting. It's nice to find a book that is well-written and is also a light, clean read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. A nice light read - a mixture of historical, mystery, and romance, I enjoyed the blend, and was pleased to learn that some elements were based on the real life of Queen Victoria. Also loved the vivid descriptions of Nice, one of my favourite places.

Will look out for more books from this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I loved this book. It centres on a twist of fate which brings middle class Isabella to work as a kitchen aid in Queen Victoria's household..
There are several plot lines, which keep the story moving on. A change of circumstances whilst serving Queen Victoria at her holiday home gives an interesting insight into the court of the widowed Queen.
This was the first of Rhys Bowen's books for me - thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it in exchange for an honest review.

What a brilliant read. I was absorbed from the start as I love books about the Victorian era and definitely the upstairs and downstairs lives. It was very cleverly written and I totally invested in the characters. A great read. I will be looking for more by this author .

Rewrite The Stars. This is a solid book, particularly in the "historical fiction where the lead character believes they can change their destiny" type. Brings to life some real-world trivia points that I hadn't known, which is always a nice little surprise, and even taught me a bit of geography I didn't know in the process - which is even more rare and thus even more awesome when it happens. The story itself will be familiar to anyone who has seen A Knight's Tale (the movie) or read Gone With the Wind or any other numerous stories of its type over the years, but the execution here is excellent and the story is well paced and well told. Very much recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Above The Bay Of Angels
By: Rhys Bowen

*REVIEW* ☆☆☆
I enjoy historical mysteries, but Above The Bay Of Angels promised more than it delivered. Granted, the premise is unique and intriguing, but so much just felt too coincidental or too convenient. I didn't find the story believable enough to make a solid connection. It's not my favorite, but I do see the appeal for historical fiction enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy behind the scenes type stuff.