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A single twist of fate changes a servant girl鈥檚 life forever in a royally 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鈥檚 hand. It鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 retinue falls ill and dies.
Having prepared the royal guest鈥檚 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鈥攊f it doesn鈥檛 send her to the gallows.
Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella鈥檚 hand. It鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 retinue falls ill and dies.
Having prepared the royal guest鈥檚 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鈥攊f it doesn鈥檛 send her to the gallows.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2020
8599 people are currently reading
12440 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
162听books9,242听followersI'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
*
*
*
Awards:
鈼� Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
鈼� Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
*
*
*
Awards:
鈼� Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
鈼� Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,839 reviews
February 11, 2020
In Victorian England, young Bella takes a letter from a dying stranger in the street. She uses the dead stranger's name, background, and letter of recommendation to obtain a job working as a cook for Queen Victorian in Buckingham Palace. But as events transpire, Bella realizes that she is not the only one with a secret.
The overall story is a very light and cushy historical fiction that slowly builds up to Queen Victoria's stay at the Hotel Regina Excelsior on the Riviera in France. Once they arrive and acts of treason begin to unfold, the story begins to pick up a bit.
For the first 3/4 of the book, it's basically about the main character, Bella, wondering if anyone will realize she is lying about who she is, helping choose dishes for the Queen, and trying to prove herself among a kitchen full of men. During this time, she is pulled this way and that by various men who are romantically interested in her, and she often thinks about what decision to make regarding their romantic interest in her.
"Did I really want to become a real chef? Even if the prospect of marriage was offered to me?"
Chapter 30 (82% on a kindle) a mystery develops involving a murder. Before this murder mystery occurs, it is mainly what I described above.
There is little historical context outside of the royal family, though I enjoyed reading the Historical Note at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
The overall story is a very light and cushy historical fiction that slowly builds up to Queen Victoria's stay at the Hotel Regina Excelsior on the Riviera in France. Once they arrive and acts of treason begin to unfold, the story begins to pick up a bit.
For the first 3/4 of the book, it's basically about the main character, Bella, wondering if anyone will realize she is lying about who she is, helping choose dishes for the Queen, and trying to prove herself among a kitchen full of men. During this time, she is pulled this way and that by various men who are romantically interested in her, and she often thinks about what decision to make regarding their romantic interest in her.
"Did I really want to become a real chef? Even if the prospect of marriage was offered to me?"
Chapter 30 (82% on a kindle) a mystery develops involving a murder. Before this murder mystery occurs, it is mainly what I described above.
There is little historical context outside of the royal family, though I enjoyed reading the Historical Note at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
December 8, 2019
I always enjoy a book from Rhys Bowen. Her historical fiction in particular never fails to be appropriately set, creating the right atmosphere for the period.
Above the Bay of Angels takes place during the reign of Queen Victoria and presents a slightly fantastical but very enjoyable story about a servant who manages to rise above her current position in life. Bella comes from a good family but is impoverished and due to an amazing stroke of luck finds herself working at Buckingham Palace. A series of unexpected events and the assistance of people she meets lead her to an unexpected future.
It was all very comfortable and satisfying and I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes it is just nice to revel in someone else's good fortune however unrealistic it may be.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Above the Bay of Angels takes place during the reign of Queen Victoria and presents a slightly fantastical but very enjoyable story about a servant who manages to rise above her current position in life. Bella comes from a good family but is impoverished and due to an amazing stroke of luck finds herself working at Buckingham Palace. A series of unexpected events and the assistance of people she meets lead her to an unexpected future.
It was all very comfortable and satisfying and I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes it is just nice to revel in someone else's good fortune however unrealistic it may be.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 12, 2020
I enjoyed this mostly for it's historical and geographical setting. A murder mystery late in the novel was an added bonus, used mainly as a device to bring the main character's secret out in the open.
Isabella Waverley, an educated girl from an aristocratic family was forced to work as a maid when her mother died and her father squandered everything they had on the demon drink. Discovering that she enjoys cooking, she manages to train in the kitchen of a large house and through a twist of fate lands a job in Queen Victoria's kitchen where she starts to specialise as a pastry cook.
Isabella is lucky enough to get taken with the Queen鈥檚 entourage to Nice for the summer when the pastry cook is injured and falls in love with the town, the markets and French food. However, when a member of German royalty falls ill and dies, Isabella is suspected of poisoning him.
This is a very pleasant read, a little slow perhaps, but entertaining. Queen Victoria is towards the end of her life in this novel and is depicted as a little rotund women in the black garb of mourning who loves her food. Isabella as the main character was appealing as she stuck to her principles despite all she had been through (and the deceptive way she got her job in the palace). I did think more could have been made of the made of the murder mystery and perhaps not had it solved quite so quickly by Isabella finding all the clues herself 3.5鈽�
With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC to read.
Isabella Waverley, an educated girl from an aristocratic family was forced to work as a maid when her mother died and her father squandered everything they had on the demon drink. Discovering that she enjoys cooking, she manages to train in the kitchen of a large house and through a twist of fate lands a job in Queen Victoria's kitchen where she starts to specialise as a pastry cook.
Isabella is lucky enough to get taken with the Queen鈥檚 entourage to Nice for the summer when the pastry cook is injured and falls in love with the town, the markets and French food. However, when a member of German royalty falls ill and dies, Isabella is suspected of poisoning him.
This is a very pleasant read, a little slow perhaps, but entertaining. Queen Victoria is towards the end of her life in this novel and is depicted as a little rotund women in the black garb of mourning who loves her food. Isabella as the main character was appealing as she stuck to her principles despite all she had been through (and the deceptive way she got her job in the palace). I did think more could have been made of the made of the murder mystery and perhaps not had it solved quite so quickly by Isabella finding all the clues herself 3.5鈽�
With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC to read.
January 13, 2020
Fate pulls you in no matter how many mistaken paths you take.
Isabella Waverly thought she had all the stars aligned. She came from a good family with her father having served in India with the Bengal Lancers. She and her sister Louisa were well educated and adored by their mother.
But sometimes that Big Dipper allows those stars to spill out in all directions in the heavens vastly changing the original intent. Roddy Waverly left his command with the Bengal Lancers and returned to London due to his wife's inability to withstand the harsh heat of India. He soon becomes a drunk who can't hold a job and his wife dies from neglect. Isabella is forced into working as a maid at the age of fifteen in order to support her sister. The lights seem to have gone out.
But at times the unexplainable happens. Isabella witnesses a carriage accident which crushes a young woman in the streets of London. The dying woman thrusts a letter into Isabella's hand and tells her to follow through with this. It's a letter of introduction to Buckingham Palace for employment. And our story begins with Bella becoming Helen Barton.
Rhys Bowen always delivers with her historical fiction. She gets a nugget of an idea from an unusual experience of her own (See Author's Notes) and the premise of the book is born. Bella/Helen becomes a first ever female cook for Queen Victoria. We feel her struggles as she tries to establish herself in the queen's kitchen among a majority of male chefs. Bowen also whets our appetites with menus from the past. It's a clearly unusual lead character with the introduction of a cook who is struggling with her own personal identity along with that of a newly founded career in the Victorian Era.
Bowen heats this one up with a touch of blackmail and a fatality from poison tracked back to the royal kitchen. Will Bella have had a hand in it all along or was someone trying to frame her? Another enjoyable offering from the talented Rhys Bowen.
I received a copy of Above the Bay of Angels through Net Galley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Rhys Bowen for the opportunity.
Isabella Waverly thought she had all the stars aligned. She came from a good family with her father having served in India with the Bengal Lancers. She and her sister Louisa were well educated and adored by their mother.
But sometimes that Big Dipper allows those stars to spill out in all directions in the heavens vastly changing the original intent. Roddy Waverly left his command with the Bengal Lancers and returned to London due to his wife's inability to withstand the harsh heat of India. He soon becomes a drunk who can't hold a job and his wife dies from neglect. Isabella is forced into working as a maid at the age of fifteen in order to support her sister. The lights seem to have gone out.
But at times the unexplainable happens. Isabella witnesses a carriage accident which crushes a young woman in the streets of London. The dying woman thrusts a letter into Isabella's hand and tells her to follow through with this. It's a letter of introduction to Buckingham Palace for employment. And our story begins with Bella becoming Helen Barton.
Rhys Bowen always delivers with her historical fiction. She gets a nugget of an idea from an unusual experience of her own (See Author's Notes) and the premise of the book is born. Bella/Helen becomes a first ever female cook for Queen Victoria. We feel her struggles as she tries to establish herself in the queen's kitchen among a majority of male chefs. Bowen also whets our appetites with menus from the past. It's a clearly unusual lead character with the introduction of a cook who is struggling with her own personal identity along with that of a newly founded career in the Victorian Era.
Bowen heats this one up with a touch of blackmail and a fatality from poison tracked back to the royal kitchen. Will Bella have had a hand in it all along or was someone trying to frame her? Another enjoyable offering from the talented Rhys Bowen.
I received a copy of Above the Bay of Angels through Net Galley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Rhys Bowen for the opportunity.
February 5, 2020
Isabella Waverly and her sister Louisa had been devastated to lose first their mother, then their father. Bella had been sent into service not long before their father died, so she had to continue to support Louisa. It was when she witnessed an accident and comforted the victim that Bella鈥檚 life and fortunes changed. Her new position was working in Queen Victoria鈥檚 kitchen 鈥� her new name Helen Barton.
She enjoyed her work and the camaraderie with the other members of the royal kitchen; she told no one of her previous life as she didn鈥檛 wish to lose her position. When Queen Victoria and her retinue were heading to Nice for a few months away from London鈥檚 winter, Bella was chosen to accompany the other cooks. Her delight was infectious 鈥� but trouble was looming, and her secret was in danger of becoming known. What would be the outcome when Bella was accused of murder?
Above the Bay of Angels is my first book by author Rhys Bowen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written, beautifully descriptive, I enjoyed the journey to the Riviera as much as Bella 馃槉 I really enjoyed the character of Queen Victoria, especially in her interactions with a forthright Bella. A great read which I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
She enjoyed her work and the camaraderie with the other members of the royal kitchen; she told no one of her previous life as she didn鈥檛 wish to lose her position. When Queen Victoria and her retinue were heading to Nice for a few months away from London鈥檚 winter, Bella was chosen to accompany the other cooks. Her delight was infectious 鈥� but trouble was looming, and her secret was in danger of becoming known. What would be the outcome when Bella was accused of murder?
Above the Bay of Angels is my first book by author Rhys Bowen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written, beautifully descriptive, I enjoyed the journey to the Riviera as much as Bella 馃槉 I really enjoyed the character of Queen Victoria, especially in her interactions with a forthright Bella. A great read which I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2021
Isabella Waverly鈥檚 a lady, her circumstances change when her mother dies and her father starts drinking. Faced with no other choice, she starts working as a scullery maid to support her father and younger sister Louisa. The hours are long, it鈥檚 hard work and a kindly Mrs. Robbins teaches Bella how to cook. Soon Bella realizes she鈥檚 stuck being a maid, to get a new job as a cook, she needs a reference and her current employers won鈥檛 give her one.
A young woman鈥檚 hit by an omnibus, Bella comforts her on the street and she gives her an envelope. It鈥檚 an offer to work as assistant cook at Buckingham Palace, the interview has today鈥檚 date on it and Helen Barton from Yorkshire has tragically passed away. Bella knows this could be her only chance to be employed as a cook, she decides to take a risk and she attends the interview as Helen Barton.
Queen Victoria鈥檚 royal kitchen, is a hive of activity and has so many staff. Bella鈥檚 captivate by it all, she has so much to learn and studies cookery books in her spare time. Bella鈥檚 a talented baker, she makes the best scones and they get the Queen鈥檚 tick of approval. When the monarch travels to the Riviera, Bella鈥檚 one of the English staff to go with her and she can speak French.
Bella鈥檚 threatened by someone who knows her true identity, they try blackmailing her and then one of the queen鈥檚 quests falls ill and dies. Bella cooked the guest鈥檚 final meal, they think she poisoned the Count, during the investigation she has to prove her innocence, and she鈥檚 concerned her true identity will be revealed
Above The Bay Of Angels, is a story full of interesting characters, I find Queen Victoria and her relationship with her servant Abdul incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed reading about Bella learning to cook, her visiting the local markets with French chef Jean-Paul Lepin, her seeing and tasting new ingredients and recipes. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, full of mystery and secrets, a wonderful change of writing style by Rhys Bowen and five stars from me.
A young woman鈥檚 hit by an omnibus, Bella comforts her on the street and she gives her an envelope. It鈥檚 an offer to work as assistant cook at Buckingham Palace, the interview has today鈥檚 date on it and Helen Barton from Yorkshire has tragically passed away. Bella knows this could be her only chance to be employed as a cook, she decides to take a risk and she attends the interview as Helen Barton.
Queen Victoria鈥檚 royal kitchen, is a hive of activity and has so many staff. Bella鈥檚 captivate by it all, she has so much to learn and studies cookery books in her spare time. Bella鈥檚 a talented baker, she makes the best scones and they get the Queen鈥檚 tick of approval. When the monarch travels to the Riviera, Bella鈥檚 one of the English staff to go with her and she can speak French.
Bella鈥檚 threatened by someone who knows her true identity, they try blackmailing her and then one of the queen鈥檚 quests falls ill and dies. Bella cooked the guest鈥檚 final meal, they think she poisoned the Count, during the investigation she has to prove her innocence, and she鈥檚 concerned her true identity will be revealed
Above The Bay Of Angels, is a story full of interesting characters, I find Queen Victoria and her relationship with her servant Abdul incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed reading about Bella learning to cook, her visiting the local markets with French chef Jean-Paul Lepin, her seeing and tasting new ingredients and recipes. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, full of mystery and secrets, a wonderful change of writing style by Rhys Bowen and five stars from me.
December 24, 2019
Bella Waverly is born into an untitled aristocratic family, but through a series of events finds herself 'in service' to a nouveau riche family in order to support her alcoholic father and younger sister. Here she discovers a love of cooking and aspires to use this to launch her own career. But the lady of the house who recognises her talent refuses to give her references, essentially binding Bella to her household.
Through an unfortunate accident Bella finds an opportunity presents itself and if she is prepared to take on the name of another girl she may be able to make her on way at last. But will this indiscretion came back to bite her? Can she continue to get away with pretending to be another person?
A delightful insight into the workings of a royal household. This is a lovely historical fiction story set in the later years of Queen Victoria.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity the read this uncorrected digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Through an unfortunate accident Bella finds an opportunity presents itself and if she is prepared to take on the name of another girl she may be able to make her on way at last. But will this indiscretion came back to bite her? Can she continue to get away with pretending to be another person?
A delightful insight into the workings of a royal household. This is a lovely historical fiction story set in the later years of Queen Victoria.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity the read this uncorrected digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 17, 2019
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, because when done right, one learns a lot about a different time and place. Such was the case in this book, although the story was a bit boring and far-fetched. I did enjoy reading about the inner workings of the royal household in the late years of Queen Victoria's reign. The beginning of the book was promising, but the middle parts got bogged down. I pushed myself to finish it and I'm glad I did, but overall it was not a "page turner."
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
April 21, 2023
I was pulled into this wonderful story from the beginning. I enjoy historical stories from this time period in British history. Bella Waverly is an admirable character who takes the terrible situation that she is thrust into as a servant from a noble family into one of success. She is determined, hardworking, and likable. She fights her way into the world of male chefs to work in the kitchen of Buckingham Palace and then with the queen's entourage on the French Riviera. The way is not smooth, but she pushes through. It is a great look into the goings on of the Royal family and the under ranks. Suspense and mystery add a fun twist to the story. Lovely ending. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2020
*3-3.5 stars. A charming, cozy mystery set in Victorian England. Isabella Waverly was raised and educated in an aristocratic family until hard times for the family require her to take work as a servant for members of the nouveau riche. There she discovers a talent for cooking. One day a tragic accident presents her with the opportunity to assume another's identity and interview for the position of under-cook in service to Queen Victoria. Carpe diem!
Her delicious scones bring her to the attention of the Queen herself, in whose presence she also meets the lecherous Prince of Wales. When the court travels to the south of France for the Queen's health, Bella is fortunate to be included. At least she thinks so until she is implicated in a poisoning!
The scenarios that support this plot are rather preposterous but I enjoyed the settings and the characters. Isabella is an attractive, intelligent young lady, determined to find her own way in the world. Her upper crust manners are noticed by the royals and she often finds herself included where most servants would not be. She'll need her wits and friends in high places to work her way out of the impossible positions she soon finds herself in.
I received an arc of this mystery from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. Many thanks for the opportunity.
Her delicious scones bring her to the attention of the Queen herself, in whose presence she also meets the lecherous Prince of Wales. When the court travels to the south of France for the Queen's health, Bella is fortunate to be included. At least she thinks so until she is implicated in a poisoning!
The scenarios that support this plot are rather preposterous but I enjoyed the settings and the characters. Isabella is an attractive, intelligent young lady, determined to find her own way in the world. Her upper crust manners are noticed by the royals and she often finds herself included where most servants would not be. She'll need her wits and friends in high places to work her way out of the impossible positions she soon finds herself in.
I received an arc of this mystery from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. Many thanks for the opportunity.
January 12, 2020
2.5 stars. I've really enjoyed some of Rhys Bowen's standalone historicals in the past, but this wasn't one of my favorites. I did really like the premise and the character of Bella, and the descriptions of food were great. If you're someone who likes reading food-centric books you may like this one. After the promising beginning (where Bella takes a letter from a dying woman and uses it to get a job cooking at Buckingham Palace), the story just wasn't compelling enough. It sounds like a mystery, but the murder doesn't occur until 80% of the way through, so there's a lot of pages to fill before that, and some parts are quite boring. The ending was satisfying if a bit pat and unrealistic.
I could really round either up or down, because there certainly were parts of the story I liked, and the historical details had me constantly turning to Wikipedia to learn more about certain historical figures who appeared. But I'm rounding down because Rhys Bowen has yet again made the only gay character in her story into a boorish lech, something which happens not infrequently in the otherwise delightful Royal Spyness series.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I could really round either up or down, because there certainly were parts of the story I liked, and the historical details had me constantly turning to Wikipedia to learn more about certain historical figures who appeared. But I'm rounding down because Rhys Bowen has yet again made the only gay character in her story into a boorish lech, something which happens not infrequently in the otherwise delightful Royal Spyness series.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2020
Isabella Waverley comes from an aristocratic family. She hasn't had the easiest of lives. Her fathers drinking puts isabella into servitude. She has to work as a scullery maid for a family with no breeding. Isabella goes to the aid of a young woman who was dying on a street in London. The woman gives her a letter and she asks Isabella to deliver it for her. It's addressed to Buckinghan Palace. The woman had been going for an interview for a kitchen position. Isabella takes the opportunity to replace the woman.
This is a cleverly written story that mixes fact with fiction. The story flows off the pages. The characters are well rounded and the scenery is well described. Bella (Isabella) is taken from London to the French Riviera. The author has done her research before writing this book. The pace is well set. We get an insight into the workings of the Royal household. The story includes blackmail, love and murder. An interesting and informative read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Rhys Bowen for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a cleverly written story that mixes fact with fiction. The story flows off the pages. The characters are well rounded and the scenery is well described. Bella (Isabella) is taken from London to the French Riviera. The author has done her research before writing this book. The pace is well set. We get an insight into the workings of the Royal household. The story includes blackmail, love and murder. An interesting and informative read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Rhys Bowen for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2020
#AboveTheBayOfAngels #NetGalley Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for this advance copy of Rhys Bowen's latest stand alone."A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria鈥檚 royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful, historical mystery"
I enjoyed it and the historical period it evoked. Of course Queen Victoria was a bit out of known character but who knows?
I would not mind it being the beginning of a short series as the characters were a bit uneven, but that came and went in the book. That often happens with the first part of a series.
I enjoyed the time period and setting and it was a fun read! I think that Helen/Bella's figuring out the killer was a little bit hard to be plausible, but it was fiction.
I enjoyed it and the historical period it evoked. Of course Queen Victoria was a bit out of known character but who knows?
I would not mind it being the beginning of a short series as the characters were a bit uneven, but that came and went in the book. That often happens with the first part of a series.
I enjoyed the time period and setting and it was a fun read! I think that Helen/Bella's figuring out the killer was a little bit hard to be plausible, but it was fiction.
May 28, 2020
I was extremely excited when I heard Rhys Bowen had a new book coming out. I loved The Tuscan Child and joked that I felt I had gained 10 pounds just reading that delicious book. Well, if we are going to keep up the analogies with food and writing, this book, Above the Bay Of Angels is about as bland as English food!! I say that somewhat sarcasticly, as having traveled a lot to England, I didn't necessarily find the food boring and bland. That's just the general opinion of their food. But I did find this writing to be somewhat boring and bland.
The synopsis of the book seemed interesting and one I would rather enjoy. I think for me this is another example of poor execution. It's a great idea for a story. There were incredible elements to build on, they just never got built. The characters were weak. Almost 80% of the story is spent on one topic - people not finding out that Isabella Waverly is now Helen Barton. This drags on for far too long. The story finally picks up when the murder happens and that's when the story gets interesting. I feel had those proportions been flipped with 20% of the story focused on Bella hiding her identity and 80% around the murder this could have been a fascinating book.
The back 20% from the murder to the end I thoroughly enjoyed. And I did like how the author ended the story, that gains points for me in rating. It's a cozy little book with a tiny mystery. Rhys Bowen does an excellent job of replicating how English subjects spoke in that day and age. At times it was, well, bland, but she did nail it. I also will admit the title and book cover did nothing for me, and after reading the book they don't make a whole lot of sense to me.
I do like Rhys Bowen's writing and other books, this just isn't one of the good ones. I will still read other books by her, just probably won't recommend this one.
My thanks to Rhys Bowen, Lake Union Publishing and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of the book seemed interesting and one I would rather enjoy. I think for me this is another example of poor execution. It's a great idea for a story. There were incredible elements to build on, they just never got built. The characters were weak. Almost 80% of the story is spent on one topic - people not finding out that Isabella Waverly is now Helen Barton. This drags on for far too long. The story finally picks up when the murder happens and that's when the story gets interesting. I feel had those proportions been flipped with 20% of the story focused on Bella hiding her identity and 80% around the murder this could have been a fascinating book.
The back 20% from the murder to the end I thoroughly enjoyed. And I did like how the author ended the story, that gains points for me in rating. It's a cozy little book with a tiny mystery. Rhys Bowen does an excellent job of replicating how English subjects spoke in that day and age. At times it was, well, bland, but she did nail it. I also will admit the title and book cover did nothing for me, and after reading the book they don't make a whole lot of sense to me.
I do like Rhys Bowen's writing and other books, this just isn't one of the good ones. I will still read other books by her, just probably won't recommend this one.
My thanks to Rhys Bowen, Lake Union Publishing and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2020
Historical fiction set in the time of Queen Victoria. Bella Waverly was brought up in an aristocratic family, but after her mother died she had to work "in service" to support her alcoholic father and her younger sister. She went to work for a family that treated her poorly, but Bella found she loved to cook and had a talent for it. When she wanted to leave and try her luck elsewhere the family refused to provide recommendations. Then one day she saw a girl hit by a bus and goes to help, but the girl is dead. She had a letter in her hand that was a notice to interview for a job as as cook at Buckingham Palace. Bella takes the letter and decides to impersonate the girl and interview the job. This is the story of Bella and her life as a cook for the Queen.
I enjoyed the book - mostly the parts about learning the inner-workings of cooking for the Queen and for the palace. But there is no in-depth character portrayal here that made me fall in love or hate with any particular characters. I do recommend it as kind of a cozy mystery and for the historical aspects in the novel.
Thanks to Rhys Bown and Lake Union Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the book - mostly the parts about learning the inner-workings of cooking for the Queen and for the palace. But there is no in-depth character portrayal here that made me fall in love or hate with any particular characters. I do recommend it as kind of a cozy mystery and for the historical aspects in the novel.
Thanks to Rhys Bown and Lake Union Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2025
When Isabella Waverley tries to comfort a woman knocked down on a London Street, it changes her life. The dying woman pushes a letter into Bella鈥榮 hand the letter of employment in the kitchen of Buckingham Palace. The job is everything Bella dreams of to escape her life as a slowly servant after the death of her parents and having to support her younger sister
Bella takes up the job. Posing as Helen Barton the original applicant, she enjoys learning from the chef and creating meals to please Queen Victoria. But then she encounters a young man claiming to be Helen Barton鈥榮 brother who seeks to blackmail her with exposure. Can she find a way out so he doesn鈥檛 bring her life undone?
This is my first novel by Rhys Bowen and I enjoyed the historical, if somewhat fanciful, story as a servant interacts with the queen. The story contains plenty of intrigue that surrounds the queen at times and results in changes Bella, now Helen, never saw coming. Some of these are great opportunities for her, while others threaten all she holds dear and the life she has made. When she is given more responsibility due to illness of other chefs she handles the situation admirably, winning respect. Romance also appears. What does her future hold? But then suspicion falls on her when a member of the royal family dies. How can she prove her innocence without losing all she has gained?
Bella is a caring. loyal sister, friend and servant. She is easy to like and to cheer on. An interesting look at Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and other royal family members is presented.
I get the feeling I have just found another author to read more of.
Bella takes up the job. Posing as Helen Barton the original applicant, she enjoys learning from the chef and creating meals to please Queen Victoria. But then she encounters a young man claiming to be Helen Barton鈥榮 brother who seeks to blackmail her with exposure. Can she find a way out so he doesn鈥檛 bring her life undone?
This is my first novel by Rhys Bowen and I enjoyed the historical, if somewhat fanciful, story as a servant interacts with the queen. The story contains plenty of intrigue that surrounds the queen at times and results in changes Bella, now Helen, never saw coming. Some of these are great opportunities for her, while others threaten all she holds dear and the life she has made. When she is given more responsibility due to illness of other chefs she handles the situation admirably, winning respect. Romance also appears. What does her future hold? But then suspicion falls on her when a member of the royal family dies. How can she prove her innocence without losing all she has gained?
Bella is a caring. loyal sister, friend and servant. She is easy to like and to cheer on. An interesting look at Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and other royal family members is presented.
I get the feeling I have just found another author to read more of.
March 14, 2020
Above the Bay of Angels is the first novel I have read by Rhys Bowen, and I found it a pleasure to read. It features Isabella Waverly who, by a series of incidents, takes another woman鈥檚 identity, gets her job as under-cook at Buckingham Palace and gets to be on the queen鈥檚 cooking team travelling to Nice. When a member of the party dies of poisoning, Bella is suspected of the crime.
To recover from a nasty cold after her stay at The Isle of Wight Her Majesty goes to Nice. As the pastry chef is indisposed, Bella gets to go as the only female on staff.
While in Nice there is an attempt on Her Majesty鈥檚 life which goes wrong. Instead a member of the queen鈥檚 entourage is graced by the bullet. Later he dies of poisoning. While Bella is harboring the secret of her real identity, she tries to aid the police to make them too busy with the poison investigation to focus on her.
I loved the parts of the book with descriptions of life in Buckingham Palace, which gave me a vibe of the TV-series Victoria. I loved the descriptions of the splendid interiors of the Palace. The descriptions of the grand entryways and hallways with marble, paintings and cases resemble footage I have seen of how it looks.
Coming from aristocracy falling on hard times, Bella has worked as assistant cook in a nouveau-riche household where she has discovered her talent for cooking.
I found Bella to be a nice girl, but she has some personality traits and an attitude which brings her into trouble in this story. Instead of telling the truth and take her chances, she decides to steal another person鈥檚 identity, lie and cheat her way into the position at Buckingham Palace. But I鈥檓 pleased to see her conscience is bothering her, which shows she has a good heart and it鈥檚 in her character to do the right thing. I very much appreciate the crafting of what I found to be a multi-layered and realistic character.
While the queen was trying to remain anonymous, she would travel with the Highland Pipers who attracted masses of attention in France with their kilts and their sturdiness, which I found thoroughly amusing.
I enjoyed the easy flow of the writing with all the vivid descriptions of royal life from the downstairs perspective. I appreciate the research conducted to present a work like this.
The ending felt somewhat predictable and rushed, as the clues were leading in a certain direction throughout the plot. While the story was entertaining, I would have appreciated a few surprises and twists along the way. It was a very quick and easy read. As a lover of English historical fiction, I found the setting of the plot right up my alley.
Above The Bay of Angels is recommended for fans of Rhys Bowen and readers of historical fiction.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC, which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
To recover from a nasty cold after her stay at The Isle of Wight Her Majesty goes to Nice. As the pastry chef is indisposed, Bella gets to go as the only female on staff.
While in Nice there is an attempt on Her Majesty鈥檚 life which goes wrong. Instead a member of the queen鈥檚 entourage is graced by the bullet. Later he dies of poisoning. While Bella is harboring the secret of her real identity, she tries to aid the police to make them too busy with the poison investigation to focus on her.
I loved the parts of the book with descriptions of life in Buckingham Palace, which gave me a vibe of the TV-series Victoria. I loved the descriptions of the splendid interiors of the Palace. The descriptions of the grand entryways and hallways with marble, paintings and cases resemble footage I have seen of how it looks.
Coming from aristocracy falling on hard times, Bella has worked as assistant cook in a nouveau-riche household where she has discovered her talent for cooking.
I found Bella to be a nice girl, but she has some personality traits and an attitude which brings her into trouble in this story. Instead of telling the truth and take her chances, she decides to steal another person鈥檚 identity, lie and cheat her way into the position at Buckingham Palace. But I鈥檓 pleased to see her conscience is bothering her, which shows she has a good heart and it鈥檚 in her character to do the right thing. I very much appreciate the crafting of what I found to be a multi-layered and realistic character.
While the queen was trying to remain anonymous, she would travel with the Highland Pipers who attracted masses of attention in France with their kilts and their sturdiness, which I found thoroughly amusing.
I enjoyed the easy flow of the writing with all the vivid descriptions of royal life from the downstairs perspective. I appreciate the research conducted to present a work like this.
The ending felt somewhat predictable and rushed, as the clues were leading in a certain direction throughout the plot. While the story was entertaining, I would have appreciated a few surprises and twists along the way. It was a very quick and easy read. As a lover of English historical fiction, I found the setting of the plot right up my alley.
Above The Bay of Angels is recommended for fans of Rhys Bowen and readers of historical fiction.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC, which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
November 25, 2020
This was a lighter read than I expected with the mystery and intrigue mentioned in the synopsis not showing up on the page until the last quarter of the book. I always enjoy Rhys Bowen鈥檚 writing, and her research is impeccable, transporting me to other eras with each book I read. The descriptions are lovely, and the plot unfolds at an even pace. Overall, this is a charming tale about a woman finding a place for herself in the world.
November 23, 2020
This was the first book by Rhys Bowen I've read and I really liked it. It's been some time since I've read a historical fiction novel and this fit the bill. I cheered for Bella/Helen as she took advantage of a tragic accident and stepped into someone else's shoes, becoming a cook at Queen Victoria's palace. Her desire to improve her situation succeeded and while the bit about her educated background and the unfortunate reason behind dropping her education at fifteen and going into service was quite often brought to the readers attention, I did admire her fortitude in that Victorian era. The delightful food descriptions were worth mentioning as well
March 15, 2020
I鈥檓 a steadfast fan of all Rhys Bowen鈥檚 books. Her Royal Spyness series featuring Lady Georgie never disappoints and keeps me laughing at its wit and clever characters. Rhys also writes amazing stand-alone historical mystery books, four so far, that have become favorites and equally successful as her series books, being nominated for and winning multiple awards. She brings a fresh look at historical details that send this reader down rabbit holes of fascinating learning. Oh, that all history could be learned like this.
Rhys Bowen really did have me at hello in her new stand-alone, Above the Bay of Angels. That first riveting sentence that reads, 鈥淚f Helen Barton hadn鈥檛 stepped in front of an omnibus, I might still be sweeping floors and lighting fires at an ostentatious house in St. John鈥榮 Wood鈥� told me how special this book was going to be. From the bizarre food dishes that Queen Victoria wanted her cooks to fix to the entourage she required to accompany her to the French Riviera, all these historical details give such a distinct flavor to the story. Described to readers as seen through the eyes of cook Helen Barton, aka Isabella Waverly, the events and people come alive through her enthusiastic reaction to them. 1896 is a fascinating period of history everywhere, as new inventions and new thinking was on a steady rise. Queen Victoria, who you might think would be set in her ways in the twilight of her reign, is the impetus for this story with her forward thinking of bringing women into her previously male-run kitchen. This historical setting combined with the suspense of Isabella assuming Helen鈥檚 identity and the fear of her getting caught is thrilling. Add a murder to the mix and Helen fighting to clear her name, and you have a page turner.
Isabella Waverly has had a disappointing life, although its beginning was rather idyllic. She reaped the benefits of her father being born into the aristocracy and a kind, loving mother. But, the British aristocracy was not a fair game, and Isabella鈥檚 father had the bad fortune to be born the son of a second son, thus no inheritance. After some success in India in the Bengal Lancers and a return to England with a good position at the Savoy Hotel, Mr. Waverly develops a drinking problem, gets fired, and Mrs. Waverly dies. Isabella must leave school, which she loves, and go to work at age fifteen as a servant girl to support her father and younger sister. She ends up in the kitchen in a house of a woman who is a nightmare to Isabella鈥檚 soul, but she is stuck as the woman refuses to give her a reference to go elsewhere, even though Isabella鈥檚 work is excellent. On a day off, Isabella鈥檚 luck turns, and she is handed a letter by a dying woman for an appointment to interview for the position of under-cook at the royal palace . The appointment is for Helen Barton of Yorkshire, the dying woman, and the references have already been given and checked. Isabella grabs her chance for a better life, goes to the palace for the interview pretending to be Helen, and gets the position.
The kitchen at the palace is a dream-come-true for Isabella, or Helen, as I will now refer to her. She has decided that becoming a Master Cook is her goal, and there's no better place to learn to do that than the royal kitchen. There鈥檚 just one other female cook in the large kitchen, and the male cooks aren鈥檛 exactly receptive, but through hard work and talent, Helen starts to earn their respect. After the pastry cook has an accident and must be off one day, Helen bakes scones for the Queen, who is delighted with them and then insists that Helen continue to work with the pastry cook. With the death of her father and her sister becoming engaged, Helen is finally out from under the burden of providing for anyone other than herself. The one dark moment comes when the real Helen鈥檚 brother shows up and threatens to spill the identity beans if he isn鈥檛 found a job with the royals, preferably with the Queen鈥檚 son, the Prince of Wales. In an encounter of great fortuity, Helen is able to ask the Prince of Wales to employ her 鈥渂rother,鈥� and Helen breathes a great sigh of relief, for the time being.
Helen is happy in her position and learning quickly, and she is not expecting the next great surprise. Queen Victoria has decided to leave the gloom and bad weather of a London February behind her and spend some time at the new hotel built for her in Nice, France, on the French Riviera. She always takes a large staff with her, as well as furniture and clothes and whatever else the Queen wants, such as the Highlander pipers, and Helen gets to be one of the cooking staff to go. She doesn鈥檛 even mind the boat trip and long, long train trip to get there. Helen never imagined that she would ever see such a place as Nice, and she is intrigued by everything, especially the cooking and baking of the French chefs, with whom the English chefs must share at kitchen at the great hotel. Helen is charmed by the warm, lively climate and its people, including the head French chef, a British transplant neighbor to the hotel, and the vendors of the food market. It鈥檚 all thrilling until a member of the royal party is found dead, and suspicion falls upon Helen, as she prepared his last meal. If she can鈥檛 clear her name, she stands to lose the job she loves and maybe more.
Above the Bay of Angels is a clear choice for my favorites list of 2020 reads, as well as a having a place on my favorites through the years. I am sure that it will be an award winner because this stand-alone is a standout.
Rhys Bowen really did have me at hello in her new stand-alone, Above the Bay of Angels. That first riveting sentence that reads, 鈥淚f Helen Barton hadn鈥檛 stepped in front of an omnibus, I might still be sweeping floors and lighting fires at an ostentatious house in St. John鈥榮 Wood鈥� told me how special this book was going to be. From the bizarre food dishes that Queen Victoria wanted her cooks to fix to the entourage she required to accompany her to the French Riviera, all these historical details give such a distinct flavor to the story. Described to readers as seen through the eyes of cook Helen Barton, aka Isabella Waverly, the events and people come alive through her enthusiastic reaction to them. 1896 is a fascinating period of history everywhere, as new inventions and new thinking was on a steady rise. Queen Victoria, who you might think would be set in her ways in the twilight of her reign, is the impetus for this story with her forward thinking of bringing women into her previously male-run kitchen. This historical setting combined with the suspense of Isabella assuming Helen鈥檚 identity and the fear of her getting caught is thrilling. Add a murder to the mix and Helen fighting to clear her name, and you have a page turner.
Isabella Waverly has had a disappointing life, although its beginning was rather idyllic. She reaped the benefits of her father being born into the aristocracy and a kind, loving mother. But, the British aristocracy was not a fair game, and Isabella鈥檚 father had the bad fortune to be born the son of a second son, thus no inheritance. After some success in India in the Bengal Lancers and a return to England with a good position at the Savoy Hotel, Mr. Waverly develops a drinking problem, gets fired, and Mrs. Waverly dies. Isabella must leave school, which she loves, and go to work at age fifteen as a servant girl to support her father and younger sister. She ends up in the kitchen in a house of a woman who is a nightmare to Isabella鈥檚 soul, but she is stuck as the woman refuses to give her a reference to go elsewhere, even though Isabella鈥檚 work is excellent. On a day off, Isabella鈥檚 luck turns, and she is handed a letter by a dying woman for an appointment to interview for the position of under-cook at the royal palace . The appointment is for Helen Barton of Yorkshire, the dying woman, and the references have already been given and checked. Isabella grabs her chance for a better life, goes to the palace for the interview pretending to be Helen, and gets the position.
The kitchen at the palace is a dream-come-true for Isabella, or Helen, as I will now refer to her. She has decided that becoming a Master Cook is her goal, and there's no better place to learn to do that than the royal kitchen. There鈥檚 just one other female cook in the large kitchen, and the male cooks aren鈥檛 exactly receptive, but through hard work and talent, Helen starts to earn their respect. After the pastry cook has an accident and must be off one day, Helen bakes scones for the Queen, who is delighted with them and then insists that Helen continue to work with the pastry cook. With the death of her father and her sister becoming engaged, Helen is finally out from under the burden of providing for anyone other than herself. The one dark moment comes when the real Helen鈥檚 brother shows up and threatens to spill the identity beans if he isn鈥檛 found a job with the royals, preferably with the Queen鈥檚 son, the Prince of Wales. In an encounter of great fortuity, Helen is able to ask the Prince of Wales to employ her 鈥渂rother,鈥� and Helen breathes a great sigh of relief, for the time being.
Helen is happy in her position and learning quickly, and she is not expecting the next great surprise. Queen Victoria has decided to leave the gloom and bad weather of a London February behind her and spend some time at the new hotel built for her in Nice, France, on the French Riviera. She always takes a large staff with her, as well as furniture and clothes and whatever else the Queen wants, such as the Highlander pipers, and Helen gets to be one of the cooking staff to go. She doesn鈥檛 even mind the boat trip and long, long train trip to get there. Helen never imagined that she would ever see such a place as Nice, and she is intrigued by everything, especially the cooking and baking of the French chefs, with whom the English chefs must share at kitchen at the great hotel. Helen is charmed by the warm, lively climate and its people, including the head French chef, a British transplant neighbor to the hotel, and the vendors of the food market. It鈥檚 all thrilling until a member of the royal party is found dead, and suspicion falls upon Helen, as she prepared his last meal. If she can鈥檛 clear her name, she stands to lose the job she loves and maybe more.
Above the Bay of Angels is a clear choice for my favorites list of 2020 reads, as well as a having a place on my favorites through the years. I am sure that it will be an award winner because this stand-alone is a standout.
February 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this new stand alone book by Bowen. I really like her Lady Georgiana series and this reminded me a lot of it. There is a connection to the Queen, Victoria, in this one. The heroine, Isabella Waverly, is an aristocrat that has fallen on tough tines and is supporting herself as a cook.
Through unfortunate circumstances, Bella is given an opportunity to cook for the Queen. She has to pretend to be someone else, Helen Barton, but that's just one hurdle she has to jump. It's very difficult to get a job as a woman chef but with a little luck and lots of nerves, Bella now Helen, gets the job. It's difficult to get accepted but she does and with another accident gets to travel with the royal party to Nice France.
There she meets the head chef of the hotel and he starts teaching her some French cooking. This is hard because the Queen has strict food rules like no garlic or onion, two ingredients featured prominently in French food. Luckily, the Queen has become a fan of her scones and biscuits so Helen has some leeway.
This is a cozy mystery and you have to suspend logic with a lot of the story. As Helen falls into opportunity after opportunity and mingles with French royalty with ease, you just suspend belief and go along for the ride. When two of Queen Victoria's daughters pick her to confide deep dark secrets into, you just smile and go along with it without pointing how unlikely this is. If you want logic and believability, this is not the book for you. If you just want to have fun, then sit back and enjoy yourself. It's a fun ride.
I hope this becomes a new series. I like a rollicking good time and the mouth watering food is an added bonus. Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Through unfortunate circumstances, Bella is given an opportunity to cook for the Queen. She has to pretend to be someone else, Helen Barton, but that's just one hurdle she has to jump. It's very difficult to get a job as a woman chef but with a little luck and lots of nerves, Bella now Helen, gets the job. It's difficult to get accepted but she does and with another accident gets to travel with the royal party to Nice France.
There she meets the head chef of the hotel and he starts teaching her some French cooking. This is hard because the Queen has strict food rules like no garlic or onion, two ingredients featured prominently in French food. Luckily, the Queen has become a fan of her scones and biscuits so Helen has some leeway.
This is a cozy mystery and you have to suspend logic with a lot of the story. As Helen falls into opportunity after opportunity and mingles with French royalty with ease, you just suspend belief and go along for the ride. When two of Queen Victoria's daughters pick her to confide deep dark secrets into, you just smile and go along with it without pointing how unlikely this is. If you want logic and believability, this is not the book for you. If you just want to have fun, then sit back and enjoy yourself. It's a fun ride.
I hope this becomes a new series. I like a rollicking good time and the mouth watering food is an added bonus. Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
March 16, 2020
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* 鈽嗏槅鈽�
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.
Above The Bay Of Angels
By: Rhys Bowen
*REVIEW* 鈽嗏槅鈽�
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.
February 3, 2020
Taking risks!
Isabella Waverley takes a chance and like her 'not so dear' old papa used to say 'Carpe Diem'. Under false pretenses she and enters service as Helen Barton an apprentice cook for Queen Victoria. Of course nothing is smooth. Given the times, there are challenges for a woman in a man's world. Identity theft results in blackmail. What amounts to sexual harassment by a member of the upper class, and the divide of class distinctions.
A peeve for me was how Isabella kept (in her head) harping back to being educated and from an upper class background. It seemed to me she was repeating somewhat her father's mantra, albeit in a different way. That feeling of deserving more may have given her the courage to take risks. Her checkered upbringing, and having to make do to survive, meant she did have the ability to move seamlessly between the various groups of people she encountered.
What I did like about the story was the glimpse into palace life, the menu preparation and cooking skills involved. The presentation of Queen Victoria at home and her various starts that has her going from being a complete dictatorial autocrat, to childlike in her enjoyments, and singular in her demands, her fixations, and her moments of being just a woman. However which one people would meet was never assured.
I couldn't help but be drawn back to the PBS series Victoria and the happenings below stairs in the palace, and comparing that view to this novel.
The journey to Nice and the Riviera, the Hotel Regina Excelsior, the kitchen staffs and chefs of both the hotel and palace having to work alongside each other, and of course the dishy French Chef for the hotel, Jean-Paul Lepin. Isabella's forays into the Nice food market were well painted. I could imagine being there.
When a royal death happens and Isabella is being blamed she does some rather clever thinking and fancy footwork to have herself taken out of the firing line.
Disappointingly, I felt the end resolution of Isabella's future direction was reached far too hurriedly in terms of the storyline.
Despite all the interesting combinations of events, I didn't quite connect with the Isabella /Helen character. I have read other Bowen stories that I found more engaging.
Still, an entertaining cosy historical mystery with a somewhat different backdrop, if this is your cup of tea.
A Lake Union Publishing ARC via NetGalley
Isabella Waverley takes a chance and like her 'not so dear' old papa used to say 'Carpe Diem'. Under false pretenses she and enters service as Helen Barton an apprentice cook for Queen Victoria. Of course nothing is smooth. Given the times, there are challenges for a woman in a man's world. Identity theft results in blackmail. What amounts to sexual harassment by a member of the upper class, and the divide of class distinctions.
A peeve for me was how Isabella kept (in her head) harping back to being educated and from an upper class background. It seemed to me she was repeating somewhat her father's mantra, albeit in a different way. That feeling of deserving more may have given her the courage to take risks. Her checkered upbringing, and having to make do to survive, meant she did have the ability to move seamlessly between the various groups of people she encountered.
What I did like about the story was the glimpse into palace life, the menu preparation and cooking skills involved. The presentation of Queen Victoria at home and her various starts that has her going from being a complete dictatorial autocrat, to childlike in her enjoyments, and singular in her demands, her fixations, and her moments of being just a woman. However which one people would meet was never assured.
I couldn't help but be drawn back to the PBS series Victoria and the happenings below stairs in the palace, and comparing that view to this novel.
The journey to Nice and the Riviera, the Hotel Regina Excelsior, the kitchen staffs and chefs of both the hotel and palace having to work alongside each other, and of course the dishy French Chef for the hotel, Jean-Paul Lepin. Isabella's forays into the Nice food market were well painted. I could imagine being there.
When a royal death happens and Isabella is being blamed she does some rather clever thinking and fancy footwork to have herself taken out of the firing line.
Disappointingly, I felt the end resolution of Isabella's future direction was reached far too hurriedly in terms of the storyline.
Despite all the interesting combinations of events, I didn't quite connect with the Isabella /Helen character. I have read other Bowen stories that I found more engaging.
Still, an entertaining cosy historical mystery with a somewhat different backdrop, if this is your cup of tea.
A Lake Union Publishing ARC via NetGalley
February 4, 2020
Unfortunately I am not a 鈥榝oodie鈥� so the food parts of this book were not very interesting to me.
However, the rest of the story was most enjoyable.
Bella comes by a position as under-cook at Buckingham Palace under the most unorthodox circumstances and must assume the false identity of one Helen Barton.
In spite of her lowly status she manages to achieve some very intimate interactions with members of the royal family including Queen Victoria.
While the Queen and her family, etc., are visiting Nice one of the royal party is murdered and Bella (Helen) becomes suspect #1. So here we have a bit of a mystery.
As improbable as the story may seem it is a light fluffy entertaining read. . (One faux pas: Page 27-29: Bella鈥檚 sister calls her Sissy which is something an editor should have spotted.)
I have to say I enjoy almost everything I have read by this author. I find her writing delightful.
December 30, 2022
鈽呪槄鈽呪槄 4.5 stars
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres into which I can completely lose myself to the story and the era. The added bonus was the featured presence of Queen Victoria who wasn't just monarch at the time but played a role within the story itself. It lent such a unique perspective, featuring many historical aspects that were both true in fact and well researched.
Isabella Waverly had been raised to be a lady. Her father was of aristocratic blood with an uncle who was an Earl but was left somewhat bitter at having been passed over as heir. He had spent much time in India but his wife did not care for the climate and so he resigned his position with the Bengal Lancers and moved back to England where he gained employment at the newly opened Savoy hotel. Moving in circles of nobility, Bella's father still saw himself as an aristocrat and kept up the appearance of such thus falling victim to the demon drink and losing is job. When Bella's mother died and her father squandering just about everything they had, he then found her employment with a somewhat vulgar couple of "new money".
So at 15, Bella was forced into servitude with the Tilleys when she would have much rathered continued her education. But her father insisted she needed to support her younger sister Louisa until he was able to find employment. But of course, he never did. And five years after Bella began a life of servitude, their father died leaving the girls with nothing. However, Louisa who was now 17, had been courting a young man whose parents owned a chain of butcher shops and they were engaged to be married. Bella thought her sister was marrying beneath herself as both girls had been raised to be ladies.
Although she no longer had to support her sister, she still needed to support herself which left her in the the employ of the ghastly Tilleys. She had begun as a lowly housemaid but over time had shown an interest in the preparation of food, asking the cook how each dish was made. Cook then insisted that she needed an assistant and insisted that it be Bella. It was a step up from a housemaid and she found she had a keen interest and a deft touch with cooking. However, the lady of the house, Mrs Tilley, lived off Bella's story, priding herself in the fact that although she had been of aristocratic birth Bella had was left an orphan and she thought it her duty to take her in. Completely untrue and embellished with every telling but it left her bound to the household forever as Mrs Tilley refused to let her leave for if she ever chose to she would refuse to give her a reference.
By pure chance one day, Bella is enjoying her afternoon off in London when she witnesses an horrific accident in which a young woman is tragically killed. Bella rushes forward thinking only to help, when the young woman thrusts a letter into Bella's hands before dying. The letter, it appears, was an offer of employment as an under cook at Buckingham Palace. Reflecting on her father's words to her a child to "seize the day" and take your chance where you find it, Bella decides to take the opportunity to replace the woman. Her new name - Helen Barton.
Her new position as under cook in Queen Victoria's kitchen begins as somewhat daunting with a long line of male cooks, each specialising in their own skills, as well as kitchenhands and under cooks and apprentices. Bella finds herself just one of three women as she is handed the task of food preparation with the kindly Mrs Simms but soon starts to specialise as a pastry cook. When an accident with the French pastry chef with a flair for the dramatics occurs, Bella finds herself having to prepare Her Majesty's afternoon tea. Remembering the scones the cook at her last job made, she replicated the recipe and sent them to Her Majesty with lashings of jam and cream. When word reached them that the Queen wanted a word with the cook who made the scones, Bella feared she had done something wrong. But she was shocked to learn that the Queen thoroughly enjoyed them and insisted that she make them for her every afternoon.
Bella was enjoying her new position at the Palace, although found herself in a difficult position when the Prince of Wales, known for his lecherous ways with pretty young women, propositioned her outside Her Majesty's sitting room. In an effort to escape his wandering hands, Bella found herself with the opportunity to rid herself of another pressing problem she had recently found herself with.
It seems Helen Barton had a brother and one afternoon he had come knocking with the demand to see his sister. Bella knew at once that Helen's brother would know immediately that she was not who she claimed to be, and it appeared that he already knew his sister was dead and was interested to see who this Helen Barton was. And he had a request of her...or he would reveal her deceit. He wanted a position within the royal household. So there she was, in the clutches of the Prince of Wales when she mentioned that her brother was looking for a position and would he take him on. Satisfied that the weasily Ronnie Barton was now out of her life, Bella resumed her duties in the royal kitchen.
In the new year as winter passed, Bella is lucky enough to accompany the royal household to Nice for the duration of autumn where the weather is far warmer than England. Bella falls in love with the town and its blue waters, the markets and soon finds herself learning the art of some French delicacies. Soon she meets Giles Waverly, discovering immediately that he is a distant cousin, and while she told him she was with the royal household he incorrectly assumed she was a lady in waiting. Bella finds herself enjoying his company and is aware that he is attracted to her but he does not know her true identity or her position.
Then after an evening out, all of the royal cooks but Bella find themselves ill with food poisoning and she is left with the task of running the entire royal kitchen, and cooking for the royal household, on her own. With the help of head chef of the hotel in which the Queen's party is staying, Bella's efforts are a complete success. That is, until one of the royal party dies suddenly after eating a meal prepared and cooked by Bella herself.
Soon Bella finds herself accused of murder and with the risk of her true identity being discovered, finds that it is up to her to clear her name...and that of Helen Barton.
A cleverly woven tale mixing fact with fiction, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is a delightful yet gentle easy read set in the late Victorian era. I enjoyed my time with Bella although I found myself at odds with her deception, wondering how she was going to make a name for herself as a chef...if it wasn't even her name!
With a touch of blackmail and death by poisoning, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is set late in Queen Victoria's reign as monarch as the Queen herself is depicted as a small rotund woman regaled in black garb and accompanied for the most part by her Indian companion, Adbul Karim.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Queen Victoria most notably in her interactions with Bella. Although these particular instances would not in actual fact be plausible (between the Queen of England and an under cook), the use of poetic licence in this engaging tale makes it wonderful read. It does not have to be plausible to be enjoyable. And enjoy it, I did....except for the ending. When she all but promises herself to one man then on the next page betrothes herself to another!
A wonderfully delightful tale that is a enjoyable easy read, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is a delight for any historical fiction fan.
I would like to thank #RhysBowen, #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for an ARC of #AboveTheBayOfAngels in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at .
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres into which I can completely lose myself to the story and the era. The added bonus was the featured presence of Queen Victoria who wasn't just monarch at the time but played a role within the story itself. It lent such a unique perspective, featuring many historical aspects that were both true in fact and well researched.
Isabella Waverly had been raised to be a lady. Her father was of aristocratic blood with an uncle who was an Earl but was left somewhat bitter at having been passed over as heir. He had spent much time in India but his wife did not care for the climate and so he resigned his position with the Bengal Lancers and moved back to England where he gained employment at the newly opened Savoy hotel. Moving in circles of nobility, Bella's father still saw himself as an aristocrat and kept up the appearance of such thus falling victim to the demon drink and losing is job. When Bella's mother died and her father squandering just about everything they had, he then found her employment with a somewhat vulgar couple of "new money".
So at 15, Bella was forced into servitude with the Tilleys when she would have much rathered continued her education. But her father insisted she needed to support her younger sister Louisa until he was able to find employment. But of course, he never did. And five years after Bella began a life of servitude, their father died leaving the girls with nothing. However, Louisa who was now 17, had been courting a young man whose parents owned a chain of butcher shops and they were engaged to be married. Bella thought her sister was marrying beneath herself as both girls had been raised to be ladies.
Although she no longer had to support her sister, she still needed to support herself which left her in the the employ of the ghastly Tilleys. She had begun as a lowly housemaid but over time had shown an interest in the preparation of food, asking the cook how each dish was made. Cook then insisted that she needed an assistant and insisted that it be Bella. It was a step up from a housemaid and she found she had a keen interest and a deft touch with cooking. However, the lady of the house, Mrs Tilley, lived off Bella's story, priding herself in the fact that although she had been of aristocratic birth Bella had was left an orphan and she thought it her duty to take her in. Completely untrue and embellished with every telling but it left her bound to the household forever as Mrs Tilley refused to let her leave for if she ever chose to she would refuse to give her a reference.
By pure chance one day, Bella is enjoying her afternoon off in London when she witnesses an horrific accident in which a young woman is tragically killed. Bella rushes forward thinking only to help, when the young woman thrusts a letter into Bella's hands before dying. The letter, it appears, was an offer of employment as an under cook at Buckingham Palace. Reflecting on her father's words to her a child to "seize the day" and take your chance where you find it, Bella decides to take the opportunity to replace the woman. Her new name - Helen Barton.
Her new position as under cook in Queen Victoria's kitchen begins as somewhat daunting with a long line of male cooks, each specialising in their own skills, as well as kitchenhands and under cooks and apprentices. Bella finds herself just one of three women as she is handed the task of food preparation with the kindly Mrs Simms but soon starts to specialise as a pastry cook. When an accident with the French pastry chef with a flair for the dramatics occurs, Bella finds herself having to prepare Her Majesty's afternoon tea. Remembering the scones the cook at her last job made, she replicated the recipe and sent them to Her Majesty with lashings of jam and cream. When word reached them that the Queen wanted a word with the cook who made the scones, Bella feared she had done something wrong. But she was shocked to learn that the Queen thoroughly enjoyed them and insisted that she make them for her every afternoon.
Bella was enjoying her new position at the Palace, although found herself in a difficult position when the Prince of Wales, known for his lecherous ways with pretty young women, propositioned her outside Her Majesty's sitting room. In an effort to escape his wandering hands, Bella found herself with the opportunity to rid herself of another pressing problem she had recently found herself with.
It seems Helen Barton had a brother and one afternoon he had come knocking with the demand to see his sister. Bella knew at once that Helen's brother would know immediately that she was not who she claimed to be, and it appeared that he already knew his sister was dead and was interested to see who this Helen Barton was. And he had a request of her...or he would reveal her deceit. He wanted a position within the royal household. So there she was, in the clutches of the Prince of Wales when she mentioned that her brother was looking for a position and would he take him on. Satisfied that the weasily Ronnie Barton was now out of her life, Bella resumed her duties in the royal kitchen.
In the new year as winter passed, Bella is lucky enough to accompany the royal household to Nice for the duration of autumn where the weather is far warmer than England. Bella falls in love with the town and its blue waters, the markets and soon finds herself learning the art of some French delicacies. Soon she meets Giles Waverly, discovering immediately that he is a distant cousin, and while she told him she was with the royal household he incorrectly assumed she was a lady in waiting. Bella finds herself enjoying his company and is aware that he is attracted to her but he does not know her true identity or her position.
Then after an evening out, all of the royal cooks but Bella find themselves ill with food poisoning and she is left with the task of running the entire royal kitchen, and cooking for the royal household, on her own. With the help of head chef of the hotel in which the Queen's party is staying, Bella's efforts are a complete success. That is, until one of the royal party dies suddenly after eating a meal prepared and cooked by Bella herself.
Soon Bella finds herself accused of murder and with the risk of her true identity being discovered, finds that it is up to her to clear her name...and that of Helen Barton.
A cleverly woven tale mixing fact with fiction, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is a delightful yet gentle easy read set in the late Victorian era. I enjoyed my time with Bella although I found myself at odds with her deception, wondering how she was going to make a name for herself as a chef...if it wasn't even her name!
With a touch of blackmail and death by poisoning, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is set late in Queen Victoria's reign as monarch as the Queen herself is depicted as a small rotund woman regaled in black garb and accompanied for the most part by her Indian companion, Adbul Karim.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Queen Victoria most notably in her interactions with Bella. Although these particular instances would not in actual fact be plausible (between the Queen of England and an under cook), the use of poetic licence in this engaging tale makes it wonderful read. It does not have to be plausible to be enjoyable. And enjoy it, I did....except for the ending. When she all but promises herself to one man then on the next page betrothes herself to another!
A wonderfully delightful tale that is a enjoyable easy read, ABOVE THE BAY OF ANGELS is a delight for any historical fiction fan.
I would like to thank #RhysBowen, #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for an ARC of #AboveTheBayOfAngels in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at .
February 11, 2020
Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 solid stars
This is another good solid Historical Fiction book from the talented Rhys Bowen. There is even a mystery thrown into the story to sweeten the pot. The book opens in London, England toward the end of the reign of Queen Victoria in the late 1800鈥檚. We meet our hero Bella Waverly, whose semi-aristocratic family fell on hard times. Due that fall, her father sent her into service at 15-years-old in order to support him and her younger sister.
From there we see her work hard and take her chances to better her life as they present themselves. She rises to be a cook鈥檚 helper and then take a chance to work at Buckingham Palace, if she鈥檚 willing to take on the identity of Helen Barton. In the palace, she continues to rise amongst the ranks, and even meets Queen Victoria who called her in to compliment her on her cooking. When the Queen decides to decamp to Nice, France to enjoy the warmer winter weather, Helen/Bella is unexpectedly including in the troupe of cooks sent out to Nice.
While in Nice, she is presented with other challenges and learning experiences. She is interested in learning to cook French food, and she has to be vigilant to evade the grasp of lecherous Prince Albert. To top matters off, she is accused of poisoning a royal who dies under questionable circumstances. There is a lot going on in this book!
I enjoyed the story telling. Since I recently visited Nice, it was easy imagine the areas being described. Who knew that Queen Victoria was so parsimonious that she required her staff to take the 3rd class overnight train to Nice? Really, she couldn鈥檛 spring for 2nd class, which at least has padded seats? I enjoyed the further insights into life in the royal household, and the social rules around the turn of the century. It was hard to believe that Helen/Bella would land on her feet solidly, each time she was faced with a challenge. When I could suspend that niggling inner voice of skepticism, I could relax into the book and spend a wonderful few hours ensconced in this world.
I would recommend this for fans of Historical Fiction, particularly those who are fans of British Royalty. This would also be good for readers who enjoy a Historical Mystery. Rhys Bowen has written another enjoyable book that I will unwaveringly recommend to my friends who are interested in these genres.
鈥楾hank-You鈥� to NetGalley; the publisher, Lake Union Publishing; and the author, Rhys Bowen, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is another good solid Historical Fiction book from the talented Rhys Bowen. There is even a mystery thrown into the story to sweeten the pot. The book opens in London, England toward the end of the reign of Queen Victoria in the late 1800鈥檚. We meet our hero Bella Waverly, whose semi-aristocratic family fell on hard times. Due that fall, her father sent her into service at 15-years-old in order to support him and her younger sister.
From there we see her work hard and take her chances to better her life as they present themselves. She rises to be a cook鈥檚 helper and then take a chance to work at Buckingham Palace, if she鈥檚 willing to take on the identity of Helen Barton. In the palace, she continues to rise amongst the ranks, and even meets Queen Victoria who called her in to compliment her on her cooking. When the Queen decides to decamp to Nice, France to enjoy the warmer winter weather, Helen/Bella is unexpectedly including in the troupe of cooks sent out to Nice.
While in Nice, she is presented with other challenges and learning experiences. She is interested in learning to cook French food, and she has to be vigilant to evade the grasp of lecherous Prince Albert. To top matters off, she is accused of poisoning a royal who dies under questionable circumstances. There is a lot going on in this book!
I enjoyed the story telling. Since I recently visited Nice, it was easy imagine the areas being described. Who knew that Queen Victoria was so parsimonious that she required her staff to take the 3rd class overnight train to Nice? Really, she couldn鈥檛 spring for 2nd class, which at least has padded seats? I enjoyed the further insights into life in the royal household, and the social rules around the turn of the century. It was hard to believe that Helen/Bella would land on her feet solidly, each time she was faced with a challenge. When I could suspend that niggling inner voice of skepticism, I could relax into the book and spend a wonderful few hours ensconced in this world.
I would recommend this for fans of Historical Fiction, particularly those who are fans of British Royalty. This would also be good for readers who enjoy a Historical Mystery. Rhys Bowen has written another enjoyable book that I will unwaveringly recommend to my friends who are interested in these genres.
鈥楾hank-You鈥� to NetGalley; the publisher, Lake Union Publishing; and the author, Rhys Bowen, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2019
Bowen gives her many fans such wonderful stories, and this standalone is another winner. Towards the end of the reign of Queen Victoria, near the turn of the century, Isabella, a young British woman from an educated and cultured background, has to enter hard service as a housemaid to support her irresponsible father and young sister. Isabella will have readers immediately cheering for her success and following her story avidly as she discovers an aptitude for cooking and leverages a chance encounter into a job in the household of Queen Victoria. Soon, the scene changes to the south of France, as the household travels with the Queen on her winter escape. Bowen does an excellent job in describing the Queen, her peculiarities and her entourage, as well as the menu preparation and food both in London and in France. It's a fascinating picture into the royal family at this period. Bowen does a great deal of research, which provides her novels with plenty of fact, seamlessly woven into a rich, imaginative story. There's plenty of intrigue and suspense, too. And a highly satisfying ending. Highly recommended!
September 29, 2019
Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reading copy granting me a very enjoyable reading experience. It will be published in Feb 2020.
This book paints a sad picture initially as we meet a young woman in London working below stairs for little reward plus a dollop of cruelty. Her story is a moving one as she was born to aristocracy but her father does not support his two daughters after the death of his wife since he prefers alcohol. Then he dies. Bella supports her younger sister with all her strength and low wages. Then her sister decides on marriage rather than continuing school that Bella had been paying for. A twist of fate brings opportunity to Bella with a chance to enter service in the kitchens of Queen Victoria and a ray of light enters the picture.
Queen Victoria includes Bella in the retinue she takes to Nice for her winter visit to the hotel built for her. There will be many challenges on the Riviera for the young woman including suspicion of murder. How will she cope?
This historical/romance/mystery succeeds in delivering a delightful and satisfying read.
This book paints a sad picture initially as we meet a young woman in London working below stairs for little reward plus a dollop of cruelty. Her story is a moving one as she was born to aristocracy but her father does not support his two daughters after the death of his wife since he prefers alcohol. Then he dies. Bella supports her younger sister with all her strength and low wages. Then her sister decides on marriage rather than continuing school that Bella had been paying for. A twist of fate brings opportunity to Bella with a chance to enter service in the kitchens of Queen Victoria and a ray of light enters the picture.
Queen Victoria includes Bella in the retinue she takes to Nice for her winter visit to the hotel built for her. There will be many challenges on the Riviera for the young woman including suspicion of murder. How will she cope?
This historical/romance/mystery succeeds in delivering a delightful and satisfying read.
September 25, 2023
A nice audiobook to listen to while cleaning and cooking. Charming atmosphere, pleasing lector (Gemma Dawson).
But when I heard for the hundred and twenty-sixth time why Isabella (Helen) worked as a cook I wanted to scream. Really there are other ways to say the same and most of all, the writer could just not write it each time Isabella told this.
Moreover, I am not an expert on Royal etiquette yet I am pretty sure no one (no matter the class, status, etc.) would have said about Queen Victoria "a she". Perhaps one not always used "Her Majesty", but some conversations in the book sounded "too common". Also unbelievable sounded some of talks between the queen and a cook, they were too open/private on the queen's side.
Nonetheless, the novel was smooth, light, and enough interesting to want to listen to the end.
But when I heard for the hundred and twenty-sixth time why Isabella (Helen) worked as a cook I wanted to scream. Really there are other ways to say the same and most of all, the writer could just not write it each time Isabella told this.
Moreover, I am not an expert on Royal etiquette yet I am pretty sure no one (no matter the class, status, etc.) would have said about Queen Victoria "a she". Perhaps one not always used "Her Majesty", but some conversations in the book sounded "too common". Also unbelievable sounded some of talks between the queen and a cook, they were too open/private on the queen's side.
Nonetheless, the novel was smooth, light, and enough interesting to want to listen to the end.
October 21, 2023
賲賳 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賳丕丿乇丞 丕賱賱賷 鬲毓乇賮 丕賳賴丕 鬲爻鬲丨賯 佶 賳噩賵賲 賲賳 丕賵賱 佗佶 氐賮丨丞貙 丕爻賱賵亘 丕賱賰鬲丕亘丞 乇丕卅毓 賵爻賱爻 賵賲賲鬲毓 丕賱賶 丕亘毓丿 丨丿貙 賱丿乇噩丞 賵氐賮 丕賱丕胤亘丕賯 丕賱賱賷 鬲亘丿毓賴丕 賷丿賷 亘賷賱丕 丨爻爻賳賷 丕賳賷 丕鬲匕賵賯賴 賲毓賴賲貙 賵賲丕賰賳鬲 亘兀丨賱賲 亘賳賴丕賷丞 丕乇賵毓 賲賳 賰匕丕貙 賰鬲丕亘 鬲卮鬲丕賯 賱卮禺氐賷丕鬲賴 賯亘賱 賲丕鬲賳鬲賴賷 賲賳賴 賵鬲賰乇賴 賮乇丕賯賴賲.
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