Preview
  • Above the Bay of Angels

  • A Novel
  • By: Rhys Bowen
  • Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,756 ratings)

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Above the Bay of Angels

By: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
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Publisher's summary

"...Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!" (Louise Penny, number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels)

A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful historical mystery by the New York Times best-selling author of The Tuscan Child and The Victory Garden.

Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings.

Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies.

Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down - if it doesn’t send her to the gallows.

©2020 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
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Editor's Pick

Seizing the day
"Known for her wildly popular Royal Spyness series—a favorite of those of us Audible Editors who love a good cozy mystery—Rhys Bowen delivers a standalone novel that has everything you’d expect and more. Above the Bay of Angels is a turn-of-the-century story about palace intrigue, starring a bright young woman who, despite losing her noble status, maintains a fighting spirit in pursuit of her passion in life. For Bella Waverly, that hunger is for cooking. On her path to independence, lies unravel, blackmail is committed, and assassination attempts are made in her midst. Interspersed are hints of a sweet culinary romance. The narration by Gemma Dawson is the icing atop this delightful listen."—Valerie B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Above the Bay of Angels

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Unexpected delight

Wow! This story was a delight. Bella was a character to love. I so enjoy a story about a sensible woman who makes her way in the world with such grace and character. In keeping with many of Rhys' stories, she travels on the edge of being super scandalous without being grotesque. There is enough romance and mystery to delight any mystery reader.

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¿¿she did what??

I liked the atory, the mystery, the brave main character, the chances she took and the choices she made - and that I couldn't guess the ending. Thanks for that.

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Loved it!

Being a Brit, I really enjoyed this and could relate to it. Bought many memories back of my years in London. Will be looking to read more of Rhys Bowen's work. Gemma Dawson did a wonderful job with her narration of all of the different accents. Loved it!

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fun

I enjoyed that it was not just a love story, but that there was some intrigue as well.

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Cooked To Perfection

Love, Love, Loved This Story!!
It is The Rhys Bowen that we have all grown to Love! A rags to riches story that is filled with her usual charm, wit, and mystery! I highly recommend this read!! - P. Smith

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

fun story

Easy to listen to and happy ending. Strong female lead character, historical fiction. I'd recommend it.

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Rhys Bowen does it again!

I’ve read many Rhys Bowen Books and find this one to be my favorite. Perhaps I like intrigue and cooking to be a wonderful combination...

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Fun if Only

A fun read. This story is full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the implausible encounters that raised our feisty heroine from poverty to favored by the royals and true love to a French Chef. The resolution of her innocent deceit is a large part of the plot. The reader had good expression and pronunciation.

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Loved this !

I love Rhys Bowen and this stand alone story did not disappoint. Unique story with strong characters and plot!

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strong woman, vivid adventures, great narration

I loved listening to the vivid descriptions of people places and things, to the point where I could feel like I was there.

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