Title:	The Proof of the Pudding
	Author:	Rhys Bowen
	Published:	November 7, 2023, Berkley
	No. of Pages:	304
	Cover Price:	$28.50 Hardcover, $14.99 Kindle

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Book 17 of Her Royal Spyness series, The Proof of the Puddingfinds Georgiana Rannoch pregnant with her first child and almost ready to deliver. Since her godfather, Sir Hubert, who owns the estate, is coming back from a climbing expedition, she is getting the manor ready and has hired Pierre, a chef from France since Queenie, a servant who is always causing trouble and has accidents has been doing the cooking. In celebration of Sir Hubert’s return, she plans her first dinner party, and Sir Hubert has invited several interesting and famous people, including a mystery writer Mordred Mortimer, who is planning a fundraiser and wants to hire Pierre to cook for his guests. Some of Mordred’s guests get food poisoning, and two of them die. Mordred and other guests insist that it was Pierre, the chef. Georgie and her husband, Darcy don’t think the chef is guilty and set out to find out who the real killer is.

Even though this is the 17th novel in this series, Bowen gives enough information that those who haven’t read the previous novels can still follow and enjoy this one. The characters are well developed, and the protagonist and her husband, as well as most supporting characters are likeable. Bowen has done her research, and the mores fit well with the time, which is in the 30s in England when royalty and proper protocol was prevalent. Bowen also includes real people (like Agatha Christie) who lived during the time and weaves them into her story. The plot is feasible, and the dénouement is unexpected.

Although the story is a light cozy, it is still a bit suspenseful, and there are surprises. Those who read this novel will definitely want to read the previous novels in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.