In the 1990s Quin-Harkin began writing mystery novels for adults under the name 'Rhys Bowen'. In 1981, she wrote one of the first six books with which Bantam launched the Sweet Dreams series. She also worked as a drama teacher and a dance teacher. Summers references Rebecca.Before she began writing novels, Quin-Harkin worked in the drama department of the British Broadcasting Corporation in London and, later, for the Australian broadcasting system in Sydney, Australia.

Shout-Out: A large part of The Last Mrs.

Georgie at least takes comfort in Simpson's lack of popularity with both the Royal Family and the British public.

Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: Georgie has one in Wallis Simpson, who never misses an opportunity to make jabs at Georgie's lack of money and single status.

(Georgie suspects this has more to do with Simpson's annoyance with the detective than any affection towards her, but she appreciates it nonetheless.) Pet the Dog: Wallis Simpson, of all people, comes to Georgie's aid after she is accused of murder by a relentless detective in Peril in Paris, threatening to get King Edward VIII (her fiancée and Georgie's cousin) involved and bringing the British ambassador himself to the police station to get Georgie out of interrogation.Mystery Magnet: Whether she's invited to a party or doing a favor for The Queen, 'Georgie' will end up entangled in mystery, usually with a dead body or two.Coco Chanel hosts a fashion show in both Naughty in Nice and Peril in Paris, and persuades Georgie to model, with disastrous results.Charlie Chaplin is a murder suspect in Queen of Hearts.Queen Mary, in particular, makes at least one appearance per book. Historical Domain Character: The entire House of Windsor.

Henpecked Husband: Georgie's brother, Binky (full name Hamish Albert Henry Rannoch, Duke of Glen Garry and Rannoch), is this to his wife, Fig, who convinces him to cut off Georgie's allowance and pressure her to marry a prince she doesn't like (among other things).This is dropped by the third book, with the explanation that all her clients are away for the summer. Early-Installment Weirdness: The first two books have Georgie secretly do some light housekeeping to make a little money for herself.Then at the climax, Georgiana is saved when another character throws it at a would-be murderer. Chekhov's Boomerang: A beautiful chiming clock in Heirs and Graces is first significant because it runs slow.#17: The Proof of the Pudding (expected 2023).#15: God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen (2021).#13: Love and Death Among the Cheetahs (2019).#12: Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (2018).#11: On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service (2017).#6: The Twelve Clues of Christmas (2012).#0.5: Masked Ball at Broxley Manor (2012).

Malice at the palace janet quin harkin