Review: I liked it for what it was - a (very!) short story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 2, 2012
When her first debutante season ends without any suitable marriage proposals, nineteen year old Lady Georgiana faces the glum prospect of spending her days stranded in gloomy Rannock House with her penny-pinching sister-in-law, Fig.  A surprise invitation to a masked ball at a palatial English manor house presents an interesting (if puzzling) diversion.  But when Georgie arrives at Broxley Manor...well, we'll just say that she's in for a devil of a time.I'll start with the obvious:  this is a short (under 50 page) story that is a prequel to the first Lady Georgie mystery,Her Royal Spyness (A Royal Spyness Mystery).  It's cute and I think that fans of this series will probably enjoy it.  I would not recommend it to anyone new to the series.  The very short format does not allow for much character development and it wouldn't make a good introduction to the series (or characters).  For those familiar with Lady Georgie you do get a first glimpse at someone who comes to play a big role in Georgie's life.  There's also a preview of the latest installment in the series which is due out in November -The Twelve Clues of Christmas.For those not familiar with the "Royal Spyness Mysteries", it is a "cozy" series involving a minor British royal, Lady Georgiana Rannock.  The setting is pre-WWII London and Georgie is perpetually broke and always scrambling to make ends meet.  It's a nicely written, light mystery series that captures the glamour and absurdity of the period and the British aristocracy.  Georgie is a delightful protagonist and her first person narrative is charming.  There is no strong language or sexual content.Bottom Line:  Cute, but consider the length before purchasing.  Personally, I think the $2.99 pre-order price was too steep, but I knew it was short when I ordered it, and I did enjoy it so I really can't complain.