“[A] pitch-perfect murder mystery… If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple…, the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit.” – Ruth Ware, author of One by One
The first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties.
It is the early spring of 2016 and Queen Elizabeth … duties.
It is the early spring of 2016 and Queen Elizabeth is at Windsor Castle in advance of her 90th birthday celebrations. But the preparations are interrupted by the shocking and untimely death of a guest in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene leads some to think the young Russian pianist strangled himself, yet a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play. When they begin to question the Household’s most loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they’re looking in the wrong place.
For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her teenage years as “Lilibet.” Away from the public eye and unbeknownst to her closest friends and advisers, she has the most brilliant skill for solving crimes. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian officer recently appointed to the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen discreetly begins making inquiries. As she carries out her royal duties with her usual aplomb, no one in the Royal Household, the government, or the public knows that the resolute Elizabeth won’t hesitate to use her keen eye, quick mind, and steady nerve to bring a murderer to justice.
SJ Bennett captures Queen Elizabeth’s voice with skill, nuance, wit, and genuine charm in this imaginative and engaging mystery that portrays Her Majesty as she’s rarely seen: kind yet worldly, decisive, shrewd, and, most important, a superb judge of character.
more
I won an advanced readers copy of this book from Readers First and the publishers Zaffre. Here is my honest opinion:
I really enjoyed this book and the overall concept of Queen Elizabeth the second solving murder mysteries at the palace. A great read for anyone who enjoys tv shows about the royal family, such as The Crown.
This book was not my normal read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and realistic, the plot was good and I liked the twist at the end. It took me a while to read as I didn’t want to miss any of the details. I feel this book is a good introduction to the crime and mystery genre, if like me you are relatively new to it. The book is full of fascinating details about royal protocol and what it is like inside the palace.
I particularly liked S.J. Bennett’s descriptions and world building. The multiple points of view also helped to give the reader an insight to the world of the book. A well written, fun read.
The cover design was striking and really drew me to the book. The hardback has gorgeous end paper designs of crowns and a cute corgi hidden in the pattern.