Spring of 2016 is an exciting time at Windsor Castle; Queen Elizabeth will be celebrating her 90th birthday with all the pomp and circumstance one would expect. In the festivities leading up to the main event, a young Russian man is found dead in his guest room at the castle. Looks can be deceiving and it appears as though someone assisted this man in what appears to be strangulation in an awkward situation. As MI5 begins their investigation, Queen Elizabeth is less than thrilled with where their investigation is heading; pointed directly at her staff. With the help of her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie, the Queen starts asking questions, pointed questions, to broaden the search of the killer. All of her investigating is done while fulfilling her royal duties. Will the Queen be successful in her sleuthing attempts and help bring a murderer to justice? Or should she stick to her royal duties and trust that the proper authorities with getting it right? Only she knows.
THE WINDSOR KNOT is a brilliant take on a good ol' fashioned murder mystery featuring one of the most fascinating women of our time. For those, such as myself, that find themselves drawn into Queen Elizabeth’s life, we have a small glimpse of what she may be like in person. This novel nails the perception I have of her, to a tee. The way she talks, the way she handles difficult situations, her need for privacy for herself and all of those in her household, and her conversations with Prince Phillip are enthralling. Even the corgis make an adorable appearance a few times.
The plot itself is well thought out, masterfully executed, and paced to perfection. The wide range of characters is noteworthy and fun to be introduced to, especially Rozie, her Private Assistant Secretary. I absolutely adored this character; her wit, charm, and strength are the perfect combination of what one would expect with her position.
THE WINDSOR KNOT is the first in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, and it is a must-read for fans of The Crown and Downtown Abbey. Grab a cup of tea and curl up to one of the best mysteries I have had the pleasure to read this year!
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 is at Windsor Castle in advance of her 90th birthday celebrations. But the preparations are interrupted when a guest is found dead in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene suggests the young Russian pianist strangled himself, but a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play was involved. The Queen leaves the investigation to the professionals—until their suspicions point them in the wrong direction.
Unhappy at the mishandling of the case and concerned for her staff’s morale, the monarch decides to discreetly take matters into her own hands. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian and recent officer in the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen secretly 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 will 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 importantly a great judge of character.
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