Her Majesty the Queen Investigates: Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett
| Her Majesty the Queen Investigates: Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett | |
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| Category: Crime | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: It's book three in the series but would read well as a standalone. The plot is a cracker. Highly recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 288 | Date: November 2022 |
| Publisher: Zaffre | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1838776183 | |
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The Queen, like the sunrise and the tides, was generally a reliable way of marking time.
It seemed to begin as a cold. Hardly surprising, really, as Prince Philiip had been suffering for a couple of days but seemed to be getting better. Hopefully, the Queen thought, her cold would go the same way. She'd probably caught it from one of the great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, it didn't get better and when the doctor called he diagnosed full-blown flu. She and the Duke were due to go to Sandringham by train that day but the doctor put his foot down. He'd have preferred that the queen have a few days' bed rest before venturing out but had to be satisfied with the thought that they'd go by helicopter the following day. It was annoying: people would be ready for her today and Her Majesty did not like to disappoint.
It wasn't an unpleasant journey - delightful views as one got nearer to the north Norfolk coast - and interesting to see some of their neighbours' properties from the air. Some were doing the strangest things. Who'd allow deer that close to the house? Still, the queen thought she would have a few days' rest and then get back to work. Her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, would be there, whilst her private secretary had a break in one of the cottages at Balmoral. Sir Simon wouldn't have shown her the pictures of the severed hand found in the Wash but Rozie knew that the Boss would be interested. She was more than interested - she could name the body it had been attached to. She'd known Edward St Cyr - Ned - since he was a boy and recognised his ring and an injury to one of his fingers.
Still, there was no need for her to get involved, was there? She was still recovering from the flu and there was work to be done. But - she was curious and there were things which she (or her family) knew which others perhaps didn't. She was thinking particularly of the police. There were always ways in which information could be passed on without her involvement becoming obvious. And one did enjoy a good puzzle.
I first encountered S J Bennet's Her Majesty Investigates novels a couple of years ago and whilst I'm not a great fan of cosy crime, I've found these books delightful. They're written with real affection for the Royal family who come off the page as fallible human beings, people you feel you'd like to know a little better. Every character emerges in the same way, even relatively minor ones. There's a perfect depiction of the close-knit community of north Norfolk as well as the landscape. It's one of my favourite parts of the world and it was a real pleasure to be back there.
I did wonder how I would feel now that Elizabeth II has become Charles III but the story is set in 2016 when Her Majesty was still fit and well, flu and colds aside. As soon as I started reading, I felt completely at home with the characters. Don't worry if you haven't read earlier books in the series as they all read well as standalones and there are no spoilers. You might notice that Rozie Oshodi's relationship with the Queen has developed - she's more willing to question now than she used to be - but just pick a book up and enjoy. You won't be disappointed and there should be another two to come!
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
The first book in the series is The Windsor Knot, in case you're a purist and like to start at the beginning.
S J Bennett's Her Majesty Investigates Novels in Chronological Order
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