"Sheer entertainment... Bennett infuses wit and an arch sensibility into her prose... This is not mere froth, it is pure confection." - New York Times Book Review
"[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 bestselling 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 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.
About the Author :
SJ Bennett wrote several award-winning books for teenagers before turning to adult mysteries. Born in Yorkshire, England, she lives in London and has been a royal watcher for years. The Queen, to the best of her knowledge, does not secretly solve crimes.
Jane Copland has over twenty-five years' experience in broadcasting and voice-overs. Working mainly in television, she has been a BBC newsreader, presenter, and continuity announcer. She has narrated many documentaries for BBC 2, Channel 4, and the History Channel. For her first audiobook, The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland, she played both female and male roles and a host of accents from posh to cockney, Dutch to Italian.
Review :
"[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, New York Times bestselling author"
"Bennett infuses wit and an arch sensibility into her prose...This is not mere froth, it is pure confection."
-- "New York Times Book Review"
"Readers will be enchanted by Bennett's inventive portrayal of a deeply engaging icon."
-- "Shelf Awareness"
"Readers will be thrilled... Strongly recommended."
-- "Library Journal (starred review)"
"The Queen shows a little Sherlock Holmes and a dash of George Smiley. She also charms the reader in all her scenes."
-- "Toronto Star"
"Whimsical, imaginative, and fast paced, this audiobook, narrated by Jane Copeland, is a must-listen."
-- "AudioFile"
"Queen Elizabeth solving mysteries? In this charming tale of murder and intrigue at Buckingham Palace, the Queen is...solving the case. After all, if you want a job done properly, best to do it yourself."
-- "Crime Reads"
