Book Feature: Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett.

Do you have any favorite mystery series that you enjoy?  I have enjoyed the "Her Majesty the Queen Investigates" series in the past.  The stories are delightful and I love Queen Elizabeth II as a detective.  I am looking forward to reading this latest addition to the series!

SYNOPSIS:

Evidence that an aristocrat has gone missing—and was possibly murdered—near Sandringham House sets Queen Elizabeth II on the path to discover unsavory family secrets and much more in this new installment of the series the New York Times Book Review calls “sheer entertainment.”

Queen Elizabeth II is looking forward to a traditional Christmas gathering with her family in Sandringham when a shocking discovery interrupts holiday plans. A severed hand has been found—but even more unsettling, she recognizes the signet ring still attached to a finger. It belongs to a scion of the St Cyr family, her old friends from nearby Ladybridge Hall. Despite the personal connection, the Queen wants to leave the investigation to the police—that is, until newspapers drag her name into the matter.

As reporters speculate about the proximity of the crime to the Crown and the police fail to investigate a suspicious accident on her doorstep, Elizabeth quietly begins to mull over the mystery herself. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, she delves into the interlocking layers of fact and fiction surrounding the high-profile case. Someone in the quiet county of Norfolk seems to have a secret worth killing for, and the Queen is determined to find out who and what that is—even if that means discovering that someone in her close circle is a murderer.

This book was published on September 26, 2023.

All the Queen’s Men by SJ Bennett

 

Are you a mood reader?  I am, which does make it difficult sometimes when I’m trying to finish up a book for a book club and I’m not in the mood for it!  I’ve been in the mood for mysteries lately and was delighted to receive an early review copy of All the Queen’s Men by SJ Bennett.

I adored The Windsor Knot last year, which was the first in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series.  All the Queen’s Men is book two in the series. It’s the summer of 2016 and one of the Queen’s housekeepers is found dead from a cut to the ankle by the pool at Buckingham Palace.  While it's deemed an accident, the Queen thinks there may be more to it.  She also has her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, who helps her investigate mysteries in the palace such as, why did a painting that used to hang outside her bedroom turned up at a maritime museum in Portsmouth?  Why are members of the household receiving mysterious threatening letters?

I enjoyed the mystery and its conclusion.  I love how the Queen is the mastermind amateur sleuth and has to put the clues in order to the actual investigators to figure out.  Her characterization is wonderful.  I love the bits of humor and a look into behind the scenes at the palace. I also really love the character of Rozie.  She’s got guts and the smarts to help the Queen out as needed.  I enjoyed that current events for 2016 were also interwoven into the story.  There were also hints of the Queen solving crimes as a youth.  I would love prequels with a young crime solving Queen. 

Favorite Quotes:

“’What’s it called when an employer makes your job so unpleasant that you can’t do it.’  He thought for a moment.  ‘ Constructive dismissal, ma’am.’” – Unfortunately, I’ve been in that situation!

“These were the memories that made the rest of it possible.  What could be more precious than that?”

Overall, All the Queen’s Men is a very enjoyable cozy mystery.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Book Source:  Review Copy from William Morrow via Netgalley. Thank-you.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett

The Windsor Knot is a delightful, unique mystery where the sleuth is none other than Queen Elizabeth II.  In 2016, Queen Elizabeth hosted a party just ahead of her ninetieth birthday celebrations.  Unfortunately, a Russian pianist ends up dead.  It looks at first like an accidental death, but Queen Elizabeth and MI5 suspect foul play.  Will they be able to solve this mystery?

I liked the unique premise of this book.  Queen Elizabeth has to solve the mysteries from the background without looking like she is solving the mystery.  She has her staff find information for her based on her judge of character and she puts it in the way of the investigators to put them on the path to the correct answer.  I like how she was treated as an elderly woman by some who didn’t realize that even though she is old, she has a sharp mind.  I also enjoyed her relationship with Prince Phillip.  I was saddened to hear of his passing this morning. 

 I think the Windsor Knot would be the perfect book for fans of The Crown, the royal family, cozy mysteries, or Agatha Christie.

 Favorite Quotes:

“Because when you consider them, fairy tales always have dark forces at their heart.  Evil lurks where we most desire it not to be, and evil often wins.”

“She set her face grimly to the drizzle and prepared to be patronized.”

Overall, I greatly enjoyed The Windsor Knot.  It had a great mystery, characters and premise.  I look forward to the next book in this great new series.

Book Source:  Review Copy from William Morrow. Thank-you!