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The Queue: The heartwarming novel inspired by the queue for the Queen
Three strangers. Ten miles. One life-changing day...
Suzie is 69 and has been keeping a secret for most of her life. She'd do anything to have her beloved Colin with her today, of all days, but she's hoping that the long walk ahead will be a first chapter in a new life without him.
Tim is 42 and is joining the queue out of a sense of duty. It's for his mum, who adored the Queen, but she can't be there. He's lived his whole life by the book, putting facts before feelings, trying to fit in but always sticking out. Perhaps he can change that today, by becoming part of history?
Abbie is 19, desperately hungover and isn't sure how she ended up in the queue at all. Her 'big move' to London hasn't exactly gone to plan - surrounded by millions of people, she's never felt more lonely, and her dreams feel further away than ever. Yet today, she feels closer to her queue family than she does her real one.
As the unlikely trio wind along the Thames, edging ever closer to Westminster and the Queen, it becomes clear that when they finally leave the queue their worlds will never be the same again...
Suzie is 69 and has been keeping a secret for most of her life. She'd do anything to have her beloved Colin with her today, of all days, but she's hoping that the long walk ahead will be a first chapter in a new life without him.
Tim is 42 and is joining the queue out of a sense of duty. It's for his mum, who adored the Queen, but she can't be there. He's lived his whole life by the book, putting facts before feelings, trying to fit in but always sticking out. Perhaps he can change that today, by becoming part of history?
Abbie is 19, desperately hungover and isn't sure how she ended up in the queue at all. Her 'big move' to London hasn't exactly gone to plan - surrounded by millions of people, she's never felt more lonely, and her dreams feel further away than ever. Yet today, she feels closer to her queue family than she does her real one.
As the unlikely trio wind along the Thames, edging ever closer to Westminster and the Queen, it becomes clear that when they finally leave the queue their worlds will never be the same again...
- GenresContemporaryFiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2023
21 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 11, 2023
Great characters and well-written story about recent times when people queued for 10 hours or more to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, just after the Covid years. Seen from perspective of young uni student Abie, middle-aged Tim and older Suzie. Each had secrets or issues which they were able to share with their new-found friends. Perfectly describing how you make such strong connections very quickly in extraordinary circumstances. Would highly recommend though unsure if non-British people would get it in the same way.
June 9, 2024
What a heartwarming story. I think everyone remembers the Queens passing and what London was like whether being there physically or the images on the news on the TV.
The queue brings three separate life stories together while queuing to individually pay their respects to the Queen.
Although the book has 3 main characters and their stories, each completely different, the main story is based around Suzie. It was quite heartbreaking what she had been through but the story was written beautifully. I found the writing for all the three characters stories sensitively written too.
The story shows how 3 different generations can come together, become friends and help with each others life experiences. I personally liked the book. It’s different to any sort of book I have read and it left me wondering if anyone who did queue to pay their respects to the Queen in reality made any life long friends or it changed their lives in any way.
The queue brings three separate life stories together while queuing to individually pay their respects to the Queen.
Although the book has 3 main characters and their stories, each completely different, the main story is based around Suzie. It was quite heartbreaking what she had been through but the story was written beautifully. I found the writing for all the three characters stories sensitively written too.
The story shows how 3 different generations can come together, become friends and help with each others life experiences. I personally liked the book. It’s different to any sort of book I have read and it left me wondering if anyone who did queue to pay their respects to the Queen in reality made any life long friends or it changed their lives in any way.
March 2, 2024
Brought back all the memories of when I did the walk ,loved it
September 18, 2023
Heartwarming! A page turner and a feel good novel!
April 13, 2024
3,5✨
Schöne Story, aber unspektakulär und nicht sonderlich spannend
Schöne Story, aber unspektakulär und nicht sonderlich spannend
July 31, 2023
This is quite a slow moving story in which not very much happens but it still grips you. The Queue grabbed the world’s attention last year after the death of the queen and this story brought back memories of those days when the news was full of how long the queue was and how many hours they would have to wait.
Four complete strangers who have nothing in common come together as they join the queue to view the lying in state. As they slowly move along the route, they share their food and experiences and gradually, very unlikely friendships are forged. The story mainly focuses on 69 year old Suzie who is still missing her husband and regretting the secret that she kept from him throughout their marriage. We also come to know Tim who has joined the queue for his mother as he knows that she would love to be able to be there, and Abbie, a student who is finding that life in London is far lonelier than she ever expected. The fourth member of the group is Howie who I wished that we could have learned more about as his personality really appealed to me.
I loved the gradual way that the four of them opened up to each other and began to get to know each other as well as gaining a better understanding of themselves. I also really enjoyed the details of the path taken by the queue and the landmarks such as the monkeys along the river path which made the story seem very real.
This was a heart-warming story and I thoroughly recommend it for anyone who enjoys stories about random groups of people coming together.
Huge thanks to Net Galley and the publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Four complete strangers who have nothing in common come together as they join the queue to view the lying in state. As they slowly move along the route, they share their food and experiences and gradually, very unlikely friendships are forged. The story mainly focuses on 69 year old Suzie who is still missing her husband and regretting the secret that she kept from him throughout their marriage. We also come to know Tim who has joined the queue for his mother as he knows that she would love to be able to be there, and Abbie, a student who is finding that life in London is far lonelier than she ever expected. The fourth member of the group is Howie who I wished that we could have learned more about as his personality really appealed to me.
I loved the gradual way that the four of them opened up to each other and began to get to know each other as well as gaining a better understanding of themselves. I also really enjoyed the details of the path taken by the queue and the landmarks such as the monkeys along the river path which made the story seem very real.
This was a heart-warming story and I thoroughly recommend it for anyone who enjoys stories about random groups of people coming together.
Huge thanks to Net Galley and the publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2023
The Queue is a fabulous read to experience the historic moment that hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world joined the phenomenon of the queue last September to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state at Westminster Hall. The queue became infamous of its own right due to the snake of people walking from Southwark Park in East London all the way west to Westminster, cementing the common defining feature of Brits loving to queue 😂
This was quite a nostalgic read for me personally as I made an impulsive last minute decision to join the queue day before it was due to be closed. It was tough queuing for 13 hours from 4.30am but it was moreover an unforgettable one due to my lovely ‘queue family’
So back to this book! 4 strangers from all walks of life are connected due to the queue - told from multiple POVs, we get to see why every character decides to join the queue and how life changing the experience becomes. It is a heartwarming and joyful read, and it’s amazing how we can all find connection in some way including a nation that is grieving at the international level.
It is also a love letter to London as the reader gets a tour of all the key attractions and landmarks of this iconic city. I’ve walked most of the route at the weekends with family and friends because it largely follows the Thames so it’s a great way to see the city.
This was quite a nostalgic read for me personally as I made an impulsive last minute decision to join the queue day before it was due to be closed. It was tough queuing for 13 hours from 4.30am but it was moreover an unforgettable one due to my lovely ‘queue family’
So back to this book! 4 strangers from all walks of life are connected due to the queue - told from multiple POVs, we get to see why every character decides to join the queue and how life changing the experience becomes. It is a heartwarming and joyful read, and it’s amazing how we can all find connection in some way including a nation that is grieving at the international level.
It is also a love letter to London as the reader gets a tour of all the key attractions and landmarks of this iconic city. I’ve walked most of the route at the weekends with family and friends because it largely follows the Thames so it’s a great way to see the city.
September 14, 2023
I will surely read any and all books about The Queue. This one follows three very different people who become unlikely friends brought together by an experience unlike any other.
My mom and I queued for 12 hours last year and it was an experience. This book captures the feeling of wanting to be respectful because you are queuing for a sad reason but also wanting to celebrate that you are in fact doing what you thought you couldn't or wouldn't do.
I feel this author either walked the queue or at least researched the experience well. The walk past the awe inspiring Tower Bridge, the historical Globe, the humbling Covid memorable wall it was all captured within these pages.
I will always remember joining, sharing and experiencing The Queue myself but it sure is special to have a written record of it also that while fictional feels quite real.
My mom and I queued for 12 hours last year and it was an experience. This book captures the feeling of wanting to be respectful because you are queuing for a sad reason but also wanting to celebrate that you are in fact doing what you thought you couldn't or wouldn't do.
I feel this author either walked the queue or at least researched the experience well. The walk past the awe inspiring Tower Bridge, the historical Globe, the humbling Covid memorable wall it was all captured within these pages.
I will always remember joining, sharing and experiencing The Queue myself but it sure is special to have a written record of it also that while fictional feels quite real.
November 15, 2023
I really liked the premise of this book but overall didn’t live up to my expectations.
The characters weren’t particularly interesting or warm. There were lengthy pages of them being caught up in the narrative in their own mind rather than engaging with each other. The last 30% of the book got a bit better but still underwhelming.
The characters weren’t particularly interesting or warm. There were lengthy pages of them being caught up in the narrative in their own mind rather than engaging with each other. The last 30% of the book got a bit better but still underwhelming.
December 27, 2025
As someone who stood in this queue from Bermondsey, the memories came flooding back. A touching story about how full strangers came together during this special time. The feelings and the emotions were exactly the same as I had felt.
February 16, 2025
The Queue is a poignant and beautifully observed novel set after Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Thousands of mourners gather in an extraordinary queue stretching across London to pay their final respects, and three strangers are among them: Suzie, Tim, and Abbie.
Suzie is 69 and has been keeping a secret for most of her life. The 10-mile-long queue will be the first chapter in her new life without her beloved husband. Tim is in his forties and is joining the queue out of a sense of duty to his mother. Abbie is 19 and doesn’t know how she ended up in the queue, especially since she has a thumping hangover.
As the queue stretches ahead, the strangers find themselves walking, waiting and sharing stories, brought together by moments of reflection and quiet revelations.
Having been in the queue myself, I found this novel particularly compelling as it so vividly captures the atmosphere of that historic moment. The references to various London landmarks add a layer of nostalgia, making the journey through the city feel all the more immersive.
Hemingsley’s writing is perspective and tender, weaving together individual experiences while highlighting the collective nature of mourning and remembrance. The interactions between the characters felt authentic, and the blend of personal grief with national loss was handled sensitively.
The Queue is a touching, reflective read that will resonate with anyone who experienced or followed that remarkable event. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in the quiet spaces between moments, we find the most profound connections.
Suzie is 69 and has been keeping a secret for most of her life. The 10-mile-long queue will be the first chapter in her new life without her beloved husband. Tim is in his forties and is joining the queue out of a sense of duty to his mother. Abbie is 19 and doesn’t know how she ended up in the queue, especially since she has a thumping hangover.
As the queue stretches ahead, the strangers find themselves walking, waiting and sharing stories, brought together by moments of reflection and quiet revelations.
Having been in the queue myself, I found this novel particularly compelling as it so vividly captures the atmosphere of that historic moment. The references to various London landmarks add a layer of nostalgia, making the journey through the city feel all the more immersive.
Hemingsley’s writing is perspective and tender, weaving together individual experiences while highlighting the collective nature of mourning and remembrance. The interactions between the characters felt authentic, and the blend of personal grief with national loss was handled sensitively.
The Queue is a touching, reflective read that will resonate with anyone who experienced or followed that remarkable event. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in the quiet spaces between moments, we find the most profound connections.
August 5, 2023
Queues are boring, aren't they? Well, I wasn't sure what I'd be getting when I started this book based on experiences in the queue to pay final respects to the Queen. We meet Abbie, desperately trying to fit into London university life; Suzie who has had a life of regrets and sadness; Tim who can't fit in because of his uniqueness and sexuality and Howie from Australia, a bouncy puppy of a man happy in his own skin. They find themselves in the same section of 'the queue' and spend the next 12 hours in each other's company.
The result is interesting, heartwarming and fun. In saying farewell to a woman they have 'known' all their lives and who put service and duty first and foremost, we see how their lives are changed in some little ways and its an experience they will remember forever.
A good read, I liked the London setting so the reader actually felt a sense of place as well as all the minutaie of the queuers' lives. Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The result is interesting, heartwarming and fun. In saying farewell to a woman they have 'known' all their lives and who put service and duty first and foremost, we see how their lives are changed in some little ways and its an experience they will remember forever.
A good read, I liked the London setting so the reader actually felt a sense of place as well as all the minutaie of the queuers' lives. Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2023
This was a gentle read with both moments of humour and more emotional moments as three strangers meet whilst queueing to see the Queen prior to her funeral. They each represent three different generations and each are struggling with parts of their lives, the emotion and tiredness of their time in the queue brings them to the fore and they find how simple it can be to be honest to strangers. This had some great characters with good backstories but nothing complicated, the simplicity of which worked well and was told alternately throughout one day. It left me hoping that they’d all keep in contact and maintain the tentative friendships beyond the day.
April 22, 2024
It is true I stayed for Howie.
Picked up this book for a holiday read because the blurb sounded so different to what I usually read!! And it was. I loved the detail and love Heminsley poured into this book. You can tell how much time and energy and joy is written within the pages.
Yet it fell slightly flat for me; I found myself growing a bit bored (that is why it took me nearly a month to read this). Then king Howie appeared and I stayed. And I ended up loving each character that I had originally found dull.
Something a little different to what I usually read. And very cute. 🩷
Picked up this book for a holiday read because the blurb sounded so different to what I usually read!! And it was. I loved the detail and love Heminsley poured into this book. You can tell how much time and energy and joy is written within the pages.
Yet it fell slightly flat for me; I found myself growing a bit bored (that is why it took me nearly a month to read this). Then king Howie appeared and I stayed. And I ended up loving each character that I had originally found dull.
Something a little different to what I usually read. And very cute. 🩷
May 18, 2025
Life gifted me this story through a “blind date with a book.” The premise may seem simple, and you might question how one can obtain a book from a simple line queue. However, the story twists and turns along a path, teaching us that the most unexpected moments can have a profound impact on our lives. It reminds us of how far we’ve come from our beginnings. In a final act of service to her country, the Queen, lying in state, offers people the chance to grieve not just the loss of her life, but also the grief that has shaped their entire lives.
June 22, 2025
Ich habe für The Queue ungewöhnlich lange gebraucht – der Einstieg fiel mir schwer, und oft habe ich es wochenlang weggelegt. Trotzdem konnte (oder wollte) ich es nicht abbrechen.
Die Gedanken der Protagonistin wirkten oft etwas langatmig, aber am Ende hat sich das Durchhalten gelohnt. Die Erkenntnis, dass jeder sein eigenes Päckchen zu tragen hat – egal, wie es von außen wirkt –, fand ich sehr schön.
Insgesamt eine schöne Geschichte, die mich zwar nicht komplett mitgerissen, aber zum Nachdenken gebracht hat.
Die Gedanken der Protagonistin wirkten oft etwas langatmig, aber am Ende hat sich das Durchhalten gelohnt. Die Erkenntnis, dass jeder sein eigenes Päckchen zu tragen hat – egal, wie es von außen wirkt –, fand ich sehr schön.
Insgesamt eine schöne Geschichte, die mich zwar nicht komplett mitgerissen, aber zum Nachdenken gebracht hat.
June 22, 2023
A gentle and uplifting story about reconnecting. Like Tim’s Mum, mine wishes that she’d been able to take part in the Lying in State queue. With this book she’ll be able to experience it along with the characters who are believable and likeable. The descriptions of the route and landmarks along the way really brought the journey to life. The story left me wanting to know what happens to the characters afterwards.
Thank you Netgalley, Orion and Alexandra Heminsley for this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley, Orion and Alexandra Heminsley for this ARC.
June 25, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I loved it.
It focuses on a group of likeable characters all with their own back stories and reasons for queuing to see the Queen lying in state.
It was a gentle read with emotion and also humour while we get to know them all.
I loved the fact at the end they had become a group and they hopefully will keep in touch
Thanks to Netgalley, Orion Books and Alexandra Heminsley
It focuses on a group of likeable characters all with their own back stories and reasons for queuing to see the Queen lying in state.
It was a gentle read with emotion and also humour while we get to know them all.
I loved the fact at the end they had become a group and they hopefully will keep in touch
Thanks to Netgalley, Orion Books and Alexandra Heminsley
September 7, 2023
A beautiful story of three people who meet in the queue to pay respects to the Queen. It was a story of love, regret, insecurities, friendship and hope for the future. I absolutely loved this book and so want the characters to stay in touch. I think a follow up to where they go next would be lovely but at the same time it ended perfectly. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.
February 10, 2024
An interesting hook, using the historic event of the Queen’s lying in state and the huge public turn out to pay their respects to bring together four strangers with initially just proximity in common. It’s essentially a character driven story with the queue providing an opportunity for personal reflection but also to draw solace from each other. I wonder if they did keep in touch once that unique bubble had burst?
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March 31, 2025Utterly delightful story of three very different people who joined the vast queue to pay their respects to Elizabeth II, each lonely in their own way, and who unexpectedly found friendship during the twelve hour slow procession. Not only did I enjoy getting to know Suzie, Abbie and Tim, I loved that this was a journey through parts of London I know very well. Uplifting and heartwarming- a joy to read.
July 4, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but was pleasantly surprised. Apart from Tom pointlessly going on about slavery ( glad that stopped or it would of been a dnf) The characters were sweet and you wanted the best for them. It was such strange times and the book brought it alive. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy
October 16, 2023
A lovely book about 3 people who felt the need to Queue to see the Queen after she had died. Whilst in the queue these 3 strangers form a close bond - they all have different reasons to be there and confidences are shared. It is a lovely heart-warming hug of a book about how people come together. Lovely read
June 28, 2023
A good story about a group of like minded people who have gone to see the queen lying in state. It shows us all the stories of the people in the book and what brings them together, what makes them special and what made them want to go and see the queen lying in state.
July 3, 2023
Thank you for the advanced copy.
I really enjoyed it, an easy read with some really likeable characters. The actual Queue gripped people up and down the country just like the reasons for joining the queue in this book. .
Recommended
I really enjoyed it, an easy read with some really likeable characters. The actual Queue gripped people up and down the country just like the reasons for joining the queue in this book. .
Recommended
August 27, 2023
this is the story of 3 strangers who come together in ‘the queue’ it’s tells the story of their lives leading up to why they going the queue, it’s was quite a slow book and didn’t grab me but it’ is a lovely heartwarming take on the queue that dominated the news following the queens death
September 11, 2023
I absolutely loved this warm and emotive page turner. I loved the characters and their individual stories. I loved the concept of the queue where they meet for the first time. It was a brilliant, feel good read and I was sad when the journey ended.
October 1, 2023
i really loved this book! the story had my heart and i loved the dynamic between the characters so much!!! i would definitely recommend it to everyone! i think i wasn’t one hundred percent in the mood for the story when i read it otherwise it would probably be a 5 star book.
October 17, 2023
gentle, heartwarming tale
Oh my word. This was really welcome as an antidote to the world currently. Lose yourself in this gorgeous book.
I’ll definitely be buying this for Christmas gifts!
Oh my word. This was really welcome as an antidote to the world currently. Lose yourself in this gorgeous book.
I’ll definitely be buying this for Christmas gifts!
December 19, 2023
I liked the idea of a story about being in the queue for the Queens lying in state, and this story was about 4 people who made friends in the while queuing for 12 hours. It's about their own story and reasons for being in the queue and how, in doing so, brought new meaning to their lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews