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Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #4
A Death in Diamonds
Shortlisted for the 2025 CWA Whodunit DAGGER award.
The royally brilliant fourth book in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates mystery series!
1957 - A young woman is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a a diamond tiara. An older man is discovered nearby, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement.
According to the police, a high society card game was going on downstairs that night. One of the players surely committed the murders, but each of them can give the others an alibi.
When someone very close to her is implicated, the young Queen is drawn in to the investigation...
The royally brilliant fourth book in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates mystery series!
1957 - A young woman is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a a diamond tiara. An older man is discovered nearby, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement.
According to the police, a high society card game was going on downstairs that night. One of the players surely committed the murders, but each of them can give the others an alibi.
When someone very close to her is implicated, the young Queen is drawn in to the investigation...
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2024
497 people are currently reading
18452 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Bennett
8 books1,171 followersAuthor of the bestselling series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as a well-placed secret sleuth.
You can find her on Instagram @sophiabennett_writer and sign up to her author newsletter at sjbennettbooks.com
Podcast: Prepublished. Conversations with authors and editors about what it takes to get your book published. Available via sjbennettbooks.com
Sophia does not correspond directly via Goodreads. (Beware scammers. Honestly, who are these people?) You can contact her via her website.
You can find her on Instagram @sophiabennett_writer and sign up to her author newsletter at sjbennettbooks.com
Podcast: Prepublished. Conversations with authors and editors about what it takes to get your book published. Available via sjbennettbooks.com
Sophia does not correspond directly via Goodreads. (Beware scammers. Honestly, who are these people?) You can contact her via her website.
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July 17, 2024
A Death in Diamonds by S.J. Bennett
Synopsis /
1957 - A young woman is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a diamond tiara. An older man is discovered nearby, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement.
According to the police, a high society card game was going on downstairs that night. One of the players surely committed the murders, but each of them can give the others an alibi.
When someone very close to her is implicated, the young Queen is drawn in to the investigation...
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Crooked Lane Books, and author S.J. Bennett, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for January 21, 2025.
[cue fanfare music]
Hear ye, hear ye! All subjects of the kingdom!
The fourth book in the series Her Majesty the Queen Investigates is about to begin!
After reading and enjoying the previous three books in this series, there was no question surrounding whether or not I’d read this one - it was a given. I must confess I jumped on this one like fleas on a dog, not even stopping to read the synopsis. Had I possessed even the slightest amount of patience, it would have prevented that first chapter shock [and believe me, it felt like I’d just jumped into an ice bath] where I realised that ‘everything old is new again’.
Because, unlike all three previous books in this series, which were all set in 2016; A Death in Diamonds is set in 1957, nearly 60 years earlier.
So no more Sir Simon Holcroft, the Queen’s Private Secretary or Captain Rozie Oshodie (assistant private secretary); instead we are introduced to the OG crew. QE II’s “men in moustaches”: Sir Hugh Masson; Major Miles Urquhart and Jeremy Radnor-Milne; who, together with new APS Joan McGraw form the Queen’s OG group of four.
If I’m being honest (hand on heart here) my first instincts are to not embrace change - I was looking forward to reconnecting with old friends; but I VERY quickly fell in love with the young Queen (I mean, who wouldn’t!) and her newly appointed super-sleuth, APS Joan McGraw. In this instalment, the author explores the Queen in her early days as reigning monarch with the wider world still very much recovering from the fallout of the second world war.
Expertly blending fact and fiction, Bennett soon wins the reader over as we are quickly immersed in the early life of the young reigning monarch. The young Queen is still adapting to her change in circumstance and Bennett shows the reader how Lilibet embraces change and makes the role her own. It’s easy to see why the public admires her so.
A beautiful young woman, is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a diamond tiara. Alongside her is the body of a male, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement. It’s a gruesome scene. The Queen soon discovers the murders have very personal implication for her - things she would not want made public. The police investigation is led by DI Fred Venables (who is DCI Venables in our earlier stories) and the not so likeable Sergeant Woolgar. The police don’t seem to be gaining any traction on the case, so she decides to take matters into her own hands, taking new APS Joan into her confidences. Joan, initially bewildered by this most unexpected turn of events, takes to her new sleuthing duties like a duck to water. Feeling buoyed by the Queen’s confidence in her and enjoying the chance to keep secrets from the ‘men in moustaches’, Joan looks into the circumstances of the murder.
Together the Queen and Joan connect all the pieces of the puzzle and then lay all the credit into the lap of DI Venables - who (I had to laugh) is not altogether sure how he managed it!
This is such a fun series to read, and after a somewhat inauspicious start, I’m totally on board with the new setting and crew.
Moral of the story? Don’t be Angela, be the Queen - embrace change!
“God Save the Queen.”
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
#ADeathinDiamonds #NetGalley
Synopsis /
1957 - A young woman is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a diamond tiara. An older man is discovered nearby, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement.
According to the police, a high society card game was going on downstairs that night. One of the players surely committed the murders, but each of them can give the others an alibi.
When someone very close to her is implicated, the young Queen is drawn in to the investigation...
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Crooked Lane Books, and author S.J. Bennett, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for January 21, 2025.
[cue fanfare music]
Hear ye, hear ye! All subjects of the kingdom!
The fourth book in the series Her Majesty the Queen Investigates is about to begin!
After reading and enjoying the previous three books in this series, there was no question surrounding whether or not I’d read this one - it was a given. I must confess I jumped on this one like fleas on a dog, not even stopping to read the synopsis. Had I possessed even the slightest amount of patience, it would have prevented that first chapter shock [and believe me, it felt like I’d just jumped into an ice bath] where I realised that ‘everything old is new again’.
Because, unlike all three previous books in this series, which were all set in 2016; A Death in Diamonds is set in 1957, nearly 60 years earlier.
So no more Sir Simon Holcroft, the Queen’s Private Secretary or Captain Rozie Oshodie (assistant private secretary); instead we are introduced to the OG crew. QE II’s “men in moustaches”: Sir Hugh Masson; Major Miles Urquhart and Jeremy Radnor-Milne; who, together with new APS Joan McGraw form the Queen’s OG group of four.
If I’m being honest (hand on heart here) my first instincts are to not embrace change - I was looking forward to reconnecting with old friends; but I VERY quickly fell in love with the young Queen (I mean, who wouldn’t!) and her newly appointed super-sleuth, APS Joan McGraw. In this instalment, the author explores the Queen in her early days as reigning monarch with the wider world still very much recovering from the fallout of the second world war.
Expertly blending fact and fiction, Bennett soon wins the reader over as we are quickly immersed in the early life of the young reigning monarch. The young Queen is still adapting to her change in circumstance and Bennett shows the reader how Lilibet embraces change and makes the role her own. It’s easy to see why the public admires her so.
A beautiful young woman, is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a diamond tiara. Alongside her is the body of a male, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement. It’s a gruesome scene. The Queen soon discovers the murders have very personal implication for her - things she would not want made public. The police investigation is led by DI Fred Venables (who is DCI Venables in our earlier stories) and the not so likeable Sergeant Woolgar. The police don’t seem to be gaining any traction on the case, so she decides to take matters into her own hands, taking new APS Joan into her confidences. Joan, initially bewildered by this most unexpected turn of events, takes to her new sleuthing duties like a duck to water. Feeling buoyed by the Queen’s confidence in her and enjoying the chance to keep secrets from the ‘men in moustaches’, Joan looks into the circumstances of the murder.
Together the Queen and Joan connect all the pieces of the puzzle and then lay all the credit into the lap of DI Venables - who (I had to laugh) is not altogether sure how he managed it!
This is such a fun series to read, and after a somewhat inauspicious start, I’m totally on board with the new setting and crew.
Moral of the story? Don’t be Angela, be the Queen - embrace change!
“God Save the Queen.”
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
#ADeathinDiamonds #NetGalley
January 19, 2025
I listened to the audio version of this novel with the sublime Samantha Bond narrating. What a treat.
The book certainly isn't my normal fare and this is the fourth in a series I've not previously been aware of. However this didn't spoil any enjoyment of the book. It's a really fun read even though it brings in murder, spies, treason and corruption. (The epilogue describes how Bennett used several historical events that Bennett has adapted to the story.
The story has two strands- the murder of a call girl and a possible plot to undermine QE2. Queenie has help from a new assistant - Joan McGraw, an exceptionally capable young woman who had an "interesting" war. All the action takes place in the late 50s - the war is still fresh in people's minds and rationing is barely ended. McLean and Burgess have been unmasked but there are rumours that there may be a third or even fourth man.
It is most definitely a time of change and unease. Who better than QE2 to give people a sense of stability. But not everyone agrees and Elizabeth doesn't really know who to trust.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. The narrative trots along at a good pace, it's easy enough to follow despite having quite a big cast of characters and I could absolutely see our late queen doing a bit of detective work. Joan is also extremely likeable.
It's good fun, the narration is superb. I'll happily read the first three having enjoyed this so much.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio advance review copy.
The book certainly isn't my normal fare and this is the fourth in a series I've not previously been aware of. However this didn't spoil any enjoyment of the book. It's a really fun read even though it brings in murder, spies, treason and corruption. (The epilogue describes how Bennett used several historical events that Bennett has adapted to the story.
The story has two strands- the murder of a call girl and a possible plot to undermine QE2. Queenie has help from a new assistant - Joan McGraw, an exceptionally capable young woman who had an "interesting" war. All the action takes place in the late 50s - the war is still fresh in people's minds and rationing is barely ended. McLean and Burgess have been unmasked but there are rumours that there may be a third or even fourth man.
It is most definitely a time of change and unease. Who better than QE2 to give people a sense of stability. But not everyone agrees and Elizabeth doesn't really know who to trust.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. The narrative trots along at a good pace, it's easy enough to follow despite having quite a big cast of characters and I could absolutely see our late queen doing a bit of detective work. Joan is also extremely likeable.
It's good fun, the narration is superb. I'll happily read the first three having enjoyed this so much.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio advance review copy.
July 16, 2024
loved the concept of this book, historical fiction is a genre out of my comfort zone but this felt more like cozy mystery read. Only concern is: where on earth is the police 😭
if you exclude that thought, it was fun and I really enjoyed the Royal aspect of it ( i wrote a whole detailed review but goodreads glitched and theres no way im writing all that again 😩)
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
if you exclude that thought, it was fun and I really enjoyed the Royal aspect of it ( i wrote a whole detailed review but goodreads glitched and theres no way im writing all that again 😩)
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 22, 2024
Entretenido pero para mí el más flojito de la serie
January 29, 2024
This is such a magical series that just keeps getting better and better. They are a respectful but highly entertaining homage to our late beloved Queen. The small historical touches and setting are wonderful. A super series.
December 9, 2025
Simon and I listened to the audiobook version while traveling and we loved it! The only tiny caveat was that this is volume 4 in the series and the author chose to go back in time, which caught me out a few times. Whereas the series begins with Queen Elizabeth II in the final years of her reign, this volume goes back to 1957 when the Queen was thirty years old, married with the first two of her children, and undertaking her first state visit.
One of my favorite parts is where the Queen is listening with empathy to a woman's story and she "held out a hand in a gesture of reassurance. One needed dogs at a moment like this, she thought. Even a horse would do, or in extremis, a cat." This got a chuckle out of us!
We loved the historical tidbits that are included and appreciated the afterword and author interview that confirm the veracity of these events. My favorite is the true story of how Duke Ellington gave Queen Elizabeth II the single pressing of the album, "The Queen's Suite," made in her honor and not made public until after his death. I listened to, "The Single Petal of a Rose," from this suite and it is quite lovely.
One of my favorite parts is where the Queen is listening with empathy to a woman's story and she "held out a hand in a gesture of reassurance. One needed dogs at a moment like this, she thought. Even a horse would do, or in extremis, a cat." This got a chuckle out of us!
We loved the historical tidbits that are included and appreciated the afterword and author interview that confirm the veracity of these events. My favorite is the true story of how Duke Ellington gave Queen Elizabeth II the single pressing of the album, "The Queen's Suite," made in her honor and not made public until after his death. I listened to, "The Single Petal of a Rose," from this suite and it is quite lovely.
January 20, 2025
I enjoy this cozy mystery series that sees Queen Elizabeth II as an amateur sleuth, with a discreet private secretary helping to do the legwork. The previous three were set in 2016, but this one is set in 1957 and introduces us to a new group of supporting characters.
I was nervous about this because I love the character of Rozie, who is the Queen's eyes and ears private secretary in the current day books. But I shouldn't have worried. I really liked former code-breaker Joan, who was introduced in this one. She's gutsy, intelligent, and resourceful. I can now imagine this series visiting multiple eras across QEII's long reign and introducing us to all of the Queen's special private secretaries, which could be a lot of fun.
I love the way QEII is depicted in these books. Seeing her early in her reign with young children was interesting and further developed her character. We also get more peeks at royal life as the Queen does some globetrotting and royal tour stops in this one. Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother make cameos, and like Prince Phillip, add wit, humor, hi and star power while bringing out the personal and private side of the Queen.
The historical aspects were well-researched, and I enjoyed the post-war era and all of the references to events the Queen attended and the famous people she met. The social mores of the times added a layer to this as we see both the Queen and Joan underestimated, constrained, and dealing with misogyny while trying to solve the double murder of a call girl and her client and also figure out which inside man is trying to sabotage the Queen.
The mystery is complex and full of suspects and red herrings, although the pacing slowed a time or two. But, it is made up for in the rich settings and the intrigue. I cannot wait to see where Bennett takes the Queen next!
I was nervous about this because I love the character of Rozie, who is the Queen's eyes and ears private secretary in the current day books. But I shouldn't have worried. I really liked former code-breaker Joan, who was introduced in this one. She's gutsy, intelligent, and resourceful. I can now imagine this series visiting multiple eras across QEII's long reign and introducing us to all of the Queen's special private secretaries, which could be a lot of fun.
I love the way QEII is depicted in these books. Seeing her early in her reign with young children was interesting and further developed her character. We also get more peeks at royal life as the Queen does some globetrotting and royal tour stops in this one. Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother make cameos, and like Prince Phillip, add wit, humor, hi and star power while bringing out the personal and private side of the Queen.
The historical aspects were well-researched, and I enjoyed the post-war era and all of the references to events the Queen attended and the famous people she met. The social mores of the times added a layer to this as we see both the Queen and Joan underestimated, constrained, and dealing with misogyny while trying to solve the double murder of a call girl and her client and also figure out which inside man is trying to sabotage the Queen.
The mystery is complex and full of suspects and red herrings, although the pacing slowed a time or two. But, it is made up for in the rich settings and the intrigue. I cannot wait to see where Bennett takes the Queen next!
August 21, 2024
3'5⭐ YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Esta cuarta entrega de la serie cozy mystery protagonizada por Isabel II se ambienta por completo en 1957, por lo que podría tomarse incluso como precuela de los tres anteriores (ambientados a partir de 2016, sino me equivoco) e incluso se podría leer en primer lugar o a modo de autoconclusivo.
A pesar de ello, sí que sigue una estructura similar a los anteriores: la reina se interesa por un misterio, pero no puede hacerlo de forma abierta por su cargo, de modo que enrola a una mujer joven que la ayude con la investigación y haga el trabajo de campo. En este caso, tenemos a Joan (personaje al que se hace referencia en las historias "del futuro", con lo cual da la sensación de que está todo muy pensado y unido) y es un personaje al que la reina deja mucho protagonismo, hay largas secciones del libro en las que la reina ni siquiera aparece y Joan pasa a ser casi nuestra única protagonista (aunque todo bien, porque me ha parecido un buen personaje).
En esta ocasión tenemos dos misterios grandes (uno que podríamos considerar interno de palacio y otro externo) e iremos investigando y viendo cómo avanzan, si tienen relación entre ellos o no, etc.
En este libro, además tenemos a una reina más joven, una mujer de treinta y pocos años, con su rol como madre muy presente en su mente también, con las inseguridades que a veces se dan dentro de un matrimonio, y además, sus tareas políticas. También vemos algunos acontecimientos relevantes a nivel histórico, aprovechando esta ambientación histórica, e incluso a algún personaje interesante como la escritora Daphne du Maurier.
La mezcla de todos esos elementos, los de misterio y los adicionales, lo convierte en un libro bastante completito que sigue teniendo ese ritmo un poco más pausado al que ya nos han acostumbrado los tres primeros. No son historias trepidantes, no son investigaciones con altas dosis de tensión inmediata, sino que la recompensa llega si eres un lector paciente.
Es cierto que quizás he disfrutado este un pelín menos que los dos anteriores, estaría al nivel del primero para mí, pero de todas formas es una buena lectura que recomiendo si os llama la atención todo lo que he dicho con anterioridad.
Esta cuarta entrega de la serie cozy mystery protagonizada por Isabel II se ambienta por completo en 1957, por lo que podría tomarse incluso como precuela de los tres anteriores (ambientados a partir de 2016, sino me equivoco) e incluso se podría leer en primer lugar o a modo de autoconclusivo.
A pesar de ello, sí que sigue una estructura similar a los anteriores: la reina se interesa por un misterio, pero no puede hacerlo de forma abierta por su cargo, de modo que enrola a una mujer joven que la ayude con la investigación y haga el trabajo de campo. En este caso, tenemos a Joan (personaje al que se hace referencia en las historias "del futuro", con lo cual da la sensación de que está todo muy pensado y unido) y es un personaje al que la reina deja mucho protagonismo, hay largas secciones del libro en las que la reina ni siquiera aparece y Joan pasa a ser casi nuestra única protagonista (aunque todo bien, porque me ha parecido un buen personaje).
En esta ocasión tenemos dos misterios grandes (uno que podríamos considerar interno de palacio y otro externo) e iremos investigando y viendo cómo avanzan, si tienen relación entre ellos o no, etc.
En este libro, además tenemos a una reina más joven, una mujer de treinta y pocos años, con su rol como madre muy presente en su mente también, con las inseguridades que a veces se dan dentro de un matrimonio, y además, sus tareas políticas. También vemos algunos acontecimientos relevantes a nivel histórico, aprovechando esta ambientación histórica, e incluso a algún personaje interesante como la escritora Daphne du Maurier.
La mezcla de todos esos elementos, los de misterio y los adicionales, lo convierte en un libro bastante completito que sigue teniendo ese ritmo un poco más pausado al que ya nos han acostumbrado los tres primeros. No son historias trepidantes, no son investigaciones con altas dosis de tensión inmediata, sino que la recompensa llega si eres un lector paciente.
Es cierto que quizás he disfrutado este un pelín menos que los dos anteriores, estaría al nivel del primero para mí, pero de todas formas es una buena lectura que recomiendo si os llama la atención todo lo que he dicho con anterioridad.
August 24, 2024
Cuarta entrega de la serie de la Reina Isabel como investigadora, y de nuevo he vuelto a pasármelo pipa.
Dice la sinopsis: “Abril de 1957. En un mundo cada vez más desafiante, Isabel II desarrolla una intensa actividad diplomática para situar de nuevo al Reino Unido en el tablero europeo de la posguerra. Sin embargo, de viaje en París, la joven reina empieza a sospechar que alguien de su entorno intenta torpedear su misión. Una inquietud que aumenta al descubrir que su tarea se disputa el espacio en la prensa con un brutal asesinato doble en un piso cercano al palacio de Buckingham. Allí, una asistenta ha encontrado los cuerpos estrangulados de Gina Fonteyn, una joven dama de compañía ataviada con una valiosísima tiara de diamantes, y Nico Rodríguez, un misterioso traficante de armas proclive a los ambientes peligrosos. Mientras la policía centra sus pesquisas en miembros de la alta sociedad que celebraban una partida de cartas en el apartamento de abajo, Su Majestad inicia una investigación en paralelo. Y en compañía de Joan McGraw, mecanógrafa políglota del palacio y ex descifradora de códigos secretos, a la que convierte en su secretaria privada adjunta, intentará aclarar quien se esconde detrás de los intentos de sabotaje de su labor diplomática.”
En este caso, a diferencia de los libros anteriores de la serie, donde vemos a una Reina ya anciana aunque aún en plena posesión de sus facultades, volvemos a los primeros años de la joven reina Isabel, a finales de la década de los 50. En esta ocasión he sentido mejor desarrollada la trama detectivesca por parte de la Reina, que quizá en los libros anteriores quedaba más desdibujada. Conocemos a Joan McGraw, su nueva secretaria adjunta y que presumimos será cómplice de futuras investigaciones de la Reina. Entre ambas van a conseguir destapar una conjura contra la Reina así como desentrañar unos sórdidos asesinatos cometidos en Londres y que podrían incluso salpicar a la Corona.
En resumen, una historia entretenida, que se lee fácil y rápida, perfecta para amantes de lo british e ideal como lectura ligera para el verano o para intercalar entre otras de más enjundia.
Dice la sinopsis: “Abril de 1957. En un mundo cada vez más desafiante, Isabel II desarrolla una intensa actividad diplomática para situar de nuevo al Reino Unido en el tablero europeo de la posguerra. Sin embargo, de viaje en París, la joven reina empieza a sospechar que alguien de su entorno intenta torpedear su misión. Una inquietud que aumenta al descubrir que su tarea se disputa el espacio en la prensa con un brutal asesinato doble en un piso cercano al palacio de Buckingham. Allí, una asistenta ha encontrado los cuerpos estrangulados de Gina Fonteyn, una joven dama de compañía ataviada con una valiosísima tiara de diamantes, y Nico Rodríguez, un misterioso traficante de armas proclive a los ambientes peligrosos. Mientras la policía centra sus pesquisas en miembros de la alta sociedad que celebraban una partida de cartas en el apartamento de abajo, Su Majestad inicia una investigación en paralelo. Y en compañía de Joan McGraw, mecanógrafa políglota del palacio y ex descifradora de códigos secretos, a la que convierte en su secretaria privada adjunta, intentará aclarar quien se esconde detrás de los intentos de sabotaje de su labor diplomática.”
En este caso, a diferencia de los libros anteriores de la serie, donde vemos a una Reina ya anciana aunque aún en plena posesión de sus facultades, volvemos a los primeros años de la joven reina Isabel, a finales de la década de los 50. En esta ocasión he sentido mejor desarrollada la trama detectivesca por parte de la Reina, que quizá en los libros anteriores quedaba más desdibujada. Conocemos a Joan McGraw, su nueva secretaria adjunta y que presumimos será cómplice de futuras investigaciones de la Reina. Entre ambas van a conseguir destapar una conjura contra la Reina así como desentrañar unos sórdidos asesinatos cometidos en Londres y que podrían incluso salpicar a la Corona.
En resumen, una historia entretenida, que se lee fácil y rápida, perfecta para amantes de lo british e ideal como lectura ligera para el verano o para intercalar entre otras de más enjundia.
April 2, 2025
Four books in and I'm still enamoured with this series. I love how Bennett treats her main character, Queen Elizabeth II. I think when we only see someone on the news or in the fan press, it's easy to forget that they are human beings just like you and me. We saw the professional Queen but didn't get to peek behind that armor to acknowledge her doubts about her role, her insecurities concerning her appearance, or her desire to believe that her husband is hers alone.
Bennett gives us a monarch who is trying to find her way, revise her role. She is surrounded by her father's courtiers, the “men with mustaches,” who frustrate her with their assumptions that they always know better and that she's not strong enough to deal with unpleasant realities. She is learning how to get stern with them, make sure she gets the information she wants, and make sure they know who's boss. It was a struggle that many women identify with—being dismissed and underestimated by the men around them. The Queen does what so many of us do: she finds herself a female ally in Joan McGraw and the two of them deftly stick handle around the mustaches.
I love how Bennett also addresses the juicy rumours that everyone has heard. The herd of snappish corgis. The predilection of Prince Philip for tall blondes. The toughness of Princess Anne. The sensitivity of the young Prince Charles. She weaves it all into her novel convincingly but also interprets the facts to give a slightly different picture than the popular press did. She sees them as real people with strengths and weaknesses that are understandable, not as actors in a Royal soap opera.
Going back in time to write about a young Queen was an inspired impulse. The first three books alluded to her previous investigation experience and Bennett can supply us with those details now. I am already anticipating book 5.
Bennett gives us a monarch who is trying to find her way, revise her role. She is surrounded by her father's courtiers, the “men with mustaches,” who frustrate her with their assumptions that they always know better and that she's not strong enough to deal with unpleasant realities. She is learning how to get stern with them, make sure she gets the information she wants, and make sure they know who's boss. It was a struggle that many women identify with—being dismissed and underestimated by the men around them. The Queen does what so many of us do: she finds herself a female ally in Joan McGraw and the two of them deftly stick handle around the mustaches.
I love how Bennett also addresses the juicy rumours that everyone has heard. The herd of snappish corgis. The predilection of Prince Philip for tall blondes. The toughness of Princess Anne. The sensitivity of the young Prince Charles. She weaves it all into her novel convincingly but also interprets the facts to give a slightly different picture than the popular press did. She sees them as real people with strengths and weaknesses that are understandable, not as actors in a Royal soap opera.
Going back in time to write about a young Queen was an inspired impulse. The first three books alluded to her previous investigation experience and Bennett can supply us with those details now. I am already anticipating book 5.
December 11, 2024
Mam wrażenie, że z każdym tomem historie stają się coraz ciekawsze i wciągające. Jeśli ktoś ceni klasyczne angielskie kryminały i lubi podglądać rodzinę królewską, to ta książka sprawi mu czytelniczą przyjemność. Historie pisane są trochę na przekór rozsądkowi, bo z każdym tomem - zamiast iść z historia do przodu - cofamy się w czasie i poznajemy coraz młodszą Elżbietę. Ten tom mocno przypadł mi do gustu.
February 8, 2024
I absolutely adore this series, and love Joan's introduction here. Proper cosy crime with a heart and with likeable characters. Cannot wait for the next one! Ideally there would be about 50 in the series so I could read one a week for a year 😍
January 14, 2024
I love this series and was delighted to get an advance reading copy of the latest book. I put down everything else I was reading and flew through this in two sittings: it didn't disappoint! . It's so interesting to get a little look into the inner workings of the palace whilst enjoying a fabulous murder mystery.
This time, we're back in the 1950s, solving the murder of a call girl. Quite how the Queen stumbled across that one and was close enough to it to take an interest, is fabulous.
We see Royal family life, Royal public life and the lives of those who work closely to support the work of the palace.
The characters are well-drawn, if not always likeable and the story is utterly believable.
This time, we're back in the 1950s, solving the murder of a call girl. Quite how the Queen stumbled across that one and was close enough to it to take an interest, is fabulous.
We see Royal family life, Royal public life and the lives of those who work closely to support the work of the palace.
The characters are well-drawn, if not always likeable and the story is utterly believable.
May 5, 2024
I cannot overstate how much I love this series. The books are original and hugely entertaining. S.J. Bennett's characters are wonderful and her prose sparkles. When each book ends, I can't wait for the next one to appear.
April 15, 2024
A Death in Diamonds is book four in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series by S. J. Bennett. In 1957, in a lovely London Mews house near Buckingham Palace, a young woman and man were found dead, and the prime suspect was a friend of the Queen. To save her friend, Queen Elizabeth became involved in the investigation to clear her name. The readers of A Death in Diamonds will continue to follow The Queen to discover what happens.
I did not engage with A Death in Diamonds because the plot was too slow. However, I will give it a three because I finally finished reading it. The author did well in how S. J. Bennett portrayed her characters. I did not enjoy S. J. Bennett's writing style and will not read another book in this series. The settings of A Death in Diamonds were excellently done by S. J. Bennett and complemented the book's plot.
Other readers like the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, so I recommend this book based on their star ratings.
I did not engage with A Death in Diamonds because the plot was too slow. However, I will give it a three because I finally finished reading it. The author did well in how S. J. Bennett portrayed her characters. I did not enjoy S. J. Bennett's writing style and will not read another book in this series. The settings of A Death in Diamonds were excellently done by S. J. Bennett and complemented the book's plot.
Other readers like the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, so I recommend this book based on their star ratings.
March 6, 2024
A bit muddled. What are the police doing all the time?
December 1, 2024
De investigación sutil y humor circunstancial, este cuarto libro me ha tenido enfrascada de principio a fin en una serie que considero imprescindible para mí.
La autora decidió que era necesario cambiar de tercio y nos propone a una reina Isabel treintañera en lugar de la vetusta señora a la que todos conocemos y amamos a nuestra manera. En mi opinión, ha sido un acierto porque su presencia joven aporta un mayor dinamismo, aparte de que nos permite asomarnos a una época todavía reminiscente de los años de guerra en cuanto a influencia política, con una reina profundamente dedicada a sus deberes internacionales. Esto es el germen del misterio que empieza a asolar sus viajes. Sin embargo, será la imagen nacional y su rol en el mundo cambiante de esos años lo que marcará una de las facetas personales de la novela junto con el alcance del grotesco crimen perpetrado cerca del palacio.
Lo que a priori escandaliza y sorprende a las autoridades va a ser un hilo de Ariadne que tira de muchas intrigas soterradas. Parece un caso sensacionalista, que se nos presenta como algo superficial y aristocrático, pero se va desvelando con un calibre fatal y trágico que me ha fascinado aunque entristecido. Chapeau!
Me ha encantado la involucración de la joven reina al tiempo que conocemos detalles de su vida en familia, sus tours por países aliados, su avispada intuición para los complots y los comienzos de su gran aliada Joan. Buen humor y una ambientación palaciega muy inglesa. Maravilloso todo. ¿De qué irá el siguiente libro? Voy a investigar :-D
La autora decidió que era necesario cambiar de tercio y nos propone a una reina Isabel treintañera en lugar de la vetusta señora a la que todos conocemos y amamos a nuestra manera. En mi opinión, ha sido un acierto porque su presencia joven aporta un mayor dinamismo, aparte de que nos permite asomarnos a una época todavía reminiscente de los años de guerra en cuanto a influencia política, con una reina profundamente dedicada a sus deberes internacionales. Esto es el germen del misterio que empieza a asolar sus viajes. Sin embargo, será la imagen nacional y su rol en el mundo cambiante de esos años lo que marcará una de las facetas personales de la novela junto con el alcance del grotesco crimen perpetrado cerca del palacio.
Lo que a priori escandaliza y sorprende a las autoridades va a ser un hilo de Ariadne que tira de muchas intrigas soterradas. Parece un caso sensacionalista, que se nos presenta como algo superficial y aristocrático, pero se va desvelando con un calibre fatal y trágico que me ha fascinado aunque entristecido. Chapeau!
Me ha encantado la involucración de la joven reina al tiempo que conocemos detalles de su vida en familia, sus tours por países aliados, su avispada intuición para los complots y los comienzos de su gran aliada Joan. Buen humor y una ambientación palaciega muy inglesa. Maravilloso todo. ¿De qué irá el siguiente libro? Voy a investigar :-D
January 31, 2025
3.5 rounded up. This was a fun take on the series with it heading back in time to when Queen Elizabeth was a young mother. This series captures exactly how I imagine the Queen to act in public and in private and while I’ve never been a particularly keen Royal Family buff, it was nice to meet her again after he real life passing.
The new slew of characters in this were great to get to know and as always the interspersing of real world events makes for a great backdrop to a fictional murder. As with the other books, I found it to be slow moving but enjoyable at the end.
The new slew of characters in this were great to get to know and as always the interspersing of real world events makes for a great backdrop to a fictional murder. As with the other books, I found it to be slow moving but enjoyable at the end.
December 5, 2025
However much I loved reading about the version of Queen Elizabeth we all know and love, I also love this twist of being taken back into time and getting to see a younger Lilibeth. Another great addition is APS Joan, even if I do miss Rozie.
I did appreciate the historical aspect of this novel more than the plot of the other books, hence the four stars this time.
I did appreciate the historical aspect of this novel more than the plot of the other books, hence the four stars this time.
July 24, 2024
4.5
Es uno de los que más me ha gustado de la saga. Ideal el enfoque de una joven reina y la ambientación en los años 50.
Es uno de los que más me ha gustado de la saga. Ideal el enfoque de una joven reina y la ambientación en los años 50.
February 22, 2025
Historical (light on historical) fiction/mystery series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as the sleuth. The author does a great job of parsing out the truth, fiction and partials in her author’s note. Still a fun series. This is the 4th book in the series.
https://www.sjbennettbooks.com/
https://www.sjbennettbooks.com/
January 18, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in its audiobook prerelease! I am not sure how but I totally hadn’t realized that this was a series, and OMG if now I don’t have to go out and read the first three books in this series! (I am already starting The Windsor Knot)
I absolutely love the Queen’s character, she feels at the same time so real and also perfectly exaggerated to play up the camp of the premise, and her banter with Joan is so well written! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and also the books to come after this!
I absolutely love the Queen’s character, she feels at the same time so real and also perfectly exaggerated to play up the camp of the premise, and her banter with Joan is so well written! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and also the books to come after this!
December 3, 2025
I completely enjoyed this newest in the Queen Investigates series. Having read the others I was excited for this but was confused when I realized it wasn’t set when the others were, late in the Queen’s life, but in 1957. At first I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it but was quickly reassured and I would say I liked it even more than the previous books in the series.
It felt a little like The Crown and I loved this trip back to those days and the history. One of the highlights was the clever way the author combined true historical events with the fictional murder mystery story.
I very rarely listen to audiobooks and have struggled in the past with the narration ruining the story for me on other books. In contrast, the narrator of this audiobook, Samantha Bond, highly improved the reading experience. I loved all the subtle changes in her accents, from the crisp British of the upper crust royalty to the rougher lower cast and even the occasional American. 5 stars for the narrator.
It felt a little like The Crown and I loved this trip back to those days and the history. One of the highlights was the clever way the author combined true historical events with the fictional murder mystery story.
I very rarely listen to audiobooks and have struggled in the past with the narration ruining the story for me on other books. In contrast, the narrator of this audiobook, Samantha Bond, highly improved the reading experience. I loved all the subtle changes in her accents, from the crisp British of the upper crust royalty to the rougher lower cast and even the occasional American. 5 stars for the narrator.
March 16, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
As much as I was excited to read a new SJ Bennett, I worried that I'd miss the 80-something year old Queen, and of course, Rozie, her wonderful APS. I did miss them, but I very quickly fell in love with the thirty year old Queen, and her APS Joan, and loved the mid-1950s setting, as it allowed Bennett to explore the Queen in her early days, in a world still very much recovering from the second world war. A wonderfully twisty-turny plot that gradually pulls together a terrible murder and a series of would-be threats to the Queen kept me turning the pages, racing to try to piece things together and work out who was behind it. Really glad to have read this, and hope that Bennett plans more mysteries for the Queen and Joan to work out together.
As much as I was excited to read a new SJ Bennett, I worried that I'd miss the 80-something year old Queen, and of course, Rozie, her wonderful APS. I did miss them, but I very quickly fell in love with the thirty year old Queen, and her APS Joan, and loved the mid-1950s setting, as it allowed Bennett to explore the Queen in her early days, in a world still very much recovering from the second world war. A wonderfully twisty-turny plot that gradually pulls together a terrible murder and a series of would-be threats to the Queen kept me turning the pages, racing to try to piece things together and work out who was behind it. Really glad to have read this, and hope that Bennett plans more mysteries for the Queen and Joan to work out together.
May 15, 2024
2.5
I think I’ve given this series a fair chance and as much as I wanted to love this, I just didn’t.
I found the story to be more complex than what it needed to be and some parts then became hard to follow because the Queen is doing so many other things with all these different names.
I’m not even sure why the police are around in this book either.
I think I’ve given this series a fair chance and as much as I wanted to love this, I just didn’t.
I found the story to be more complex than what it needed to be and some parts then became hard to follow because the Queen is doing so many other things with all these different names.
I’m not even sure why the police are around in this book either.
February 26, 2024
Drat! You know those books that you just can’t put down, but don’t want to reach the end?….. Now got to wait ages for the next one. Great fun and (surprisingly?) believable.
January 15, 2025
I love the characters of Queen Elizabeth and her personal secretary, Joan. I love the blend of actual historical events with fiction in the story, but the pacing of the book is uneven.
December 10, 2023
Rated 4.5
The writing was fairly descriptive and took you into the Queen's world back in the 50s. There was just enough description to take you where you needed to be without being too overwhelming. It was interesting to see life from the Queen's point of view. It did take me a little while to get into the story, but once I did I was hooked and I wanted to keep on reading.
The story was an interesting blend of fact and fiction all mixed into one. I enjoyed the fact that bits of the story actually happened in real life. I think that added a nice extra layer to it.
The story was made up of 4 parts, each with an interesting title. The parts were then split into chapters that ranged in length from short to medium. This gave a good pace to the story and stopped my interest from wavering. I enjoyed how everything came together at the end. In order to get to the end there were lots of little bits of information that gradually came to light. As the reader you were finding out bits at the same time as the characters, sometimes even after the characters knew. This kept me guessing until the end.
The characters were great. Their attitudes were very much of their time, which added an extra layer to the story. I enjoyed the royal involvement with the mystery. It meant that as the reader you were able to experience another way of life.
I also liked finding out about the different sides to the characters, it made for interesting reading and kept you questioning how it was all going to come together.
Lastly the settings. I loved following the Queen round on her engagements and following Joan round the different areas of London. The settings were fairly important to the story and together with the characters' backgrounds brought everything together well.
Overall an enjoyable read.
The writing was fairly descriptive and took you into the Queen's world back in the 50s. There was just enough description to take you where you needed to be without being too overwhelming. It was interesting to see life from the Queen's point of view. It did take me a little while to get into the story, but once I did I was hooked and I wanted to keep on reading.
The story was an interesting blend of fact and fiction all mixed into one. I enjoyed the fact that bits of the story actually happened in real life. I think that added a nice extra layer to it.
The story was made up of 4 parts, each with an interesting title. The parts were then split into chapters that ranged in length from short to medium. This gave a good pace to the story and stopped my interest from wavering. I enjoyed how everything came together at the end. In order to get to the end there were lots of little bits of information that gradually came to light. As the reader you were finding out bits at the same time as the characters, sometimes even after the characters knew. This kept me guessing until the end.
The characters were great. Their attitudes were very much of their time, which added an extra layer to the story. I enjoyed the royal involvement with the mystery. It meant that as the reader you were able to experience another way of life.
I also liked finding out about the different sides to the characters, it made for interesting reading and kept you questioning how it was all going to come together.
Lastly the settings. I loved following the Queen round on her engagements and following Joan round the different areas of London. The settings were fairly important to the story and together with the characters' backgrounds brought everything together well.
Overall an enjoyable read.
December 27, 2024
Na okładce możemy przeczytać słowa Ruth Ware określające książkę jako „połączenie panny Marple i The Crown” i poniekąd mogę się z tym stwierdzeniem zgodzić. Czytając o młodej Elżbiecie II przed oczami miałam właśnie owy serial i fenomenalnych aktorów, którzy umili sceny książek odgrywane w mojej głowie.
Choć to już czwarta część serii, śmiało można od niej zacząć, ponieważ fabuła cofa się w czasie względem poprzednich odsłon. Gatunkowo jest to kryminał, raczej z tych lżejszych w typie „cozy mystery” z całkiem dobrze rozbudowana warstwą obyczajową, historyczną oraz wątkami politycznymi. Znajdziemy tu niejedną intrygę i skandale, które same w sobie wcale nie są nam obce. Autorka zostawia nam wiele smaczków podczas czytania czy to odnośnie samej rodziny królewskiej, historycznych wydarzeń czy innych dzieł literatury. Fani twórczości Agathy Christie mogą poczuć się jak w domu, dosłownie 😏
Sama intryga kryminalna momentami mocno schodzi na dalszy plan robiąc miejsce wyżej wymienionym aspektom, natomiast w drugiej połowie książki znacząco nadrabia. Tempo akcji nie pędzi na złamanie karku ale pozwoliło to bardziej wczuć się w klimat.
Choć to już czwarta część serii, śmiało można od niej zacząć, ponieważ fabuła cofa się w czasie względem poprzednich odsłon. Gatunkowo jest to kryminał, raczej z tych lżejszych w typie „cozy mystery” z całkiem dobrze rozbudowana warstwą obyczajową, historyczną oraz wątkami politycznymi. Znajdziemy tu niejedną intrygę i skandale, które same w sobie wcale nie są nam obce. Autorka zostawia nam wiele smaczków podczas czytania czy to odnośnie samej rodziny królewskiej, historycznych wydarzeń czy innych dzieł literatury. Fani twórczości Agathy Christie mogą poczuć się jak w domu, dosłownie 😏
Sama intryga kryminalna momentami mocno schodzi na dalszy plan robiąc miejsce wyżej wymienionym aspektom, natomiast w drugiej połowie książki znacząco nadrabia. Tempo akcji nie pędzi na złamanie karku ale pozwoliło to bardziej wczuć się w klimat.
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