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Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #3
Murder Most Royal
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.
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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2022
496 people are currently reading
10268 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Bennett
8 books1,176 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 971 reviews
November 20, 2022
As with SJ Bennett's first two books in the series in which Queen Elizabeth II has now been established as a more than capable, below the radar, sleuth, solving intricate mysteries with the aid of her trusted assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, I listened to this one on audio, nine and half hours long, and narrated by the wonderful actor, Samantha Bond. Bond does a warm and stellar job in immersing the listener into the royal household and family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk during the festive season. The Queen and Philip arrive not in the best of health, looking forward to spending Christmas with the family, including the grandchildren and great grandchildren, although William and Kate are not there, choosing to spend it instead with Kate's family. There is banter and fun as the intimate side of a royal family at Christmas, that endeavours to keep these aspects of their lives private, is detailed.
Close by, on a Norfolk beach, a severed hand in a plastic bag washes up on the beach. The police are seeking to identify the victim, but it is the Queen who identifies the 70 year old victim from the signet ring as a well known member of the aristocracy, Edward St Cyr, who as a boy was a frequent visitor to Sandringham. As the police investigate, hunting for the rest of his body, and looking into his life, movements and family, they struggle to make any headway. When another man is discovered dead and a local woman is almost killed in a hit and run, the Queen feels obliged to become involved in what turns out to be her most twisted and challenging inquiry yet and which brings danger far too close to home. Family history, secrets, deceptions and lies are slowly uncovered with a Queen determined to get to the truth, irrespective of the obstacles in her path.
Bennett does a terrific job in imagining the members of the royal family, their lives and the dynamics of their relationships with each other at Christmas. As time has gone on, we see developments in the relationship between Rozie and the Queen, Rozie has become far more confident in expressing herself when she disagrees or views matters differently from the Queen, something the monarch is more than happy to see. There is plenty of charm and wit in this series, the author has managed to establish a successful crime series where the central protagonist is none other than the reigning Queen, a wise and astute woman, perfectly comfortable in the role of solving complex mysteries. The audio is a great way to become acquainted with the series, it is a captivating listen that I think many others will like too. Many thanks to netgalley for the audio.
Close by, on a Norfolk beach, a severed hand in a plastic bag washes up on the beach. The police are seeking to identify the victim, but it is the Queen who identifies the 70 year old victim from the signet ring as a well known member of the aristocracy, Edward St Cyr, who as a boy was a frequent visitor to Sandringham. As the police investigate, hunting for the rest of his body, and looking into his life, movements and family, they struggle to make any headway. When another man is discovered dead and a local woman is almost killed in a hit and run, the Queen feels obliged to become involved in what turns out to be her most twisted and challenging inquiry yet and which brings danger far too close to home. Family history, secrets, deceptions and lies are slowly uncovered with a Queen determined to get to the truth, irrespective of the obstacles in her path.
Bennett does a terrific job in imagining the members of the royal family, their lives and the dynamics of their relationships with each other at Christmas. As time has gone on, we see developments in the relationship between Rozie and the Queen, Rozie has become far more confident in expressing herself when she disagrees or views matters differently from the Queen, something the monarch is more than happy to see. There is plenty of charm and wit in this series, the author has managed to establish a successful crime series where the central protagonist is none other than the reigning Queen, a wise and astute woman, perfectly comfortable in the role of solving complex mysteries. The audio is a great way to become acquainted with the series, it is a captivating listen that I think many others will like too. Many thanks to netgalley for the audio.
December 31, 2023
This novel was obviously published after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, although in the acknowledgements Bennett reveals that she handed in the proofs on the day that the Queen passed. Her obvious affection for the Royals, the English countryside, the gardens, the history and the traditions shines throughout the book. She humanizes the Royal family, showing them to be normal people who are part of a famous family.
ASP Rozie Oshodi, inspired creation that she is, gets less page time in this outing than in the previous two installments. Her Maj gets to do more of her own sleuthing here, although Rozie has several important assignments. In her delicate, diplomatic way, the Queen gathers the information needed to reach the proper conclusion and then makes the necessary suggestions and hints to lead the police to them too.
Naturally, continuing the series after the monarch's death is a ticklish business. By peeking ahead, I have learned that Bennett goes back in time, to 1957. In this way, she has a much younger Royal protagonist and a great deal more runway for future investigations. I'll be interested to see what she does with both things.
ASP Rozie Oshodi, inspired creation that she is, gets less page time in this outing than in the previous two installments. Her Maj gets to do more of her own sleuthing here, although Rozie has several important assignments. In her delicate, diplomatic way, the Queen gathers the information needed to reach the proper conclusion and then makes the necessary suggestions and hints to lead the police to them too.
Naturally, continuing the series after the monarch's death is a ticklish business. By peeking ahead, I have learned that Bennett goes back in time, to 1957. In this way, she has a much younger Royal protagonist and a great deal more runway for future investigations. I'll be interested to see what she does with both things.
March 7, 2023
Murder Most Royal (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, #3) by S.J. Bennett
Synopsis /
December 2016 - A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen's estate at Sandringham. Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward. St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each other's business.
But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn. With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home.
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 3.5⭐
Readers who are keeping track of this series would agree that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has established herself as a most capable sleuth regarding the solving of mysteries. Along with her trusted Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, they get to the heart of what appears to be even the most complicated of mysteries.
Murder Most Royal is Her Majesty the Queen's third attempt at solving a mystery, and I think, the weakest one yet in the series. I'm a big fan of S.J. Bennett's Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series - I loved the first two books and was keen to get my hands on her latest. But something about Murder Most Royal had it missing the highs of its predecessors. There were a few defining moments for sure - the Duke, for example, was at his characteristic best in #3, and on par with previous appearances.
‘It’s always the family, one way or another. I pitied those wives of his. Not surprised they didn’t last the distance. The man shagged half the county.’
It did indeed come packed with both humorous and (some) tongue-in-cheek moments, plus it had the usual helping of aristocratic scandal, family history and secrets, as well as a sprinkling of deceptions and lies……but.
Set during my favourite time of the year - Christmas - the Queen and Prince Phillip arrive at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where they are looking forward to spending time relaxing and being with the family. Both senior Royals are unwell, most likely picking up some sort of a bug from the grandchildren - or as Phillip so eloquently puts it the little petri dishes. The Queen loves coming to Sandringham, with its gardens, lakes and sweeping lawns; not forgetting the twenty thousand acres of bog, marsh, woodland and arable land and orchards surrounding the house. Just your average holiday cottage!
However, all holiday festivities were to take a dark turn when Rozie Oshodi informed the Queen that a severed human hand was found washed up in the mudflats at Snettisham Beach. The hand had no identifying marks, other than a signet ring which was still on one of the fingers. When Rozie showed Her Majesty photographs of the hand (which she'd surreptitiously taken from the crime scene), the Queen recognised another identifying mark -
Do you see that flat-topped middle finger? He cut off the tip doing some carpentry when he was a teenager. But it's the signet ring, of course….Bloodstone. Quite distinctive. And that carving is of a swan from the family crest. This is the hand of Edward St Cyr.
With a police investigation underway, the search for the rest of Ed's body begins, and the police now probe into Ed's life, movements, and family. However, they struggle to make any solid leads. Then, another man is discovered dead, and a local woman is almost killed in a hit and run. The Queen feels compelled to become involved in what turns out to be her most challenging investigation yet and puts her life in real danger.
This latest story, I felt, was more plot orientated, rather than character driven, which is where it fell short for me because Bennett has created a cast of characters in this series that are just so relatable and were an underutilised resource here. As for the plot, it was unnecessarily complex, especially for the cozy-mystery genre, which is where this one falls for a lot of readers. But when the author permitted it, the banter between the Queen and her husband; and between other royal family members is wonderfully amusing - I only wish we could have had more. I know the setting is 2016, but, with the actual Queen's passing in 2022, I wonder what is to become of this series?
Synopsis /
December 2016 - A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen's estate at Sandringham. Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward. St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each other's business.
But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn. With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home.
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 3.5⭐
Readers who are keeping track of this series would agree that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has established herself as a most capable sleuth regarding the solving of mysteries. Along with her trusted Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, they get to the heart of what appears to be even the most complicated of mysteries.
Murder Most Royal is Her Majesty the Queen's third attempt at solving a mystery, and I think, the weakest one yet in the series. I'm a big fan of S.J. Bennett's Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series - I loved the first two books and was keen to get my hands on her latest. But something about Murder Most Royal had it missing the highs of its predecessors. There were a few defining moments for sure - the Duke, for example, was at his characteristic best in #3, and on par with previous appearances.
‘It’s always the family, one way or another. I pitied those wives of his. Not surprised they didn’t last the distance. The man shagged half the county.’
It did indeed come packed with both humorous and (some) tongue-in-cheek moments, plus it had the usual helping of aristocratic scandal, family history and secrets, as well as a sprinkling of deceptions and lies……but.
Set during my favourite time of the year - Christmas - the Queen and Prince Phillip arrive at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where they are looking forward to spending time relaxing and being with the family. Both senior Royals are unwell, most likely picking up some sort of a bug from the grandchildren - or as Phillip so eloquently puts it the little petri dishes. The Queen loves coming to Sandringham, with its gardens, lakes and sweeping lawns; not forgetting the twenty thousand acres of bog, marsh, woodland and arable land and orchards surrounding the house. Just your average holiday cottage!
However, all holiday festivities were to take a dark turn when Rozie Oshodi informed the Queen that a severed human hand was found washed up in the mudflats at Snettisham Beach. The hand had no identifying marks, other than a signet ring which was still on one of the fingers. When Rozie showed Her Majesty photographs of the hand (which she'd surreptitiously taken from the crime scene), the Queen recognised another identifying mark -
Do you see that flat-topped middle finger? He cut off the tip doing some carpentry when he was a teenager. But it's the signet ring, of course….Bloodstone. Quite distinctive. And that carving is of a swan from the family crest. This is the hand of Edward St Cyr.
With a police investigation underway, the search for the rest of Ed's body begins, and the police now probe into Ed's life, movements, and family. However, they struggle to make any solid leads. Then, another man is discovered dead, and a local woman is almost killed in a hit and run. The Queen feels compelled to become involved in what turns out to be her most challenging investigation yet and puts her life in real danger.
This latest story, I felt, was more plot orientated, rather than character driven, which is where it fell short for me because Bennett has created a cast of characters in this series that are just so relatable and were an underutilised resource here. As for the plot, it was unnecessarily complex, especially for the cozy-mystery genre, which is where this one falls for a lot of readers. But when the author permitted it, the banter between the Queen and her husband; and between other royal family members is wonderfully amusing - I only wish we could have had more. I know the setting is 2016, but, with the actual Queen's passing in 2022, I wonder what is to become of this series?
December 12, 2022
I don´t like or read cosies.That said, I did like the first one in this series; the second, not so much.This one,though,was a struggle,it only picks up in the last third, the mystery is pretty predictable and solvable,and it´s only saved by the charm with which the author depicts the Queen and the Royal Family.An extra star for that,and no more of this series for me.
September 1, 2024
To już trzeci tom, ale sama kolejność czytania może być dowolna, bo są to pewne niezależne części. Akcja dzieje się w okolicach Bożego Narodzenia, którego radosną atmosferę przerywa wyrzucona przez morze ludzka ręka z tajemniczym sygnetem. Historia sprawnie opowiedziana i (poza tą ręką) niedosłownie brutalna, tj. nie wypada z niej więcej żadna inna część ciała. Czyta się dobrze i czas mija przy niej szybko - zwłaszcza jeśli jest się miłośnikiem cozy crime.
October 11, 2023
2-1/2 rounded up to 3/5
I liked the first two books better.
It’s almost Christmas and the Royal family have arrived at Sandringham. A severer hand has been found near the estate and it is the Queen who is able to identify the victim from a ring on the little finger of the hand. Turns out it belongs to a family member who happen to be close friends of the Royals.
There are a lot of character in this book and I finally gave up trying to keep track of who was whom –but it did detract from my enjoyment of the story.
My favourite character is the Queen’s APS Rozy who doesn’t make as much of an impact in this book as she did in the others, but she is still my favourite.
Meant to be light fun and that’s what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.
I liked the first two books better.
It’s almost Christmas and the Royal family have arrived at Sandringham. A severer hand has been found near the estate and it is the Queen who is able to identify the victim from a ring on the little finger of the hand. Turns out it belongs to a family member who happen to be close friends of the Royals.
There are a lot of character in this book and I finally gave up trying to keep track of who was whom –but it did detract from my enjoyment of the story.
My favourite character is the Queen’s APS Rozy who doesn’t make as much of an impact in this book as she did in the others, but she is still my favourite.
Meant to be light fun and that’s what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.
October 6, 2025
A buddy read with Simon. The first book we listened to as we prepared for a trip up north stopping first at Chester to explore the UK's best zoo and walk around the city walls, next a visit with our friend in Lancashire, then on to several days in the Peak District in Derbyshire. We love this series and enjoy listening to Samantha's Bond's nuanced voice.
This story was set at the Queen's residence near Sandringham in Norfolk at Christmastime, which was quite delightful. It was fun to have more members of the royal family present and I was delighted to learn that the queen enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles with them.
I loved one of the descriptions of someone's eyes being like “warm Christmas pudding," as they sound so friendly and inviting.
The Queen enjoys a visit to the Stud where she interacts with the foals. Apparently, just like the her, they have an official birthday of January 1st as well as their actual birthday.
This story was set at the Queen's residence near Sandringham in Norfolk at Christmastime, which was quite delightful. It was fun to have more members of the royal family present and I was delighted to learn that the queen enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles with them.
I loved one of the descriptions of someone's eyes being like “warm Christmas pudding," as they sound so friendly and inviting.
The Queen enjoys a visit to the Stud where she interacts with the foals. Apparently, just like the her, they have an official birthday of January 1st as well as their actual birthday.
November 18, 2022
A bit disappointing, and the whole plot seemed a little contrived.
I'm sorry to have to award only three stars, as I greatly enjoyed the first two in this series.
Would I read it again? No.
I'm sorry to have to award only three stars, as I greatly enjoyed the first two in this series.
Would I read it again? No.
November 14, 2023
Norfolk, december 2016. De koningin reist grieperig af naar Sandringham Castle voor de jaarlijkse kerstviering en het oudejaarsfeest met haar familie. Na een drukke herfst en vroege winter vol onzekerheden, hard werk en verplichtingen kijkt ze uit naar comfortabele weken op één van haar favoriete plekken. Maar wanneer een afgehakte hand aanspoelt op het strand en de koningin het slachtoffer, Ned St Cyr, al snel identificeert aan de hand van zijn zegelring, pakt ze haar geheime werkzaamheden als gewiekste speurneus toch weer op, aangezien de politie in het duister tast. Het slachtoffer is een bekende van de familie en deze koppige, eigenwijze en onvoorspelbare man leidde een controversieel leven, waardoor hij veel vijanden heeft gemaakt. Wie is verantwoordelijk voor zijn dood?
De koningin zal als spin in het web voorzichtig te werk moeten gaan om onopvallend en discreet onderzoekslijnen uit te kunnen zetten, en haar trouwe assistent-privésecretaris Rozie wordt op pad gestuurd om het eerste ‘veldwerk’ te verrichten. Zij leert een bijzonder netwerk kennen, dompelt zich onder in het dorpsleven, neemt een kijkje bij verschillende verenigingen en aangezien er veel wordt geroddeld en iedereen elkaar kent, kunnen er verschillende theorieën worden gevormd in dit redelijk complex opgezette mysterie. Er worden erg veel personages geïntroduceerd die niet altijd even gemakkelijk uit elkaar te houden zijn omdat hun achtergrondverhalen onderling met elkaar zijn verbonden, de auteur neemt een aantal zijwegen en laat haar lezers doodlopende paden in wandelen, maar het verhaal bevat ook verrassende wendingen, er worden geheimen onthuld en uiteraard komt alles aan het einde netjes bij elkaar.
Queen Elizabeth wordt mooi geportretteerd als een intelligent, scherp, warm, wereldwijs, gedisciplineerd, empathisch, toegewijd en zorgzaam personage, iemand die openstaat voor kritiek van mensen uit haar nabije kring en op unieke wijze kleine aanwijzingen met elkaar weet te verbinden. Haar relatie met Rozie verdiept en ontwikkelt zich verder in dit leuke deel en door haar overpeinzingen, subtiele humor en de details uit haar persoonlijke leven, de sfeervolle winterse setting en haar omgang met familieleden leest dit verhaal als een combinatie van een aflevering van The Crown en een cosy crime. Ze heeft een actievere rol in dit onderzoek door de inzet van haar connecties met de leden van de aristocratie, ze laat zich niets zomaar op de mouw spelden, luistert naar haar intuïtie en brengt zichzelf zelfs in gevaar, maar ze is duidelijk nog niet klaar met haar dubbelleven. Gelukkig maar, want ik kijk alweer uit naar een nieuw onderzoek!
3.5⭐️
De koningin zal als spin in het web voorzichtig te werk moeten gaan om onopvallend en discreet onderzoekslijnen uit te kunnen zetten, en haar trouwe assistent-privésecretaris Rozie wordt op pad gestuurd om het eerste ‘veldwerk’ te verrichten. Zij leert een bijzonder netwerk kennen, dompelt zich onder in het dorpsleven, neemt een kijkje bij verschillende verenigingen en aangezien er veel wordt geroddeld en iedereen elkaar kent, kunnen er verschillende theorieën worden gevormd in dit redelijk complex opgezette mysterie. Er worden erg veel personages geïntroduceerd die niet altijd even gemakkelijk uit elkaar te houden zijn omdat hun achtergrondverhalen onderling met elkaar zijn verbonden, de auteur neemt een aantal zijwegen en laat haar lezers doodlopende paden in wandelen, maar het verhaal bevat ook verrassende wendingen, er worden geheimen onthuld en uiteraard komt alles aan het einde netjes bij elkaar.
Queen Elizabeth wordt mooi geportretteerd als een intelligent, scherp, warm, wereldwijs, gedisciplineerd, empathisch, toegewijd en zorgzaam personage, iemand die openstaat voor kritiek van mensen uit haar nabije kring en op unieke wijze kleine aanwijzingen met elkaar weet te verbinden. Haar relatie met Rozie verdiept en ontwikkelt zich verder in dit leuke deel en door haar overpeinzingen, subtiele humor en de details uit haar persoonlijke leven, de sfeervolle winterse setting en haar omgang met familieleden leest dit verhaal als een combinatie van een aflevering van The Crown en een cosy crime. Ze heeft een actievere rol in dit onderzoek door de inzet van haar connecties met de leden van de aristocratie, ze laat zich niets zomaar op de mouw spelden, luistert naar haar intuïtie en brengt zichzelf zelfs in gevaar, maar ze is duidelijk nog niet klaar met haar dubbelleven. Gelukkig maar, want ik kijk alweer uit naar een nieuw onderzoek!
3.5⭐️
October 18, 2024
Me encanta la portada. 🤣 Cogí esta lectura en la biblioteca porque me llamó la atención y luego vi que era una saga y este el tercero, pero no pasa nada porque cada uno es un caso diferente.
La reina es ágil, astuta y divertida. Me gusta mucho el enfoque de la trama y creo que es una lectura amena que se lee rápido. ☺️ Eso sí, tampoco es que sea la detective a la que más cariño le vaya a coger, si que es interesante cómo investiga teniendo en cuenta su status de reina 👑.
Lo que sí me resultó lioso fue la narrativa en la que me perdía un poco con los personajes y las pistas, lo cual no me facilitaba seguir del todo la evolución del caso con soltura. Bastante incómodo.
La resolución es la típica en la que de repente todl encaja pero tu coml lector no lo ves, sino que es la Reina la que a través de una pista que solo ella se da cuenta, saca todo, aunque si está bien hilado todo.
La reina es ágil, astuta y divertida. Me gusta mucho el enfoque de la trama y creo que es una lectura amena que se lee rápido. ☺️ Eso sí, tampoco es que sea la detective a la que más cariño le vaya a coger, si que es interesante cómo investiga teniendo en cuenta su status de reina 👑.
Lo que sí me resultó lioso fue la narrativa en la que me perdía un poco con los personajes y las pistas, lo cual no me facilitaba seguir del todo la evolución del caso con soltura. Bastante incómodo.
La resolución es la típica en la que de repente todl encaja pero tu coml lector no lo ves, sino que es la Reina la que a través de una pista que solo ella se da cuenta, saca todo, aunque si está bien hilado todo.
January 2, 2023
This series gets better with each new book.
Starting with a poignant message of gratitude to Her Late Majesty, this book takes us back to 2016 and centres around Sandringham during the annual Christmas visit.
Highly entertaining and narrated beautifully by Samantha Bond, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.
Starting with a poignant message of gratitude to Her Late Majesty, this book takes us back to 2016 and centres around Sandringham during the annual Christmas visit.
Highly entertaining and narrated beautifully by Samantha Bond, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.
November 7, 2022
Well S. J.Bennett and has done it again, with another fab book in this cosy mystery series with the Queen as sort of Sherlock Holmes.
This third book is set at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, so not long after the Brexit Referendum and Theresa May is the Prime Minster, which seems like such a long time ago now. Most of the action took place at Sandringham in Norfolk, rather than Windsor or Buckingham Palace in the previous books. Rozie the Queen’s personal assistant was at Sandringham as well, so was able to ask all the questions that Her majesty obviously couldn’t.
This mystery centres around a local aristocratic family, whom the Queen knew quite well many years ago. In fact the victim used to come and play with Charles when he was boy. So there’s a personal connection that makes things a bit awkward but also a bit easier. I kept changing my mind about who the murderer was because of all the red herrings, and only really discovered who it was when the big reveal came!
Just like in the other books I loved the banter between the Queen and other family members. There’s a particularly amusing conversation between Princess Anne and Prince Charles, that made me smile!
Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries or books connected to the Royal Family.
Thanks so much to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my digital ARC.
This third book is set at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, so not long after the Brexit Referendum and Theresa May is the Prime Minster, which seems like such a long time ago now. Most of the action took place at Sandringham in Norfolk, rather than Windsor or Buckingham Palace in the previous books. Rozie the Queen’s personal assistant was at Sandringham as well, so was able to ask all the questions that Her majesty obviously couldn’t.
This mystery centres around a local aristocratic family, whom the Queen knew quite well many years ago. In fact the victim used to come and play with Charles when he was boy. So there’s a personal connection that makes things a bit awkward but also a bit easier. I kept changing my mind about who the murderer was because of all the red herrings, and only really discovered who it was when the big reveal came!
Just like in the other books I loved the banter between the Queen and other family members. There’s a particularly amusing conversation between Princess Anne and Prince Charles, that made me smile!
Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries or books connected to the Royal Family.
Thanks so much to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my digital ARC.
October 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this latest instalment in the series. Considering recent news it is a lovely unintended tribute to Elizabeth II and I really enjoyed the story and setting. Already excited for the next one
October 17, 2023
I enjoyed this one equally to the first two in the series. I love the combo of amateur sleuths, HRH Queen Elizabeth and her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, as they work on solving yet another murder. This is a great example of how an audiobook narrator can contribute to ones experience of a book, in this case, the marvelous Jane Copland. Not sure I'd like these as well in print. I see book 4 is coming out in 2024, A Death in Diamonds!
Why I'm reading this: I've enjoyed the previous two entries into this series. I love these in audio!
Why I'm reading this: I've enjoyed the previous two entries into this series. I love these in audio!
December 13, 2022
3.75 stars
More delightful sharp-edged royal whimsy.
An "Earl Grey with lemon and peppered cucumber sandwiches" book.
More delightful sharp-edged royal whimsy.
An "Earl Grey with lemon and peppered cucumber sandwiches" book.
December 20, 2023
While this third book in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series started off strong, from roughly the half way mark it lost its edge and I found it more of a struggle to remain engaged. It felt like the mystery was spinning its wheels, not moving in any given direction. This needed more character movement. It lacked Rozie in the field, which was well used in the first two books.
In this series the Queen investigates mainly through directing other people, the main person being Rozie. And since Rozie didn't have much of an impact in this book, it took away a large chunk of what has made for great investigations in the past. Those moments also add a bit of adventure, a bit of suspense, and a bit of fun.
Even though on the whole I enjoyed the read, it felt a little stagnant for me. It won't stop me reading further into the series, but I get the feeling the author was trying for something a little different and didn't quite pull it off.
There are still some great moments in the book, mostly in the first half of the story, and mostly involving other members of the royal family.
In this series the Queen investigates mainly through directing other people, the main person being Rozie. And since Rozie didn't have much of an impact in this book, it took away a large chunk of what has made for great investigations in the past. Those moments also add a bit of adventure, a bit of suspense, and a bit of fun.
Even though on the whole I enjoyed the read, it felt a little stagnant for me. It won't stop me reading further into the series, but I get the feeling the author was trying for something a little different and didn't quite pull it off.
There are still some great moments in the book, mostly in the first half of the story, and mostly involving other members of the royal family.
July 20, 2023
This book had Too Many Characters. After about a hundred pages I had to start again with a clipboard and a pad of paper and map them all out as I re-read it. And I must say I felt totally vindicated; ie I really don't think it was down to my inattention. Loads of people were introduced in quick succession and described in a variety of ways - by name, title, relationship, then you had to keep track of who was dead, who just happened to live next door to who, who'd run off to Greece and honestly once they introduced the wild swimmers, the shepherdess and a (literal) bean counter, I was Very Pleased to have my clipboard because I KNEW WHO EVERYONE WAS. Most of them were irrelevant or peripheral to the plot (obviously) but there was no way of telling this
Having bogged myself down in character tracking, I was left with little energy to enjoy the plot itself. However I am absolutely certain than towards the end the author got her 12th and 13th Barons mixed up.
Having bogged myself down in character tracking, I was left with little energy to enjoy the plot itself. However I am absolutely certain than towards the end the author got her 12th and 13th Barons mixed up.
October 8, 2022
Once again, a wonderful outing for Queen Elizabeth in which she solves another crime, this time in Sandringham. It was very emotive reading this not long after Her Majesty had died but as the books are set in the past it did help. I am finding that this series is going from strength to strength and that with each outing I like the characters more and more and the crimes are not obvious even though all the clues are there.
I am eagerly awaiting the next in this series.
I am eagerly awaiting the next in this series.
March 13, 2024
Such a wonderful series, written with love and wit. Cleverly plotted, I so enjoy the Queen as an intelligent and caring woman, who enjoys sleuthing and is very adapt at solving mysteries. Her assistant, Roz, is a treat and it’s fun to witness their growing relationship. Just the thing when you need a gentle break that still has some depth.
October 1, 2023
I love this series. Both Queen Elizabeth and her Asst. Private Secretary, Rozie, are endearing sleuths. Their adventures always take me to interesting places and the Queen's interest in her dogs and horses make a welcome addition to the plots.
August 14, 2023
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Si el segundo libro de esta colección ya me convenció de que estos libros eran para mí, este tercero no hace más que cimentar esa certeza. Aunque es cierto que la ambientación navideña es tan mínima que me alegro de no haberlo reservado para diciembre, he disfrutado sobremanera de la atmosfera y los personajes que crea la autora.
Sinceramente, creo que esos dos aspectos son el punto fuerte de estas historias. La atmosfera palaciega y noble y la peculiaridad de nuestra detective de turno: la reina Isabel II. Sí que es cierto que hay que tener en cuenta que este libro habla de la reina desde una perspectiva de cariño y sin adentrarse en temas que pueden ser problemáticos. Es decir, prácticamente vemos solo los blancos de la monarca, ni los grises ni, mucho menos, los negros. No es algo que a mí me haya molestado, pero me parece que no está de más mencionarlo, al ser libros basados en una persona real. El retrato que se hace aquí de ella no es ajustado 100% a la realidad. Pero la forma de pensar de la reina en el libro, sus interacciones con el resto de personajes, su inteligencia, su humor... Esta versión sobre el papel me encanta.
En cuanto al misterio, me ha parecido bastante complejo y bien construido, bastante difícil de averiguar, pero muy entretenido, aunque quizás le sobren algunos callejones sin salido/misterios secundarios y paralelos. O a mí por lo menos me habría bastado con menos. No obstante, ni se me ha hecho largo ni nada por el estilo. Y a pesar de hablar sobre cadáveres y miembros apuntados, el hecho es que es una historia que me hace sentir en paz mientras la leo.
Por otro lado, me gustaría mencionar que, en mi opinión, y al contrario de lo que pasa con otras sagas cozy mystery, me da la sensación de que no habría problema en leer estos libros de forma desordenada. El libro te da la suficiente información sobre los personajes para sostenerse por sí solo. Sí, si se leen en orden se distingue sobre todo un progreso en la relación de la reina y Rozie, pero no me parece imprescindible.
Si el segundo libro de esta colección ya me convenció de que estos libros eran para mí, este tercero no hace más que cimentar esa certeza. Aunque es cierto que la ambientación navideña es tan mínima que me alegro de no haberlo reservado para diciembre, he disfrutado sobremanera de la atmosfera y los personajes que crea la autora.
Sinceramente, creo que esos dos aspectos son el punto fuerte de estas historias. La atmosfera palaciega y noble y la peculiaridad de nuestra detective de turno: la reina Isabel II. Sí que es cierto que hay que tener en cuenta que este libro habla de la reina desde una perspectiva de cariño y sin adentrarse en temas que pueden ser problemáticos. Es decir, prácticamente vemos solo los blancos de la monarca, ni los grises ni, mucho menos, los negros. No es algo que a mí me haya molestado, pero me parece que no está de más mencionarlo, al ser libros basados en una persona real. El retrato que se hace aquí de ella no es ajustado 100% a la realidad. Pero la forma de pensar de la reina en el libro, sus interacciones con el resto de personajes, su inteligencia, su humor... Esta versión sobre el papel me encanta.
En cuanto al misterio, me ha parecido bastante complejo y bien construido, bastante difícil de averiguar, pero muy entretenido, aunque quizás le sobren algunos callejones sin salido/misterios secundarios y paralelos. O a mí por lo menos me habría bastado con menos. No obstante, ni se me ha hecho largo ni nada por el estilo. Y a pesar de hablar sobre cadáveres y miembros apuntados, el hecho es que es una historia que me hace sentir en paz mientras la leo.
Por otro lado, me gustaría mencionar que, en mi opinión, y al contrario de lo que pasa con otras sagas cozy mystery, me da la sensación de que no habría problema en leer estos libros de forma desordenada. El libro te da la suficiente información sobre los personajes para sostenerse por sí solo. Sí, si se leen en orden se distingue sobre todo un progreso en la relación de la reina y Rozie, pero no me parece imprescindible.
November 10, 2022
This is the third Her Majesty The Queen Investigates book I have read and although I thought it was the least believable, I think it is still an enjoyable read.
I did feel strange reading about the Queen in a comedic fictional way so soon after her death, but I enjoyed the authors imaginings of the Royal Family behind closed doors.
I did feel strange reading about the Queen in a comedic fictional way so soon after her death, but I enjoyed the authors imaginings of the Royal Family behind closed doors.
November 28, 2022
I’ve read the first couple of books in this series and was happy to receive this review copy.
It is a further adventure concerning our late Queen investigating a murder- this time set on her estate of Sandringham, Norfolk around Christmas 2016. When a severed hand is found on a local Norfolk beach Her Majesty recognises it immediately and resolves to work out what has happened to the rest of the body.
Obviously events of the last few months have made the story more poignant but it was still an enjoyable read which was amusing in places.
That said however, I didn’t think it was as good as the first book which had the element of originality. This was more of the same but with an inordinate amount of characters so that at times I found it difficult to work out who everyone was.
I was not quite as engrossed as I had been when reading the first book in the series but I did enjoy reading more about Rozie, the Queens assistant who helps her investigate. I also liked the setting of Sandringham which was well described and I found it interesting to read the anecdotes about the royal family celebrating Christmas there..
I’m sure the book will do well and will appeal to readers who enjoy cosy mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
It is a further adventure concerning our late Queen investigating a murder- this time set on her estate of Sandringham, Norfolk around Christmas 2016. When a severed hand is found on a local Norfolk beach Her Majesty recognises it immediately and resolves to work out what has happened to the rest of the body.
Obviously events of the last few months have made the story more poignant but it was still an enjoyable read which was amusing in places.
That said however, I didn’t think it was as good as the first book which had the element of originality. This was more of the same but with an inordinate amount of characters so that at times I found it difficult to work out who everyone was.
I was not quite as engrossed as I had been when reading the first book in the series but I did enjoy reading more about Rozie, the Queens assistant who helps her investigate. I also liked the setting of Sandringham which was well described and I found it interesting to read the anecdotes about the royal family celebrating Christmas there..
I’m sure the book will do well and will appeal to readers who enjoy cosy mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
February 7, 2023
A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen's estate at Sandringham.
Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward.
When a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn.
With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together...
I really enjoy this series, it's warm and cosy and heartwarming, and I enjoyed the festive feel to this story. I don't think the plot itself was the strongest, especially when compared to the previous two books - there were a lot of characters to get to grips with and I lost track of who was who a few times, so I felt like some of the plot went over my head but I loved being back with the Queen and Rozie, it was really lovely, and I will still always recommend these books and continue to read the series.
Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward.
When a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn.
With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together...
I really enjoy this series, it's warm and cosy and heartwarming, and I enjoyed the festive feel to this story. I don't think the plot itself was the strongest, especially when compared to the previous two books - there were a lot of characters to get to grips with and I lost track of who was who a few times, so I felt like some of the plot went over my head but I loved being back with the Queen and Rozie, it was really lovely, and I will still always recommend these books and continue to read the series.
July 31, 2023
Sería un 3,5 en realidad. Me ha gustado menos que los dos volúmenes anteriores de la serie, quizá porque se me ha hecho un poco de bola la nómina de personajes. No sé si es que yo estaba un poco despistada, pero en varios momentos me he perdido sin saber muy bien quién era quién, y eso es algo que no suele sucederme. Por lo demás, una lectura entretenida, aunque algo previsible.
March 4, 2025
This series has surprised me in how thoughtful and complex the mysteries are, and how fun the royal background is. So far each book has been set at a different palace. The characters are very well drawn and likeable. The books feel elevated a bit above the typical “cozy” mystery.
May 25, 2024
I can’t say I ever ventured into the cozy mystery genre. But when the Queen solves mysteries, I had to jump in. This novel was the 2nd of the series that I read and I loved it. I love the whole series. The themes of feminism and friendship as well as breaking the barriers of ageism ring true all while being fun, funny, suspenseful and like a warm hug. I highly recommend for those who love all things royal and have a fascination with her majesty.
May 15, 2023
As investigações de Sua Majestade # 3
Mais um livro que junta um policial aos mais recatados corredores das propriedades da família real britânica.
Desta vez o enredo acontece em Sandrigham na tradicional reunião natalícia da família real.
As descrições dos presentes de Natal que são trocados pela família real (já se sabem baratos e divertidos tanto ao jeito Inglês) é de nos arrancar uma gargalhada.
Enquanto isso temos um morto e a Rainha que vai descobrir o assassino, mais uma vez de forma discreta.
A Rainha usará os seus conhecimentos, pois é amiga de família de Ned cuja mão aparece decepada. E onde estará o resto do corpo?
Até ao final do livros muitos serão os segredos descobertos por Lilibet.
Um livro cheio de pequenos pormenores sobre a família real. Um policial escrito à “moda antiga” e cheio de humor.
Mais um livro que junta um policial aos mais recatados corredores das propriedades da família real britânica.
Desta vez o enredo acontece em Sandrigham na tradicional reunião natalícia da família real.
As descrições dos presentes de Natal que são trocados pela família real (já se sabem baratos e divertidos tanto ao jeito Inglês) é de nos arrancar uma gargalhada.
Enquanto isso temos um morto e a Rainha que vai descobrir o assassino, mais uma vez de forma discreta.
A Rainha usará os seus conhecimentos, pois é amiga de família de Ned cuja mão aparece decepada. E onde estará o resto do corpo?
Até ao final do livros muitos serão os segredos descobertos por Lilibet.
Um livro cheio de pequenos pormenores sobre a família real. Um policial escrito à “moda antiga” e cheio de humor.
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