Name: Penny 's review of The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett
Item: The Windsor Knot
Rating: 2
Author: Penny

S. J. Bennett

"The first book in a ... crime series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as an amateur detective who solves crimes in secret and behind the scenes, in between her royal duties"--

The Windsor Knot

Penny 

Sherlock Homes meets the Crown. This is a super fun adult novel where Queen Elizabeth solves murders in her free time. Set in Windsor castle, a guest of the Queen is murdered and all the men in charge are clueless so the Queen takes the responsibility into her hands. This book is a very fun read! 

Leah Diaz 

"[A] pitch-perfect murder mystery... If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple..., the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit." - Ruth Ware, author of One by One The first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties. It is the early spring of 2016 and Queen Elizabeth is at Windsor Castle in advance of her 90th birthday celebrations. But the preparations are interrupted when a guest is found dead in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene suggests the young Russian pianist strangled himself, but a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play was involved. The Queen leaves the investigation to the professionals--until their suspicions point them in the wrong direction. Unhappy at the mishandling of the case and concerned for her staff's morale, the monarch decides to discreetly take matters into her own hands. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian and recent officer in the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen secretly begins making inquiries. As she carries out her royal duties with her usual aplomb, no one in the Royal Household, the government, or the public knows that the resolute Elizabeth will use her keen eye, quick mind, and steady nerve to bring a murderer to justice. SJ Bennett captures Queen Elizabeth's voice with skill, nuance, wit, and genuine charm in this imaginative and engaging mystery that portrays Her Majesty as she's rarely seen: kind yet worldly, decisive, shrewd, and most importantly a great judge of character.

A Novel

Savindi Jinasena

After reading The Man who Died Twice by Richard Osman, I was itching to read another cozy British mystery and decided on reading The Windsor Knot. I'm happy that I did! It's such a charming story, and the mystery was quite interesting. I loved the little moments between the Queen and Prince Phillip. I also loved the understanding between Rozie and the Queen. It was heartwarming. 

I don't think I love this as much as The Thursday Murder Club series yet, but I'm really looking forward to reading All the Queen's Men! Overall, a solid read and would definitely recommend it for a fun, light read! 

Mary Baldwin

After a really promising start, this book was; for me such a disappointment. I came close to deciding not to continue.

After reading an impressive book with a similar concept earlier this year ( A Murder in Piccadilly)I was drawn to this easily. Not to mention the interest it piqued in me to have HM The Queen as a fictional character - one who solves mysteries at that!

The book is set at Windsor castle, which we learn is the favourite residence of HRH. It’s the base location for most of the action, with the queen residing there surrounded by her close personal aides and household staff. Rozie, The Queens trusted secretary and investigator by proxy, is the extension of the queens sleuthing into the “normal” world.

Her majesty hosts one of her infamous dinner soirées, and an unfortunate member of the entertainers is found strangled in his room.

The Queen takes on the role of private investigator whilst the Police and MI5 conduct their official investigation. Assisted by Rozie, the mystery unfolds as we follow not only the clues of the crime but the depths of relationships and characters across Windsor.

For me there was a real polarisation of thought:

At first I found it amazingly hilarious to have fictional insights into a day in the life of the queen - especially when that fiction is interspersed with quirks of people like Charles and Philip that we’re all familiar with.

The book started with a real jaunty feel and made me laugh on several occasions.

In some case I winced a bit; I couldn’t wrap my head round it being “permitted” to write in this way about the Royal Family!

It took off wonderfully at the start; a really great tone and instantly loved the queen as a character.

However, once that novelty wore off (about 50 pages in)there was no appeal to the plot or characters and I felt like I was reading the long hand notes of a police stakeout. It isn’t badly written or designed, but for me the “concept” doesn’t carry what turned out to be a really dull read.


Isabelle Dion

While I thought the concept of the book was fun and original, it was slightly off the mark for me. I thought it should have focused more on the investigation and less on the secondary plot, which really wasn't a plot at all but felt more like filler pages that didn't add anything to the story. Also, the narration of this book was confusing to follow at times. It might have been more interesting if the story focused more on the Queen and how she solved the mystery. With that said, it was still a fun read and I'm looking forward to seeing where thia series goes!

The first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties.

Anita Rut Kristjansdottir

SJ Bennett

For fans of The Crown and The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. On a perfect Spring morning at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II will enjoy a cup of tea, carry out all her royal duties . . . and solve a murder. 'Like an episode of The Crown - but with a spicy dish of murder on the side' (DAILY MAIL) ______________________ The morning after a dinner party at Windsor Castle, eighty-nine-year-old Queen Elizabeth is shocked to discover that one of her guests has been found murdered in his room, with a rope around his neck. When the police begin to suspect her loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they are looking in the wrong place. For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her coronation. Away from the public eye, she has a brilliant knack for solving crimes. With her household's happiness on the line, her secret must not get out. Can the Queen and her trusted secretary Rozie catch the killer, without getting caught themselves? Miss Marple meets The Crown in The Windsor Knot, the first book in the 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates' mystery series by SJ Bennett - for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin. ______________________ PRAISE FOR THE WINDSOR KNOT: 'Hilarious, affectionate, and so well observed . . . I loved it' - JOANNE HARRIS 'A total joy' - NINA STIBBE 'A highly original and delightfully charming crime series' - ADELE PARKS 'Possibly the most adorable crime novel out this year' - RUTH WARE 'Charming, cosy and respectful' - GUARDIAN 'Gently hilarious and utterly charming' - AMANDA CRAIG

The Queen investigates a murder in this delightfully clever mystery for fans of The Thursday Murder Club

Jane Krauss

Well, as an absolute royalist, I couldn't wait to read this book. The premise seems so funny, so I had big hopes, and it didn't disappoint. It was a great mystery with a great ending. 
The writing was undoubtedly British. And I didn't guess the mystery until the very end.

Penny &
The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett

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