"[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 ...
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"[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.
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Add this copy of The Windsor Knot: a Novel (the Queen Elizabeth II to cart. $50.65, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by HarperCollins B and Blackstone.
Add this copy of The Windsor Knot: a Novel (the Queen Elizabeth II to cart. $80.57, new condition, Sold by Just one more Chapter, ships from Miramar, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by HarperCollins B and Blackstone.
Add this copy of The Windsor Knot: a Novel (the Queen Elizabeth II to cart. $83.28, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by HarperCollins B and Blackstone.
More Than A "Cozy" But Still A Fun & Reliable Read
This book is what it is. Yes, the pace of the story is not speedy or overly heavy with "detecting" action or violence. The heaviest scene in the book involves the Queen's Assistant Rozie. I won't tell you more because I don't believe in spoilers.
At the time this story takes place the Queen is turning 90. The pace and action in the book fits in with this. Nothing the Queen can do is simple or speedy. There are "rules", servants and government officials constantly surrounding her. I've also watched documentaries about her residences and Windsor Castle in particular. If you can find the one about the fire, do so. Its well worth the time. Anyway, the author focuses her energy on the murder and solving it. That's what the book is about.
I have read much about England and inhaled many a mystery set in this country. I read The Windsor Knott via my local library and will definitely purchase a copy.
Kristina
Jan 26, 2021
Anglophiles will enjoy
The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett takes us back to April of 2016 in London where Queen Elizabeth II hosted a soiree the night before at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty was stunned when she was informed that the pianist was found dead in his room and the details are quite salacious. At first blush it looked like an accidental death, but it is soon discovered that the musician was murdered. When the police begin looking at the household staff, Queen Elizabeth feels she must do something to assist. What most people do not know is that Queen Elizabeth has a flair for solving mysteries. It is a secret that Queen Elizabeth would like kept. Her Majesty sets out to learn who killed the musician without anyone being the wiser. The synopsis for The Windsor Knot had me excited. I thought the author captured Windsor Castle, the staff, and how a royal household is run (especially the number of staff it takes to run the large household). She also captured Queen Elizabeth (or how I imagine her) with her concerns for her royal duties, her dry wit, her keen intelligence, and her formal manner of speech. I thought the story, though, lacked depth and I did not like the way the book started. The book begins after the pianist has died. I felt the story should have begun before the party and led up to his death. It would have provided the tale with a better flow. The mystery was interesting. It was thought out and unique. It was clever how the crime was pulled off. I enjoyed solving this whodunit. However, I felt that the mystery was not at the forefront of the book. It gets pushed aside for Queen Elizabeth�s duties and engagements. The Windsor Knot has an intriguing and original premise (Queen Elizabeth as a sleuth). I just felt the book missed the mark. I would like the focus to be on Queen Elizabeth solving the mystery instead of her royal duties. The story also needed more action to spice up the pacing. I enjoyed the interesting facts about Windsor Castle and the royal family. The Windsor Knot will appeal to anglophiles and those who enjoy gently paced cozy mysteries.
