Adult Fiction
Reviewed by the Manitou Book Club
The Windsor Knot is book one in the new 'Her Majesty the Queen Investigates' series by S. J. Bennett and that pretty much tells you what the book is about.
It appears that Queen Elizabeth II has been discreetly amateur sleuthing all her life; loving to solve the mysteries that crop up with surprising frequency at her royal palaces and in royal circles generally.
So, when a Russian pianist has apparently strangled himself during an overnight stay at Windsor Castle, the Queen gets on the case with the help of her new assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a decorated British Nigerian army officer and the first Black woman to be appointed to such a senior role in the royal household.
Rozie and the Queen could not be from more different backgrounds, but they force an unlikely alliance and come together to solve the murder mystery, even forming a bond of friendship as far as the rigid protocols of royalty will allow.
This book is an amusing and entertaining glimpse into the inner working of royalty and perfect for any whodunnit fans. The Manitou book club all 'thoroughly enjoyed the book' and are taking turns to read the sequel: All the King's Men.
Here is what the Manitou book club members had to say about the book:
"The author has captured the essence of the Queen; you can almost hear her voice in the dialogue she creates."
"The plot was complicated, but it was well written and kept you concentrating on the story."
"Great insights into the workings of royalty-I wonder how accurate some of the things they describe were?"
"It was interesting that the author put the Queen into that kind of setting-it is a very unique concept."
"The head-scarf that the Queen wears when she is not working was a nice description and helps conjure up an image of the Queen we often do see."
"The book showed the Queen's human-ness."
"I was surprised by how witty and amusing Prince Phillip was portrayed in the book-he always seemed so stuffy when you saw him at public occasions."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the book, possibly because of my age-I can identify with many of the historical events, like the two World Wars and different world leaders, that the Queen reminisces about throughout the book. You are reminded of how long she has been Queen and how many things she has seen and been through in her lifetime. I think it makes you appreciate and respect her resilience and her sense of duty."
"It's almost like a history lesson and a mystery all in one."
"Can't wait to read the sequel."
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