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heatherfrances's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
juliagiff's review against another edition
2.0
Picked this up in a Hamburg airport bookshop as it was the only one of three English language books being sold that I hadn’t read. The premise, where Queen Elizabeth the II is the detective seemed…weird, but with potential. In the end, it was just strange, and a very unthrilling detective thriller. Imagining up dialogue that the royal family could’ve had, which is based entirely on steretypes and speculation, made me cringe. But the book did keep me occupied for a few hours, so…mission accomplished?
But if you do intend on reading this, may I suggest that you might want to start with the first book of the series.
But if you do intend on reading this, may I suggest that you might want to start with the first book of the series.
tealadytammy's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pewterwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof and Audiobook gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
December 2016. The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Sandingham for their Christmas break, only to be told that a severed hand has been found, washed up on a beach near the estate.
The Queen, who has a knack for solving crimes, vows not to get involved. It's Christmas and both she and Philip have terrible colds. But when she recognised the signet ring as old family friend, Edward St Cyr, the Queen realises that she might have to get involved after all. Plus, when she heard that a local woman has been a terrible victim of a hit and run, and a local man drowned while open water swimming, the Queen can't help but feel that these are all connected in some way...
Before I go further, I do want to say something very quickly. This book does follow Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 and this is published within a few months after her death. Even the author admits that she was doing her first rounds of editing during the Queen's Jubilee celebration and submit them to her publishers on the same day as Her Majesty's death, which makes this book more poignant for the author and many readers.
I knew this when I went into this, and I did have a weird moment at the start, but this didn't affect my experience. I have really enjoyed the series so far and this instalment was no exception. In fact, I think I liked it a tad more than the rest. I mean, murder, Christmas and the Queen - what's not to like.
I do admit that this is a cosy murder mystery so this might not work for some readers. But I think if you are a fan of the [b:The Thursday Murder Club|46000520|The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club, #1)|Richard Osman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582287822l/46000520._SY75_.jpg|70861405], this should be right up your street. It was fun and entertaining (exactly what I look for in a cosy crime novel). I do think it helped that I listened to the audiobook, read by Samatha Bond, which was an added pleasure. I think I'll have go to my local library and get the audiobooks out so it might help me past the time till book 4, [b:A Death in Diamonds|63297544|A Death in Diamonds (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #4)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1668383848l/63297544._SX50_.jpg|99218345], comes out in February 2024 (this story looks at an younger Queen Elizabeth solving a crime in 1957, which adds a nice layer to the series).
I am going to admit that this series won't be everyone's cup of tea. I think I said this when I read the first and second in the series - [b:The Windsor Knot|58341875|The Windsor Knot (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #1)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623693372l/58341875._SY75_.jpg|78642705] and [b:A Three Dog Problem|60705902|A Three Dog Problem (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, #2)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648459920l/60705902._SY75_.jpg|86991082]. You have to enjoy the lightness of this sub-genre and, because I do, I had a lovely time. But if you like your crime a tad darker/gritter, this might not be the series for you.
This might not be everyone's tea, but I am having fun with these characters and I do plan to revisit them in 2023...
***eProof and Audiobook gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
December 2016. The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Sandingham for their Christmas break, only to be told that a severed hand has been found, washed up on a beach near the estate.
The Queen, who has a knack for solving crimes, vows not to get involved. It's Christmas and both she and Philip have terrible colds. But when she recognised the signet ring as old family friend, Edward St Cyr, the Queen realises that she might have to get involved after all. Plus, when she heard that a local woman has been a terrible victim of a hit and run, and a local man drowned while open water swimming, the Queen can't help but feel that these are all connected in some way...
Before I go further, I do want to say something very quickly. This book does follow Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 and this is published within a few months after her death. Even the author admits that she was doing her first rounds of editing during the Queen's Jubilee celebration and submit them to her publishers on the same day as Her Majesty's death, which makes this book more poignant for the author and many readers.
I knew this when I went into this, and I did have a weird moment at the start, but this didn't affect my experience. I have really enjoyed the series so far and this instalment was no exception. In fact, I think I liked it a tad more than the rest. I mean, murder, Christmas and the Queen - what's not to like.
I do admit that this is a cosy murder mystery so this might not work for some readers. But I think if you are a fan of the [b:The Thursday Murder Club|46000520|The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club, #1)|Richard Osman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582287822l/46000520._SY75_.jpg|70861405], this should be right up your street. It was fun and entertaining (exactly what I look for in a cosy crime novel). I do think it helped that I listened to the audiobook, read by Samatha Bond, which was an added pleasure. I think I'll have go to my local library and get the audiobooks out so it might help me past the time till book 4, [b:A Death in Diamonds|63297544|A Death in Diamonds (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #4)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1668383848l/63297544._SX50_.jpg|99218345], comes out in February 2024 (this story looks at an younger Queen Elizabeth solving a crime in 1957, which adds a nice layer to the series).
I am going to admit that this series won't be everyone's cup of tea. I think I said this when I read the first and second in the series - [b:The Windsor Knot|58341875|The Windsor Knot (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #1)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623693372l/58341875._SY75_.jpg|78642705] and [b:A Three Dog Problem|60705902|A Three Dog Problem (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, #2)|S.J. Bennett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648459920l/60705902._SY75_.jpg|86991082]. You have to enjoy the lightness of this sub-genre and, because I do, I had a lovely time. But if you like your crime a tad darker/gritter, this might not be the series for you.
This might not be everyone's tea, but I am having fun with these characters and I do plan to revisit them in 2023...
helenpickett's review against another edition
Murder Most Royal in the third in a series of books where Queen Elizabeth II acts as sleuth. Although there are tow previous books, this can be rad as a stand alone.
The Queen and her family are on their way to their traditional Christmas at Sandringham. A discovery of a hand found on the beach leads to the local constabulary investigating a possible death and may not have known where to start if it hadn't been for the Queen recognising a ring on the hand.
Given the Queen's age and her long knowledge of the local families in the area, she knows where to go to ask the right questions which ultimately solves the crime whilst cleverly making it look as though she hasn't solved it.
It's a preocular concept of very well known living (now deceased person) written in a fictional manor, but it works. There are traditions that are well documented such as Prince Phillip being a bit sweary mixed with fictional family life.
As the Queen has now passed away, we know that her crime solving skills have come to an end, but it might be possible with King Charles having his sleuth instincts like his mother..
Readers of cosy crimes such as The Thursday Night Master Club general fiction and mystery and thrillers
With thanks to #NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre for the ARC of #MurderMostRoyal
The Queen and her family are on their way to their traditional Christmas at Sandringham. A discovery of a hand found on the beach leads to the local constabulary investigating a possible death and may not have known where to start if it hadn't been for the Queen recognising a ring on the hand.
Given the Queen's age and her long knowledge of the local families in the area, she knows where to go to ask the right questions which ultimately solves the crime whilst cleverly making it look as though she hasn't solved it.
It's a preocular concept of very well known living (now deceased person) written in a fictional manor, but it works. There are traditions that are well documented such as Prince Phillip being a bit sweary mixed with fictional family life.
As the Queen has now passed away, we know that her crime solving skills have come to an end, but it might be possible with King Charles having his sleuth instincts like his mother..
Readers of cosy crimes such as The Thursday Night Master Club general fiction and mystery and thrillers
With thanks to #NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre for the ARC of #MurderMostRoyal
rosemariew's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hannahleebibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The latest in a series of cozy mysteries featuring the hypothetical detective savvy of Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth II, SJ Bennett’s Murder Most Royal begins with a teenage girl’s grisly discovery on the beach near her home: a severed human hand, its only distinguishing feature the signet ring on the little finger. When Crown employee Rozie reports the incident to the Queen, Her Majesty — or “the Boss,” as the tiny but formidable monarch’s staff affectionately refers to her — immediately knows that the hand in question belongs to her lifelong acquaintance Edward “Ned” St. Cyr. As famously brusque Royal consort Prince Philip is all too quick to observe, Ned could be a bothersome man — but were his eccentricities enough to drive someone to murder? With the aristocratic rumor mill in full swing, the Queen’s investigation must be carried out with the utmost discretion. As she carefully brings one St. Cyr family secret after another to light, however, the royal sleuth finds that some secrets may be safer in the shadows.
This latest creation of SJ Bennett is a fresh and often surprisingly dark take on the typical cozy mystery. The royal theme combined with the grotesqueness of St. Cyr’s severed hand, for example, brings Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus to mind. On a much lighter note, the finer characterization details of the royal family members featured in the story are so true to life — according to mainstream British and international media, that is — that Bennett could pass for one of the so-called “royal rota.” This is a genius tactic in making the idea of Elizabeth II as an undercover sleuth a bit less bizarre, as are humorous and modern details such as Ned St. Cyr’s young fiancée and her heavy contouring and Prince Philip’s grumpy derision of veganism. While a lot of the plot is packed in just in time to tie up loose ends, Murder Most Royal is a fun and exciting read, and I now find myself eager to explore more of SJ Bennett’s work.
This latest creation of SJ Bennett is a fresh and often surprisingly dark take on the typical cozy mystery. The royal theme combined with the grotesqueness of St. Cyr’s severed hand, for example, brings Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus to mind. On a much lighter note, the finer characterization details of the royal family members featured in the story are so true to life — according to mainstream British and international media, that is — that Bennett could pass for one of the so-called “royal rota.” This is a genius tactic in making the idea of Elizabeth II as an undercover sleuth a bit less bizarre, as are humorous and modern details such as Ned St. Cyr’s young fiancée and her heavy contouring and Prince Philip’s grumpy derision of veganism. While a lot of the plot is packed in just in time to tie up loose ends, Murder Most Royal is a fun and exciting read, and I now find myself eager to explore more of SJ Bennett’s work.
essjay1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Light and easy.