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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Bennett takes us back in time to a younger Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign, just starting her detective work behind the crown. I’m so satisfied that this is the direction the series is going in as picturing Her Majesty doing all of this as a much older person was my most difficult mental hurdle so far. This cast was also much more compact, leading to fewer moments of confusion. A perfect next step!
Thank you to NetGalley for my digital copy. These opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for my digital copy. These opinions are my own.
What a fun romp! This was my first book written by S.J. Bennett in this series, and it was definitely a standalone mystery, and one so enjoyable I will certainly be reading or listening to the rest of the books in the series.
The characters are rich, the mystery intriguing, and the insider take on the royals and their life quite fascinating. The research involved was impressive, but it never felt like being hit over the head with it; instead, the narrative and dialog flowed naturally and I was riveted and also entertained from beginning to end. Such a treat of a book not only showcasing Queen Elizabeth II as being able to solve a murder mystery before the coppers, but also with Daphne DuMaurier and Duke Ellington as minor characters.
I particularly enjoyed so many women characters and all with such strength, determination, and perseverance, especially in 1957, a far cry from an era of women's liberation.
The mystery itself was suspenseful and very well-crafted with just enough twists and turns and occasional red herring to keep this mystery lover intrigued and on my toes. The end was very, very satisfying with all of the loose ends tied up quite believably.
I listened to the audiobook with reader Samantha Bond who really propelled the story along beautifully by expertly managing everything from a posh accent for the Queen, to cockney females, male voices, and American accents (even a southern one!). The accents/voice changes made following the sometimes complicated mystery very easy to follow.
Thoroughly enjoyable! 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are rich, the mystery intriguing, and the insider take on the royals and their life quite fascinating. The research involved was impressive, but it never felt like being hit over the head with it; instead, the narrative and dialog flowed naturally and I was riveted and also entertained from beginning to end. Such a treat of a book not only showcasing Queen Elizabeth II as being able to solve a murder mystery before the coppers, but also with Daphne DuMaurier and Duke Ellington as minor characters.
I particularly enjoyed so many women characters and all with such strength, determination, and perseverance, especially in 1957, a far cry from an era of women's liberation.
The mystery itself was suspenseful and very well-crafted with just enough twists and turns and occasional red herring to keep this mystery lover intrigued and on my toes. The end was very, very satisfying with all of the loose ends tied up quite believably.
I listened to the audiobook with reader Samantha Bond who really propelled the story along beautifully by expertly managing everything from a posh accent for the Queen, to cockney females, male voices, and American accents (even a southern one!). The accents/voice changes made following the sometimes complicated mystery very easy to follow.
Thoroughly enjoyable! 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Abandoned at 26%. Not enough queen, too many potential suspects, not holding my attention.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love this series, which I have listened to as an audio book. The narrator (Samantha Bond) does a great job of brining the characters to life.
This book takes a big step back in time. Whereas the earlier books were set towards the end of the Queen's life, we now find ourselves at the beginning of her reign in the 1950s.
I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy this switch, but the development of the period was excellently handled. It's the side stories, such as the fears (and realities) of Soviet spying that added a lot of depth. It's also great to find out about the back story of some of the people we hear about in earlier books.
This book takes a big step back in time. Whereas the earlier books were set towards the end of the Queen's life, we now find ourselves at the beginning of her reign in the 1950s.
I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy this switch, but the development of the period was excellently handled. It's the side stories, such as the fears (and realities) of Soviet spying that added a lot of depth. It's also great to find out about the back story of some of the people we hear about in earlier books.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No