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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
It is a fun setting with the Queen, but with the whole Netflix series about that it's a bit much for me. Too much overlap, and I prefer her Grace to be kept out of the everyday things. Solving the case would have been absolutely possible as well.
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
5 out of 5, Engaging, well written and the research really shows. I literally couldn't put it down.
I was delighted to find a new title in S.J. Bennett's wonderful series about Queen Elizabeth (II).
In this book we see the Queen in 1957 as a young mother still trying to adjust to the demands of a very public life. It's a really interesting time as recovery from WWII is flowing into prosperity, new technologies and new challenges for the Queen.
This is also the first time that she picks a 'special assistant'; Joan is a great character, and someone who can investigate discreetly on the ground in London.
Between them, they try to determine who's attempting to mess up the Queen's public appearances and diplomatic visits.
There's a great balance between seeing the lives of these two very different women who are both trying to make their way in a very male-dominated society.
This book could easily be read 'out of order' from the rest of the series - although I'm hoping that the author will continue with at least one more book in this time period. It's easy to see that lots of research went into making this book super realistic.
Recommend to fans of 'modern' historical fiction, and light espionage.
5 out of 5, Engaging, well written and the research really shows. I literally couldn't put it down.
I was delighted to find a new title in S.J. Bennett's wonderful series about Queen Elizabeth (II).
In this book we see the Queen in 1957 as a young mother still trying to adjust to the demands of a very public life. It's a really interesting time as recovery from WWII is flowing into prosperity, new technologies and new challenges for the Queen.
This is also the first time that she picks a 'special assistant'; Joan is a great character, and someone who can investigate discreetly on the ground in London.
Between them, they try to determine who's attempting to mess up the Queen's public appearances and diplomatic visits.
There's a great balance between seeing the lives of these two very different women who are both trying to make their way in a very male-dominated society.
This book could easily be read 'out of order' from the rest of the series - although I'm hoping that the author will continue with at least one more book in this time period. It's easy to see that lots of research went into making this book super realistic.
Recommend to fans of 'modern' historical fiction, and light espionage.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5
I think I’ve given this series a fair chance and as much as I wanted to love this, I just didn’t.
I found the story to be more complex than what it needed to be and some parts then became hard to follow because the Queen is doing so many other things with all these different names.
I’m not even sure why the police are around in this book either.
I think I’ve given this series a fair chance and as much as I wanted to love this, I just didn’t.
I found the story to be more complex than what it needed to be and some parts then became hard to follow because the Queen is doing so many other things with all these different names.
I’m not even sure why the police are around in this book either.
The third in the series dragged a bit but this fourth outing was fun and historical. I love the way Bennett writes about England and I will keep reading these Queen Elizabeth II solves mysteries as long as she keeps writing them. A fun and thoughtful undercurrent here of “who tells women’s stories” that was handled well. And I loved Joan as a character.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No