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jamishka's review against another edition
4.0
The story takes place over approximately 24 hours aside from the epilogue . During this time, the entire cast is stuck in a castle together. I loved this aspect. It worked really well for this particular story. I found the pace to be steady and writing style to be easy to read.
I really enjoyed Jonathan as a narrator and the royals were very entertaining. Once I thought I had something figured out, the book would twist into a different direction. It kept me on my toes and kept my attention. Overall, this book was a success and I look forward to reading more from Chris.
I really enjoyed Jonathan as a narrator and the royals were very entertaining. Once I thought I had something figured out, the book would twist into a different direction. It kept me on my toes and kept my attention. Overall, this book was a success and I look forward to reading more from Chris.
stephg4918's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lynguy1's review
3.0
What might have happened if Edward VIII had not abdicated the throne in 1936? In this alternative history a locked-room type mystery occurs when King Eric reigns in the United Kingdom. The royal family has gathered at Balmoral Castle in Scotland for a traditional Christmas. However, King Eric has given nearly all of the staff Christmas Day off. The only ones remaining are head chef Jonathan “Jon” Alleyne and the head of security, Tony Speck.
A blizzard isolates the castle as Jon works tirelessly to provide a delicious meal for the family. During the preparations, King Eric meets individually with each member of the royal family. As he prepares to make a toast and an announcement after dinner, he dies. Jon believes he was poisoned and is placed in the role of an amateur sleuth. He feels out of his depth, but wants to do what is right by his friend of 33 years. Why would one of the king’s own family members kill him?
There is a helpful character list at the beginning of the novel followed by a short chapter from the unknown killer’s point of view. Much of the story is from Jon’s point of view and starts 10 hours earlier when Jon takes the king’s breakfast to him on Christmas morning. The characters had depth and Jonathan’s character went through a transformation as he responded to events. While floundering, overwhelmed by the task, and unsure of himself, he steps up and experiences growth during his investigation.
The descriptive narrative transported me to Scotland where intrigue and secrets abound in this storyline. There are suspenseful moments as well as moments that seemed to drag. The pacing is uneven; especially in the first two-thirds of the novel. Despite this, the plot is twisty and kept me interested and there are multiple mysteries to be solved as the story unfolds. However, it is never explained how King Eric is descended from King Edward VIII and I kept thinking about this question throughout the book. The conclusion hints at what might happen to the characters, but is very open-ended. I wanted a more definitive conclusion to the book. One of the most interesting aspects was the information around lines of succession as imagined in this alternative history timeline. It was certainly thought-provoking.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel. Other themes explored in the novel were relationships with and between servants, trust, honesty, deception, power, greed, love, family, lies, secrets, and suspicion.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 25, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.03 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
A blizzard isolates the castle as Jon works tirelessly to provide a delicious meal for the family. During the preparations, King Eric meets individually with each member of the royal family. As he prepares to make a toast and an announcement after dinner, he dies. Jon believes he was poisoned and is placed in the role of an amateur sleuth. He feels out of his depth, but wants to do what is right by his friend of 33 years. Why would one of the king’s own family members kill him?
There is a helpful character list at the beginning of the novel followed by a short chapter from the unknown killer’s point of view. Much of the story is from Jon’s point of view and starts 10 hours earlier when Jon takes the king’s breakfast to him on Christmas morning. The characters had depth and Jonathan’s character went through a transformation as he responded to events. While floundering, overwhelmed by the task, and unsure of himself, he steps up and experiences growth during his investigation.
The descriptive narrative transported me to Scotland where intrigue and secrets abound in this storyline. There are suspenseful moments as well as moments that seemed to drag. The pacing is uneven; especially in the first two-thirds of the novel. Despite this, the plot is twisty and kept me interested and there are multiple mysteries to be solved as the story unfolds. However, it is never explained how King Eric is descended from King Edward VIII and I kept thinking about this question throughout the book. The conclusion hints at what might happen to the characters, but is very open-ended. I wanted a more definitive conclusion to the book. One of the most interesting aspects was the information around lines of succession as imagined in this alternative history timeline. It was certainly thought-provoking.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel. Other themes explored in the novel were relationships with and between servants, trust, honesty, deception, power, greed, love, family, lies, secrets, and suspicion.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 25, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.03 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
For this and all my other reviews and more content, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Imagine a world where King Edward VIII did the right thing and threw off Wallis Simpson and married a “suitable” bride. What resulted, and who came to the throne following that partnership, is part of the fun of this alternative historical fiction mystery. You know me, I couldn’t resist a book about the House of Windsor, even though it’s completely speculative. So is The Crown on Netflix, to some degree.
In keeping with the Agatha Christie spirit of a locked room mystery, the royal family has gathered at Balmoral for the Christmas holidays and sent the majority of the staff away. The head of security and the head chef are really the only non-royals present when the king is discovered poisoned. And oh, did I mention that there’s a blizzard going on outside so no one can get in or out of the estate?
I had a few issues with the book, like the fact that it was at this Christmas celebration that King Eric was going to announce his successor and heir to the throne. Apparently, King Edward VIII shook things up and changed how succession to the British throne works. But that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the mystery.
Even though I was able to guess the murderer, I wasn’t sure about all the details. Most of the royals have secrets that slowly dribble out over the course of the book, and the twists in the novel left me guessing the motive for the murder.
This was an enjoyable, alternative royal family romp in the spirit of Christie. Recommend!
Imagine a world where King Edward VIII did the right thing and threw off Wallis Simpson and married a “suitable” bride. What resulted, and who came to the throne following that partnership, is part of the fun of this alternative historical fiction mystery. You know me, I couldn’t resist a book about the House of Windsor, even though it’s completely speculative. So is The Crown on Netflix, to some degree.
In keeping with the Agatha Christie spirit of a locked room mystery, the royal family has gathered at Balmoral for the Christmas holidays and sent the majority of the staff away. The head of security and the head chef are really the only non-royals present when the king is discovered poisoned. And oh, did I mention that there’s a blizzard going on outside so no one can get in or out of the estate?
I had a few issues with the book, like the fact that it was at this Christmas celebration that King Eric was going to announce his successor and heir to the throne. Apparently, King Edward VIII shook things up and changed how succession to the British throne works. But that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the mystery.
Even though I was able to guess the murderer, I wasn’t sure about all the details. Most of the royals have secrets that slowly dribble out over the course of the book, and the twists in the novel left me guessing the motive for the murder.
This was an enjoyable, alternative royal family romp in the spirit of Christie. Recommend!
syringaflower's review against another edition
5.0
Slow paced, but a good read. Although it's a bit rushed in the end, it's still a solid 4,5.
Take your time with this story and you'll enjoy it a lot more.
Take your time with this story and you'll enjoy it a lot more.
Spoiler
I found the end to be a little .. out there. It makes sense in the story itself, of course. But I would've liked it to be a bit more .. i don't know, detailed? cozier?thechemicaldetective's review against another edition
5.0
A wintry escape into the privileged dysfunctional world of an alternative Royal Family, snowed in at Balmoral Castle with a murderer on the loose.
A Christmas Cracker of locked room mystery tricks with a satisfyingly explosive ending.
A Christmas Cracker of locked room mystery tricks with a satisfyingly explosive ending.
foofers1622's review
5.0
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for this free ARC.
What a fun, fast paced read! If you are into the royal family, you will love all the easter-eggs found throughout this book. I stayed up all night reading it because I just had to know who killed the beloved King Eric and why. There were some twist and turns at the end that left me feeling overall satisfied. Agatha Christie would have been proud of this locked room mystery.
What a fun, fast paced read! If you are into the royal family, you will love all the easter-eggs found throughout this book. I stayed up all night reading it because I just had to know who killed the beloved King Eric and why. There were some twist and turns at the end that left me feeling overall satisfied. Agatha Christie would have been proud of this locked room mystery.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
easchwanke's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0