Scan barcode
howeonearth's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
booksrockcal's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book combines two of my favorite reading passions- the royal family and mysteries. It is the third in the series involving 90 year old Queen Elizabeth and her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozis Oshoti, who behind the scenes investigate and suggest clues to the authorities actually running the investigations to help solve them. in this mystery it is Christmas 2016 and the Queen and Prince Phillip are fighting colds and feeling their ages but are happy to be in Sandringham to celebrate Christmas with their family. A severed human hand and a stash of drugs is found in the water near the royal estate and the queen identifies the hand due to the ring on one finger as belonging to a member of a local aristocratic family. As the police search for the body and try to find out what happened to the missing aristocrat, another body is found in the water and a community stalwart and older woman is nearly killed in a hit and run accident. The lead up to the ending is filled with twists and turns and insights by the Queen regarding her aristocratic neighbors, those who work on the estate, and the townspeople are provide context for the crime and a window into what the queen might be like more authentic than the crown. The author finished this book just as the real life queen died in 2022 and while she says she plans to write more contemporary novels featuring Rozie and Elizabeth, the next in the series features the queen sleuthing in the 1950s. For some unknown reason, the last book is not available in the United States. American publishers aware of the hit series the crown somehow think people won’t buy the book?? It’s a great series with engaging writing, satisfying endings, and great character development. i hope they change this.
rachnordgren's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
elisabeth_tarvin1_1's review against another edition
5.0
I did NOT expect the ending. Also love the LGBT+ community with Valentine. Also, some of the characters are super annoying the family has problems and Flora does a great job of keeping the family home.
sannekwakernaak's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
mrsreads1's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tays_bookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
This was quite a cute little cozy crime read. The story didn’t grab me until almost right at the end and I think that was just because there were so many characters I struggled to remember who was who however I thoroughly enjoyed that the story was written from the Queens point of view. I enjoyed how realistic the story line was and how a lot of the royal family were mentioned, it felt like I had a real insight into their lives. This really was a true cozy crime with no insane plot twists, that being said I was surprised at who the culprit was as I had no idea throughout the book who it could possibly be and there was a bit of tension and build up to that point which was enjoyable.
taytayhilly's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed most of this, and let's face it, you have to make adjustments when Herself is the detective.
It's my first in the series, and I might look for #1 just to see how we got here.
The side of the Queen we see here is good, Rosie's good, some of the local set pieces are good.
But as the parts fall into place, it feels as if Bennett's just trying too hard to make the plot tricky. Too many cousins and uncles and aunts and assistants.
And then we get to the Big Confrontation, which might has well have ended with a giant plum pudding falling from the sky, because it would not have been any less plausible. Especially when, ahem, one of the participants in the bad guy's last action was apparently unhurt.
But still - an interesting change from the usual cosy-village and Victorian-London stuff.
It's my first in the series, and I might look for #1 just to see how we got here.
The side of the Queen we see here is good, Rosie's good, some of the local set pieces are good.
But as the parts fall into place, it feels as if Bennett's just trying too hard to make the plot tricky. Too many cousins and uncles and aunts and assistants.
And then we get to the Big Confrontation, which might has well have ended with a giant plum pudding falling from the sky, because it would not have been any less plausible. Especially when, ahem, one of the participants in the bad guy's last action was apparently unhurt.
But still - an interesting change from the usual cosy-village and Victorian-London stuff.