nickimags 's review for:

A Death in Diamonds by S.J. Bennett

4.75

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

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Well S. J.Bennett and has done it again, with another fab book in this cosy mystery series with the Queen as a sort of Sherlock Holmes. 

This fourth book is set 1957 as the young Queen is on an official visit to Paris with Prince Philip, and her entourage, otherwise known as in the book as ‘the men in moustaches’.

This mystery centres around the mysterious deaths of a young woman and older man found dead in a mews flat in London. As the above synopsis mentions the young Queen is rather worried that someone very close to her is involved, so needs help to look into for her, just like in the previous books. Enter Joan McGraw a new temporary secretary who the Queen recruits into helping her discover exactly what happened on the night of that high society card game. 

As well as Joan’s inquiries which I really enjoyed, there is the official police investigation led by Inspector Darbishire which was very interesting, although rather slow, hampered by official channels. I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was, and rather enjoyed the big reveal when it came.

I loved the way S.J.Bennett has taken us back in time with this mystery, as I do enjoy historical crime fiction. Joan is a wonderful new assistant and I’m already looking forward to finding out  more about her in the next book. 

Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries or books connected to the Royal Family. 

Thanks so much to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my digital ARC.