A review by booksrockcal
A Death in Diamonds by S.J. Bennett

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I thoroughly enjoy this series of mysteries by SJ Bennett. I loved the first three in which Queen Elizabeth II and her Assistant Private Secretary work behind the scenes to assist the police in solving murders c 2016.  The fourth book switches gears and takes us to the much younger Queen Elizabeth c 1957 when the Queen is still adjusting to her status as queen and being advised by the mustaches or the old guard advisers relied on by her father who do not necessarily have the young queen’s best interests at heart. Enter a new APS, Joan McGraw, a young Irishwoman whose father is a doorkeeper at Oxford and who served the war effort at Bletchley Park and other secret endeavors (read: smart but not the same class as other courtiers, who are bothered by Joan’s close relations with the Queen, who cares more about Joan’s brain than her pedigree. When there is a murder in the mews home rented by a high level member of the government and court, potentially involving those close to the queen, she and Joan work behind the scenes to assist the police in solving the murder. This book was every bit as satisfying as its predecessors- the new crew is engaging and interesting - I have already pre ordered the next installment.