The Windsor Knot - SJ Bennett

Published by Zaffre/Bonnier Books: London, UK/Stockholm, Sweden, 2020.
Book 1 of the 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates' series. Followed by 'A Three Dog Problem.'

When I first heard about this book series, I loved the concept. As the title of the series reveals, this book follows Queen Elizabeth II as she investigates a crime, "in the vein of Miss Marple." I was recommended this by a friend who is an avid reader, and she told me that she loved the way the book felt true to the late Queen's character; she doesn't go snooping down dark alley-ways herself. Instead, she gathers the information at hand through her trusted advisors (particularly our secondary protagonist Rozie Oshodi), and then helps the investigators do their work, not by telling them where to look, but by subtly pointing them in the right direction.

This is absolutely the highlight of the book. As I have said before, I am a fan of the late Queen, and this book manages to (generally) portray a believable take on her, as well as Phillip. The setting of Windsor Castle, specifically in 2016, adds to the realism and interest, as the author has woven in the Queen's actual schedule from the time - so she meets with David Attenborough at one point, and the Obamas at another.

The mystery is also suitably twisty and mysterious, although the first deduction the police come to - that the victim died during a sexual act gone wrong - is a little bit graphic to begin with. However, there needs to be some strong misconception in order for the Queen to have an excuse to get involved, and this does provide the impetus for the plot.

Enjoyable, with some reservations.

I will probably read the sequels at some point.

Completed 25 August 2024.

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