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ashleyjean6's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
An insane premise that actually worked. It's great on Audiobook! Not a ton of character development, but in a murder mystery that's not usually a strong point is it? But fun and different and definitely atmospheric. I'd read another one in the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
kmyr1123's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
littleredhat's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
During a dine and sleep at Windsor Castle, a Russian pianist, Maksim Brodsky, is found hanged in his wardrobe in a compromising manner. Due to his nationality, the police and M15 immediately suspect the involvement of Russian state-sanctioned spies, and/or the Queen's servants. But Her Majesty has other ideas. A secret sleuth from a young age, she enlists the help of her new secretary, Rosie Oshodi, to solve this mystery... but how can the monarch become involved in the investigation without being discovered?
This was the ideal time to read this book due to the upcoming Platinum Jubilee. It's a classic "cosy crime" novel, with a royal flavour - Miss Marple with a crown, if you will - and with political sprinkles throughout, too. The concept of the Queen as hidden detective is amusing, and yet, not completely unbelievable. S.J. Bennett's portrayal of Her Majesty is respectful but realistic, and her fictional self, along with Rozie, are very likeable protagonists. I was reminded somewhat of another royal portrayal by a different Bennett, in "The Uncommon Reader".
I always struggle to piece together "whodunnits" (I can never solve them!), but the ending brings everything together perfectly and cleverly, as the genre demands. It's a relatively quick and light read with moments of tension, but which never completely crosses the line into "thriller" territory.
This was the ideal time to read this book due to the upcoming Platinum Jubilee. It's a classic "cosy crime" novel, with a royal flavour - Miss Marple with a crown, if you will - and with political sprinkles throughout, too. The concept of the Queen as hidden detective is amusing, and yet, not completely unbelievable. S.J. Bennett's portrayal of Her Majesty is respectful but realistic, and her fictional self, along with Rozie, are very likeable protagonists. I was reminded somewhat of another royal portrayal by a different Bennett, in "The Uncommon Reader".
I always struggle to piece together "whodunnits" (I can never solve them!), but the ending brings everything together perfectly and cleverly, as the genre demands. It's a relatively quick and light read with moments of tension, but which never completely crosses the line into "thriller" territory.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kassidypf13's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
wolfthorn's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted an easy read and it was definitely that. I didn't expect the plot to be quite so intensely political, I expected something a lot lighter and more like a cosy mystery. It's incredibly fanciful and I think it would have been better if it was the Queen's first crime-solving experience. I also would have liked more scenes from her point of view, the ones with her and Prince Philip were the best ones.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
thealienamongus's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Murder
linesiunderline's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I went into this wanting to feel all the cozy feels, and by the end of the book, I think I got to the desired cozy level.
What I liked:
- the characterization of the Queen - she was just as I imagine she might be IRL: smart, direct, thoughtful, witty, loyal, warmer than you expect
- sneaking an insider type peek into the workings of palace life
- every scene with HRH and Philip
- Rozie Oshodi: I look forward to getting to know her better in subsequent books, she is whip smart and tough
Howevers
- uneven pacing
- elements of the mystery were a bit hard to keep track of at times
- I’d have liked even more face time with HRH. Every scene she was in was satisfying.
So I’ll be happily reading on as this series continues. I hope there are more Corgis, more references to the family, more tea and cocktails, and most of all more time with Lillibet.
What I liked:
- the characterization of the Queen - she was just as I imagine she might be IRL: smart, direct, thoughtful, witty, loyal, warmer than you expect
- sneaking an insider type peek into the workings of palace life
- every scene with HRH and Philip
- Rozie Oshodi: I look forward to getting to know her better in subsequent books, she is whip smart and tough
Howevers
- uneven pacing
- elements of the mystery were a bit hard to keep track of at times
- I’d have liked even more face time with HRH. Every scene she was in was satisfying.
So I’ll be happily reading on as this series continues. I hope there are more Corgis, more references to the family, more tea and cocktails, and most of all more time with Lillibet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I just love the idea of the Queen pottering around solving crimes. I really enjoyed this one, the characters are brilliant, the mystery kept me guessing, it was funny and emotional. I'll definitely be reading more in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, Grief, and Murder
echoingtales's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Light-hearted fun, easy read
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Drug use, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder