Murder Most Royal: The royally brilliant murder mystery from the author of THE WINDSOR KNOT
As seen:
By S.J. Bennett
avg rating
6 reviews
THE ROYALLY BRILLIANT THIRD BOOK IN THE HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVESTIGATES MYSTERY SERIES.
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December 2016 – A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen’s estate at Sandringham.
Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward.
St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each other’s business.
But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn.
With the winter break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home.
Agatha Christie meets The Crown in MURDER MOST ROYAL, the much-anticipated third book in the ‘Her Majesty The Queen Investigates’ mystery series by SJ Bennett – for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin.
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PRAISE FOR THE ‘HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVESTIGATES’ SERIES:
‘A witty whodunit starring our very own HM The Queen as an amateur sleuth’ – GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
‘A pitch-perfect murder mystery’ – Ruth Ware
‘Written with wit and brio’ – Daily Express
‘Miss Marple with a crown’ – Daily Mirror
‘Absolute perfection!’ – Isabelle Broom
‘Delightfully charming’ – Adele Parks
‘Pure confection’ – New York Times
‘Warm & witty’ – Woman&Home
‘A delightful read’ – BBC Radio 2
‘I loved it’ – Joanne Harris
‘A total joy’ – Nina Stibbe
‘Charming’ – Guardian
‘What a hoot!’ – Saga
Reviews
Our group were provided copies by The Reading Agency and Bonnier Zaffre.
Review 1
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and discussing it with my group. It was light-hearted, fun and very enjoyable to read. I was a massive fan of the Queen and our royal history so it was lovely to see this series making the Queen into a detective. I am now going to read the rest of the series.
Review 2
This is a mixture of history and insight into the Queen with Miss Marple which made a fun mix to read about. Following in the vein of Richard Osman's series it is a light-hearted take on a detective novel which meant I whizzed through it.
Review 3
Set at Sandringham, the Queen’s estate in Norfolk, it portrays the area beautifully. In the series the Queen quietly goes around solving murder mysteries. The background and setting of the story is very well written.
Review 4
The royal family is at Sandringham for Christmas when the Queen’s aide tells her that severed hands have been discovered on a nearby beach. The Queen then begins to investigate. She is able to tip give Rozie an anonymous tip for the police as to their identity, because the Queen recognizes a signet ring. Rozie and the Queen are then on the case. but I would recommend to those who like light-hearted crime.
Review 5
This is the third book in the series but I had not read any of the other books in the series but could follow along fine. This book brought the royal family alive in a compelling and funny way, they interacted exactly how I would anticipate them too. It has a wonderful setting, interesting themes and exploration of family and generational change whilst solving a crime. I have passed on to a friend who is enjoying it as well.
Review 6
I may not have enjoyed the book as well as most of my group but I found it enjoyable and easy to read. Set in December 2016 at the Sandringham estate, the story begins when a severed hand is found washed up on a beach. The Queen quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring. However the search for his killer is not so straightforward. As a couple more murders occur, The Queen and Rozie must help solve the crime. The relationship between the pair and the royal family is at the heart of the story and enjoyable to read.
Review 1
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? It was a fun read.
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? I enjoyed the interaction between the characters.
Did you have a character. If so, who and why? More Prince Phillip, please!
How did this book make you feel? It was a nice, relaxing read.
Who would you recommend this book to? People who like authors such as Simon Brett.
Review 2
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? It as a nice read.
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? An interesting idea and some good descriptions of the royal household.
Did you have a favourite character. If so, who and why? Probably the Queen.
How did this book make you feel? Not a page-turner as such, but enjoyable in it’s own way.
Who would you recommend this book to? It would be a nice holiday read.
Review 3
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? The overall conceit of Her Majesty as a detective.
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? I enjoyed the gentle humour of the book. It never takes itself too seriously.
Did you have a favourite character. If so, who and why? One has to say Her Majesty.
How did this book make you feel? Not too taxing a read. Quite engaging.
Who would you recommend this book to? Anyone who enjoys light-hearted crime novels with a dash of humour.
Review 4
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? The description of where the royals live was good
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? I always like a good detective story
Did you have a favourite character. If so, who and why? I would have to say the Queen.
How did this book make you feel? I enjoyed it.
Review 5
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? It was a good concept to have the Queen as an investigator.
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? I thought the humour throughout was excellent.
Did you have a favourite character. If so, who and why? Oh, our Queen, of course!
How did this book make you feel? It was a fun read.
Who would you recommend this book to? Anyone who enjoys a good thriller and a laugh.
Review 6
Title of book: Murder Most Royal
What did you like about the book? I was somewhat sceptical about this book but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The mixture of mystery and humour was an excellent contrast that kept me interested throughout the book.
Which themes from the book did you enjoy? As above, the mixture of mystery and humour.
Did you have a favourite character. If so, who and why? I liked Roz, but I will say the Queen.
How did this book make you feel? I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.
Who would you recommend this book to? Fans of ITV Sunday night crime dramas.
This is a cosy easy read murder mystery and an entertaining concept of portraying the Queen as a sleuth solving crimes.
Easy to pictures characters (of which there is quite a few, so difficlult at times to keep track of them)as we know them in real life.
Along with the Queen trying to solve the mystery of a severed hand found in a carrier bag on the beach near the Sandringham Estate, this book gives an interesting insight in the Queens life and feelings for her beloved Sandringham Home and what goes on behind closed doors.
I would like to think that the Queen would have had a chuckle at this book and that it would have brought a sparkle to her eyes.
A delightbul sharp-edged royal Whimsy
I found this book an easy read over the Christmas period. Loved the references to the Royals.
The story takes us through the ups and downs of solving a murder among the aristocrats and landed gentry around the Sandringham estate. The premise is somewhat improbable but there is plenty of light humour and behind the scenes royal detail to make this a reasonably engaging read.
Solving the murder is understandably complex but there are a large number of characters in the book and I felt that a list of who's who would have been helpful at times.
A fairly lighthearted murder mystery with fictional references to our Royal Families supposed connections to the characters and to our Queens subsequent involvement with solving the crime.
There are quite a few characters and unconnected incidents to keep the reader guessing.
I’d say our group enjoyed it and would consider reading another S J Bennett book
