I haven't done a book review in ages. It isn't that I haven't been reading, I have . . . it is just I haven't had a lot of time to slow down and think. Today, with the attic being re-insulated, I have plenty of time to ponder.
A few months ago we were in St Mary's and I discovered a new book store had opened up. I make it a personal mission to support small, independent books stores. Paul reminds me that I do not need more books and I remind him of my mission. One of the books Betty (of Betty's Books) suggested was this mystery.
I finished it this morning after an enjoyable weekend spent lost in the pages.
The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett is one of the most original mysteries you will find on the market today. Imagine if Dame Agatha Christie had written a mystery novel with the Queen of England acting as the primary sleuth instead of Miss Marple, and you will have some idea of the fun and games that are about to ensue.
It is April 2016. The Queen's 90th birthday is approaching. She is at Windsor for a series of events tied to her birthday. Soon the Obama's will be visiting the castle on their last visit to the UK in an official capacity.
The life of a monarch is heavily regimented, and murders are, shall we say, inconvenient. The case of the Russian pianist found strangled at the castle proves vexing.
Unfortunately, the so-called professionals handling the case bungle it pretty badly and initially place suspicion in the wrong direction. Now that the Queen has lost faith in them, she must see that justice is served and is willing to do so at the expense of her own investigatory experts, especially if they are trying to cover up something or potentially create an international incident as an impetus for justifying political war games.
Even though she is the Queen and head of the Royal Family, she is still a 90-year-old woman who easily can be underestimated in these matters. She relies heavily on her private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, to dig for clues or plant information at just the right time allowing the officials to 'solve' the case themselves without knowing that the Queen was there long before they were.
SJ Bennett gives Queen Elizabeth a voice that may not be recognizable at first. The story has enough twists, turns and red herrings to please any mystery buff and a list of potential suspects that rivals anything in the mystery or “cozy” genre. I cannot wait to see what our dear Queen will get involved with next!
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