This book was jolly good fun, just what I needed! Fun read a fictional story of Queen Elizabeth II as she solves a murder in Windsor castle, She approaches everything with grace and diplomacy, nudging those around her by seeding clues to them. Her secretary Rozie is also a delightful character, young current but still loyal to the crown. I look forward to their next adventure!

This is a highly intriguing and engaging entry to the Cosy mystery genre featuring a new sleuth Queen Elizabeth II. A Young Russian is found dead in highly suggestive circumstances after a dinner party at Windsor Castle. The Queen is informed by her head of security and the head of Scotland Yard that his death is a political assassination by Putin, but the Queen is not so sure. She summons her new Anglo/Indian security assistant Rozie and asks her to quietly investigate. As Rozie does the leg work for the Queen she learns that this may not be the first time that the Queen has investigated suspicious deaths and quietly nudged the authorities in the right direction. Along the way to resolving the mystery we meet the rest of the royal family, learn about the protocol that frames the Queens life and see why her people care for her as much as she cares for them. Although a bit slow at the start the story progresses into a real mystery with a hint of political thriller thrown in for good measure. Looking forward to the sequel. I was given this book for a honest review. 4.5 stars

I almost felt like I needed a list to keep all the characters straight. Otherwise, very well written book.

When not busy with horses, dogs, family, and hosting dignitaries like the Obamas, Queen Elizabeth II uses her intellect to solve mysteries. Her Majesty the Queen of course takes no credit for this, but rather guides her very able Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian and recent officer in the Royal Horse Artillery, and others in appropriate directions. As one might expect there is a sense of calm and propriety that surrounds the Queen, as well as intense loyalty between her and her staff. Will future titles have the nonagenarian Queen in further adventures, or revisit past mysteries? A cozy mystery with the royal treatment.

Anything that reminds me of an Agatha Christie mystery is going to be such a pleasure to read. Well, there are shades of Miss Marple but within Windsor Castle and with lots of servants, MI5, police and Rozie, who is Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen and, of course, Queen Elizabeth herself. They are all in the middle of a murder mystery.

I loved this book. My introduction to mysteries was either Dame Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but since it was such a long time ago I honestly don’t remember which one was my first. I’ve read more mysteries than any other genre and so this book was just what I was craving. It was like comfort food or a favorite blanket or chair. It was just right.

The Queen is a closet detective, who sadly must remain in the closet, so she has to extend her reach beyond the castle walls through her trusted Rozie and an old friend who is retired from the force. She quietly guides her investigation from Windsor Castle and then must just as quietly and circumspectly point MI5 in the right direction.

I will say it again, I loved this book. Characters drawn so well and a storyline that was truly a mystery. Well done!

My review is based an Advance Reader’s EProof of The Windsor Knot. Thank you to The Book Club Girls, NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers, William Morrow and the author SJ Bennett.

This was a charming book and a fast read. The Queen was good character, but her helper/side kick was even more enjoyable. The mystery had some good red herrings too.

This was such a fun mystery to read. How unique to have the Queen of England solving crimes. If you like to read about the royals and enjoy watching The Crown, this book is for you. I could almost imagine the Queen actually getting involved, absurd as it might seem. Looking forward to the next installment.

I typically do not read mysteries, but was given an advanced copy courtesy of Harper Collins. This was an enjoyable, "cozy" mystery solved by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The story begins after a dine and sleep at Windsor Castle when one of the musicians is found murdered. It took a while to learn all of the characters, and there was plenty of detail about the day to day life of a royal to sufficiently distract me from trying to solve the murder. If you enjoy mysteries and/or reading about royal life, you'll probably enjoy this book.

A guest at Windsor Castle has turned up dead. As the investigation gets underway, the Queen, herself, conducts an investigation of her own. With some royal name-dropping and details of the Queen's day-to-day routine, anyone who is a fan of The Crown or the royals, in general will love this story. The first in a new series, I'm looking forward to the next.

“The Windsor Knot” is a witty, deftly plotted amateur sleuth mystery involving none other than the Queen of England as the sleuth in question. I’m usually not a fan of this murder mystery subgenre but this novel pleasantly surprised me. The morning after a “dine and sleep,” (where several guests at Windsor Castle dine with the Queen and spend the night at the castle), the body of a Russian pianist is discovered dead in his room, the apparent victim of an autoerotic asphyxiation death. It is soon discovered that the death was the result of murder poorly disguised as an accident.

Unsatisfied with the direction that the official inquiry is taking, the Queen enlisted the aid of her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a young woman of Nigerian descent. Rozie consults experts recommended by the Queen, as well as the other guests at the “dine and sleep,” and with the assistance of the Queen, attempts to unravel the mystery.

As I stated earlier, I don’t usually read amateur sleuth mysteries, and as a long-time anglophile, I was initially wary of how the Queen would be treated; however, all of these fears were laid to rest as the book was deftly plotted, with interesting characters and a rare look into the private life of the Queen. On the whole it was a very entertaining read. I will be looking out for further installments of this mystery series.

Great fun reading a mystery solved by a queen! Provided an interesting inside look at royal protocol. Liked the mix of history and fiction.

ARC/Netgalley

Sometimes books fall into a very niche category of”specific things I like.” A cozy mystery where the sleuth is Queen Elizabeth II would certainly be filed under that category.

The Windsor Knot was a little mini vacation for my brain. I’ve followed the royal family since I was in the womb. So I know all the details, minor royals, locations discussed in the plot. I rarely enjoy the mystery genre for the actual case. Years of British procedural mysteries have led me to seek out a pretty specific murder solved by vicar vibe. But if you share in that form of self care you will definitely enjoy this.

A fun cozy mystery that gives you a peek into the Royal world. It's a gentle mystery for those who like to curl up with a nice cup of tea while reading. The Queen might be the main character but Rozie Oshodi is the star.

Enjoyable cozy mystery featuring Her Majesty as an amateur sleuth. The author did a good job of getting into the perspective of the "unknowable" Queen, as people she meets are in awe of her yet underestimate her years of experience. Prince Philip is the only other royal with a speaking part, though others appear in the background.

The mystery involved a bit of international intrigue, with clues the Queen was in a unique position to recognize. Her assistant private secretary, a young woman of Nigerian descent, does most of the legwork, and is one of a long line of staff who have helped the Queen solve crimes - leaving open the possibilty for the series to go back in time at some point.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy and the Library Journal Day of Dialog for featuring the author and her book.

Lots of fun and great for anyone who likes riyals, cozy mysteries or British mysteries. The Queen as an amateur sleuth is a fun idea and Bennett runs with it from start to finish. Not exactly the deepest, most complicated mystery, but all-in-all, satisfying and entertaining.

When things don't add up at Windsor Palace, Queen Elizabeth investigates. This is a charming first book in a series where the Queen solves mysteries.

This is a clever and fun book. I love the concept of the queen of England solving crimes without anyone knowing about it except her personal secretary. A imaginative new mystery book with contemporary characters. Bennett certainly gives you a different view of the Queen. A true romp through Windsor Castle. This plot deals with the death of a Russian pianist and the police head off in the wrong direction believing that Russia and Putin was behind the murder. The Queen secretly starts her own investigation and through her maneuvers steers the police in the right direction.

Let me start this review by saying that neither mysteries nor the British royal family are my usual interests. I'm aware of them, I occasionally read them or pay attention past the headlines, but that's about it. So I'm not the best to speak on the quality of the plot compared to the rest of the genre, nor the accuracy of the Queen and Prince Philip (the only members given much attention). I can, however, say that this was a fun read. In this series, Queen Elizabeth has been solving mysteries since she was a girl, often with the help of her Assistant Private Secretary. Now as her 90th birthday approaches, the Queen finds herself on the case again, this time with a brand new APS.

I found this book to be a lovely escape. The diverse cast of characters is well written and differentiated, and the dialog flows well. I found the wrapping up of the murder case itself to be a little murky, but as stated above, this is not my usual genre, and it may be crystal clear to others. Overall I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading future volumes in the series.

The Windsor Knot will be available from Galesburg Public Library when it is published in March of 2021. Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

This review originally posted at Books You Can Die in the Middle Of: https://lookgoodifyoudie.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-windsor-knot-novel-by-sj-bennett.html

This was a fun read! Who knew that Queen Elizabeth had been solving mysteries around the palace for years with the aid of her assistant private secretaries! But this she does when a young Russian pianist is murdered right inside Windsor Castle. The author has imagined what the Queen's life must be like on a daily basis and lets us in for a look. I enjoyed her relationship with Prince Philip, the loyalty her staff has for her and the loyalty she has for them. I hope there are more in this series and I thank you for the Advanced Reading Copy.