The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett was the first, of I hope many, in a series of extremely creative and clever books in which Queen Elizabeth II delighted in solving crimes that had occurred under her watch. The concept for this series of books was so original and imaginative. I listened to the audiobook and was delighted by Jane Copeland’s performance as she narrated this book. It was just the type of book I needed to read right now. It was light, funny and yet well researched. I was craving a good mystery, but when I discovered Queen Elizabeth II was the one trying to solve the mystery, it became even grander!

The Queen was at Windsor Castle, her all time favorite place of all her residences. It was 2016 and Queen Elizabeth II was getting ready to celebrate her 90th birthday. She was looking forward to all the festivities. That evening she was hosting a dine and sleep to kick off the celebrations. It was arranged as a favor to Charles “ to curry favor with some rich Russians for one of his pet projects that needed a cash injection.” Charles had requested that Yuri Peyrovski and his wife and a hedge fund manager, Jay Hax, that specialized in Russian markets be invited. The Queen also invited Sir David Attenborough, her racing manager, a novelist and her husband that was a screenwriter, the British ambassador to Moscow, an Oscar-winning actress of Russian descent, a female British architect who was building a museum in Russia, a professor of Russian literature and the Archbishop of Canterbury. In addition to her guests, the Queen secured some ballet dancers and a Russian piano player to entertain her guests. After a splendid dinner, the guests and Queen Elizabeth retired to the Crimson Drawing Room where the young pianist magnificently entertained her and her guests. The pianist’s name was Maksim Brodsky. He was quite attractive and in his early twenties. After the ballerinas performed, Brodsky began to play dance tunes from the thirties and before the Queen knew it the furniture was being moved aside and her guests were dancing. The Queen even danced with Brodsky and then excused herself and found her way to her own quarters to retire for the evening. It was quite a successful evening.

The next morning, the Queen woke to the unpleasant news that the young Russian pianist was found dead in his bedroom. It was thought that the pianist had strangled himself but upon further investigation by MI5 and the Metropolitan Police it was surmised that he had been murdered. The members of the investigating team suspected that President Vladimir Putin might have ordered this murder to be carried out. The Queen had been used to solving crimes. In the Queen’s youth, she dabbled in trying to solve crimes. Over the years, she got very good at it. It was hard for the Queen to stay out of this crime especially when she suspected that those in charge were not headed in the right direction. She discreetly began her own investigation with the help of her very own capable and clever private secretary, Rozie.

This ingenious first book, that was the catalyst for a new crime series, captured Queen Elizabeth’s essence in all aspects. I loved how S. J. Bennett made this book so real, yet delightful and even funny. If I did not know better, I would have thought that Queen Elizabeth II was really talking and performing her royal duties throughout this book. The essence of the Queen was portrayed in every aspect. I loved The Windsor Knot and wait anxiously for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book. The Windsor Knot is set to be published in March 2021.

Thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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

After watching the latest season of The Crown, this was a delight! Good to picture the Queen solving a few crimes. In my mind I was picturing a actual Queen/Olivia Coleman mashup.

The Windsor Knot is a delightful new cozy mystery by author S.J. Bennett, featuring Queen Elizabeth II as the "detective" when a visiting Russian pianist is found dead in his room at Windsor Castle. Apparently Elizabeth's sleuthing skills are a very closely guarded secret among her most intimate staff, and this is not her first investigation! I love the premise of this series, and can't wait to read more of the monarch's adventures. The narrator in the audio version does a wonderful job, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story! A+

The Windsor Knot was an enjoyable mystery and the audiobook narrator was very good. As a self-professed anglophile there were a few things that felt a bit off about the portrayal of the Queen and others in the British Royal Family, so be prepared for a rose-colored glasses view of the monarchy, It set up the rest of the series well and if you're looking for a light mystery and enjoy reading about royalty it's a book for you.

Right now, many are absorbed in watching the latest season of The Crown. There is a lot of back and forth about what is true and what is fictional drama. Well, as far as I know, The Windsor Knot is totally fiction about the monarch as detective.

This is an absolutely delightful and enjoyable title and one that I recommend highly for an escapist break. Give it a try.

In The Windsor Knot, there are murder, mysterious Russians, ballet dancers, Chinese speakers, a very likeable Nigerian aide to the Queen called Rosie, various government and palace workers, family members of the Queen, visiting dignitaries, including Obama and more. All are engagingly portrayed.

The character of the queen feels pitch perfect. She is portrayed as a woman well aware of her role and importance but also as someone with an interior life, likes and dislikes. She is a detective who uses her access to information and her Poirot like gray cells to solve the case.

The narrator of the audio book is just splendid. She captures the characters and accents with aplomb and individual voices. I was only sorry when I had to part with her at the end of this title.

Put this one on your TBR or TBL (to be listened to) pile. Enjoy! It is part of a series so there is more to come.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and unique murder mystery which is compelling and gripping from start to finish, and I loved the delightful irreverence of the Queen solving dastardly crimes; it's a wonderfully charming and cleverly constructed read. SJ Bennett captures Queen Elizabeth’s voice with skill, nuance, wit, and genuine charm in this imaginative and engaging mystery that portrays Her Majesty as she’s rarely seen: kind yet worldly, decisive, shrewd, and most importantly a great judge of character. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Harper Audio and Netgalley, I received an audio ARC of this book. The premise is great. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II solves crimes in her spare time. This case is a man, Maxime Barofsky, who is found dead in a wardrobe at Windsor Castle. Of course, it is foul play and the Queen and her Assistant Secretary, Rosie kick into gear. Rosie is a great character, at 5’11” she is a veteran of a tour of Afghanistan, can ride, and defends herself admirably in an attack on a subway, The latter while wearing stilettos. The narrator, Jane Copeland, does a great job.

I had ordered the British edition of the book from Goldsboro and then was approved for an ARC of the audiobook which is perfect because I love immersion reading.

I opened the book and encountered stunning end paper. Then I allowed Jane Copeland's voice to take me in a sublime and unexpected journey. I was wondering how Queen Elizabeth the Second could investigate a crime, but the author handled it deftly: She doesn't. Not really. She is like the chess player that moves the pieces to get a desired outcome. Most of the grunt work is done by Her Majesty's APS (Assistant Private Secretary) Rozie Oshodi and the women guide the investigators to the different puzzle pieces until the complete picture is revealed.

British-royalty, murder, murder-investigation, international-crime-and-mystery

A young guest at Windsor Castle is found dead in an unusual way in early spring of 2016. Displeased with the official one, Elizabeth II leads her own investigation, along with her most recent assistant (Rozie) once it is determined that it was not an accident. The sleuthing is good and it is so well written I felt as if it was real with the queen as highly personable and with a sneaky sense of humor about all the pomposity she has had to accustom herself to. As an American, I found that it brought to mind the kind of mysteries written by Elliot Roosevelt and was just as timely and interesting with no detail missed. I loved it!
Jane Copland did a great job of bringing everyone to life and vocally differentiating the characters.
I requested and received a free audio copy from Harper Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!

#ARC expected March 9, 2021

Fan fiction for royal followers. Loved experiencing the Queen as an inquisitive solver of mysteries, the text eludes to it not being the first nor the last investigation for the royal mother and sets up for a series. I had never heard of a Dine & Sleep and suppose it makes sense when parties run late to house guests overnight, whether those really exist I don't know. I did hope the Queen would sleuth around herself but I guess logistically that wouldn't make sense. Instead she has her new Royal Secretary do this and that on her behalf to solve the crimes, and Rozie learns her two predecessors did the same as well.

The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett is a wonderful cozy mystery with a fun British twist! I loved seeing the Queen as an investigator and also the coziness of her inner monologues. Her assistant private secretary, Rosie, is a standout character. Not only is she up to investigating, she can take care of herself! I can't wait to hear more from this new mystery solving duo. The narrator was brilliant, I enjoyed each of the voices she gave characters. While I didn't solve this case, I do think the mystery had enough twists and turns to keep even the most accomplished sleuths interested.

I have to start out by saying that I was extremely impressed at the originality of this first installment of a mystery series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly is a crime solver while carrying out all of her royal duties. The time setting is early spring in the year 2016, and Queen Elizabeth is at Windsor Castle prior to her 90th birthday celebrations. Preparations are soon interrupted when a guest, a talented young Russian pianist, is found dead in one of the castles bedrooms. The scene of a crime seems to suggest that he strangled himself via auto-erotica techniques, however a suspiciously tied knot brings MI5 in as they suspect there is definitely foul play involved. The Queen seemingly leaves the professionals to investigate, well under the guise of normalcy, as she and one of her new assistants, Rozie, begin to secretly look into things.

The Queen is not pleased with the way the investigation is being done, seeing it as a total misshandling and she is very concerned for the morale of her staff and the privacy that is the establishment. She decides to discreetly look into things. Her assistant private secretary, Rozie, who is a British Nigerian and a former officer in the Royal Horse Artillery, makes an excellent sidekick. The Queen definitely uses her keen eye, her steady nerves and her extremely quick mind to help bring a murderer to justice.

I thought this was a totally enjoyable, unique murder mystery. I loved how her Majesty is involved. It is a beautifully charming, cleverly constructed mystery. The author does an excellent job giving Queen Elizabeth a voice. One that is filled with charm, wit and decisiveness. I really recommend this book and I'm definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

What fun! I loved the intrigue of a murder and Queen Elizabeth assisting in the investigation. I loved the main characters and how they all helped in solving the mystery without anyone know it. I also liked listening to the interactions of the other family members conversing with the Queen and her not saying a word. I wondered through the whole audiobook if the Queen would get a kick out of listening to this book. I bet she would.
The narrator of this book is perfect. Can't wait to see if you have another episode involving the Queen and her assistant.

At Windsor Castle a Russian pianist is found dead and in a compromising situation. Enter super sleuth….the Queen.

The premise of this book is that the Queen has been solving mysteries for 76 years, since she was 13. This makes perfect sense because she is smart and has an eye for detail. She is in a unique situation to notice things because people are usually watching her while she is watching what is happening around her.

While the Queen was magnificent in this book, my favorite character was Rozie Oshodi, Assistant Private Secretary to the Queen. Rozie was formerly an officer in the Royal Horse Artillery before taking the job at the Palace. She is the perfect person to help the Queen investigate this murder because she is smart and can conduct interviews and investigations unnoticed.

The Queen and Rosie were the star characters of this book! They are the perfect crime fighting duo!.

My favorite part of the book was seeing little glimpses of royal life. I loved the detail of day to day experience at the castle. There are glimpses into hosting royal events, the staff, the members of the public, royal relatives, etc. Most entertaining were the conversations between the Queen and Prince Phillip.

The audiobook narrator is Jane Copland. I think she gave a perfect performance of this book. Her accent and pacing accentuated what is an entertaining story.

I recommend this book for people who enjoy reading cozy mysteries and books about the royals.

Mystery surrounds murders at Windsor Castle and British Royalty in a modern day saga filled with twists and turns. Queen Elizabeth watches the investigation while exploring her own theories. With the assistance of her private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, she discreetly seeks answers as international leaders involvement becomes evident. Money darkens the path as they rush to expose the killer. Time is of the essence.


Thank you NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the “The Windsor Knot”.

I will post my review on Amazon.

#thewindsorknot #sjbennett. #netgalley

This was a really interesting cozy mystery / geopolitical thriller hybrid. The conceit is fun: that the Queen has been a sharp solver of mysteries for decades, working around the institutions and expectations of the English bureaucracy and society in ways that both get the results she needs and maintain the power and confidence of those very institutions that allow British society to maintain the monarchy. On the other hand, it is decidedly weird to spend chapters inside the head of a public figure that is still alive and well; the Queen in this novel is a fun person to spend time with, but it seems both presumptuous of the author to know the Queen's inner life and also propagandistic for the Queen to be portrayed as so kind, sharp, and sweetly perceptive. That said, all of the characters, even minor ones, were well drawn (especially Rozie Oshodi, the other main point of view character and the Queen's Assistant Private Secretary and unofficial stalking horse), the mystery was satisfying, and the author has laid out lots of hooks and signs pointing to a long and fun series. So royal propaganda or not, on the whole I enjoyed the book.

First in a series and looking forward to more books. Great premise and well executed. I loved the conversations between Elizabeth and Philip. Fun cozy mystery

The Windsor Knot refers to the type of knot that was around a victims next found hanging in a wardrobe at Queen Elizabeth s residence. Victim was a visiting guest. The whole book is basically Queen Elizabeth and members of her close staff solving this crime and 2 more victims related to the first murder. This is the first book in a new series featuring the queen. Very light, different, unique, and very enjoyable. ****Note***" this review is for the audio. My thanks to Net Galley for the audio.

AUDIO VERSION of The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett - Narration by Jane Copeland. YES!! This was absolutely lovely to listen to! So much fun!

The 1st in a new cozy series: Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, the book starts out with a death right at that the beginning, taking place right under the roof of Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle.

With Queen Elizabeth II, being a primary character, she is flanked by Asst Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, who proves to be quite capable in her owns rights. Brilliant chemistry of mutual respect between all the characters, dominated by an intelligent, witty, often humorous, sometimes cheeky dialogue. I LOVED the few personal conversations between Philip and the Queen. (Phillip’s pet name for the Queen is “Cabbage”.)

This was a wonderful portrait of some the Queen’s responsibilities, her family, staff, the public she has to deal with, and her beloved home, Windsor Castle. Coordinating all those things, she is using her wisdom and keen eye to guide the proper authorities to unmask the truth about the death of one of her guests, a Russian piano player. But questions abound - Suicide? Murder? Accident? A killer? Who?

The narrator, Jane Copeland, is fantastic! Pitch, pace, power, accent(s), enthusiasm, and fluency were spot on. The narrator did this story justice, and brought life and authentic realism, making the listening experience even more enjoyable.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.