A Death in Diamonds is the fourth entry in this most enjoyable series that offers readers Queen Elizabeth the sleuth, and what a talented detective she is. This title can be read on its own but readers will, I think, enjoy every one of the earlier books as well.

This time, a Bishop’s bolthole is the site of the murders of a couple seemingly having an assignation. The woman is wearing a valuable tiara that, it turns out, Princess Margaret had wanted to possess.

Who are these two? Why were they killed? Are their murders related to a series of subtle threats and annoyances that Queen Elizabeth has been facing? Is someone in the Queen’s most inner circle, in fact, unworthy of her trust?

As the Queen cannot do everything (after all, she has many other duties), she looks to help from her newest employee, the formidable Joan, to assist. The two communicate in varied ways, including by sending messages through what others will see as the frivolity of the Queen’s fashion.

What I most enjoy in this series is the reasonably plausible way in which the Queen’s life is portrayed. There are interactions between her and Philip and with Charles and Anne, the two children who are alive at the time that the story is set. The mysteries themselves also offer a fun read.

It is easy to recommend this title to Anglophiles and lovers of traditional mysteries. I look forward to the next in this series.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

SJ Bennett chooses in her fourth Her Majesty the Queen Investigates to go back to the beginning when Queen Elizabeth was still relatively young in 1957. Something is wrong with her staff and mistakes are made that could hurt her and the monarchy. She has a young woman from the typing pool promoted to be her assistant who was an ex code breaker Joan McGraw. Two bodies are found murdered in Chelsea and the police get nowhere. There may be a connection to the queen's husband. Queen Elizabeth and Joan uncover the dangerous past and both are in danger. Whodunit? Great cozy. Read the rest of the series.

I didn't realize A Death in Diamonds is part of a series until I was reading the author notes at the end of the book. It is book 4 in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series. Obviously, it can be read on its own with no problems.

When I started it, I wasn't sure about the Queen being an amateur sleuth in a cozy mystery. I was relieved that she wasn't out gathering clues and interrogating suspects. It actually reads more like historical fiction rather than a true murder mystery.

There are two mysteries that the Queen wants solved.

First, there is the sabotage of her visit to Paris and attempts to mess up other public appearances. Who has it out for her?

Second, a "tart in a tiara" and a man are found murdered in a mews house in Chelsea. This murder is more of a curiosity for the Queen. I would liken her interest in the case to someone who is a true crime enthusiast. At least until there is a possible tie to someone in the royal household.

To help her with the sabotage, she enlists a young woman who has stepped in as the Assistant Private Secretary. Joan McGraw has an "interesting" war which is code for someone who can't speak of what they did during the war. A black mark on her record is the reason the Queen knows she is the perfect person to be her eyes and ears in the palace.

It was a lot of fun reading this book. I really like Joan. She's an accomplished woman but still has an air of innocence (and perhaps a touch of naivety) which makes her very endearing.

While most of the happenings in the book are fictional they felt like they really could have happened.

Bennett spun an entertaining tale and I can't wait to read in the series.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/01/a-death-in-diamonds-by-s-j-bennett.html

The fourth installment in the Queen investigates series was a unique surprise. In this novel, the Queen is young and navigating her relatively new role as a monarch when someone gets murdered and there is a potential for the DofE to be implicated. I loved the mystery aspect of this novel, but found at times the story to drag.

This is the 4th book in the series and takes us to a new era. The previous books all deal with the Queen as she was in the latter years of her rain and her death did make me wonder if this was going to be the end of the series. Instead we have gone back to the beginning of her rain which should allow for lots more books in this great series, Loved it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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Bennett takes us back in time to a younger Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign, just starting her detective work behind the crown. I’m so satisfied that this is the direction the series is going in as picturing Her Majesty doing all of this as a much older person was my most difficult mental hurdle so far. This cast was also much more compact, leading to fewer moments of confusion. A perfect next step!

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

1957. The body of a female escort, wearing a diamond tiara, is discovered with an older dead man, in a bedroom of a mews house near Buckingham Palace. But how and why were they killed and by whom. Inspector Fred Darbishire investigates but the Queen takes an interest with the help from her APS Joan McGraw. But is someone trying to undermine the Queen.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery, the first I have read of this series which can easily be read as a standalone story with its interesting characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Paris - 1957

Queen Elizabeth is in Paris for a state visit. A crown of people surround her and she sees a man she recognizes scowling at someone in the crowd behind her.

Her dresser, Bobo, tells her about the Chelsea murders where a man and woman were found in a Mews home strangled with the man also stabbed in the eye. The home is owned by an Artemis Club member of which Prince Philip is a member. The police begin investigating the murder.

In the meantime, an assistant to the three main secretaries to the Queen has become ill and a young woman, Joan, who calls herself just a typist catches the Queen’s eye as she recognizes her talent and she instructs that Joan replace the woman who has become ill. Thus begins a cat and mouse game of a detective trying to find out who was in the Mews homes and if someone is lying.

Oh dear. This is the first book in this series that I have read and it was so difficult to get through. I have always been a huge fan of Queen Elizabeth which is why I requested to read “A Death in Diamonds.” This thing dragged on and on and, quite frankly, bored me. So many characters and so drawn out. Sorry. This one is not for me.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The fourth book in a series of cozy mysteries involving Queen Elizabeth the Second, with supporting appearances by Prince Philip. Unlike the previous novels, this one takes place during the early years of her reign. The author humanizes the royals with familial normality taking place behind the scenes while highlighting her astute perspicacity as she directs inquiries into solving a local murder. Charming.

A Death in Diamonds by SJ Bennett is a mystery featuring Queen Elizabeth, her husband, Prince Philip, and her household. In is a complex mystery with Elizabeth taking a relatively passive role, but actually being the one that solved it, although the authorities never knew. There is so much in this book, including the daily life of the royal family, palace and government intrigues, and murder. It is a compelling mystery, as is Elizabeth’s life. It was long and got complicated but was a genuine window into the days, weeks, and months of royalty. It included their trip to Canada and the United States, Elizabeth’s firm friendship with President Eisenhower, and a planned kidnapping of Prince Charles.

Many of the characters have their personalities set by reality but Bennett has written them, especially Elizabeth and her household, so we can see them as real people. That she shows compassion is no surprise, as that had always been her mantra. Her relationship with her husband, from the inside, is loving and ordinary in many ways. This was a fun read for any fan of the British Monarchy, only sightly out-of-date.

I was invited to read Death in Diamonds by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #SJBennett #ADeathInDiamonds

Readers will have a royally good time.

A Death in Diamonds is the second Her Majesty the Queen Investigates novel I’ve read; I loved The Windsor Knot when it was first released, and I must say, these mysteries get better and better as the series continues. While Knot follows an elderly Queen Elizabeth, Diamonds takes us back to the late 1950s, when the Queen is at the “grand old age of thirty.” I loved reading from her point of view at this age, which is closer to my own. S.J. Bennett lets us see the world through the Queen’s surprisingly relatable eyes in the most delightful way.

The story itself revolves around a high-society event that turns deadly when two bodies are found at the Artemis Club in Chelsea. A club that the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, belongs to. When Philip’s name is dragged into the papers, the Queen decides to discreetly investigate the crime, navigating through a web of secrets, lies, and intrigue. Her Majesty's unique perspective and calm demeanor make her an unexpected yet formidable detective as she unravels this glamorous mystery, all while balancing her royal duties and motherhood. The novel is a wonderful blend of historical fiction and cozy mystery, offering a charming glimpse into the Queen's life and the complexities of her role.

Beyond the Chelsea murders, readers are also treated to a second mystery, focusing on the Queen’s innermost circle of trusted advisors. Bennett expertly weaves tension and breadcrumbs about this storyline throughout the book, keeping readers on their toes at every angle!

Fans of The Crown and Miss Marple will find A Death in Diamonds a true delight. With its clever intertwining of royal intrigue and classic whodunit elements, Bennett offers a sophisticated yet cozy escape. She masterfully captures the charm and wit of historical figures we know and love, making this mystery an enjoyable treat for lovers of regal drama and timeless detective stories.

I have been a fan of this series and wondered how the author would handle things upon the death of the monarch. Turns out that it’s by going back in time!

I enjoyed this take on the young Queen’s interest in solving a set of Chelsea murders. I think SJ Bennett did a good job of setting the Queen up as the slightly uncertain monarch trying to find her place after the death of her father, and figuring out how she wants to handle things as ruler. The author also did a good job in bringing out some of the more…troublesome…aspects of the royal marriage, and brought to life some of the complications within it.

The mystery was also intriguing though the many twists and turns got a tad boring at times. Regardless, I would love to see more of Joan McGraw in future books, as she turned what could have been some tedious tinkering into a much more interesting (and fun!) story.

Big thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all the books in this series, and this is by far my favorite. It takes place in 1957, with a young Queen Elizabeth II sleuthing with the help of Joan McGraw, a former WWII codebreaker who works in her office. I love the historical aspect of this novel, as well as the dynamic between the Queen and Joan. I hope the author continues with this new setting, as I will definitely continue with the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There is so much to love about this series and this entry in particular. It is so enjoyable to see the author go back to an earlier time period in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The research highlights the story and fills out the plot. I like that a young woman is the person Her Majesty turns to for a discreet and accurate description of the underlying criminal case that might impact Prince Philip. Now on to the next book! Thanks to #NetGalley and #ADeathInDiamonds for advanced digital copy.

I loved that this book took place early in the Queen’s reign and provided a fun way for the series to continue.

In the fourth entry of the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, S.J. Bennett takes you back to 1957 and a young Queen who is working to build relationships with countries around the world. She is still being advised by the “men with moustaches” who advised her father, but times are changing and she must find her own way to relate to the people. Someone is trying to sabotage her efforts. A speech goes missing in France, there is a miscommunication about accommodations for a U.S. visit and someone has tampered with her face cream. Joan McGraw, a typist, saves the Queen from embarrassment and is made Assistant Private Secretary to Her Majesty, much to the annoyance of the Queen’s advisors. When a murder occurs in Chelsea it may have a connection to the royal family and the Queen asks Joan to make discreet enquiries. The victims were an Argentine businessman with a questionable reputation and his hired escort, holding posies and wearing a diamond tiara. The police are making little progress. While they investigate the businessman, the Queen asks Joan to discover more about the escort. What she discovers leads back to the war in France and a story of revenge, but it also puts her life in danger.

Elizabeth is a young wife and mother who is easy to relate to in Bennett’s story, but she also happens to be a queen. She has to find a way to connect with her subjects and television will enable her to enter their homes and speak directly to them. While her advisors are against Joan’s appointment, she sees the intelligence and devotion to duty behind the woman. Accommodations are arranged for Joan close to the palace, but she discovers that her roommate is Hector Ross, who only accepted her because he thought her name was John. He also has a job in government and she was placed as his roommate for a reason that is revealed when she is in danger. A Death in Diamonds is a delightful mystery with appearances by Duke Ellington and Daphne du Maurier and a wonderful cast of characters that is highly recommended. I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this book.

Another cozy mystery series that features Queen Elizabeth who stumbles into solving a murder. This was good on audio and perfect for fans of the The crown tv series. I liked this newest installment and will likely be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

In 1957, a young Elizabeth II navigates being a mother, a wife and public life but when someone close to her in implicated in the murder of a young woman dressed only in underwear and in diamonds with an older man dead by a knife through the eye near by she must discretely investigate with the help of her private secretary.

It was very interesting to see behind-the-scenes of Elizabeth as a young monarch trying to negotiate all her roles while not falling into political or social disaster. The author gives a very sympathetic portrayal of Elizabeth while giving the feel of the time filled with both change and a persistent view of the old guard on the role of women. A decent mystery too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

What a fun concept! I hadn't read the earlier books in the series but didn't feel like I missed anything.

What a wonderful concept starring the Queen who solves crimes/mysteries!

Perfect with history intertwined with great characters and a mystery like none other!! Need to go back and catch up on this series!!