Sometimes, the second book in s series doesn’t live up to the first one. That’s not the case with S.J. Bennett’s second Her Majesty the Queen Investigates mystery, All the Queen’s Men. For some reason, I found the mystery and the characters easier to follow. So, let Bennett take us all back to the summer and fall of 2016. Think Brexit and the U.S. election in world history. There’s also trouble in Buckingham Palace.
Although the book opens in October, when Sir Simon Holcroft, the Queen’s Private Secretary, finds a body at the swimming pool in the palace, there’s an incident three months earlier that triggers the story.
Queen Elizabeth had a painting of the royal yacht, Britannia, that hung outside her bedroom door. She tells Philip she saw that painting the day before at an exhibition of maritime art. The Queen told the Navy she wanted it back. Then, she set her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, on the track of that painting. How and when did it leave her collection? Yes, she has seven thousand pieces of art in her collection, but she has a reason to want that painting of Britannia back. It will takes a few months, threatening letters, and several murders of household staff before the Queen sees her painting again.
Rozie senses a feeling of unease amongst the staff at the palace. She even finds one young woman in tears at lunchtime. She’s been receiving threatening letters, and she’s scared. She’s given her notice, and she’s heading home. By the time Rozie finds a nasty note in her purse, she knows other women have been receiving them as well. Although several of the men in charge of different departments try to keep it a secret, there comes a time when the Queen insists Rozie tell her what’s wrong. Sir Simon, Rozie’s boss, isn’t happy when the Queen calls in the police.
This is the second time the Queen relies on Rozie to be her feet in the investigation, but no one who reads the book will doubt that the Queen asks the questions, and knows what direction to take the investigation. As Bennett said before, the Queen can’t go places because of her rigid schedule, but she’s definitely Nero Wolfe guiding Rozie as she asks questions, looking for that missing painting. And, it’s obvious that the Queen relies on Prince Philip for his humor and support. He’s the one person who understands her moods.
If anyone doubted that Queen Elizabeth could be a detective, they only need to pick up The Windsor Knot or All the Queen’s Men. She’s shrewd, politically astute, and she knows how to perfectly play all those Queen’s men who think of her as a little old lady. This mystery series is a gem.
*****
Note: Please join me Thursday, March 10 at 3 PM ET at The Poisoned Pen’s Facebook or YouTube page when I have the chance to talk about All the Queen’s Men with S.J. Bennett. If you can’t make it, it “should” be recorded to watch later.
*****
I do wish American publishers would not change the titles and covers of the British editions of books. I actually read the British edition, called A Three Dog Problem. I think the title and cover is so much better, and more appropriate, than the American one. Check it out.
S.J. Bennett’s website is http://www.sjbennettbooks.com
All the Queen’s Men by S.J. Bennett. William Morrow, 2022. ISBN 9780063051140 (hardcover), 352p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received my copy as a gift.
Clearly, Humpty Dumpty did it. She should have tasked a James Bond with dealing with the hunt.
So true, Kevin. (I loved that video of her with Daniel Craig & the corgis.)
It cracked me up when I saw it the first time. Have long thought that there should be a book where HD survived, cracked with rage, and went on a crime spree seeking revenge.
Look at those corgis!!!! 😘. This sounds very interesting!!!! I didn’t read the first one yet, so I may start with that one.
Those corgis and the dorgis, Kaye, give the book its title, A Three Dog Problem. That’s why I prefer the British edition.
What timing! I’m starting the book today. Glad you liked it the book and I definitely agree on the British cover.
Oh, good, MM. You’ll have to tell us what you thought on Thursday. I’ll look forward to your review.
I have just discovered the S J Bennett books in the local library and found them delightful – very respectful of our much-loved late Queen, well written and humorous. Cannot wait for A Death in Diamonds to be published. Would love to join the S J Readers’ Club and receive The Mystery of the Faberge Egg. My one query is that whilst it is just possible to imagine Prince Philip making a blasphemous comment, given his Naval background, I would have thought that maybe a respectful rebuke from the Queen, being the Head of the Church of England, would be in order also.
I have no idea, Ann, how much the Church of England actually plays into the day-to-day life of the Royal family. Yes, the books are very respectful, and I know S J Bennett will continue to keep them that way.