Well S. J.Bennett and has done it again, with another fab book in this cosy mystery series with the Queen as sort of Sherlock Holmes.
This third book is set at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, so not long after the Brexit Referendum and Theresa May is the Prime Minster, which seems like such a long time ago now. Most of the action took place at Sandringham in Norfolk, rather than Windsor or Buckingham Palace in the previous books. Rozie the Queen’s personal assistant was at Sandringham as well, so was able to ask all the questions that Her majesty obviously couldn’t.
This mystery centres around a local aristocratic family, whom the Queen knew quite well many years ago. In fact the victim used to come and play with Charles when he was boy. So there’s a personal connection that makes things a bit awkward but also a bit easier. I kept changing my mind about who the murderer was because of all the red herrings, and only really discovered who it was when the big reveal came!
Just like in the other books I loved the banter between the Queen and other family members. There’s a particularly amusing conversation between Princess Anne and Prince Charles, that made me smile!
Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries or books connected to the Royal Family.

Loved this novel crime story involving her late majesty the Queen. I felt the author captured the essence of how the Royal family would perhaps behave towards each other and the outside world plus I could almost hear the Queen’s clipped accent as I read! It had humour, pathos and intrigue plus a little insight into the history of our aristocracy. A severed hand is found floating on Snettisham Beach not far from the Queen’s Sandringham home in Norfolk. On discovering that this hand belonged to a member of a neighbouring aristocrat, the Queen and her assistant private secretary Rozie begin their own subtle investigations. There are interesting snippets of past history making events and various members of the family pop up every now and then. A highly entertaining easy read, although a little sad in that her Majesty and her husband are no longer with us.

This series is brilliant and full of humour.
it did not take me long to read this book.
I felt a slight pang reading this as i know we will the Queens great sense of humour but these books keep her memory alive.
It is like reading Agatha Christie with a cross of midsommer murders just the perfect murder mystery to be solved.

''The Queen, like the sunrise and the tides, was generally a reliable way of marking time.''

It seemed to begin as a cold. Hardly surprising, really, as Prince Philip had been suffering for a couple of days but seemed to be getting better. Hopefully, the Queen thought, her cold would go the same way. She'd probably caught it from one of the great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, it didn't get better and when the doctor called he diagnosed full-blown flu. She and the Duke were due to go to Sandringham by train that day but the doctor put his foot down. He'd have preferred that the queen have a few days' bed rest before venturing out but had to be satisfied with the thought that they'd go by helicopter the following day. It was annoying: people would be ready for her today and Her Majesty did not like to disappoint.

It wasn't an unpleasant journey - delightful views as one got nearer to the north Norfolk coast - and interesting to see some of their neighbours' properties from the air. Some were doing the strangest things. Who'd allow deer that close to the house? Still, the queen thought she would have a few days' rest and then get back to work. Her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, would be there, whilst her private secretary had a break in one of the cottages at Balmoral. Sir Simon wouldn't have shown her the pictures of the severed hand found in the Wash but Rozie knew that the Boss would be interested. She was more than interested - she could name the body it had been attached to. She'd known Edward St Cyr - Ned - since he was a boy and recognised his ring and an injury to one of his fingers.

Still, there was no need for her to get involved, was there? She was still recovering from the flu and there was work to be done. But - she was curious and there were things which she (or her family) knew that others perhaps didn't. She was thinking particularly of the police. There were always ways in which information could be passed on without her involvement becoming obvious. And one did enjoy a good puzzle.

I first encountered S J Bennet's Her Majesty Investigates novels a couple of years ago and whilst I'm not a great fan of cosy crime, I've found these books delightful. They're written with real affection for the Royal family who come off the page as fallible human beings, people you feel you'd like to know a little better. Every character emerges in the same way, even relatively minor ones. There's a perfect depiction of the close-knit community of north Norfolk and the landscape. It's one of my favourite parts of the world and it was a real pleasure to be back there.

I did wonder how I would feel now that Elizabeth II has become Charles III but the story is set in 2016 when Her Majesty was still fit and well, flu and colds aside. As soon as I started reading, I felt completely at home with the characters. Don't worry if you haven't read earlier books in the series as they all read well as standalones and there are no spoilers. You might notice that Rozie Oshodi's relationship with the Queen has developed - she's more willing to question now than she used to be - but just pick a book up and enjoy. You won't be disappointed and there should be another two to come!

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

The first book in the series is The Windsor Knot, in case you're a purist and like to start at the beginning.

Another suspenseful thriller by Ms Bennett. Full of mystery and intrigue, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle with the pieces scattered wide. A full-on cast of characters moving in Royal circles, delightfully set in North Norfolk near the Sandringham Estate where the Queen and Prince Philip are spending the festive season. With her loyal and hard working Personal Assistant , Rozie, the Queen relentlessly beavers away in the background to uncover the string of events leading up to the murder of one of their group of friends whose severed hand is discovered floating in the sea by a young local girl. At times it’s a wee bit confusing who is related to whom, but reading further all falls into place. A real page-turner of a novel. A lot of research has evidently gone into this well written novel - great stuff! Really looking forward to Sophia’s fourth novel of Her Majesty the Queen Investigates.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bonnier Books for this advance copy.

Just when the Queen goes to Sandringham for her families Christmas break a severed hand washes up on a nearby beach. And so the mystery begins. Whose hand is it and can Her Majesty help solve the case?

Lots of the Royal family appear in this murder mystery novel along with some great characters. Very enjoyable read so relax and enjoy.

These books are not only a delightful tribute to our late beloved Queen but offer a lovely (fictional) glimpse into her (possibly imaginary) world. This series just gets better with each new book and the first one was great ! Lots of mystery and excitement. A loving tribute to a great lady.

A lovely cozy crime novel which rotates around the royal family and in particular the late Queen Elizabeth. Quite poignant reading after the recent death of her majesty, I think I would have enjoyed this more when she was still with us.

It was an interesting story on the whole, slow moving rather than thrilling but fun nonetheless.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a great, cozy series whereby Queen Elizabeth II becomes embroiled in solving mysteries. In Murder Most Royal, Rozie is back in her role as 'detective' with guidance from the Queen. The story is set in 2016 and begins with a hand being found on a beach on the Norfolk coast whilst the Queen is staying in Sandringham. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel. There are some interesting facts included about the legality of inheritance, primagenture and the aristocracy which tie in very well with the story. Highly recommended and, as it's set slightly in the past, I hope there will be more to come.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First time I have read one of these books. It is enjoyable but sometimes unnecessarily lengthy. I really enjoyed the different take on a murder story with the Queen being so involved.

I really enjoyed the latest book in the series and I'm already eager to read the next one. This mystery is set in Sandringham which I really enjoyed especially as it is over the christmas period. The main characters like Roz are explored more as well as some of the minor Royals making an appearance. There is something really cosy about this series with strong Miss Marple vibes. I thought I knew who the murderer was but again I was proved wrong. A clever plot with a lots of clues and red herrings. I was worried reading this so soon after the Queen's passing I might not enjoy the book as much as before but it was actually really comforting and nostalgic.

It's early December and just before the royal party are going to descend on Sandringham for the Christmas period. A hand is found on a nearby beach and the Queen, when shown a photograph, is able to identify to whom it belongs.
The local police are investigating, but as usual they need a subtle nudge in the right direction and with the help of Rozie and her predecessor, Katie, the truth of what happens slowly emerges.
I love this series and can't wait for the next one.

Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett
Having read and enjoyed the previous two novels where the Queen solves mysteries with the assistance of Rozie, her Assistant private secretary. The book opens with the discovery on a Norfolk coast of a severed hand inside a plastic bag. As the hand is discovered close to the Queen’s residence at Sandringham she sees a picture of the severed hand and immediately recognises the ring on the severed hand.
As Rozie and the Queen investigate they uncover a number of other issues; drug dealing, money laundering and a hit and run incident. In this story we see the Queen at home at Sandringham enjoying the festive season with all of its many family traditions. We envisage the Queen enjoying life in the countryside, away from the spotlight and the inquisitive eyes of the press and public.
The writer has effectively of portrayed all the members of the royal family. The way in which the relationship was portrayed between Prince Philip and the Queen was particularly convincing.

Although the story is very up to date in the use of all the latest technology it was interesting how important village gossip still proved. Overheard conversations in the queue at the local shop or at the various groups of the WI were also very important. Concerns about the environment were another focus with the introduction of a rewilding project at the heart of some ill feeling in the village.
I would definitely recommend this book although how successful this series will continue to be following the death of the Queen I do not know. Many thanks to the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read it in return for an honest review.

Absolutely wonderful. A gentle, funny book set mostly at Sandringham, with the quiet heroine being our glorious, late Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it was so lovely to feel, just for a little time, that she was still with us. Thank you, kind author, for that!
Well researched, well written, amusing and, I think, capturing the characters perfectly.
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I will seek them out without further delay!

Royal Double Life Strikes Again…
Another outing for the Queen in her Royal double life as sometime amateur sleuth. In her spare hours the Queen has turned to amateur investigations and is now, it seems, quite a dab Royal hand at the old detection lark. When a severed hand washes up near Sandringham, the Queen dusts off her sleuthing hat once again despite the fact that Christmas is almost upon the household. When bodies begin to pile things take an even darker turn. A fun, escapist and quirky read with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters not to mention a huge dose of humour. Extremely entertaining

This is the first book I have read in the series. Unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as expected. The plot was weak and I found it difficult to accept the Queen as a fictional character. Had the lead character been a totally fictional duchess I might have enjoyed it more. Unfairly possibly, I felt the author used the royal family rather than create his own unique characters. Judging from other reviews I seem to be in the minority so I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy this book.
This is an honest review of a complementary ARC.

This is the first book in the series I have read ,so I didn't know what to expect especially as our dear Queen is no longer with us but it is set in the past which helps.I found the story a little like a Royal Miss Marple !! quite enjoyable ,good fun but lots of characters names to remember ! Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

When the Queen died, I thought that would be the end of S J Bennett’s series about the Queen solving mysteries but no: Murder Most Royal is out next month and a fourth book in February 2023. I enjoyed the first two books, The Windsor Knot and All the Queens’ Men.. (The latter has been retitled; when I read it, it was called A Three Dog Problem..) This latest one is not quite so successful.

Murder Most Royal is set in Sandringham and the nearby countryside. A young girl finds a severed hand, wrapped in an Ocado bag, on the beach at Snettisham. When the Queen sees a photo, she recognises it at once as the hand of Ned St Cyr, whom she’s known since he was a boy, as she knows all the local gentry. Where is the rest of him? What happened and why? Much of the book is taken up with complicated relationships in the St Cyr family and the bizarre way that just about every member of the aristocracy is related in some way to all the others. The Queen is not on top form. It’s 2016 and a bad cold (which Prince Philip shared for a while) turns to flu which stops her from going to church on Christmas day, causing much speculation in the press. She is still determined to do her duty and persevere with her Christmas tradition of entertaining most of the family.

It's the family gathering, plus all the Christmas and New Year visiting, which create the problems in this book: there are just too many characters and far too many conversations. In the previous two books, I was able to believe in the Queen and Prince Philip. Here, my credulity was stretched beyond the limit by the manner in which some people have the nerve to speak to the Queen. I just can’t believe anyone would do so, nor that the Queen would be gadding about chatting to people as she does. She has her wonderful assistant, Rozie Oshodi, to do some of the spadework for her but for me, Rozie doesn’t have enough to do here; only one act of heroism and that not using her combat skills.

Needless to say, the Queen does solve the mystery, more by intuition than by solid proof. As usual, she allows someone else to take the credit. In spite of what I see as its faults, this is still an entertaining tale. I read it thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

I read the first in this series a few months ago when I was trying to reduce my TBR list on my kindle and thought it was a really clever idea that was well executed. It features a fictional version of the Queen as a detective, but there is never a hint of disrespect for the Royals and it was highly entertaining. This latest instalment is even better.

I think what makes this book work especially well is the fact that after the Queen's death we heard lots of little stories of encounters she'd had with the public and previously private anecdotes from those who worked with her. All of those stories, for me, corroborated the way Her Majesty is portrayed in this book. The characterisation is excellent and I could genuinely imagine her doing all the things that happen. The supporting cast is an excellent mix of stuffy courtiers and protocol and the less tightly bound members of the court who allow the Queen to act with a little more freedom. It's the perfect mix for comedic interludes, whilst enabling the Queen to uncover all the necessary clues without becoming an unrealistic portrayal.

The plot for this novel centres more on people the Queen actually knows, than it did in the first one I read and thus, her investigating is of a more personal nature this time. Both work equally well but this one allows for more of her personal feelings to come to the fore. She is much more directly involved in this case and there seems to be much more at stake - not of course, that Her Majesty allows this to cloud her judgment!

It's very much the 'cosy crime' variety of book, which is one of my favourite genres. However, there is also a lot that reminds me of Alan Bennett's 'The Unexpected Reader', particularly in the characterisation of the Queen herself. I thoroughly enjoyed this - although I am cross that I missed the release of Book 2 - and will be eagerly looking out for the next in the series, as well as hunting down 'A Three Dog Problem' to read.

I have read the three books from the series now and looking forward to the fourth one.
In this one the Queen is at Sandringham for Christmas when a severed hand is found on a beach and the owner of the hand is recognised by the ring it is wearing and so starts the investigation.
I had more trouble reading this one as a lot of names to remember but I still enjoyed it.