My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K. Audio Zaffre for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘A Death in Diamonds’ by S.J. Bennett. The audiobook is narrated by Samantha Bond.

This is Book 4 in Bennett’s Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series of cosy mysteries. I have read and enjoyed all of the earlier books.

While the first three books in the series were roughly contemporary set in 2016-17, here S.J. Bennett moves backwards in time to 1957. She also introduces a new assistant to the Queen - Joan McGraw, a former Bletchley codebreaker. Joan comes to the position as a temporary replacement for the Queen’s assistant private secretary, who has taken leave.

The mystery involves the murder of a young woman in a Chelsea mews house. She was found clad only in silk undies and wearing a valuable diamond tiara. An older man is also discovered nearby, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement.

So why does the young Queen discreetly involve herself with the investigation? According to the police, a high society card game was held at the property that night. One of the players surely had committed the murders, though each of them can give the others an alibi. When someone very close to the young Queen is implicated, she is drawn into the investigation, utilising Joan’s discreet assistance.

S.J. Bennett weaves in a number of historical figures and events into the narrative. I was impressed throughout with Bennett’s attention to period detail. This felt a slightly darker whodunnit than the previous books.

With respect to the audiobook edition, Samantha Bond again proved an excellent narrator handling the various characters and their accents with confidence bringing the novel vividly to life.

The audiobook concludes with an interview with the author in which she discusses changing the setting the novel to the past and her plans for the next book, due for publication in 2025, that will be set in 1961 and is titled ‘The Queen Who Came in From the Cold’. The print edition includes a sneak preview of this upcoming title. I can hardly wait!

Overall, I was impressed by ‘A Death in Diamonds’ and am enthusiastically recommending it.

I had the pleasure of reading and listening to this on audio, 12 hours and 45 minutes long, narrated by the wonderfully able Samantha Bond, I love her narration, it is just perfect for this Queen as sleuth series. With the death of the Queen, SJ Bennett goes back in time to 1957 with a vulnerable Queen facing change and challenges, and on a visit to Paris is confronted with the troubling knowledge that there is someone in the close knit 'moustached' circle, inherited from her father, ruthlessly intent on damaging her and her reputation. To her great relief, she is rescued from a problematic scenario by a typist, Joan McGraw, who is no ordinary woman, with experience of an 'interesting' war and has a photographic memory. When Joan is promoted to APS, for the Queen is badly in need of an ally, there are numerous obstacles Joan must negotiate, there is constant hostility directed at her as she does not have an aristocratic background, seen as simply not the right sort.

However, the Queen is adamant on keeping her, particularly with a high profile murder case in ruthwhich a escort, a beautiful young woman, is found dead in a mews house a mile from Buckingham Palace, wearing only silk underwear and a well known diamond tiara. An 'Argentinian' male is discovered with her, garrotted and pierced through the eye with a long, sharp implement. An anxious Queen needs help in a dangerous case which has personal implications for her, and she can only trust Joan to look into the high profile murders with the associated frenzied media coverage. The police investigation is strangely not led as expected by DCI Venables, but by DI Fred Venables and his not so helpful Sergeant Woolgar, encountering obstacle after obstacle.

Bennett blends fact and fiction as she immerses the reader in this historical period, where the Queen slowly adapts to changing circumstances and becomes more comfortable in a role she is to make her own and which gained her an army of admirers throughout her life. This is a complex, multilayered, and engaging mystery that I enjoyed, and it includes some well known people from the time, such as the helpful novelist, Daphne du Maurier, who visits Balmoral. A major highlight is the wonderful creation and development of the independently minded and determined Joan, who I hope will turn up in future books in the series. I can recommend both the book and the terrific audio! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC and ALC.

An instant five star book. This series is incredibly. So well written and engaging.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

This is the second book I’ve listened to in this series and to my surprise, I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m not a huge fan of cosy murder mystery and I’m by no means a monarchist so this title wouldn’t normally be on my list. However, it’s so well written and in the audio version, the narration brings each character to life in a totally plausible way.

I love the Duke of Edinburgh with his short, often acerbic interventions. The Queen is equally believable and it takes a quantum leap to create a persona on paper ( or ear) which is so far from reality but remains convincing. I found it amusing, very much a social slice of the times with manners, protocols and conventions very apparent. The premise is, in a way, preposterous. But it works. It’s gentle but with insight and I fair romped through this with belief suspended. A neat plot, convincingly delivered.

I'm a huge fan of this series. I was worried it would come ro an end after the passing of Queen Elizabeth but SJ Bennett has done it again.
Set in 1957 it paints a colourful picture of life at the Palace in the lead up to the Royal visit to the USA.
A must for cozy crime fans with an interest in the monarchy.
Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook in return for a fair and honest review.

This is the fourth installment in this series, and this time the mystery takes place in 1957 as we uncover more of the Queens previously alluded to history of being a solver of mysteries throughout her reign.

Helping the Queen with this investigation is Joan McGraw, a temporary replacement assistant private secretary who comes complete with a sharp eye, a photographic memory and a talent for disguise. Joan's intelligence and investigative skills of her own perfectly complement those of HRH herself and ensure that this is quite possibly the most entertaining escapade thus far.