First things first: I love reading about the British Royal Family - biographies, tabloids, blog posts, etc. So I was very much looking forward to reading “Duch” for a bit of lighthearted entertainment (thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review).

Sadly, I was immediately annoyed by the wrong/incorrect information and details. It remains unclear whether this was done on purpose, was simply the author’s mistake, or was due to very poor editing/absence of any fact-checking. After all, this is a novel about the Royal Family, not a fictitious family of royals, even though the heroine Diana Inconnue might be entirely fictional.

A few examples:
• Reference to Harry and Meghan as the Duke and Duchess of Wessex (!) not Sussex (noted at least once)
• Reference to two Jack Russell dogs owned by the King and Queen. The book was to be published at the end of February 2025, and it was widely publicised that one of the King and Queen’s dogs died in 2024
• Last but not least, The Telegraph (British newspaper) would never spell the word “travelling” with one ‘l’

There were other mistakes, but I was not paid to edit the book!

And what about the story itself? Intriguing, entertaining, somewhat silly, satirical - it all started really well, and I was enjoying the book. Sadly, it all disintegrated rather quickly, as if the author lost the will to continue entertaining us and simply dragged on with the novel. The quality of the story really suffered towards the end.

I didn’t perceive any hidden deeper meaning about the problems of public personas, issues with idealised images, and our expectations of famous people. I mean, it was all on the surface without deeper analysis or amazing insights. Similarly, I do not feel the author really had any instructive stories about our usage of social media and how dangerous even a simple tweet could be, coming from a famous person with a huge following. It has all been said many times before.

And then it all ended on a rather blah note.

All in all, perhaps an entertaining enough story, but one I would not recommend.

For those of us around when 'Shy Di' first hit the news, the image of the woman on the front cover was instantly recognisable.
With there having been so many conspiracy theories around over the years, the idea that Diana was alive in a French hospital was after a jump from a bridge into the Seine made a great opening.
Lots of clever ideas about the Royal Family (already covered differently by Sue Townsend in 'The Queen and I') which often had me laughing out loud.
There was one aspect of the story that I felt was far too predictable and unnecessary, but the rest of it was great.

This was a very interesting and insightful take into modern day society, the royal family, social media presence and the rebirth of an icon.

On the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death in Paris, a woman who will be called Duch, shouts I am Diana and jump into the Seine river. What follows is the fictionalized events of a timeless icon being re-launched into modern society.

I found the first 3/4 of this book engaging, though-provoking and charming with its quick witticism and cheeky nods at certain “personalities” let’s say.

However, it kind of lost it for me in the last 1/4 - the ending felt rushed, and didn’t bind together the flowing narrative arc I had been receiving from it thus far (Or perhaps it’s that I didn’t receive the ending I hoped for).

Overall, an interesting and pop culty fun novel worth the read

I adored this book! As a huge Diana fan anyway, I thought the plot and premise was superb. A great cast of characters and overlapping narratives over a memorable 3 week summer in Paris. I would love JB Miller to take on other historical and cultural events like JFK or Titanic.

Entertaining but halting. Written in little spurts which I didn’t really like because it’s hard to get into a groove. More like “the Royals” than “the crown”. It's definitely a fun read but gets a little bogged down in too many points of view.

When I read the description of Duch, I knew this had to be the first book I try on NetGalley. The subject matter really sounded interesting to me - Princess Diana, the people’s princess so suddenly taken from the world, is back? After being fished out from the river Seine? Insane, and I love it.

The story unfolds as this mystery woman named Diana/Duch is admitted into a Paris hospital for recovery, and the big question on everyone's lips is “is it really her?”.

In the meantime we are treated to the insightful chapters which detail the personal lives of members of the royal family, as Duch (whoever she is?), accrues an accidental cult following across the globe.

Although I wish that the ending of this book continued that little bit longer. I feel like this was a fantastic example of a parody done correctly, and this was executed in a way which wasn’t disrespectful at all but more…playful. Especially regarding the humorous embellishments (*cough* Mr Beasley *cough*), added to the well known figures of the Royal Family.

It also does pose the question, would this be an accurate reinvigoration of such a beloved public figure, if this scenario were to play out? And to be honest, in this day and age, I don’t think it’s far off!

A fabulous read, and I am keen to look into other books by this Author!

On the 28th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, a silver haired woman throws herself into the Seine in Paris. She is rescued saying “I am Diana” and taken to the hospital. The woman could be an older Diana but she has no memory of her life before jumping into the water. When the press picks it up, many people who loved the Princess gather around the hospital singing and chanting to her believing that she never died but has been hiding in Paris.

Back in the UK, King Charles doesn’t know what to make of this spectacle but he’s also fixated on his duties and his own little problems and quirks. The American press tries to interview her but only seems to get the same answer to their questions: “I don’t know.”

The story goes back and forth from Diana to members of the British royal family and their courtiers. There is lots of humor here as the story pokes fun at the British royals but not in a mean way. I think one would need to be a long-time follower of Princess Diana as I was from the first day she “came on the scene” to fully comprehend this story. I, too, was devastated at her death and will remember her forever. Having lived in Paris for many years, I was pleased at all of the French language used in the book that gave me the chance to revisit that beautiful language. A quirky and sometimes whacky book that will keep readers laughing. Enjoy!

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

As a relatively casual royal-watcher drawn in by the excellent premise, I wanted nothing more to like this book. Unfortunately, I think it suffers from not daring greatly enough. A premise like this should provide a launchpad for both satire and character study. However, the book tends to neglect both, in favor of working through twists and double-backs about whether the woman who claims to be Princess Diana "really is" Princess Diana, which is even less interesting than it sounds.

This failure of focus means that the satire element is not heightened enough to register as satire, and that the character work is under-written and largely reliant on tired stories about these public figures. Top billing is given to the idea that Charles is a grown man fixated on one or more teddy bears; true or not, this is decades-old tabloid fodder. In contrast, the recently-confirmed fact that this family routinely leaks stories about one another to the press as a form of cannibalistic PR is relegated to one afterthought throw-away joke. So little of the fresh, colorful weirdness lurking in recent non-fiction accounts of the British Royal Family is conveyed here, and the narrative expresses little insight or even interest into the environmental dynamics between the family, those they rule, and the larger world.

That being said, the book is a fast read with good momentum, and I would likely recommend it to readers interested in the sub-sub-subgenre of "impactful 20th century figure causes stir by being unexpectedly alive" (see: Timor Vermes's "Look Who's Back," the mystery of Princess Anastasia, etc).

A woman jumps into the Seine stating that she is Diana. She bears a resemblance to the People's Princess. Could Princess Diana really be alive? Is this woman a fraud? Told through a very satirical look at the royal family's different perspectives, this story highlights how obsessed the media and people are with the royal family and likewise, how obsessed the royals are with how they are perceived.

I did generally enjoy this book for what it was. It was silly and funny. The writing is pretty good! I can tell that the author has written plays in the past. I do think that it would actually be better in play or novella form. The constant switching of perspectives in short bursts did feel like scenes in a play or movie. I enjoyed the sensationalism of the possible Diana and how the public reacted to this news. The ending was a wild ride and I wish more of the book was like that. I don't think it necessarily does anything new in its critique of the royal family. The Diana aspect was interesting; I found the mystery of is she or isn't she to be compelling to a certain extent. The narrative ended up being a little tedious for me with the constant switching of perspectives, as it didn't lead to deeper characterizations of some of the side royals used in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books for the eARC!

Duch offers a unique and satirical take on the British royal family, imagining a world where Princess Diana never tragically died. The premise is bold and intriguing, offering a fresh lens through which to view the royals and their relationships.

In the first half of the book, I found myself genuinely laughing out loud, particularly during the bits involving Harry and Meghan. The humor is sharp and engaging, with a keen eye for poking fun at the absurdities of royal life. The author clearly has a knack for wit, and the playful exploration of these characters adds a lot of entertainment value.

However, as the story progresses, it begins to feel overly long. At times, the plot drags, and it seems that there are simply too many characters and subplots vying for attention. While the royal family dynamics were fascinating, the focus on Diana's life started to feel a bit tiresome and repetitive. There's no doubt that the central idea is strong, but the execution would have been even more impactful had the book been edited down by about 100 pages.

Ultimately, Duch is a good read with a strong premise, but it could have benefitted from a tighter narrative. If you’re a fan of royal satire and enjoy a bit of humor at the monarchy’s expense, you’ll likely enjoy this, but prepare for a bit of a slog toward the end.

Duch is the story of a woman who jumps into the Seine proclaiming “I am Diana”, with more than a passing physical resemblance to the former royal Princess of the same name.
The book started really well for me. Lots of laugh out loud moments especially following King Charles and I appreciated that we had short and snappy plot lines following various members including the royals and other narrators. Charles visiting his therapist had me in stitches.
I enjoyed the journey of Duch but it did get a little confusing at times trying to work out the theories behind her identity. The storyline with Alice didn’t add anything for me though. I’m not sure I felt satisfied with the read by the time I had finished it; it felt a bit repetitive at times and the conclusion a little underwhelming.
A quirky fun read and I did feel the author captured the essence of Britishness really well.

This book was definitely a fun read! It was casual but not overwhelmingly light-hearted, and discussed obviously somber topics without making things upsetting. The author pokes fun at both the Royal family, obsessive fans, and the media, without coming across as too serious. I would definitely reccomend this book to a friend if they were interested in anything related to the Royal family.

What if Princess Di were really still alive? When a 64-year-old woman is fished out of the Seine and announces her name is Diana, wheels start to turn. Soon this crazy train is shooting down the tracks without brakes.

Here are three things I liked:
🌹Duch, the unknown, receives so many flowers at her hospital room. She takes all the petals off, puts them in baskets and showers her fans with them. Creative!
🫅I was thrilled for the chance to explore how Diana might have survived and what she would be doing now.
👑There was some fun royal satire. While I do love reading about the royals, they can seem a little silly at times to folks on my side of the pond (Harry and Meghan included).

The style of the book lends itself to a quick and juicy gossip of a read. There was some of that, but I think there were just too many characters involved in the end and some really wacky plot choices. For me, the book was too long! And there was too much French that was not translated. Unfortunately my French is very limited. (Yes, I know there are many technological helps out there. I just wish that all the phrases would have been more conveniently supported.)

Thank you to Riverdale Avenue Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Duch is an entertaining and sometimes hilarious satire that takes a sharp, witty jab at the British royal family. JB Miller’s humor is definitely the book’s strongest point, especially in how the story plays with modern-day conspiracy theories and the absurdity of celebrity culture.

I was intrigued by the character who calls herself Diana - I am impressed that, while she denies that she is the deceased Princess, she continues to deny those allegations, something that few would do if placed in a comparable situation. "Diana" was very human, and I was more inclined to read her parts than any other POV's in the story.

That being said, the pacing was a bit uneven. While the beginning pulled me in with its quirky premise, the story started to drag as it went on. By the final stretch, I found myself losing interest, and it didn’t quite stick the landing for me.

Still, I appreciate what Miller was going for, and I think readers who enjoy dark humor and satire—especially at the expense of the monarchy—will find a lot to like here. It just didn’t fully hold my attention all the way through.

A woman in France is rescued after jumping off a bridge, claiming to be Diana, and the press dubs her "her royal maybeness," though the royal family wants nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, King Charles searches for his lost teddy bear, Prince William earns a BAFTA for playing a commoner on *EastEnders*, and Queen Camilla is in disbelief over her marriage to the royal family. This humorous, satirical take on the royal family and the media's obsession with them was enjoyable, though it did feel a bit repetitive toward the end.

Duch, by J.B. Miller, is a work of speculative fiction in which Princess Diana may have actually survived the fatal crash that took her life. After Diana Inconnue is pulled from the Seine with a loss of memory, it is speculated that she is in fact the late Princess Diana. What ensues is a sprawling story that involves the British Royal Family, fictional news reporters, and, strangely enough, Jean-Paul Gaultier. It’s a fairly amusing novel, with some biting insights about celebrity, royalty, politics, and international relations. It will be interesting to see how this is received when published wide. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.

so, is she or isn’t she? that’s the question that drives this book. a woman wakes up in a paris hospital with no memory—just the name diana and a suspiciously deep knowledge of the british royal family. people start whispering. the media goes wild. could princess diana really be alive? and if she is, what does that mean for the world?

what to expect:
✔️ conspiracy theories & royal chaos
✔️ satire that toes the line between hilarious & unsettling
✔️ a mysterious woman who may or may not be the princess diana
✔️ social commentary wrapped in fiction

this book is so different from your typical diana-inspired fiction. it doesn’t just rehash the same old theories—it turns them into an actual story. the writing? great. i don’t know how to explain it, but there’s something about the way j.b. miller puts words together that just works. it’s informative without feeling like a history lesson and filled with moments of satire that make you stop and think.

but… it gets confusing. really confusing. sometimes it felt like the story was running in circles, and even though it’s not a long book, it felt long. like, let’s get to the point already.

that being said, if you love royal drama, conspiracy theories, and books that blur the line between fact and fiction, you might have a lot of fun with this one. just be ready for a bit of a mental workout.

thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley (Edelweiss) and Riverdale Avenue Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Duch was a very interesting read! When I was in high school, there was a book that came out posing the theory that Elvis was still alive; he had just faked his own death to avoid the hordes of people pestering him. Duch is that book except for now it is Princess Diana who faked her own death.

I thought of the Anna Anderson case while I was reading this book. She was a young woman who was fished out of the water somewhere in Europe in 1922 and claimed that she was Anastasia Romanov, whom everybody thought died with the rest of her family in 1918. For the rest of her life, she said she was Czar Nicholas’ daughter. The similarities of Anna’s story and Diana’s story are so similar, it’s even brought up in the story.

I really liked the different points-of-view presented in the story. First, there’s Diana, then King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Prince Harry, all with a satirical bend to them. Also featured is Charles’ private secretary, a journalist, and the whole world of Diana-obsessed followers. This is black comedy, and I totally fell in love with this book.

The book works well as an indictment of the celebrity-hungry press, who have made royal watching a blood sport. I was quite amused that the main journalist in the story is named Fox, because Fox News stinks and we all know it.

I really needed a silly, sartorial book to get me out of a reading slump I feared was taking over. Even the casual royal observer would be able to follow along with the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds the modern media a joke, royal watchers, or anyone who enjoys dark comedy.

I think this was a very cool concept and good book!
A story following the world’s princess had she survived.
Great characters and loved the multiple povs! There were a lot of details and I loved that there was a lot of French used too!

I will also say there were some parts that seemed to drag on and be overused but overall I enjoyed it. 😊

This was a wonderful play in the dream of the question "What id she did survive?" I liked how the Royals were pulled in to this book and loved the funny hashtags through out the book. I expected the book to be essentially what Diana had been doing since 1997. But the book was way more than that! It was a fast read. I read it over one weekend. Thank you for allowing me to preview this book for my opinion.