The Windsor Knot

A Novel

De: SJ Bennett

Narrado por: Jane Copland

“Sheer entertainment… Bennett infuses wit and an arch sensibility into her prose… This is not mere froth, it is pure confection.” – New York Times Book Review

“[A] pitch-perfect murder mystery… If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple…, the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit.” – Ruth Ware, author of One by One

The bestselling first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties.

It is the early spring of 2016 and Queen Elizabeth is at Windsor Castle in advance of her 90th birthday celebrations. But the preparations are interrupted by the shocking and untimely death of a guest in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene leads some to think the young Russian pianist strangled himself, yet a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play. When they begin to question the Household’s most loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they’re looking in the wrong place.

For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her teenage years as “Lilibet.” Away from the public eye and unbeknownst to her closest friends and advisers, she has the most brilliant skill for solving crimes. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian officer recently appointed to the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen discreetly begins making inquiries. As she carries out her royal duties with her usual aplomb, no one in the Royal Household, the government, or the public knows that the resolute Elizabeth won’t hesitate to use her keen eye, quick mind, and steady nerve to bring a murderer to justice.

SJ Bennett captures Queen Elizabeth’s voice with skill, nuance, wit, and genuine charm in this imaginative and engaging mystery that portrays Her Majesty as she’s rarely seen: kind yet worldly, decisive, shrewd, and, most important, a superb judge of character.

Superb

I had read a positive review of this book and thought it could be enjoyable. I did not expect to love it! The story, the details, the narration, were all top notch.

Surely a movie to come!

Definitely The Crown meets Agatha Christie. Flawless! Surely a film must be in the works.

Very enjoyable

This was a very enjoyable well written story and a good presentation. Glad I chose to listen to this story.

Clever and Original Mystery

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. The narrator did an excellent job. I will read more from this author, and listen to more by this narrator.

loved it

Loved this book. The reader’s voice is comforting, smart - someone you like to come home to at night. And, she does sound like Queen Elizabeth enough to take you back in time w the story. The story is constructed well, and it is light, a cozy mystery.

A lovely murder mystery

A well-done mystery with a charming premise. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the reader.

Loved this!

Delightful and fun and it was a fresh view of the Queen. I have no idea how accurate this view might be so I just enjoyed it. Would listen to more from this author.

Royally done

Felt like was in Windsor experiencing the actions with the Queen. Intriguing and tender personal moments combined for a great story.

So many names!

The narration is sooo good. I found the story a bit confusing but good. The queen was a fun character to get to know.

Everything is Relative

I think what you just read influences your response to what you read next. You know, that theory of relativity. I had just finished Mystic River (and watched the movie, too, which follows the book closely), and it is--grim--at best. It's well written and a good plot and philosophical . . . but grim. So I knew I needed something "lighter" next. Windsor Knot completely fit the bill. The Queen, the wisdom, the poise and sangfroid, the mystery, the solving, the tea and sandwiches--they all came together to form a soothing respite from the violence of Boston in the early part of this century. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jane Copland's narration is calm and well-modulated. She doesn't do a lot with "voices," so it's more of a reading than a performance; but it works just fine. I didn't have trouble distinguishing characters. It's possible that I would not have enjoyed it as much as I did were it not just what I needed. But it was and I did. This is a good book and I recommend it.