The Windsor Knot

A Novel

By: SJ Bennett

Narrated by: Jane Copland

The 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 when a guest is found dead in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene suggests the young Russian pianist strangled himself, but a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play was involved. The Queen leaves the investigation to the professionals—until their suspicions point them in the wrong direction.

Unhappy at the mishandling of the case and concerned for her staff's morale, the monarch decides to discreetly take matters into her own hands. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian and recent officer in the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen secretly 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 will 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 importantly a great judge of character.

©2021 S J. Bennett (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

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.

One of the best mysteries

Enjoyed from the first page to the last so refreshing and original! A sagacious listen and am looking forward to the next. Makes one feel good:)

Wasn't sure what to think

This was a solid if not standout mystery story. I did find the inclusion of the characters of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to be jarring, especially at first though I knew going in the premise of the book. It made me wonder how it could be legal to use a living person as your main character in a story. This is not a parody and I think the author would be hard pressed to assert that it is.

Don't get me wrong, this book was in no way disrespectful to her Majesty. It highlighted a Queen Elizabeth II with a sharp mind and a keen eye for detail. In some ways it was fun to think of her Majesty solving mysteries and being so good at it.

Possible spoiler below:

It also seemed in character the way she let everyone around her think things had been their idea or their discovery as she nudged them toward the answer without anyone but her trusty assistant private secretary knowing it was her who unraveled the puzzle.

I wasn't impressed with the narration. There was something off about the tone the narrator created.

Unique protagonist

very well structured and lots of interesting Insider detail. a must for royalty fa s

Fun book to read

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to think of the queen in a different way. It felt familiar since the audience knows the characters. Recommend.

Wonderful!

I don't buy into the whole"anointed by God" thing, but I do have immense respect for our Queen.
Yes, OUR Queen because she demonstrates daily what it means to be royal.
The narrator is very good and brings the characters to life. The writing is tight, the plot is intriguing.
Get this book. You won't regret it.

Delightful…

Fun light murder mystery featuring the Queen herself as sleuth helping solve a murder at Windsor Castle. Who knew that the Queen hosted “dine & sleep” events at the Castle!!

Not at all what I expected - & that’s a YAY!

I expected a “cozy mystery”, but it wasn’t that in the least. There was a real mystery, intrigue, & a behind-the-scene look at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s staff, & Elizabeth II, herself.

(Sorta-ish spoiler alert)
The queen, w/the help of an aid, works to uncover “whodunnit” (though that’s not the end of the story…). I can very much imagine her as she’s described in this tale, w/her wit, “long-term approach” to the UK & politics, keen insight, & self-discipline.

I enjoyed it quite a lot. Pay attention to all the many players!

fun mystery

I enjoyed this book. The murder mystery was quite a tangle but the best part was getting to know the "queen". I hope she is really like her fictional self.