But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn. With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home. In 1990, the people of Nepal took to the streets to demand an end to absolute monarchy and the introduction of multi-party democracy. Fearing a revolution, King Birendra caved into their demands. But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn. Devyani Rana fled Nepal and is reported to be in Europe. Her uncle, the Maharajah of Kashmir and an Indian politician, Dr Karen Singh, says she is also a victim:

Oh how I adore this wonderfully unique series with the Queen acting as an incredibly efficient solver of crimes with the help of Rozie, her assistant private secretary. The third in the series, Murder Most Royal makes a perfect Christmas gift, as it’s set during the festive season while the Queen and her family celebrate at Sandringham Estate. This latest book is published after the Queen’s death, and it feels like a tribute to her, all three books honour her particular qualities and abilities and there is a comforting warmth throughout. Containing the most beautiful balance between fact and fiction S.J. Bennett ensures that you think these incredible antics could in fact be real. While the plot includes murder and dark moments, there is also compassion and a lightness of touch which is beautifully considered. The characteristics of the cast, whether known members of Royalty or fictional, feel authentic. Rozie is an absolute delight, and I adore the fact that she and her predecessors are part of such an exclusive club, there is a touch of the 007 about Rozie, which works perfectly. The descriptions of the christmas celebrations pop with vibrant colour, and a smile often escaped as I read. All three books now sit in our Star Book category. Murder Most Royal ensures this series is one to put to the very top of your reading lists. Close by, on a Norfolk beach, a severed hand in a plastic bag washes up on the beach. The police are seeking to identify the victim, but it is the Queen who identifies the 70 year old victim from the signet ring as a well known member of the aristocracy, Edward St Cyr, who as a boy was a frequent visitor to Sandringham. As the police investigate, hunting for the rest of his body, and looking into his life, movements and family, they struggle to make any headway. When another man is discovered dead and a local woman is almost killed in a hit and run, the Queen feels obliged to become involved in what turns out to be her most twisted and challenging inquiry yet and which brings danger far too close to home. Family history, secrets, deceptions and lies are slowly uncovered with a Queen determined to get to the truth, irrespective of the obstacles in her path. That said however, I didn’t think it was as good as the first book which had the element of originality. This was more of the same but with an inordinate amount of characters so that at times I found it difficult to work out who everyone was. In June last year, Nepal's crown prince massacred his entire family in their royal palace. A television programme being screened on Sunday on BBC Two at 2100 GMT reveals how forbidden love and political frustration drove Crown Prince Dipendra to murder. SJ Bennett was born in Yorkshire, England in 1966, and lives in London. An army child, she grew up travelling around the world. Her first novel was published when she was 42, after a varied career and lots of procrastination. She is the award-winning author of several books for children and teaches and podcasts about writing.

Si el segundo libro de esta colección ya me convenció de que estos libros eran para mí, este tercero no hace más que cimentar esa certeza. Aunque es cierto que la ambientación navideña es tan mínima que me alegro de no haberlo reservado para diciembre, he disfrutado sobremanera de la atmosfera y los personajes que crea la autora. I like this series’ plotting and the feeling it gives of an inside look at the royal family. Bennett seems to know her stuff, but she doesn’t engage in anything that feels gossipy. None of today’s unpleasantness creeps into the story, unless you count some pointed criticisms of the British press expressed by Prince Philip and the Queen. My favourite character is the Queen’s APS Rozy who doesn’t make as much of an impact in this book as she did in the others, but she is still my favourite. When a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn.

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Featured Reviews

December 2016 - A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen's estate at Sandringham. Quietly funny, good humoured and insightful, the third instalment of this series may be the best yet.

Murder Most Royal is the third book in SJ Bennett's "Her Majesty The Queen Investigates" series. Before reviewing the book 2 things. Yes it features the late Queen Elizabeth the Second in a fictional role and no it's no way disrespectful and I'm sure with her known wry sense of humour our late Monarch would enjoy these books and find the whole thing quite amusing.

Customer reviews

With the Christmas break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home. The programme also reveals how the crown prince became increasingly frustrated at his role within the royal family. SJ Bennett wrote several award-winning books for teenagers before turning to adult mysteries. She lives in London and has been a royal watcher for years, but is keen to stress that these are works of fiction: the Queen, to the best of her knowledge, does not secretly solve crimes.

St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each other's business. It’s always the family, one way or another. I pitied those wives of his. Not surprised they didn’t last the distance. The man shagged half the county.’ The Queen soon figures out not only who must have cut off Ned’s hands, but why, and where the rest of his body will be found—but not before running into danger herself. With the winter break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home.It’s almost Christmas and the Royal family have arrived at Sandringham. A severer hand has been found near the estate and it is the Queen who is able to identify the victim from a ring on the little finger of the hand. Turns out it belongs to a family member who happen to be close friends of the Royals. I didn’t feel quite so hooked as with the first two novels, but then I also had a theory in my head which was not proved correct by the eventual reveal. I enjoyed this one equally to the first two in the series. I love the combo of amateur sleuths, HRH Queen Elizabeth and her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, as they work on solving yet another murder. This is a great example of how an audiobook narrator can contribute to ones experience of a book, in this case, the marvelous Jane Copland. Not sure I'd like these as well in print. I see book 4 is coming out in 2024, A Death in Diamonds! LoveReading exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives.