“All the Queen’s Men” - S. J. Bennett

 

(Her Majesty the Queen Investigates book 3)

🖼️ The follow-up to “The Windsor Knot” is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor. While book 1 took place primarily at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, ATQM takes us to Balmoral and Kensington Palace in addition to Buckingham Palace. I must confess, the behind-the-scenes details that Bennett works into the narrative, are as fascinating as her plotting is clever. I’m here for all of it! I loved this description of Buckingham Palace; it puts the Palace in an altogether ordinary light, which is so unusual for such an extraordinary building.

🖼️ We see the Queen grappling with external issues such as Brexit and the 2016 US election; it’s absolutely fascinating to read what the British monarch might have thought as such events unfolded. In particular, I enjoyed HRM’s (fictional) musings on Teresa May. It immediately put me in mind of “The Crown” episode when Margaret Thatcher made her customary visit to Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral.

🖼️ The Queen comes up against her 2 senior staff who, in their laudable desire to protect HRM, have failed to inform her when personnel matters were well beyond their control, stubbornly believing in their own better abilities to sort it out. In addition to global and domestic upheaval, HRM contends with a missing painting, the familiar cozy mystery pattern of poison pen letters among HRM’s staff, and a worst of all, a dead body found near the swimming pool at Buckingham Palace. 

🖼️ Rozie learns that it’s not just developing a strong rapport with HRM - she must be wary around the staff. Angering co-workers  behind palace walls, could lead to (ahem) deadly consequences.

🖼️ As ever, HRM’s sense of humor and keen observations come through in Bennett’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.