Source: Publisher
Description: It's 1961 and the Queen is planning her state visit to Italy aboard Britannia. But before she goes, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from the royal train. Did it really happen, and could the victim be a missing friend of Princess Margaret's new husband, Tony Armstrong Jones? The Queen and her assistant private secretary, Joan McGraw, get to work on their second joint investigation, little imagining that this time it will take them all the way to Venice in a tale of spies, lies and Cold War skullduggery.
Genre: Mystery - Historical
Why I Picked This Book: I really enjoyed the previous book and the blurb uses the world "skullduggery" so how could I resist?
My Impression: This is the second book I've read in this series and have really enjoyed both of them. The concept is fantastic and very well done. While the primary actors are the people around the Queen she has a pivotal role and is definitely pulling all the strings. While the first 3 books seemed to be set in more modern time this book and the previous book are set in the late 1950s and early 60s making it very easy to jump in either with this book or the previous book.
There's a bit of espionage-y setup but while the book doesn't start up with the Queen stumbling over a body it does start with a bit of royal gossip - in this case about Princess Margaret's new husband Tony. I did appreciate that the gossip never felt particularly mean spirited when it involved characters who were real people. The fictional characters were fair game of course.
The story was interesting and I love Joan as the primary detective. It's hard to beat the setting as we wind through multiple means of royal transportation and Venice. The Queen and her people make for a wonderful investigating team and her world makes for a beautifully complicated setting for murder.
If you enjoy lighter mysteries this is series is one to look for. It's a bit unique, truly interesting, and a really fun read. I haven't read the first three books yet but I'm really looking forward to picking them up.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm really looking forward to reading the first three books and will be looking for the next one.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries this is a great series that doesn't get as much attention as it should.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries this is a great series that doesn't get as much attention as it should.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
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