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  • The Windsor Knot

  • Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, Book 1
  • By: S.J. Bennett
  • Narrated by: Samantha Bond
  • Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (586 ratings)
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The Windsor Knot cover art

The Windsor Knot

By: S.J. Bennett
Narrated by: Samantha Bond
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Summary

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.

Narrated by Samantha Bond (Golden Eye, Downton Abbey, Home Fires)

The morning after a dinner party at Windsor Castle, 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth is shocked to discover that one of her guests has been found murdered in his room, with a rope around his neck.

When the police begin to suspect her loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they are looking in the wrong place.

For the queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her coronation. Away from the public eye, she has a brilliant knack for solving crimes.

With her household's happiness on the line, her secret must not get out. Can the queen and her trusted secretary, Rozie, catch the killer without getting caught themselves?

©2020 S. J. Bennett (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK

Critic reviews

"Hilarious, affectionate and so well observed.... I loved it." (Joanne Harris, best-selling author of Chocolat)

"Bracingly fresh yet endearingly familiar, The Windsor Knot gallops along at a cracking pace, is laugh-out-loud funny and completely convincing, peppered with delicious royal detail and in-jokes. Priceless and charming - a jewel in the crown." (Veronica Henry, Sunday Times best-selling author)

What listeners say about The Windsor Knot

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

This is a tremendously splendid romp. Utterly faithful and charming in the extreme. But what raises it beyond even such humble praise is the narration by Samantha Bond.
I think it may be a first that the narrated book rises, thanks to her ability to bring the characters to life, to shine as brightly as the sun.
Delightful. Well Done !!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

An awful book

This book is a ridiculous bit of fiction. I know you have to suspend reality when listening to most works of fiction but this was tedious. Wish I hadn’t bothered wasting my money on it.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fun book....fab narration!

Relatively easy listening {attention needed ...it's a mystery book!!} but Samantha Bond brings the book to life! inspired choice. Looking forward to Nov'21 when next book comes out...... Ta

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

An interesting idea poorly executed

I got to the point where I just wanted it to end. Simply dreadful. From the fitting choice of the lacklustre Taylor 1996 vintage to the ' if only Harry could find a reliable girl'... and we all know how that turned out.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Dull and boring

I'm afraid I don't attribute good motives to the author of this waste of 7 hours. Writing a detective story about the Queen must seem like a cosy crime slam dunk, but it was so dull. HM the Q doesn't actually do anything because, well, she's the queen and the denouement when it finally arrived was as interesting as a dry biscuit. No more for me thank you.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

This could have been mildy amusing had the author not chosen to use it as a vehicle to preach her politics.... some of which she ascribes to the character of 'The Queen'.... and jump on the 'race' bandwagon. Suspend all credibility when a random assortment of real life figures interact in the same timeframe when they don't actually belong. ( The Queen is approaching her 90th birthday and David Cameron is the British Prime Minister and Obama the US president. ) With some of the usual mispronunciations where royal protocol is written of, the narrator does her best with the material. Overall I was expecting better. What a let down.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent gentle entertainment

Enjoyable listening.
Samantha Bond is an excellenter reader and does well with the different characters.
I laughed when I saw this book in the list and the sample decided me to choose it.
Not perhaps up there with some of the more thightly paced thrillers., but then that was not what the author intended.
I look forward to further books in the series as they appear.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

intriguing premise

characters we know well appearing in a cosy detective novel. The narrator was excellent too.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very Intricate Whodunnit. Fantastic Royal Behind the Scenes

This, of course, is a totally unique take on the ‘Whodunnit’ murder/mystery genre.

It takes awhile to get into it and I can understand why some people may not make it to chapter 3 because of it! However, it’s worth persevering, even more so if you’re curious about the British Monarchy and Queen Elizabeth ll especially. (God rest her soul).

It’s a serious story, with a highly plausible premise and storyline. An agreeable surprise. HRH is not (was not) a “dumb blonde” and this tale brings that out very credibly.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

All a bit twee


Nice idea.
Nice narration
Nice storyline
Just not very exciting.
I am sure there is a market for this, it’s just not me.

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1 person found this helpful