Book Review: The Windsor Knot

They say the Crown never rests, but in S.J. Bennett’s ‘The Windsor Knot,’ Her Majesty is doing anything but sleeping. Between state dinners and sovereign duties, a more discreet brand of justice is being served—behind the palace’s closed, velvet-draped doors.

While searching The Hyderabad Library’s online catalogue, I first came across The Windsor Knot. The cover looked beautiful, and I liked the premise of the Queen being a detective. To my delight, it turned out to be a satisfying read.

Title	The Windsor Knot
Author	S. J. Bennett
Genres	Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction
Year of Publication	2020
TLO rating	4/5

Plot - 3.5, Theme - 4, Characters - 4, Story - 3.5, Writing - 4 = 3.8

Overall = Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crown, Clues & Curtsy: The Queen’s Most Classified Case

The Windsor Knot is the first book in the “Her Majesty the Queen Investigates” series by S.J. Bennett. It is set in the spring of 2016, just ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle.

The story begins the morning after a royal “dine and sleep” event, when a young Russian pianist is found dead in a guest bedroom at the Castle. At first, it looks like a suicide because the man appears to have strangled himself with a dressing-gown cord. However, MI5 soon notices the knot is badly tied and suspects foul play. They think a Russian sleeper agent, possibly linked to Vladimir Putin, may have been placed inside the palace.

But when the investigation starts to blame the Queen’s most loyal staff, Her Majesty is sure the authorities are on the wrong track.

Unknown to her advisers and the public, Queen Elizabeth has secretly solved crimes since her teenage years as “Lilibet.” She quietly decides to take action, asking her sharp new assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, to do the groundwork. Rozie discreetly gathers evidence, interviews people, and follows leads, while the Queen acts as the mastermind, guiding the investigation from behind the scenes. As more bodies turn up and the risk of an international incident grows, the two must work quickly to find the truth before things get out of hand.

This book is a charming, witty, and original addition to the cosy mystery genre. S.J. Bennett’s idea of Queen Elizabeth II as a secret sleuth is handled with warmth, humour, and a believable sense of authenticity. The story weaves in the real royal calendar, and the Queen is shown as wise, perceptive, and quietly strong in a way that feels both affectionate and convincing.

Rozie, her British-Nigerian assistant private secretary, stands out as a character who brings energy and heart to the book. She is honestly a big reason to keep reading. She starts as someone just trying not to put a foot wrong in the very strange, very formal world she’s landed in — and you watch her slowly find her footing, earn the Queen’s trust, and come into her own. It’s not a dramatic transformation, but it feels real, and you end up genuinely rooting for her.

The writing itself is easy and enjoyable to read — Bennett has a light touch and a dry sense of humour that keeps things ticking along nicely. She doesn’t try to mock the royals or turn this into a satire; instead, she writes about them with a kind of fond familiarity that makes the whole thing feel oddly believable. The Queen’s inner thoughts are the highlight — understated, a little wry, and occasionally very funny. If you’ve ever read an Agatha Christie and enjoyed the slow, unhurried build of it, you’ll feel right at home here.

The 2016 setting also adds a quiet layer of depth — with Brexit looming and UK-Russia tensions already simmering, the Russian-spy plotline feels grounded in something real rather than far-fetched.

That said, if you’re picking this up expecting a gripping thriller, you might find it a little slow. The Queen doesn’t exactly go running after suspects — she’s more of a “think it through over breakfast” kind of detective, and Rozie does most of the actual legwork. The ending also wraps up a bit too quickly for how long the mystery takes to unfold. But if you go in knowing it’s a gentle, cosy read rather than an edge-of-your-seat mystery, you’ll have a great time with it. Think of it as the literary equivalent of a rainy afternoon, a warm blanket, and a really good cup of tea.

Final Thoughts

“The Windsor Knot” is a charming and refreshing read! S.J. Bennett’s idea of Queen Elizabeth as a secret detective is both clever and heartwarming, and it’s hard not to smile at the thought of Her Majesty solving mysteries behind the scenes. The book is perfect for anyone who loves a cosy mystery with a unique twist, and while it’s not a fast-paced thriller, the royal atmosphere and delightful characters make it a joy to read. If you’re looking for something light, witty, and full of personality, this is the perfect book to curl up with—especially with a cup of tea or coffee by your side. I’m curious to see where this series goes next! Happy reading, everyone.