The Queen Who Came in from the Cold by S. J. BennettSynopsis: “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 skulduggery.”

My Review

This was another excellent mystery in this fantastic series from S. J.Bennett, and I think it’s my favourite so far. 

This is the fifth book in the series, and the second in which the author has the young Queen investigating a mystery, but with her APS (Assistant Private Secretary), Joan McGraw doing the actual leg work.

I loved that this was set at the beginning of the 1960s at the height of the Cold War, which made for very mysterious situations running through the story. This particular book is full of subterfuge and intrigue, beginning with a passenger on the Royal Train witnessing a murder, which then leads to strange goings on involving the Royal Yacht Britannia!

I loved getting know Joan McGraw a bit more, especially about her past live during World War Two, and how it came in handy whilst during the royal visit to Italy.

Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries or books connected to the Royal Family.