The Queen Who Came in from the Cold: Her Majesty The Queen Investigates
In the spring of 1961, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, and a small number of staff and guests travel by train to Lancashire. The evening’s meal is spoiled by Sandra Pole, a last-minute addition to the party who is serving as a substitute lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret. Naturally boisterous and over the top, Sandra has too much to drink and starts a conversation that infuriates Philip. After a stern rebuke from the prince, she tearfully flees the table to go to her room to collect herself. Glancing out the train window, she sees a group of men who appear to be disposing of a dead body. She describes what she saw to Joan, the Queen’s assistant private secretary. Joan is skeptical, after all, it was dark, and Sandra isn’t the most reliable witness, but she can’t keep news like this from the Queen. Joan and the Queen work together and discover a dangerous plan involving the Russians and the Queen’s royal yacht.
The Queen Who Came in from the Cold features a large cast of characters, but helpfully, the author provides a list of who’s who at the beginning of the novel. Joan is a well-developed character, worthy of being the sleuth in any detective novel, but the real star is the Queen. The author perfectly captures Elizabeth’s stoic formal side as a monarch and her warmer private moments. The Queen Mother also makes a delightful, yet small, appearance, adding her charm and good humor. The mystery is a bit complicated, but ultimately satisfying, as the author really ups the tension and urgency in the second half of the story. This is the fifth book in the series, but it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone.
