In this first in a new series from British YA author Bennett, Queen Elizabeth II is appalled by the murder of a young Russian pianist at Windsor Castle and discreetly takes matters into her own hands when she decides that MI5's investigation is heading in the wrong direction. She's helped by her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian who recently served in the Royal Horse Artillery. With a 75,000-copy first printing.

A "dine and sleep" event at the British monarchy's Windsor Castle goes wrong when a Russian pianist is discovered dead in a sexually compromising position. The timing couldn't be worse: It is 2016, and Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday is fast approaching, with numerous celebrations planned. The powers that be are desperate to suppress any publicity about the tragedy, especially when they determine that the young man was in fact murdered. With utmost delicacy, they inform the monarch of the situation while trying to protect her from the tawdry details. What the reader soon cottons on to is that, for years, the Queen has been discreetly sleuthing and solving cases, and she is determined to take this one on. Fortunately, she has her private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, as her Watson, and together the pair discover that this is no isolated murder but instead a much more sinister, far-reaching affair. VERDICT A veritable love letter to England's current monarch, this adult debut by children's author Bennett (The Look) is a triumph full of royal tidbits and international high jinks. The pivotal character of Rozie adds just the right note of modernity, and readers will be thrilled to know that the second book in the series is due later this year. Strongly recommended for purchase.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI

British children's author Bennett (The Look as Sophia Bennett) makes her adult debut with the delightful first in a series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as sleuth. One day in the spring of 2016, the queen is hosting a gathering at Windsor Castle when a young Russian pianist is found dead in a guest bedroom. First ruled a suicide, the death turns out to be murder, and MI5 suspects it's an inside job by a sleeper agent planted at Windsor by Vladimir Putin. But when the authorities begin questioning the queen's staff, Her Majesty, whose loyalty to her people is as deep as theirs is to her, decides to conduct her own discreet investigation with the help of her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi. Rozie is impressed with the queen's keen observations, as well as HM's ability to plant ideas and steer the investigation without anyone the wiser. As Rozie learns, the queen has had lots of practice. She's been quietly solving mysteries for decades. Bennett's depiction of the warm, wise, and witty queen and the insights into her royal life are fascinating. Fans of Netflix's The Crown will have fun. Agent: Grainne Fox, Fletcher & Co. (Mar.)