A Death in Diamonds: Her Majesty the Queen Investigates

Bennett’s fourth whodunit featuring Queen Elizabeth II (after Murder Most Royal) is the best yet. In 1957, Elizabeth is on a state visit to Paris when two mishaps lead her to question whether someone is attempting to sabotage the trip. First, a draft of an important speech goes missing; then, oysters appear on the menu of an official dinner, despite Elizabeth’s insistence there be no seafood. As she attempts to suss out the culprit, she receives word that her husband, Prince Philip, has been linked to a double murder in London. The killings took place at Chelsea’s exclusive Artemis Club, where Philip is a member. Elizabeth’s fear subsides when she hears Philip has an alibi; it spikes again when she discovers that she’s the alibi, because Philip was not with her when he says he was. Convinced of her husband’s innocence but unsure why he’s lying, Elizabeth teams up with an old friend—a former WWII code breaker—to solve the murders. Bennett establishes real emotional stakes for her fictionalized royals and packs Elizabeth’s investigation full of genuine surprises. Long live this series. Agent: Grainne Fox, UTA. (Jan.)