Housemaid Jane Bee's summer duties run to dusting the props for a week of pageantry at Windsor Castle, the Queen's favorite haunt. But the Investiture of the new Knights of the Garter ends up combining pomp with a extremely unpleasant circumstance.... Mild-mannered art curator Roger Pettibon is found dead, a ceremonial sword in his back and a Royal Garter around his knee. The police are quick to arrest moody Court painter Victor Fabiani, at work on a portrait of the regal face that launched a billion postage stamps. But Fabiani's confession--despite its story of art forgery and blackmail--doesn't ring true to Jane. Nor to Her Majesty, who dispatches her on a discreet inquiry among the cream of society gathered for the Ascot races. And, as Jane traces the twisty lineage of more than one family, Windsor's ancient battlements witness a second death--and their second ordeal in five years, by fire and water....
There is just something so wonderfully diverting about these books. My more urgent question is why haven't there been more written since this last one? As an unabashed anglophile, I love the descriptions, etc. that go along with the stories and this latest book does not dissappoint. Loved it loved it loved it. And just let me add that these books are fiction. Too good, but write more!
Murder most royal
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I love the C.C. Benison stories. For those of you who are royalists or at least interested in the British royal family, you can't beat these tales for an inside scoop of life at court. Whomever Mr/Ms Benison is, he/she knows a lot about the royals and spins her tales with fabulous details and humor.
God Love the Queen!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Jane Bee, a Canadian serving as housemaid in the Royal Household, assists THE QUEEN in solving these terribly inconvenient murders. Jane's father is a cop, so she comes by her detective skills naturally. All three "Death at . . ." books are a hoot. I consider them comic cozies, my favorite mystery genre.
another swell read from C.C.Benison!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This is my second favorite of Benison's series, with "Death at Buckingham Palace" being my first. This was also a "those dishes haven't been sitting there all that long!" can't-put-it-down type read for me! I'm afraid I horribly neglected many duties in order to read this in one fell swoop. I really enjoyed the characters in all of Benison's books, but especially in this one and "Death at Buckingham Palace". They're colorful and well-drawn. Once again, a complicated plot and lots of insight into life with "her Maj" and the household staff. I highly recommend this!
Jane's royal antics!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I read my first adventures of Bee when she was doing her thing at Sandringham and have enjoyed everyone of them. I not only enjoy her, but every character who works "on staff." I am wondering what the Brits think of her, but they would probably dismiss her as a cheeky Canadian! I hope Jane will continue her royal duties for sometime to come. Her adventures couldn't be more fun and more interesting.
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