The staff at Buckingham Palace are trained, more accurately drilled, not to bother “the Boss”, Queen Elizabeth, with issues related to the staff. When a “spate of poison pen stuff” is directed to women working at the Palace she is not advised. As Sir Simon formally advises Captain Rosemary Oshodi, informally known as “Rozie”, who is the Queen’s Assistant Private Secretary, “our job is to come up with solutions”. The “poison pen stuff” is “undermining the ‘happy ship’ “ that is the Palace and its staff.
An exception on bothering the Boss is made for the death of Mrs. Harris.
When the normally unshakeable Sir Simon is rattled the Queen orders him home:
“… You’ll be useless to me here.” She said it sharply, not to be unkind but because she knew he wouldn’t leave unless she made him, and he was in no fit state to work.
Rozie is a wonderful character. She served in the British Army in Afghanistan. She is tall, strong and intelligent. Her mother, Grace, is unhappy Rozie is single.
Detective Chief Inspector, David Strong, is assigned to investigate the posion pen letters. The working hypothesis on Mrs. Harris is that she died by accident.
Master Mike Green of Buckingham Palace is dismayed by the police being involved.
The Queen has a keen mind. She is thinking constantly about matters great and small. She makes suggestions and requests. It is best to carry them out forthwith.
At the same time, Queen Elizabeth has a wry sense of humour. While sitting for a sculptor working on a bronze bust of her there is a crew filming the sitting:
There really should be someone recording the filming, the Queen mused, just to round the whole thing off. Or someone to write about the recording of the filming of the sketching … ad infinitum. She was used to being watched and used, by now, to being such a source of fascination that her watchers were watched too.
The Queen, keenly attuned to the Palace, senses all is not well with the ‘happy ship” for more reasons than the wicked communications.
The investigation sets the Queen to thinking:
For years, it had been the Queen’s habit to take a few dogs for a walk in the grounds if she had a big problem to consider.
The death of Mrs. Harris and the poisoned pen communications are a three dog (Willow, Candy and Vulcan) problem.
If the death of Mrs. Harris was not accidental, what could be the motive? That she was nosy and sharp to other staff seems an inadequate reason.
Inspector Armstrong is derisively given the nickname “Bogroll” (.... loo paper ‘soft, strong and very long’) by the staff.
The Queen directs the investigation with suggestions and remarks. Staff know her “if you would be so kind” requests are direct orders. Like Nero Wolfe she is unlikely to directly interview anyone.
Rozie, always eager to go above and beyond, goes beyond the Queen’s directions. Initiative can be dangerous.
Information comes in slowly. Who is feared more than H.M.?
I had not thought about Remembrance Day from the Queen’s perspective. In addition to laying the most important wreath in the realm she has grieved with the survivors of the fallen for 64 years at the time of the book. She is also a veteran of WW II.
I found myself absorbed in life at the Palace and the mystery plot. Bennett has skilfully conceived a book which very plausibly features a mystery set at Buckingham Palace involving the Royal Family. The mystery was intricate and subtle but never obscure. Queen Elizabeth is presented as a bright astute woman. I am going to have to read more in the series.
I'm glad you enjoyed this, Bill. I must admit, I'm not much of a one to read mystery novels featuring historical figures who take to sleuthing. But I do like the idea of a look 'behind the scenes' at the palace. And my understanding is that Queen Elizabeth II was a very bright and intuitive person. I can see her taking an interest in such a case.
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