A Three Dog Problem

Queen Elizabeth II discovers a painting of dubious origin in Buckingham Palace's Royal Collection, leading her to investigate its history and authenticity. As she pursues answers about the artwork between her official duties, she enlists help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi. The investigation takes the Queen through the palace's private corridors and into the London art world, where questions multiply about the painting's provenance and the circumstances of its acquisition. The Queen must navigate palace politics and protect the reputation of the Royal Collection while uncovering the truth. Several deaths connected to the art mystery force the Queen to confront the possibility of more sinister forces at work within the palace walls. The Queen's three dogs become unexpected allies in her quest for answers. The novel explores themes of duty, loyalty, and the tension between public responsibility and private curiosity, set against the realities of modern royal life. Through its art-centered mystery, it examines how institutions preserve their histories and protect their reputations.

Readers find this mystery novel lighter and more entertaining than Bennett's first book in the series. The plot moves at a steady pace, with readers appreciating the behind-the-scenes details of palace life and the Queen's role as an amateur detective. Liked: - Historical accuracy and research - Queen Elizabeth's characterization as sharp and observant - Palace staff dynamics and protocols - Integration of real events with fiction Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Multiple characters and subplots can be confusing to track - A few readers noted the mystery element wasn't complex enough Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) Representative review: "Bennett nails the Queen's personality and dry humor. The mystery itself is secondary to the fascinating glimpse into royal household operations." - Amazon reviewer "Too many characters to keep straight, but the Queen's perspective makes it worth reading." - Goodreads reviewer

Murder Most Royal by S J Bennett A murder mystery set in Buckingham Palace featuring Queen Elizabeth II as a secret detective.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Four retirees in a peaceful retirement village meet to investigate unsolved murders while navigating their connections with local police.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen A penniless royal solves crimes in 1930s London while serving as an unofficial spy for Queen Mary.

The Windsor Knot by S J Bennett Queen Elizabeth II works behind the scenes to solve a murder at Windsor Castle while maintaining her public duties.

The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley A journalist uncovers a mystery linked to the British royal family while investigating a story about an aristocratic family's hidden past.

🏰 "A Three Dog Problem" is the second book in S J Bennett's series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as an amateur sleuth, following "The Windsor Knot." 👑 Author S J Bennett extensively researched the Queen's daily routines, preferences, and private spaces within Buckingham Palace to create an authentic portrayal of Her Majesty. 🎨 The mystery in the novel revolves around the discovery of a dead body in Buckingham Palace's swimming pool and connects to the Royal Collection of artworks, one of the largest art collections in the world. 🐕 The book's title references both the Queen's love of dogs and Agatha Christie's "A Three Act Problem," paying homage to classic British mystery novels. 📅 The story is set in 2016, allowing Bennett to weave real historical events and people into the fictional narrative while the Queen was still alive, adding layers of verisimilitude to the tale.