Hi-jinks on the High seas: Death on the Royal Yacht by S.J. Bennett

#DeathontheRoyalYacht #NetGalley

Pub date: October 2026

336 pages

Historical fiction-Mystery & Thrillers

Four stars ****

My thoughts:

This is the new title in the series that features Queen Elizabeth as a detective. The stories are all quite enjoyable and it is definitely fun to have a peek at, what seems to be, authentic royal life and relationships.

Those who already know the series will be happy to catch up with their favorite characters. Those new to the detective Queen should know that this is the sixth in the series. I think that it is find to read them in any order.

This time the Queen becomes involved in murder while she is traveling on the royal yacht. This means that there are many places to virtually visit and many potential suspects. The pages turn and I finished this title already eager for the next in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

Amateur sleuth Queen Elizabeth II investigates on the high seas in the sixth installment of this historical mystery series The New York Times Book Review calls “sheer entertainment,” perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Richard Osman.

1966, Caribbean Sea. The Queen is touring the islands of the West Indies aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her schedule is packed with official visits, but when her new diary secretary, young Pamela Sinclair, is found dead in her cabin, the whole trip threatens to be thrown off course. 

Pamela’s death from an overdose of prescription pills is surrounded by details that don’t add up. It looks as though she was afraid of someone on board, and Joan McGraw—the Queen’s loyal sidekick and assistant private secretary—is the leading suspect. 

With the whole world watching, the real circumstances surrounding her death must be uncovered, and quickly. Luckily for the Queen, she and Joan are experts at floating from one engagement to the next as the tour continues and the killer roams free—for now.