Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Print, e-book and audio
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #23
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy Mystery Book Description Lady Eleanor Swift has a special royal invitation. She’s got just the right dress and the perfect plus one… But wait! Is that a body by the throne? Lady Eleanor Swift is at Buckingham Palace to see her new husband, Detective Chief Inspector Seldon, knighted. Brimming with pride, all she can hope is that Gladstone the bulldog behaves himself in front of the king. But the happy day is overshadowed when Dilly Dalrymple, a royal guard, collapses. The head of the royal police asks Eleanor and Hugh to investigate the murder – unofficially. This is her first clue that there’s more to the story… Donning a disguise as a journalist for a well-to-do magazine, Eleanor, with butler Clifford posing as her photographer interview the high-profile guests and residents at the palace. She wasn’t expecting gossiping wives, affairs aplenty and talk of long-lost treasure! Was Dilly killed to settle an old score or was he perhaps a little too close to someone else’s wife? But when another soldier is murdered at midnight, hours after the palace gates are locked, Eleanor knows she needs to keep her wits about her… And when everyone seems to have a reason to lie, can Eleanor dig up the truth before it’s her head next? A totally gripping royal whodunnit full of twists, set in 1920s London. Fans of T.E. Kinsey, Catherine Coles and Lee Strauss will be utterly obsessed! My Thoughts This latest addition to the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries heralds a new direction for the series and our lovable main characters. Hugh Seldon has resigned from Scotland Yard and he, Ellie (Lady Eleanor Swift, his wife), Clifford (their buter) and the female staff of Henley Hall have formed a private detective agency. Moments before Hugh becomes Sir Hugh Seldon for his “exemplarly dedication to the police force”, the previous recipient of an honour, Dilly Dalrymple, a royal guard at the Tower of London, collapses and is escorted from the room. Later, at the garden party following the ceremony he collapses again, is taken away in an ambulance, but unfortunately dies. The first inkling there is more to this death than first appears, is when Ellie and Hugh, over dinner with the head of the royal police, are asked to find evidence of murder, unofficially. This is the first case for the fledgling private detective agency, but a previous bad experience with the royal police makes them reluctant to take it on. However, they do agree to take the case with certain provisos. Under the guise of writing an article for a magazine, Ellie and Clifford pose as journalist and photographer respectively, and become part of the Tower of London community. They are subject to the many rules and regulations as the other residents, including a curfew when the Palace gates are locked at night. This causes a few problems, but nothing our duo can't overcome. Clifford excels in his role as photographer, proving that he is a man of many talents. Hugh and the female staff provide support from the outside. Their investigation uncovers petty jealousies, professional rivalries, romantic liaisons, rumours of buried treasure and surprising connections. They learn of the traditions of the Tower and the roles of the Beefeaters and Ravenmasters. And, perhaps, encounter one of the Tower ghosts. New characters are introduced that may recur and Ellie learns more about the disappearance of her parents. As mentioned before, this is a change in direction for the series and a welcome result of forming a private detection agency is that Hugh and the ladies of Henley Hall will now have more page time, bringing their own set of skills and humour to this and future investigations. The banter between all the characters is a delightful ongoing feature of this series. Another entertaining thread will be following the unassuming Hugh as he assimilates into the household of Henley Hall. Another great addition to the series, Murder at the Royal Palace is an intriguing mystery, filled with interesting historical facts and humour. As always, I'm eagerly awaiting the next book. Meet the Author
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