Devi Nair
📚 Read as a book 📃 336 pages 🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
I usually adore this series. There is something so uniquely charming about the Queen solving crimes between royal engagements. But this time, the vibe felt off almost immediately. Instead of easing me into the mystery with that familiar warm, observant tone, the story leaned harder into espionage and Cold War tension right out of the gate. It felt colder, sharper, and honestly… less inviting.
Maybe it was the 1961 Cold War setting or just the way the mystery kicked off, but the vibe felt more "chilly" than "cozy." I reached the 10% mark and realized I was checking my watch more than the clues. While the writing remains technically solid, the "heart" that usually shines through in this series felt buried under too much political setup for my current mood. It’s a classic case of "it's not you, it's me," but I decided to put it down for now.
📚 Read as a book 📃 336 pages 🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
I usually adore this series. There is something so uniquely charming about the Queen solving crimes between royal engagements. But this time, the vibe felt off almost immediately. Instead of easing me into the mystery with that familiar warm, observant tone, the story leaned harder into espionage and Cold War tension right out of the gate. It felt colder, sharper, and honestly… less inviting.
Maybe it was the 1961 Cold War setting or just the way the mystery kicked off, but the vibe felt more "chilly" than "cozy." I reached the 10% mark and realized I was checking my watch more than the clues. While the writing remains technically solid, the "heart" that usually shines through in this series felt buried under too much political setup for my current mood. It’s a classic case of "it's not you, it's me," but I decided to put it down for now.