Publication December 2, 2026
The coronation of a new king manages to put the law and suffragettes on the same side for awhile. Well, temporarily. Not only does Coral Fairbanks find herself roped into a photo stunt by the group's leaders but, of course, there's a murder. As it turns out, it's even someone both she and Detective Guy Flynn both know. Raymond Devereux owned the art studio next to the one where Coral works and past readers may remember his name from a story of "was it or wasn't it a forged painting?" Sadly, his body is found in Westminster Abbey's Pyx Chamber, named for the boxes once used to store and carry gold and silver coins. We actually get a lovely tour of the Westminster grounds via both the eyes of those who work there and starry eyed guests visiting for the first time. The blending of the fictional stories and historical landmarks and events is part of the fun for me with this series, I must admit.
In any case, the grandeur of the site and activities involving the new King George and Queen Mary's coronation and the overall sense of joy and, in a sense, hopefulness, is barely dented by the murder. Guy was part of the protection for the king but quickly finds himself pulled into the murder investigation. This is when things get bumpy for his relationship with Coral. While Guy actually supports women's right to vote, he's wary of his daughter Teresa's growing interest in joining the movement and bothered to realize how many secrets Coral has been keeping from him. As Coral is coming to learn, keeping secrets, not just your own but for those close to you, can create problems. And, that's about all I'm going to say about the plot other than that given the era it takes place, investigating (and relationships, to, apparently) do move a bit slower than many are accustomed to reading. You'll get to meet a variety of characters, including Coral's actress friend Lavender who, while not a suffragette, seems open to try just about anything.
Bottom line, a storyline that will fascinate those who enjoy the pageantry and glamour of royals being royals, as well as how many storylines still resonate today, including women's rights slamming headfirst into the norms and legalities of the day. It even touches on the value, both sentimental and monetary of various religious items such as a cross, so commonly seen in the Westminster decor. The characters, whether you agree with their motives or not, are shown as humans, not just titles. You'll perhaps even find yourself sympathizing with Guy as he's caught between his growing affection for Coral and his expected behavior and attitude as a Scotland Yard detective, not to mention worried single father after his wife's death. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to this interesting group and allowing me this early read of their doings during the pomp of the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. I'm pretty sure it was him who gave the late Queen Elizabeth the nickname of Lilibet but that's a bit early for this book's time. Grin.
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