Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett

1. Before beginning any discussion of Queen Elizabeth II, the character in The Windsor Knot or the real woman, it's helpful to understand her legacy and where she comes from. Discuss how she has carried on her family name from her father, King George VI, and how that has influenced the woman she is in the novel.
2. Having an 89-year-old main character presents both advantages and disadvantages, even for a queen. Discuss both as they relate to a protagonist who is attempting to solve a crime.
3. What qualities does the Queen bring to the role that make her a good investigator? Would she be good at solving mysteries outside her royal palaces?
4. The "dine and sleep" event held at one of the Queen's favorite palaces, Windsor Castle, is a unique and very civilized occasion. What role does the Russian soirée play at Windsor, and how might this have factored into the murder of the young Russian pianist Maksim Brodsky?
5. What was it about Brodsky that fascinated Queen Elizabeth? What did he remind her of?
6. Both Brodsky and his father decades earlier died suspiciously. Are their deaths connected, and what role did international relations play in each event?
7. One of the Queen's assistants, Rozie Oshodi, plays a pivotal role in the novel. Why is it that she seems unaffected by the Queen and her royal position? What is it about her personal background that makes her such an ideal investigator? What kind of relationship does she have with the Queen?
8. It is obvious that the title, The Windsor Knot, has multiple meanings. Discuss both the physical and symbolic interpretations.
9. Those holding the highest royal positions are often looked at as merely figureheads. How does this make Queen Elizabeth feel? How do you feel about the royals?
10. The Windsor Knot is set in the year 2016. Why do you think author SJ Bennett chose this timeframe?
11. Queen Elizabeth fondly recalls one of her all time favorite films, Brief Encounter. Discuss the irony of Bennett's decision to name the final part of the novel "A Brief Encounter."
12. How does Rachel Stiles fit into the story? Did her eventual death make it more or less likely, do you think, that the Queen would solve the crime?
13. Which of the following do you think was the ultimate driving force that led Queen Elizabeth to involve herself in the murder case: lack of faith in the investigators assigned to the case, the involvement of MI6, the effect on the morale of her household, the potential for it to be part of an international incident involving Vladimir Putin, or something else?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of William Morrow. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.