C.C. Benison Books In Order

Publication Order of Her Majesty Investigates Books

Publication Order of Father Christmas Mystery Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

C. C Benison is the pen name of Douglas Alfred Whiteway, a Canadian journalist and author residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He holds two bachelor’s degrees—one in religious studies, which he received from the University of Manitoba and the second one in Journalism, received from Carleton University.

Besides authoring a series of best-selling books, Douglas has also worked with the Winnipeg Free Press and the Winnipeg Tribune.

Using his C.C Benison pen name, Douglas authored ‘Her Majesty Investigates’ murder series, set out in the estate of Queen Elizabeth II. The series skirts arounds Jane Bee, a house maid with a knack for solving murder crimes. The series comprises of book titles such as ‘Death at Buckingham Palace’ (published in 1996), and which won him the Arthur Ellis Awards for the author with the best first novel.

And until date, Douglas has published six other best-selling novels, including the Eleven Pipers Piping and the Twelve Drummers Drumming.

Death at Buckingham Palace

Death at Buckingham Palace is the first book in Her Majesty Investigates murder series.

In the first chapter of the book, we have Jane landing a housemaid job at the Queen’s palace at Buckingham. This comes after a very close friend to the Queen, and who had in the recent times announced his wedding plan, is found dead in what appears as suicide.

Before the job, all Jane Bee wanted to do in Europe is exploit the land and have some new adventure. Then she got the job and her life somehow changed completely.

Her greatest challenge in her line of duty at Buckingham palace is removing gum from the carpets at stateroom. But that was until she came across a greasily accident right at the door of one of the Royal apartments.

Her Majesty herself stumbled across a dead body belonging to one of Jane’s good friends, robin Tukes, a footman and aspiring actor who appeared to have committed suicide. Despite the news in circulation, nothing seems to sink in with Jane.

Why would someone so successful, handsome, though reckless at times, toast his engagement, impending fatherhood, and friends to commit suicide. What reason could he have had that could have pushed him into doing that?

The entire Buck House is abuzz, but it’s only Jane and perhaps the Royal Personage otherwise known below stairs as ‘Mother’ that smell a foul play.

Her Majesty decides to ask Jane to keep her ears and eyes open in a bid to discover the real truth surrounding Robin’s death. This somehow puts her life in danger, but things take an interesting turn when she starts discovering things that get them even closer to the truth.

Again, at the Queen’s behest, Jane launches an inquiry, though discreetly. This inquiry elevates her from a mere servant to a more respectable member of the royal family. But the more she digs to get the truth, the more it dawns on her that the latest royal scandal could be the real killer.

No one does it better than the author, C.C Benison when it comes to fusing comedy with murder. As with all the book in the series, Death at Buckingham Place is a great read. Each character is cleverly depicted, with facets and faults. No one is made to look perfect, including the protagonist or her Majesty herself.

Readers have no reason to hate on the characters, considering they are easier to relate with or find someone in real life whose character fits.

The subplots are wittily laid to keep you guessing. The description of the castles and London life give you all the details you need, besides the fun. This is the book you’d want to recommend to a friend or anyone, especially if the person is into mystery or anything close to that.

Death at Windsor Castle

Death at Windsor Castle is the third book of ‘Her Majesty Investigates’ murder series.

The book begins with Jane Bee performing her house help duties. This time, dusting the props that will be used during the sumptuous week of pageantry that will be held at the Windsor Castle, swearing in the newly elected Knights of the Garter.

Very early in the morning before the ceremony begins, her Majesty sends for Jane in the Throne Room. She has to attend to the large stains of blood on the carpet, and which is partly covering the dead body belonging to Roger Pettitbon, who apparently still has a Garter around the knee and a ceremonial sword on his back.

Jane takes upon herself to find out who’s the real murder. To do this, she has to move around London, interrogating the Scotland Yard Detectives, the Queen Staff, tabloid journalists, painters, and whatnot.

In the process, she uncovers some rather disturbing sex scandal that the Queen prefers to leave buried.

Meanwhile, Police arrest the moody painter Victor Fabiani at his place of work, on the portrait of the regal face that launched one billion postage stamps. He’s made to confess to have murdered the royal art curator.

The story he gives about blackmail and forgery seem to convince the police, but Jane and Her Majesty finds a lot of holes in it.

Her Majesty is forced to dispatch Jane discretely on an inquiry among the elite class members of the community as they are meeting for the Ascot race competitions.

While Jane is trying to trace the twisty lineage of a number of families she witnesses a second death, a greasier one involving fire and water.

Jane soon comes to the bottom of the murders, blowing the lead on a whole lot of motives and suspects.

Strawberries, Elton Schoolboys, and glamorous hats all have a role to play in helping Jane unravel the truth surrounding the murders.

The author’s strength lies in her ear for Britspeak and the use of comic to explain how the English amuse themselves when foreign tourists flock the land during summer.

At some point, Jane has to reach out for other characters such as the chip-slinging mum whose daughter provides Jane with some very important intel that she uses to unravel the truth surrounding one of the crimes.

As in all the previous books in the series, C. C Benison takes a lot of time vividly describing the royal lifestyle. You can easily get the real picture in your head, making the story appear even realer. The plot may be somewhat tangled and complicated, but it’s hard to get lost as the author knows how to ensure that you never miss track, besides keeping you engrossed all the way to the end.