200,000!

I’ve been very lucky that the first commissioning editor to buy the series of Her Majesty the Queen Investigates was Ben Willis, of Zaffre, which is part of Bonnier Books UK. Apart from being a joy to work with, Ben always had a very clear vision for how he wanted the books to look (funny, but respectful and affectionate), and when he wanted them to come out (quickly!). He got the brilliant Iker Ayesteran, from Spain, to create all those distinctive illustrations of handbags and corgis, wellington boots and turkeys, and persuaded Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny among many other parts in a long and distinguished acting career on stage and screen) to read the British audiobooks. And now, less than three weeks after the publication of the hardback of Murder Most Royal, we have sold 200,000 copies of the series. I’m so grateful to all the team at Zaffre for the amazing work they do, and to my agent Charlie (the best) for introducing me to Ben. Onwards and upwards!

200,000 copies of the series sold in the UK since 2020