Queen to appear in favourite author's new crime thriller about killer in palace
Queen to appear in favourite author's new crime thriller about killer in palace
Peter James's latest Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller centres on a race to stop a killer at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Queen Camilla
(Image: Getty Images )
The Queen is to star in a new crime novel alongside her favourite fictional detective.
Peter James's latest Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thriller centres on a race to stop a killer at Buckingham Palace.
Camilla is depicted travelling aboard the Royal Train when disaster strikes and it derails, and a trusted aide is shot by a sniper, leading Grace to head to the Palace to investigate, the Daily Mail revealed.
The Queen is understood to have been aware of the book.
James – one of Camilla's favourite authors – is said to have carried out extensive research about the famous royal residence.
Article continues below
In the publicity for the novel, publisher Pan Macmillan describes James as the "Creator of Her Majesty Queen Camilla's favourite fictional detective".
It says of the plot: "A tragic accident or a planned attack?... Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced the Queen was the intended target... Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the Palace will strike again."
The also King features in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which is due out in October.
Article continues below
The Queen, a voracious reader and passionate supporter of a number of literary charities, previously recommended James's blockbusters as part her Reading Room book club.
In 2021, she visited the set of Grace – ITV's television adaptation of James's books which stars John Simm as the troubled but methodical detective – and joked about asking for a cameo role.
She told James: "I love your books. I've read them all, cover to cover."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
20 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
When Bindweed flowers in UK and how to kill and remove it
While it may look pretty, it has been described by experts as "rampant" and can "quickly smother other plants in your garden". Here is all to know about Bindweed, including what it looks like, when it flowers in the UK, if it is poisonous and how to remove it. How to Get Rid of These Common Garden Pests What is Bindweed and what does it look like? Bindweed is a UK native wildflower, and while it can be beneficial to wildlife, its spreading roots and twining stems can cause issues in gardens. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) highlights two types of common Bindweed, namely Hedge bindweed and Field Bindweed. Hedge Bindweed has heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers. These are "usually white but can also be pale pink with a white centre and five white stripes". "After flowering, rounded capsules form, each containing up to four oval-shaped brown seeds," the RHS adds. Hedge Bindweed has heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers (Image: Getty Images) Field Bindweed is described as "smaller and less vigorous", and has oval to arrow-shaped, grey-green leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers that are often pale pink, but can also be pink with a white centre and stripes, or plain white. When does Bindweed flower in the UK? Wildlife Trusts notes that Bindweed typically flowers between June and September. Despite Bindweed stems typically dying back in autumn, the root system remains and will be "ready to produce new shoots in spring". Nick Wood is a horticulture expert at online garden centre Gardening Express. He has issued a warning to Brits as we come into the seasons when Bindweed typically flowers. Arvensis: refers to plants typically found in, or associated with, fields or cultivated areas. From the Latin 'arvum' meaning field. Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis. Leaves to 5cm, alternate with basal lobes. Flowers trumpet-shaped, white or pink and white, 1-3cm across. — Big Meadow Search (@bigmeadowsearch) March 22, 2025 He said: "Bindweed might look pretty with its delicate flowers and heart-shaped leaves, but don't be fooled - it's a rampant twining vine that can quickly smother other plants in your garden. "Hedge bindweed is the real culprit here, with its fast-growing, climbing stems that can wrap around and strangle anything in their path. "Field bindweed is less aggressive, but it's still a persistent problem, especially in open soil where it can spread rapidly. "While it's a native wildflower, its aggressive growth and spreading roots can quickly take over gardens and other natural areas, which is why it's incredibly invasive in the UK. Bindweed UK law Mr Wood added that while there is "no specific law directly addressing bindweed in the UK", Brits "all have a legal duty to manage invasive plants to prevent them from spreading and causing harm to neighbouring properties". The RHS adds that while you do not need to remove Bindweed from your garden, it can spread to other plants, so controlling it is key. @invasiveweeds Bindweed in Mid June with its Beautiful White Flowers Bindweed, also known as Convolvulus arvensis, is a common weed that produces beautiful white flowers during the summer months, including mid-June. Despite its attractive appearance, bindweed is considered an invasive plant that can be problematic in gardens and agricultural fields. #bindweed ♬ original sound - Invasive Weeds It said: "If left to grow in a wildlife corner or less-cultivated area, or through a mature hedge, it will boost the variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. "Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. biodiversity of your garden and gives you a chance to enjoy its attractive flowers. "It is, however, a good idea to control the spread of hedge and field bindweed as they are both capable of outcompeting and smothering other plants." Is Bindweed poisonous? With Bindweed being very common in the UK, it is important to know if it is poisonous to humans or pets. Thankfully, unlike some other weeds in the UK, Bindweed is not poisonous. Poisonous Plants Found in the UK The expert explained: "Luckily, bindweed isn't poisonous to humans or pets, but it can be a nightmare for gardeners trying to keep it under control. This is despite the fact that its flowers can attract pollinators. "But don't let that fact lull you into letting it run wild - the damage it can do far outweighs any small benefit." Mr Wood also touched on how best to remove the invasive plant. Can you dig out Bindweed? How best to remove and kill it The expert warned Brits to "act quickly" if they find Bindweed in their garden. He also issued a guide on how to attack the plant and get rid of it. Bindweed can be a pest to properties as it grows fast and infiltrates property boundaries damaging the structure (Image: Getty Images) Mr Wood said: "Pull it up by hand, being careful to remove as much of the root system as possible. "If you leave even a tiny fragment behind, it can regrow and spread all over again. "You'll need patience and persistence, and be prepared to keep at it for several growing seasons. "Herbicides can work, but they often require multiple applications, and be careful not to damage nearby plants." If you are looking to dig out Bindweed, Mr Wood recommended against it. Recommended reading: He said: "You can try digging it out, but be warned - bindweed has a notoriously extensive root system. "If you miss even a tiny piece, it can regrow with a vengeance. Regular cutting and pulling can keep bindweed in check, but it's a long game. "Persistence is key, and whatever you do, don't let it flower - that's when it spreads even faster."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Alan Titchmarsh issues warning over brutal pest that can 'wipe out crops'
Alan Titchmarsh has raised the alarm over the return of a brutal pest, which is said to pose a serious risk to the food industry, after a sighting in Kent in 2023 Gardening pro and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh has warned fellow green-fingered enthusiasts to be on the lookout for one nasty pest. He has warned that this destructive menace, namely the Colorado beetle, can completely 'wipe out crops', with people already wary of other creatures such as slugs, mealybugs, ants and aphids, known for destroying plants. At the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show, Alan warned that the tiny black and yellow-striped pest is one of the biggest threats to the UK's food security, as reported by the Daily Mail. And it could pose a risk to the British potato industry. Colorado beetles were eradicated from British soil 50 years ago following a vigilant campaign in the 1970s. However, larvae from the insects were discovered in a potato field in Kent in 2023, marking the first known return of the species. While quick action by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) and DEFRA meant the situation was kept under control, Titchmarsh still urges the public to be vigilant. He said: 'It devastates potato crops and we need all the crops we can get in this country. It's so savage it'll wipe crops out. It's like locusts – it's that fast.' He added that the most effective way to avoid a disaster is to 'stamp it out before it becomes reality'. However, he later reflected on how the outbreak of the 1970s brought the gardening community together. Colorado beetles are typically between 6mm to 11 mm in size and have distinctive yellow and black stripes on their shells. Meanwhile, their larvae are typically 15 mm long and a reddish colour. In the wild, they can weaken crops, like potatoes and aubergines, and reduce their yield. They are also known to strip the foliage from tomatoes and peppers. The beetle has been known to be imported into the UK on different food items. These include leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables. Therefore, experts are urging people to check these items. Equally, they also need to keep an eye on any vegetables picked from their gardens and allotments before consuming them. Professor Nicola Spence, the Environment Department's chief plant health officer, said that the Colorado beetle 'poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry'. She also added that the public have an important role to play in helping to protect UK biosecurity. The public have been urged to report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). They should also include a photo and location details.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
A Refugee's Tale as told to Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah: Eight years on the edge of hell
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I came by air. It may sound odd to say that – what other way then? Some people walked. Many drowned. They were desperate. I wasn't desperate but I was very frightened because I had made some people very angry with me. My crime was to tell the girls who attended my Sunday school that they should not agree to be circumcised. My Sunday school was supposed to be a reading and writing class but I slipped in the good word any how I could. I told them circumcision was genital mutilation and a barbaric and backward practice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Men forced women to do it so they would know they were rubbish. The real intention was to hurt them and paralyse them and control them. When the day came for the girls to agree to the cut, six of them refused. I wasn't there, but I discovered what had happened that same night when I heard angry voices outside my house, bidding me to come out and take a beating for interfering with their daughters. It was a Muslim village in a Muslim country, and though I am a countryman, I'm a Christian who was now accused of interfering with their daughters. You can imagine my terror. 'At Lunar House a woman interviewed me, and wrote down all my details' (Picture: Scott Barbour) | Getty Images When it quietened down outside and the angry people went away, perhaps to get more people to come and help them, I wheeled out my bicycle in the dark and rode away to safety in a nearby village. The next day I heard that the thatch of my house was set on fire that night and that the people who did it were still looking for me and talking bad, so I ran away to the city, to the office of the charity NGO I worked for. The officer there was an Englishman, Bernard, he was my friend. He told me he would find out about the fire. A few days later he told me that the people who burnt down my house came to look for me at the office, and they said they had some unfinished business with me... These bad people went back to the office several times looking for me, and in the end Bernard suggested that I run away to Britain to seek asylum. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is a Christian country, and you are a Christian worker persecuted for doing Christian labour, Bernard said. He knew I would be given sanctuary, he said. *** At Lunar House a woman interviewed me, and wrote down all my details. I told her that I was a campaigner against female genital mutilation and my life was in danger in my home country. Yes, she said, I am going to assign you emergency initial accommodation, just sit there and wait now. By the end of the day there were six of us waiting there and we were all put in a van and taken to Barry House. There were 12 of us there, and we could go out if we wanted... We told each other stories of our escape from danger and death. Then three of us were sent to live in a house in Newcastle where we stayed for a month. Then after that I was given a flat in Glasgow and three weeks' money, and all this time I was still waiting to be interviewed so that I could explain my need for sanctuary. I was eager for my interview because I knew that the officer would understand and sympathise with my reasons for coming here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After one month in Glasgow I was called for interview. I was interviewed for five hours by three different people. All of them were calm and persistent, but I could tell from the way they asked me questions that there was something behind it. They did not believe me and as the hours passed I began to think what I had not thought possible over the three months I had been waiting. They did not want me here. They did not like me. The result of the interview was that I was refused permission to stay. I felt as if I was something broken and discarded, thrown away with other broken things. I could not get over the stubborn and unruffled hostility of the officers. Perhaps you knew all along it was going to turn out like this, but I did not expect it. I really thought I would be heard differently. After two years my application at last was successful, but permission to stay did not mean the end of my arriver's tale. I was not allowed to work. My allowance, which was loaded onto an electronic card, only allowed me to shop in certain shops and for certain things. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the end I took a job working illegally a few hours a week in a motor parts shop, just for pocket money. I don't know how the police found out, but they raided my flat at four in the morning, overturned everything they could overturn and took me away hurriedly as if I was a dangerous criminal. All my papers and all my property were lost during the arrest because I was not allowed to go back and was held away out of sight as if I was a poisonous snake or an infectious animal for several months. I was released only to return to the limbo I was in before. I am not allowed to work. I have now been here for eight years. I have no choice but to live where I am told to live and wait for the next hearing to allow my application to be considered. Do you know what limbo means? It means the edge of hell.
