A fast-paced historical thriller, To Kill A Queen, offers an engaging, quick read perfect for readers looking to hit their reading goals or fill a gap between heavier titles. Clocking in under 300 pages, it delivers just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning, without demanding too much investment.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Tudor England, much of the story unfolds in the slums—a refreshing shift from the usual courtly drama often found in historical fiction. The protagonist, Jack, is the daughter of a powerful crime lord, raised as a boy to help run her father's illicit empire. Her character provides an interesting lens through which the darker corners of Tudor society are explored.

Notably, the book includes LGBTQ representation—a welcome and thoughtful addition that feels natural within the narrative. It’s rare to find this kind of inclusion in books set in this era, and while it is generally handled with sensitivity, readers should be aware that some period-appropriate terms used may be considered offensive by modern standards.

While the plot follows a fairly predictable trajectory, the atmospheric setting and unique character dynamics make it a worthwhile read for fans of historical thrillers looking for something light and accessible.

Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fast historical thrillers, atmospheric settings, and inclusive characters.

⭐ 4/5

Aimee McNee’s 'To Kill a Queen' is an atmospheric plunge into the shadowy heart of Elizabethan England—a gripping blend of mystery, historical fiction, and detective noir that lingers long after the final chapter.

From the very first page, McNee foreshadows a tale steeped in darkness. Our protagonist, Jack, opens with a chilling admission of his family’s familiarity with “darkness and devilish deeds,” immediately setting the stage for murder, intrigue, and moral ambiguity. Jack, a gender non-conformist detective, quickly proves to be one of the most refreshing and nuanced narrators I’ve encountered in historical fiction. His voice is distinct, both vulnerable and street-smart, and his ability to navigate between the rich and poor—thanks to his criminal roots—makes him the perfect social chameleon in a city divided by power, class, and prejudice.

The central mystery—an attempted assassination of Queen Elizabeth I—hooks the reader instantly. With every chapter, McNee masterfully deploys red herrings, ensuring we are as consumed by the puzzle as Jack himself. What impressed me most is how this isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a deeply human story of redemption. Jack’s struggle to leave behind his father’s notorious criminal legacy while seeking to “do good” through his detective work makes him not just a character but a companion on this treacherous journey. His relationships—with Damian and Jenny, two unforgettable side characters, and with his surprisingly tender father Alex—add depth and warmth amid the grit.

McNee excels at transporting us into 16th-century London. Through rich visual, auditory, and even olfactory imagery, we hear the bustle of the streets, smell the ale-soaked taverns, and feel the looming shadow of the monarchy. Readers who cherish Agatha Christie’s clever plotting, Dickens’s layered social commentary, or the gritty atmospheres of 'Peaky Blinders' and 'Gotham' will find themselves at home here.

Themes of rich vs. poor, gender discrimination, and the struggles of queer individuals are seamlessly interwoven with the suspense, giving the novel both historical authenticity and modern resonance.

My only wish? A detailed map of 1579 London would have made the chase even more vivid. At times, the language feels a touch modern for the period, but the pace and tension more than compensate.

'To Kill a Queen' is a taut, immersive, and hauntingly human mystery. McNee has given us a detective hero who will stay with readers, and I, for one, hope this is only the beginning of Jack’s adventures.

If you’re craving a thrilling Elizabethan mystery, this book is definitely worth picking up. I was instantly hooked from the very first sentence.

The story follows a young man’s quest to uncover the would-be assassin who nearly took down the Queen.The protagonist, Jack, is a young man living in Tudor England. His father is notorious for petty theft, but Jack is determined to leave that life behind. When the Queen narrowly escapes an assassination attempt, Jack seizes the opportunity to prove his worth by helping to track down the culprit. But as some of his contacts begin turning up dead, Jack starts to question whether the dangerous pursuit is worth the risk.

I don’t usually read many mysteries, but the description caught my attention, so I decided to take a chance—and it definitely paid off. From the very first page, I was drawn in by Jack, the vivid portrayal of Elizabethan London, and the honest yet heartfelt way he interacts with everyone from whores and madmen to the aristocracy. This book is great to get you out of a slump!

This was a great book! It was full of twist and turns and I could not put it down! The writing was very good and so easy to read.

As the heir to a powerful criminal legacy, Jack has chosen to leave it all behind and attempt to make an honest living. Those questionable connections and sneaky skills prove effective in his work as an investigator. That is until someone attempts to assassinate the queen, and Jack’s informants begin to turn up dead.

I don’t read a lot of mysteries but I was intrigued by the description, so I took a risk, and it paid off. From the first page, I was captivated by Jack, his descriptions of Elizabethan London, and the matter-of-fact yet heartfelt way that he engages with whores, madmen, and the aristocracy. It was just what I needed to get out of a romance rut, while still sneaking in a little romance. I could definitely see this appealing to fans of Alexis Hall’s period romances, with a similar level of snark and sassiness.

To Kill a Queen is a vibrant, crackling mystery set in Elizabethan England where our protagonists are not royals and nobles, but the criminal element themselves. The writing is clear, and McNee's choosy use of Elizabethan slang, spellings, and ideals give flavour without making it either a parody or unreadable. The mystery is, perhaps, the weakest part, as the middle is spent making our protagonist chaise their tail (or tale?) for several chapters, but the characters and setting are both so engaging, I enjoyed the ride completely.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

This was an enjoyable queer Elizabethan detective story that takes the reader on a murder investigation across London, in search of the man who attempted to assassinate the queen. It is well-paced and features a colourful rouges’ gallery of characters on variously good terms with the law. The story follows Jack, a trans man on a quest to get out from under the shadow of his father, a notorious crime lord. Intent on living life on the right side of the law, he assists the Justice of the Peace in solving cases through his extensive contact list of seedy figures around the city.

I can’t say that I devoured this book, but I did certainly enjoy my my time reading it and even had the occasional chuckle at one of Jack’s witty remarks and general antics. The story is relatively fast-paced - as is common for detective stories - but neverteless did not neglect the building up of important characters along the way.

Really, my main and only gripe is that the story never quite managed to ‘hook’ me, so to speak. I was perfectly happy to keep reading, but there was neber a moment where felt I had to keep reading. The suspense just never quite managed to reach that level for me. Though I did find that the story, the case and the characters made up for that deficit. I would have loved it if some aspects of the story were more fleshed out, but then again that would have come at the expense of the fast pace at which the plot progressed.

I really appreciated that ending, I’ve read some deeply disappointing endings lately, and this was definitely not one of them. I do not like open-ended stories and much prefer a book whose ending is neatly wrapped up with a bow. This book managed to toe the line perfectly; the case was closed, but some of the plotlines still remained open towards the future. It almost felt as if the author was setting everything up for a sequel.

To Kill a Queen by Amie McNee was just what I was in the mood for at the moment! I enjoyed this genre-blend of a historical, queer mystery, and the writing style set the tone nicely. It wasn't too somber at any point, and the mystery never felt out of place with the rest of the tone of the story. I really liked our protagonist Jack, although I did find that the other side characters felt a little bit lacking. I wanted more out of them because I was so intrigued by characters like Harry and Jenny, and they could have been excellent if we'd got just a bit more characterisation. The villains felt a little bit disappointing as well. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to more from Amie McNee in the future.

Jack is a young (possibly trans)man in Elizabethan England. When he hears about a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth he decides to investigate, with a barmaid, his brother, and some actors at his side.

I give this book a 2.5 stars and it actually saddens me I could not rate it higher. It has 3 of my favorite things: Elizabethan England, spies/plots, and found family.

Pros:
Good story idea
Fast, easy read, I read it in 2 days
A queer character

Cons:
Absolutely no character growth for anyone
A slapdash portrayal of both ptsd and mental illness from two different characters
A forced-feeling romance.

My biggest pet peeve though, is that there were moments where modern language was used in such a way it completely destroyed my immersion. I know that most words we use today are completely anachronistic but when you have an exchange like this:
"Nay nay, we are all family here, speak now"
"I needs return to you father, I cannot make it out there anymore.
"What about your betrothed, son?"
"She is not my betrothed father. She is simply a lover."
"Nice" Grinned Harry.
"Shut up" I snapped back.

It sounds like we went from 16th century to a frat house in college in 2020. Again, quick read, good for if you want something that takes no thought to digest.

This is my first ever review so if anyone has tips I am happy to hear them!

The main character walks a tightrope between past and future, navigating tangled relationships and an ever-thickening web of secrets. With a strong sense of place and a cast full of complexity, this story balances intrigue, emotion, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. Hard to put down, harder to pin down, definitely one to sit with after the final page.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, the premise of this book is absolutely amazing and I was so excited to be able to read it!

I loved the historical setting and thought the McNee’s portrayal of the Tudor era was really immersive and well researched. This, paired with the murder mystery plot and the intrigue present in this book made for a really exciting read!

I loved the focus on the redemption of Jack throughout the book and felt that the author did not wane from telling their story. Despite all that goes on in this book, McNee is always clear on her protagonist’s arc. Also, I thought that the non -binary representation through Jack’s character was a refreshing take on a historical fiction novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I would to thank the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book and review it!

This was a fun Elizabethan murder mystery! Plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the page, with a varied cast of characters, likable and not, to grow attached to (or hate, in Douglas’s case). I was slightly distracted by the patterns of speech; there seemed to be places McNee was committed to authentic Elizabethan English, and others that were a bit more modern. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed, so I’ll be sad if there isn’t a sequel in the works to fully conclude our heroes’ story - I could definitely see this becoming a murder-of-the-week series. Jack is certainly a protagonist I want to see more of - his relationship with gender and mental health, and how that affects people’s interactions with him, not to mention how he sees himself - seems ripe for exploration while he tracks down the latest cad.

This twisty Elizabethan mystery hooked me with its fast pace and a protagonist who’s both roguish and relatable. The blend of historical detail and queer representation adds depth, even if the tone sometimes wavers between gritty and playful.

There's a lot to like about TO KILL A QUEEN: Jack is a winning protagonist who strikes a fun balance between rascal and principled thief, and the book offers a thrilling peek into the Elizabethan London underworld in a way that will satisfy many historical fiction readers. I think many readers will fall in love with this book, but the voice and vibe wasn't quite for me. I felt as though the book didn't quite commit to being anachronistic and witty or period-accurate and gritty, landing somewhere in between in a way that didn't let me fully settle in and immerse myself in the world. Readers of fun historical mysteries who like a sleuth with personality will likely really enjoy this one; I think I was looking for something a bit different.

I am fond of this book, that is for certain. Though I personally seek more world-building and a slower pace in my favorite novels, this is certainly a thrilling book.

It is fast paced with deeply complex characters and that is something that is challenging to find in this day and age.

To Kill a Queen by Amie McNee is a fun, twisting tale that combines historical fiction and mystery. The story is well paced and the characters are complex - each trying to do their best while wrestling and, often, losing to their demons.

The plot follows Jack, a once criminal now turned detective, who is working to solve the attempted assassination of Queen Elizabeth. The twists in plot are well done and keep the reader turning pages, I had no idea who had done what until it was being revealed.

Give this book a read if you’re a fan of murder mysteries and historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.

This novel was really exciting! I loved the fast-paced flow of the storyline and found myself spinning through pages very quickly.

Amie McNee did the research. I felt so ensconced in the world of 14th century London from the mannerisms, to the descriptions, to the lingo. I was absolutely riveted as the pieces of the puzzle fit together. The queer representation was a phenomenal bonus. I started this and had to finish it within days because I wanted to know what came next.

To Kill A Queen

The premise is really cool, a redemption story of a thief using an attempted assassination of THE Queen Victoria, to make amends for his past sins.

It was okay, I did like the characters and that it kept the focus on the plot. No unnecessary side quests.

Quite a few funny moments, I had a good time with it.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I can't exactly pinpoint what didn't work for me except for the tone, more YA than I was expecting. "To kill a queen" does blend historical and murder mystery quite well, but it couldn't hold my attention very well despite the presence of emotional layers to the story. There was a good deal of potential behing Jack's desire to escape his father's line of work and in doing good, but it wasn't enough to make me care about the story.
Aside from the YA tone and the first person narration, I think I coudln't get behind the pacing at times.

Despite my own experience, I think 'To kill a queen' will be enjoyed by people seeking a historical murder mystery with external and personal stakes.