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Queen Camilla takes on an unexpected new role — as a character in a crime thriller
The 78-year-old royal appears in The Hawk Is Dead, the latest novel by one of her favorite authors, Peter James
Her cameo adds a playful twist to her longtime mission to champion books, reading and literacy
Queen Camillahas a surprising new role — as a character in a gripping detective novel.
Camilla, 78, appears in a new crime thriller by one of her favorite authors, bestselling writer Peter James, whose popular Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series has sold millions. The cameo dovetails neatly with Camilla's long-running mission to champion books, reading and literacy across the U.K.
In James' latest installment,The Hawk Is Dead, Roy Grace faces one of his most perilous cases yet: an apparent assassination attempt on Queen Camilla. The novel opens on Nov. 20, 2023, with the Queen aboard the royal train en route to highlight hospice work when the journey comes to a violent halt.
The Royal Family/Instagram
After the train derails in a tunnel, palace staff begin evacuating — but moments later, a horrifying explosion kills Camilla's private secretary, Sir Peregrine Greaves. Shaken, Camilla questions whether she was the real target, sending Grace deep into a web of royal intrigue. Amid twists and suspicious turns, Roy Grace uncovers a plot within the royal household.
Macmillan UK
The plot also weaves in the real-life renovation of Buckingham Palace, tapping into behind-the-scenes insights James received from current palace staff and layering in suspense over rare artworks and priceless objects from the Royal Collection, according to the publishers.
Camilla and James already share a literary connection:she interviewed him for her Queen's Reading Room podcastin June 2024. The initiative — which began as anInstagram book club— reflects her dedication to boosting literacy, from reading to schoolchildren to championing authors and libraries during her royal outings.
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Author Cressida Cowell, ofHow To Train Your Dragonfame, told PEOPLE of Camilla: "She has identified something that is really, really important for children — and adults — in this country, but is difficult to get attention to. It is so important for literacy charities."
"I'm sensing we are making some kind of progress on the libraries, which is so important. For children for whom they are needed, they are desperately needed."
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On Nov. 14, Camilla continued her literacy work during Poetry Together Day, visiting a school in Wales on her husbandKing Charles' birthday.
Read the original article onPeople