Literary elegance meets political thriller as Roman A. Clay weaves a sophisticated, suspenseful tale through his exquisite use of language and finely wrought cinematic action. The lightning- fast read still conveys layers of subtlety and hidden meaning. Suspense rises through identification with the Prince, who seems just like you, aching for his dead mother while seeking the truth, and vindication for her demise. Upon reaching 21, young James becomes the courageous rebel his mother raised him to be, shaking free of his privileged strictures, accompanied by a loyal friend and a newly found female accomplice, who journey with him to unmask the royal secrets. Grown up mystery about becoming a man who loves and respects women, and who fears not even his own father in seeking truth and upholding his mother's honor. Echos of a royal tragedy still unsolved.Literary elegance meets political thriller as Roman A. Clay weaves a sophisticated, suspenseful tale through his exquisite use of language and finely wrought cinematic action. The lightning- fast read still conveys layers of subtlety and hidden meaning. Suspense rises through identification with the Prince, who seems just like you, aching for his dead mother while seeking the truth, and vindication for her demise. Upon reaching 21, young James becomes the courageous rebel his mother raised him to be, shaking free of his privileged strictures, accompanied by a loyal friend and a newly found female accomplice, who journey with him to unmask the royal secrets. Grown up mystery about becoming a man who loves and respects women, and who fears not even his own father in seeking truth and upholding his mother's honor. Echos of a royal tragedy still unsolved.

The following is a book review on Amazon UK By Breakaway Reviewers on 6 Oct. 2016. CONSPIRACY OR TRUTH? THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO FIND OUT! When the country’s Princess dies in a mysterious car crash, there isn’t anything her son won’t do to find the truth. Fighting against time and unlikely enemies, James has to decide if he is willing to give up the crown in order to find the truth about his mothers’ death. I loved this book from start to finish. The Princess Diana conspiracies have always intrigued me, so this book was even more interesting. The characters and plot line were really well thought out. The plot twists were actually surprising; unlike other stories I have read where you can usually work out what will happen. During the entire story there was enough new information and clues to keep you reading, without being too intense. I have given the book 4 stars. As much as I enjoyed it, and loved the basis of the plot, it wasn’t necessarily a book I would read over and over again. I would definitely recommend it to others though, a really worthwhile read. It also makes you wonder how much is really true… 
FOREWORD REVIEWS/CLARION REVIEW DEATH OF THE QUEEN OF HEARTS https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/death-of-the-queen-of-hearts/  Reviewed by Jill Allen This delightful cross-genre story brings intrigue to the British royals. In Death of the Queen of Hearts, Roman A. Clay crafts an engrossing story that deftly combines the genres of mystery and thriller while offering trenchant commentary on duty, anonymity, and coming-of-age. Upon turning twenty-one, the United Kingdom’s Prince James receives a DVD containing footage of his dead mother in which she claims her demise was orchestrated rather than accidental. Suddenly, he finds himself questioning official records—and even his own sanity—as his family members prevent him from discovering the truth of how Princess Christina died. The book’s spare prose and lucid dialogue establish and maintain logical character development for primary and secondary players. James transitions smoothly from an obedient, unsure youth to a confident, informed man secure in his choices. Alba, the writer of an unauthorized tell-all about the death, moves from beguiling source to full-fledged partner in the investigation in a realistic amount of time. As an added bonus, James and Alba start out as friends and gradually become romantically involved. Refreshingly, their relationship is one small facet of the plot rather than the main focus. Even James’s mother, Christina, grows from a mere memory to a peaceful, powerful person who remains very much alive within the context of the book, as other characters refer to her constantly. She appears as a protective presence to her son in ways that elevate the trope of “help from beyond the grave” into an integral, believable, and necessary plot device. Circumstances surrounding Christina’s death bear similarities to the way that well-loved Princess Diana died. Death of the Queen of Hearts touchingly evokes Diana’s legacy, portraying another princess who is sweet and universally adored. That James is able to resolve the mysteries around his mother’s death may be a consolation to those denied such happy conclusions in comparable real-life stories. For all its intense intrigue, the book also contains sly bursts of humor. For example, when James purposefully ditches his security detail, they reliably find him at his friend’s bookshop, even if it takes the guards a while to get there. Also, the prince’s mother nicknamed him “Bunny” as a little boy; now old enough to have his own car, James drives a Volkswagen Rabbit. This unique cross-genre narrative will delight those who love political intrigue, as well as veteran royalty watchers. Some knowledge of the inner workings of the United Kingdom’s monarchy is helpful, but not required, in order to enjoy this story.

I don't get the chance to read for pleasure much these days and have tons of books that I start but don't end up finishing. Not this one. This was an entertaining and fun read that kept me turning the page to find out what happens next. Loved the fast-paced plot and the characters. Pick this one up if you need something to read on a long plane ride or on vacation at the beach!

If you enjoy erudite thrillers concerning the royal family as much as I do then this is the book for you. The writing is clear, somewhat cerebral (but in a good way), and touching at times.The author clearly knows his topic and values his characters. Indeed, they are so much more than mere characters; reading this story made me feel as though I had been let in the know concerning the royal family. That is, allowed to see the family history and inner workings of the Royals as only an insider can. In fact, reading this wonderful book led me to suspect that the writer himself may have come from such a position of personal knowledge (the names of living people have been changed but are clearly identifiable if you have a working knowledge of the royal family). However, this is conjecture on my part. In sum, this is a wonderful book that paints the tragedy of Princess Diana in a way I have never seen before. It stays with you.

From the very beginning, Death of the Queen of Hearts is harrowing and intense. No slow burn here.