United Kingdom, June 5 -- Queen Camilla is "excited" to have a starring role in a new crime novel.

The 77-year-old royal is an avid reader and a particular fan of Peter James' Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thrillers, and his latest book, 'The Hawk is Dead', takes his investigation into Buckingham Palace when the royal train which Camilla is travelling on derails and a key member of her staff is shot by a sniper.

A source told MailOnline: "Opening with a cinematic derailment of the royal train, 'The Hawk Is Dead' takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt.

"Queen Camilla, a well-known book-lover and reading champion through h...