This is inspired by a true story in Sayers’ life and I’m sure no one could tell it as well as Marie Benedict!

It’s 1930 and in London, five of the greatest women writers have formed a secret society! The goal? To make a statement. They are all writers, male and female and the females will no longer tolerate second-rate behavior!

Dorothy, along with Christie, Marsh, Allingham and Orczy call themselves the Queens of Crime. The plan is to solve a murder. May Daniels, a nurse has vanished. Her body is then found in the woods. The clues are confusing and the manner of death does not explain the blood. As they try to figure out this crime, Dorothy herself may be the next victim and her secrets are going to come out.

Always a lovely time reading Ms. Benedict.


NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press February 11, 2025

The Queens of Crime
By: Marie Benedict
Pub Date: February 11, 2025
Publisher: St. Martins Press

I love Benedict's novels. Her historical fiction always connects me with strong women from our past. I love that she explores more of Agatha Christie’s life in this intriguing novel.

When a group of well-known women crime writers gets together their minds unravel a death which the law wants to move quickly and forget with a quick motive, which is suspicious to the women. The crime writing men is like an all-boys-club in the Detection Club, and the women are tried of being pushed aside.

Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Aligham and Emma Orczy decide to join forces to sold the murder of a young girl.

I loved the mystery, grit, minds and witty banner between the characters. I was not familiar with several of the women, so it was a nice to learn more about htem. I will have to look into their work. Thank you St. Martins Press for this gifted eARC.

Of the handful of books I’ve read featuring Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, this one was the best.

The Queens of Crime (Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Baroness Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh) was a fascinating look at solving a murder, forming secret societies, and nurturing friendships in the 1930s. I was pulled in by the cover, then by the author, but my attention was held in the camaraderie, the female bonding over means and motive investigations, and by, last but not least, the determination and tenacity of the characters.

This murder mystery will be a compelling read for those who love Agatha Christie and Marie Benedict's stories.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.