Dorothy Sayers brings together the five greatest crime writers of the time by creating a secret society that works toward equality for women. These women include Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. They work together to solve the real-life murder of May Daniels, an English nurse who seems to vanish while visiting France with a friend. The police don't seem to be taking this crime seriously, so the Queens of Crime take matters into their own hands. This is based on real events in Dorothy Sayers' life.

Thoughts 💭
I truly enjoyed the camaraderie between these five women who share a similar interest and passion. As always, it's alarming how women were treated and not taken seriously. It's even more alarming how little was done to investigate the murder of May Daniels. I enjoyed the slow progression of the investigation and how the pieces unfolded. Dorothy's relationship with her husband was refreshing. It was an enjoyable enough read with the mystery and historical aspect, but there weren't a lot of moments that wowed me. The ending was satisfying, and I think historical fiction lovers will find enjoyment in reading about the time period.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this novel! Thank you so much. Reading it was such a fun adventure into the lives of these women. Very well done. Below is the review that I posted on my social media!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: The Queens of Crime
Author: Marie Benedict
Genre: Historical Fiction

The Feels: The Queens of Crime by @authormariebenedict is a thrilling blend of history and mystery, starring five legendary crime writers—Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. In 1930s London, these female authors are being treated unequally as writers by men in a writing club, so they form a secret society to solve the murder of May Daniels, a young nurse found strangled in France under mysterious circumstances. With their detective minds and sharp wit, they’re determined to uncover the truth—and show the world they deserve to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of crime fiction.

Benedict not only delivers a gripping murder mystery full of twists and secrets, but also offers a fascinating look at these women’s personal and professional struggles. The dynamic between the characters is rich and real, and you can’t help but root for them as they navigate danger and intrigue, especially when Dorothy Sayers herself becomes a target.

If you enjoy historical fiction, complex mysteries, or stories about strong women breaking barriers and growing in friendship and admiration, The Queens of Crime is a must-read. Benedict nails the perfect mix of suspense, historical detail, and compelling characters.

I absolutely loved this book and found the characters to be quite endearing. It’s a feel good mystery! Dive in!

Thank you @netgalley for this wonderful advance DRC. 🥰

#books #book #booksbooksbooks #mystery #bookstagram #read #reading #reader #booknerd

Sadly this one didn't work for me. I DNF'd at 13%. I didn't find myself invested in the story. I've read some of her work before and liked it. This book just wasn't for me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

After listening to the audio version of Marie Benedict’s latest work of historical fiction I read the print version of this intriguing who done it. Ms Benedict resurrects five noteworthy female mystery writers, banded together against exclusion in an old boys club , to solve an actual mystery. When the body of a young nurse is found, under odd and suspicious circumstances, Dorothy Sayles. , Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh and Baroness Emma Orczy form an unbeatable, tenacious and very clever team of investigators. They’ve all written about murder so they surely know how to. proceed. Inconsistencies abound in the police version of the murder. These strong intelligent women mean business as they unravel the details point by point and eventually round up all the suspects in one room to reveal the culprit.

I loved this witty fast paced British mystery which came to life page after page. . Kudos to Ms Benedict who now has shown her talent as a mystery writer. I’d love to see a continuation of investigations by these five sleuths. What fun!

This story is based on an unsolved true murder which made it all the more intriguing. Four stars for a book I recommend for anyone who is a fan of British mysteries. I expect you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. It’s being published on Feb 11, 2025. Put it on your must read list. My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Fans of who done its will want to read this. Look for it.

This was a fun read for me as a fan of Agatha Christie. I had little to no knowledge of the Detection Club, though I don’t doubt for a second that having more women gain entry into a sought-after closed group would have been harrowing.

The story was intriguing and the workings of the different authors involved in the solve kept the story moving along at an interesting pace. My biggest complaint, however, is the initial premise that these women would seek to find their place in the club by solving a real-life mystery. It seems almost too simple-minded a plan to be thought up by some of the biggest names in detective fiction at the time and reduces the characters from intelligent women to girls playacting at being detectives.

With that said, the mystery was interesting and I appreciate the humanity that the women discovered in themselves as they began to understand the victim’s background (especially in a time when “surplus women” were looked down upon), rather than just seeing her as a character in their own plot. This was my first Marie Benedict novel and it kept me interested enough to consider reading some of her other books (the Mystery of Mrs. Christie, perhaps?).

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the premise of this book sounded really interesting. I liked the idea of famous mystery writers solving an old mystery. I did think the story moved a little slow at times. This is the perfect book for all mystery fans

In Marie Benedict’s “The Queens of Crime,” five notable mystery writers use their skills to solve an actual murder. It was a perfect blend of historical fiction and a locked-room mystery. As any good historical fiction does I learned as much about the time period as the characters. Having only ever heard of Agatha Christie, the other queens of crime were a welcome discovery and I’m eager to read more from them as well and Benedict.

When I saw the premise, I couldn't resist this book. I grew up reading both the "Queens of Crime" who are the protagonists in this historical fiction mystery, and the Detection Club books that came out of that society. Benedict has done a marvelous job bringing these women and their friendship to life on these pages, highlighting each of their strengths and personalities. As women "ahead of their time" in many aspects, this read true to form. I will be curious to read the author's notes that were not part of my ARC - I'm very invested in knowing what was true and what was artistic license. Highly recommend this one - for those who haven't read the golden age mysteries, as an introduction to these Queens of the genre - and for those who know them well and already have an appreciation for them. It will not disappoint!

Ever wondered what would happen if your favorite mystery authors teamed up to solve a real crime? Well, Marie Benedict's "Queens of Crime" brings that dream to life!

It's 1931, and the crème de la crème of female mystery writers - we're talking Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and their equally brilliant peers - are thrust into a real-life whodunit. Talk about meta, right?

Benedict's portrayal of these literary legends is spot-on. I particularly loved her take on Christie - all that quiet observation and sharp wit. And the way she captures 1931 London? You can practically smell the fog and hear the clack of typewriters.

But it's not all fun and games. The book doesn't shy away from the challenges these women faced in a male-dominated field. It's like a masterclass in early feminism, wrapped in a twisty mystery.

Speaking of mystery, the plot holds its own against the works of our protagonists. It's clever, layered, and keeps you guessing - just like a good Christie or Sayers novel.

There's this moment when all five women are brainstorming theories, and it's pure magic. You can feel the collective brilliance crackling in the air.

If you're a fan of historical fiction, classic mysteries, or just love seeing brilliant women kicking butt and taking names, "Queens of Crime" is your next must-read. It's the literary equivalent of your favorite detectives teaming up for the ultimate crossover episode!


Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my free book.

Marie Benedict's historical fiction novels are always so well written. This one is fun!!

We go to London in 1930. Dorothy Sayers leads a group of women writers, including Agatha Christie, to solve an actual murder and infiltrate the boys club of crime writers. These five women are off to solve the mystery of May Daniels. May is a young nurse who disappeared on an excursion with her friend.

This book was inspired by a true story in Dorothy Sayers' life. This book has mystery, thrills, and some humor thrown in. I just love the thought of these women "sneaking" into the Detection Club with their male writer counterparts. In the 1930s, that is almost unheard of.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this book for my honest review.

Queens of Crimes is Marie Benedict’s newest work about five women crime writers - Dorothy Sayer, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Emma Orczy. In order to gain acceptance into a male dominated writers club, they set out to prove themselves by solving a real murder. That of a young woman, May Daniels.

I enjoyed the mystery and found myself wanting to hurry to the end to get to the resolution and see justice be served. This felt like a classic whodunit, which definitely fit the theme.
I was, however, hoping for more exploration of the five women themselves. Aside from the main character - Dorothy Sayer - and perhaps Agatha Christie, the rest felt like they were put into a category without me drawing the conclusion. (The young naive one, the rich one, etc) but those were not conclusions I was able to reach myself, I was constantly told which character was which based on the category they fit in.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who’s interested in mysteries and historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say, “The Queens of Crime” by a favorite historical fiction writer, Marie Benedict, was a delightful journey into the world of crime writing in the 1930s, and specifically of women as in Agatha Christie. It is in this book that we come to know Dorothy Sayers, purported to be Agatha Christie’s legendary rival. But it is in this fast-paced mystery novel that we are enthralled in the power of friendship among women as five of the greatest crime writers have banded together to form a secret society to prove their worth to their legendary counterparts in the formidable Detection Club. They call themselves ‘The Queens of Crime.’. Led by Dorothy Sayers, this illustrious group included Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. They take it upon themselves to solve the crime of an actual murder of a young English nurse found strangled in a park in France. The mystery surrounding her death ultimately leads to very interesting circumstances and places and mystery and suspense, this was a page-turner. But at the heart of this was the involvement of these women in what may have first only been a lark and a challenge but soon captured their hearts in their quest for the truth.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced reader’s copy of this book to be published in February 2025.

Marie Benedict’s The Queens of Crime brings together five iconic mystery writers—Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—in a compelling fictional tale where they team up to solve a real-life cold case: the murder of a young woman in 1930s London.

What makes this novel stand out is Benedict’s seamless blending of fact and fiction. By structuring the story around an actual unsolved crime, she creates a gripping and plausible narrative that highlights the brilliance of these writers. Their sharp understanding of human nature, combined with their expertise in analyzing motive, means, and opportunity, lends authenticity to their sleuthing efforts as they uncover the truth behind May Daniels’ death.

The interactions among the women—ranging from witty banter and spirited disagreements to genuine camaraderie—feel delightfully real, giving readers a glimpse into the personalities behind their literary legacies. Fans of classic mysteries will also appreciate the many references to their works and writing styles, from Christie’s beloved Poirot and his “little grey cells” to Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. These nods not only enrich the story but inspire readers to revisit—or discover—the Queens’ individual books.

Having not yet read works by Sayers, Marsh, or Allingham, I’m now eager to explore their novels after finishing this book. The Queens of Crime is both a tribute to these legendary authors and a captivating mystery in its own right—a must-read for fans of classic whodunits.

It’s the Thirties and five famous mystery writers try to solve a real murder. This is a fun story about five smart women who work together to find out what really happened to May Daniels on that day she disappeared from the train station. Events take several twists and turns, some of them dangerous, as these women puzzle out the pieces of this murder. This is an excellent, escapist read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

A CAREFUL AND CLEVER ASCENT

The Queens of Crimes is a historical fiction novel highlighting the friendship among five of the finest women writers from the golden era of mystery. Dorothy Sayers inspires the group with support from Agatha Christie. Also part of this talented club are Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, and Baroness Emma Orczy. These women unite to demonstrate to the male naysayers the capabilities of female authors in the genre. To showcase their ability to understand the minds of criminals, the women endeavor to solve the mysterious death of May Daniels, a young English nurse who disappeared during a day trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1931. Her strangled and bloody body was recently discovered in a park.

Queens of Crimes is essential reading for lovers of female-centric historical fiction. This is an inspiring tribute to a generation of women who fought the good fight for women authors and their careers. Most importantly, the story highlights the fortitude and persistence of women.

Author Marie Benedict’s writing is a careful and clever ascent that will have you cheering on these five delightful and diverse characters. Benedict draws us into the life of the victim, May Daniels through the women’s creative sleuthing.

My favorite part is when the women confront one of their primary murder suspects in a beautiful and well-known London hotel.

The story is suspenseful and told from the perspective of Dorothy Sayers, who intriguingly becomes a target during the investigation. The book is easy to read and composed of short, well-labeled chapters. I both read and listened to the book. Bassie Carter's audio performance was rich and delightful, bringing the story to life.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published February 11, 2025
Narrated Bessie Carter
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. The group includes Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment.

A sure fire story to hook me in. Growing up, I discovered mystery novels when I discovered Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. They are the reason I can be so rough in my assesment of modern mystery writers. They never cheated to solve a crime or gave some imaginary reason a character mentioned on page 3 is the culprit. The solution is always valid and justified.
Marie Benedict has brought all of these unparalleled authors together in a story that could so easily be true.
Benedict's level of research and authenticity is not just awe inspiring but oh so entertaining.
The Queens of Crime is a fantastic example of these women's skill as well as the authors. I highly recommend it.
I also recommend listening to the Audio version of this book with narrator Bessie Carter. The audio books makes it so easy to drift to 1931 and watch these queens in action yourself.

It is expected to be published 2/11/2025
Thanks to @netgalley and Macmillian Audio and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion

I knew that this was biographical fiction, not a true crime story, but Marie Benedict is so good that I still found myself googling if Dorothy Sayers ever solved a real crime. Another success from the Queen of Biographical Fiction.

The is a fun read where five crime writers get together to solve a crime. One of my favorite parts was that Agatha Christie is one of the five, It was rather cool to see her in real life trying to do what we have seen her do so many times.

The story is about May Daniel’s, who turns up missing and then dead. The five writers will band together to go through the evidence, with the goal of solving the murder.

I read that the story was inspired by an event in Dorothy Sayers’s own life.

I did both the audio and the ebook simultaneously, I do believe I liked the audio book better, the pace was nice and steady.

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

St. Martin's Press
Pub Date: 2-11-25

Thank you @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and @authormariebenedict for this eARC.

The mystery of who murdered May Daniels kept me hooked from start to finish.  I loved the interaction between the five main characters.  Descriptive writing, consistent pacing, and a few surprises made for one of my favorite mysteries set in the 1930s.

I'm embarrassed to say that before reading The Queens of Crime I had only heard of Agatha Christie.  I now have four additional authors to explore: Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Emma Orczy.

"Dabbing away my tears, I have an epiphany about how the Queens and I must proceed. We must get to know May in order to understand what happened to her. We must treat her as if she were a character in one of our novels but never forget that she was very real. And that doesn’t mean looking for answers at the end, as everyone else seems to be doing. That means starting at the beginning."

I loved this newest novel from Benedict! A charming, fun novel about women detective authors solving a true crime, it kept me engaged and smiling throughout its entirety. Well done!