These intelligent, intriguing women come off as bland, and we get only the vaguest references to their work. Too many info dumps and references to clothes and food, not enough character development.

Full review at my Substack.

I enjoyed this mystery in the end, but had a difficult time following the first few chapters with all the characters and their nicknames. Once I figured out who the main characters I need to remember were, I could appreciate the finer details and nuances of this tale. This is one book that you need to concentrate to follow and fully grasp!

Historical fiction. Centered around women crime writers of the early 20th century. Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie are the only two women that have been invited to join the inaugural Detection Club, comprised of mystery writers. Dorothy decides that the only way to have more women accepted is for them to band together and solve an actual murder. Three other authors join Dorothy and Agatha to become the Queens of Crime. They travel to France to solve the disappearance and ultimate murder of a young woman, May Daniels. The women work together and find themselves embroiled in the mystery, with threats and all.
Satisfying, twisty, and affirming, this mystery is for all who enjoy a good story.

I loved this book. This was a nonstop rollercoaster, heart in my throat the entire ride. I love that they’re all trying to solve a crime while immersing themselves in their books. Love the whodunnit aspect and I didn't guess whodunit before it was revealed. An instant classic and a reread for years to come.

a wonderful tale of four women detective authors who want to prove a point to the men in the Detection Club. The queens of Crime is organized by Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie and joined by Baroness Emma Orczy, Ngaia Marsh, and Margery Allingham. They have a real murder to solve.
Read and enjoy their sleuthing.

3.5 stars of 5
When Dorothy Sayers is asked to join a murder club along with Agatha Christie, she decdes to expand the group to include 3 other female mystery writers. Together with Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy, the 5 become the Queens of Crime. To lend legitimacy to their quintet, they decide to solve a real murder. A young nurse was killed during a trip to France. As they delve into her life, they discover some secrets that were hoped to be kept hidden by the murderer. As the women uncover clues to the murder, they have squabbles about procedure, and a bit of ego comes into play. Additionally, there are some secrets within the group that have been kept secret.
A different look at how female writers honed their craft, planned their stories, and solved their murders in their books as well as this foray into solving a real crime.

“The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict is an interesting blend of real-life and fiction. Benedict has five of the greatest female mystery writers (Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy) investigate the disappearance and murder of May Daniels (in real life only Sayers was involved in trying to solve the mystery). The book is written in the first person from Sayers point of view and I really did feel like it was Sayers herself talking throughout the course of the book (of the five characters Sayers and Christie felt the most real to me although the fictional Christie is not how I picture her in real life). Benedict does a great job of blending the real with the fictional and I spent quite some time looking up facts about those named in the book often to see if they were real or fictional! This is not the type of book were the reader tries to figure out whodunit, rather sit back and enjoy the ride as the five women struggle with solving the mystery, the attitude of men, and at times trying to get along with each other. By the end of the book I was hooked on these characters and want to read their mysteries (before reading this book I was only familiar with Christie’s mysteries). Well done by Benedict!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Five female crime writers get together to solve a real-life murder. Their voices are clear on the times that women writers were considered 'less' than men. An enjoyable, entertaining read that provides the right amount of crime solving and female friendship. Nicely written where the reader's imagination can run with the words and a genuine appreciation of the plight of the 'surplus' women.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"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. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. "

The book blurb sounded like a fabulous who-done-it. Five popular successful crime story writers banding together to solve a real mystery. I was intrigued to find out how they'd pull it off with 5 strong personalities and different styles of writing. Unfortunately the story starts off slow and never picks up the pace. Told from Dorothy Sayers perspective I found her to be the queen of inner monolog. So much going on in her head including random thoughts that I didn't think helped the story. The other four writers are not fleshed out, they're almost a placeholder, no depth and not seemingly perceptive. The tale of the locked room murder was interesting enough but it couldn't hold my interest enough to engage with the victim or the investigation. About 20% into the book I knew it wasn't going to hold my interest and a couple of time I skipped what I felt was boring inner dialog. I earnestly wanted to like this book but it didn't meet my expectations.

I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

#TheQueensof crime #mystery #historicalmystery #StMatrin'sPress #MarieBenedict #famousfemalewriters #crimewriters

London 1930. Five writers get together to solve a murder. Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem this story is filled with complex interesting characters You won't be able to this book down! A must read!

Bookish Thoughts: I highly recommend this cozy mystery. I am probably dating myself but I felt like I was reading a Murder, She Wrote episode if the television series were a book. The Queens of Crime were crime writers by day and amateur sleuths by night. They were determined to solve a murder mystery that appeared to be botched by the male detectives investigating the crime. I enjoyed the historical references to classic novels written by these charming relatable book characters. I especially loved the strong themes of friendships, justice for women and loyalty.

I received an advanced electronic copy from publisher St.Martins Press books and Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.

#smpinfluencer2025

A nurse disappears and no one seems to care, the 4 amateur detectives collaborate with Dorothy Sayers in the lead to solve the case and build their own society of authors in the male-dominated genre. The story brings together five iconic female mystery writers: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Baroness Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh, who band together to form a group aptly named The Queens of Crime. Their initial goal is to solve a real-life murder and prove to the male members of the newly formed Detection Club that women writers are just as capable as their male counterparts. Watching these five women solve a crime like their book detectives and build a friendship was quite a ride. It was harder to read about how women were treated and thought of in the 1930s. Watching these five women solve a crime like their book detectives and build a friendship was quite a ride. Gorgeous, pull-you-in cover, the book fell a little flat for me. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Probably 3.5 stars

This book reads more like a cozy mystery that this author's typical historical fiction. Unfortunately, cozy mysteries are not a genre I love. That made it hard for me to initially get into this book. If it had not been a book club choice I might have put it down. In the end, I am glad I stuck with it because it was interesting.

I would have preferred less on the mystery and more on learning the lives of the writers referenced. In that way this book felt like a departure from other things I have read by Benedict. I did not like the random french dialogue. It seemed odd to include it without translation in so many parts.

Overall, I think this is written well and it is an easy, engaging story. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries then you will likely enjoy this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

Inspired by a true story in novelist Dorothy L. Sayers’ own life, the clever premise of this well-written historical mystery begins when the five greatest women crime writers of the 1930s band together to show they are as capable as any of the male members of the Detection Club, comprised of the day’s leading British detective novelists. How to demonstrate their talents and be taken as seriously as their male counterparts? They plan to solve an actual murder using the same skills they employ in writing their best-selling murder mysteries.

Led by the accomplished Dorothy L. Sayers, who narrates the story, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime.

It took a few chapters for me to become absorbed in the novel – the mystery, the women writers, Dorothy’s personal story, but then I couldn’t wait to finish it. I enjoyed trying to solve the murder along with the famous women writers. I must admit I was able to solve most of the clues ahead of the Queens, but that didn’t make the book any less engaging.

In addition to the mystery, I appreciated the message within the novel that women must be taken seriously – as writers, as detectives, as people in all walks of life. This was an especially significant point as I read the novel during Women’s History Month. Also, the fact is as important to highlight today as in 1930. Another point emphasized throughout the novel was the power of women’s friendship.

The author’s research brought the time period to life – the clothes, transportation, food, and mannerisms as well as the sexism and prejudices against women.

I’ve read several of Marie Benedict’s historical novels and have a few others waiting to be read. She is an author I can count on to entertain as well as offer thoughtful perspectives of educated women who overcome the limitations of their time. And now I want to explore Dorothy Sayers’ mysteries as well.

The Queens of Crime was such a fun romp, and with some serious topics too. Told from the perspective of Dorothy Sayers, 5 female mystery novelists team up when their male counterparts leave them out of the Detection Society. They decide to solve an actual murder using their expertise from writing mysteries. They are never taken seriously by the men in the book, but that often leads to their advantage, and they keep finding clues that men have missed. It's really fun to follow this story, which reads like a mystery in itself.

Marie Benedict is back with THE QUEENS OF CRIME, inspired by a true life story in Dorothy L Sayers’ past.

In the 1930’s, five of the greatest crime writers come together to solve the real life murder mystery of May Daniels and prove to their male counterparts, the ‘good ole boy’ Detection Club, that these women are their own force to be reckoned with. Dorothy L Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy call themselves THE QUEENS OF CRIME and set out to discover what happened to nurse, May Daniels who disappeared on a trip to France with her friend. She simply walked into a restroom and never came out. While the police are stymied in their pursuit and then May’s remains are discovered, the women fly under the radar to catch a killer. They gather clues while seemingly only interested in the goings on surrounding the case and meet in secret to discuss their findings and put the puzzle together. Drawing from their own writings, the women slowly slot the many pieces into place to finally form the whole picture and prove that they are just as capable as the men.

I loved all of the characters in this one. I felt like I learned a bit about each of the Queens and some of their backgrounds.( I mean, what DID happen to Agatha during her eleven unexplained days missing? Was she ever really gone?) I must admit that I had never heard of two of the Queens but I’m interested enough now to seek them out. Isn’t that what a good book does, after all?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Marie Benedict's Queens of Crime is a masterful blend of historical fiction and classic mystery, told from the perspective of my favorite Golden Age crime writer, Dorothy L. Sayers. As a longtime admirer of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, I loved exploring Sayers' life while watching her and her fellow female mystery authors take on a real-life murder.
Set in 1930s London, the novel follows Sayers and four other literary icons-Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy-who, frustrated by sexism within the Detection Club, decide to prove their worth by solving an actual crime. Their case? The baffling murder of May Daniels, an English nurse found strangled in a French park. As they apply their skills, they uncover overlooked details, reconstruct timelines, and analyze suspects with the precision of their fictional detectives. But when Dorothy herself becomes a target, they realize this mystery may reach the highest levels of British society.
Benedict's research is impeccable, bringing these trailblazing women to life with rich characterizations, stunning wardrobe descriptions, and period-accurate details. More than just a mystery, Queens of Crime is a powerful story about women fighting for recognition-not just for themselves but for all marginalized voices.
The novel also highlights the persistent bias against female victims, drawing striking parallels to today's world.
I've read several of Benedict's historical novels, and she never fails to balance fact and fiction beautifully. I often find myself pausing to research elements of her stories, and this book was no exception. The insights into Agatha Christie's disappearance, Ngaio Marsh's unconventional style, and Emma Orczy's aristocratic background add fascinating depth. But the heart of the novel is the camaraderie between these brilliant women, whose support for one another gave them the strength to challenge both literary and societal norms.

For fans of historical fiction and classic mystery, Queens of Crime is a must-read—a thrilling, insightful tribute to the women who reshaped crime fiction.

I have enjoyed all of the books I've read by Marie Benedict. The care and research she puts forth into her books are so well done.

For her books that are based on real people, I'm always in awe of how well the depictions of the characters are.

The Queens of Crime brings together five of the greatest women crime writers: Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy as members of the Detection Club. To prove that they should be taken as serious and worth as their male writer counterparts, they decide to solve an actual murder of a young woman found strangled in a park.

All of the ladies use their strengths as mystery writers to piece together this locked-room mystery.

Benedict does an amazing job bringing forth basis and ideologies men have against female victims and how they can be vilified in the media.

Marie Benedict is known for writing compelling novels about extraordinary women, and The Queens of Crime is another great addition to her repertoire. This book brings together five of the most iconic female crime writers of the 1930s, following them as they attempt to solve a real-life mystery to prove their worth in the exclusive Detection Club.

Blending historical fiction with classic mystery elements, Benedict crafts an engaging and atmospheric story that highlights both the brilliance of these pioneering women and the deep friendships they form along the way. The novel captures the essence of golden-age detective fiction while offering an insightful look at the challenges women faced in the literary world.

While the pacing lags at times, the intriguing premise and well-researched historical details make for an enjoyable read. Fans of classic mysteries and strong female protagonists will appreciate this clever and entertaining novel.

Thank you to netgalley for the free ARC in return for my honest review.

This book was a lot of fun. The five greatest female mystery writers of the early 20th century join forces to form a secret society to solve the murder of a young female nurse in France and to show the men of the Detection Society that women should be recognized for their crime solving skills.
I just loved the concept of this book and the way each author used her main character's methods to solve the crime.
The women traveled from England to France to walk the town where the nurse's body was found and try to follow her footsteps. They stayed at the same hotel, visited the dress shop that she did and even took the same train.
The women were not helped by the local French police, but the hotel proprietor and shop people did provide some leads to them.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.