In “The Queens of Crime,” five of the preeminent female mystery writers of the 1930’s get together to solve a real life crime. The group consists of Dorothy Sayer, Agatha Christie, Baroness Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh. Initially, the group was formed at the behest of Dorothy Sayer so that members of the Detection Club, which consisted primarily of men, would respect the female members if they could prove that they were capable of solving a murder. When the body of a missing English nurse was found in Boulogne, France, the “Queens of Crime” decided to spearhead an investigation of their own. What started as an exercise in cleverness soon became a quest for justice when the “Queens of Crime” realized that the French and English police were dismissing the crime because the victim was a single female and a drug syringe was found near her body.

Although I’m generally not a fan of “cozy mysteries” because of the improbability of an amateur sleuth solving a crime, in this case, the premise of famous female mystery writers solving the case seemed more plausible. In addition, I have loved Marie Benedict’s historical fiction novels, so I was excited at the prospect of reading an ARC of her foray into this genre. Marie Benedict brings her top notch writing skills to bear on this novel, which brings to life 1930’s England and France, including the social challenges faced by women in the years between the two world wars. In addition, she has created well nuanced characters and scintillating dialog. I highly recommend this book to both mystery and historical fiction fans, as the book has elements of both genres.

I'm delighted Marie Benedict put Agatha Christie in another novel after The Mystery of Mrs. Christie. This one stars Dorothy Sayers, leading a group of female mystery novelists, and I found it charming. I have read (and loved) both of those womens' books, but wasn't familiar with the other members of the Queens of Crime - Ngaio March, Margery Allingham and Emma Orczy - and can't wait to check them out.

The meta-commentary on these authors' books was fun. Dorothy, of course, thinks through the mystery in this book in the way she would write it, but I was pulling for Agatha's perspective. Benedict writes (in Sayers' voice): 'I'd always viewed her {Agatha's} mysteries as the twistiest puzzles with the least complicated characters. Not a criticism, mind; many, many people prefer that sort of story. It simply isn't the type of tale or process that calls to me."

It's absolutely what calls to me! I like to think Benedict might have been talking about herself, too - who knows! If you're a fan of golden-age mystery novels of either kind, this is the historical fiction for you.

This was such a fun book to read. Dorothy Sayers has always been a favorite of mine and along with Agatha Christie and three other writers, they are a force to behold. Interestingly, it's inspired by Sayers life when women mystery writers were disdained by their male counterparts. To prove their worth, they solve a real crime..

I have read so many of Marie Benedict's books and have enjoyed them all. This was a fun read as this group of women mystery writers' band together to solve a mystery. I find with this author's books I learn something new painlessly! History can be tedious for some and she makes it fun to learn. I always find it interesting when the author tackles female discrimination and how they were treated as less than equals and talked down to. The approach they each take to each write their mysteries and how each tackles it differently. The story flows and moves at a nice pace. I enjoyed getting into the psych of each of these famous authors. Thoroughly enjoyable!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are mine alone.

Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham, and Dorothy Sayers, AKA, The Queens of Crime, are a group of female mystery writers. Part of a larger group (originally all male) of mystery writers called The Detection Club and founded by Dorothy Sayers around 1930 in London, their focus is to support one another and champion their works. They are currently headed by GK Chesterton.

The queens, finding their opinions not valued but the Detection Club, decide to prove their worth by solving an actual crime. They discover a case where a local nurse had gone missing (a type of locked room mystery), and whose body was later found. Journalists immediately latch on to the fact that a syringe was found close to her body, so she is labeled a drug fiend. And so, her name is dragged through the mud and the police have less incentive to question those who may have valuable information, including everyday shop girls. The team of female sleuths decides to take on their own investigation of the case, proceeding as they would if this mystery were one of their own stories. They divide up the work, even going so far as to creating a time-line of events surrounding the crime, which the police have labeled an accident, but they are convinced is a murder.

The story proceeds, with glimpses into the individual personalities of these female sleuths. Throughout, we are also given glimpses of pieces of the history of London and other cities mentioned. The reading is easy, broken down as it is into short chapters, and with a writing style similar to a Victorian mystery, or alike to what those five authors would have written.

This was not the first story I have read by Marie Benedict, and I truly enjoyed it. And though I was not familiar with all of the authors mentioned, I was intrigued enough to put them all on my TBR list. I am recommending this book to all who are lovers of historical fiction.

Read and reviewed with my thanks to NetGalley.

Historical fiction and mystery unite in the newest Marie Benedict novel. The year is 1931 and Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie unite with three other women mystery authors to solve a real murder of a young English girl in France. When authorities wish to write the murder off, the five use their detective skills gleaned from their writing to solve a murder and save the reputation of the deceased woman. Along the way, the author recognizes that women writers were not given the respect that a male author received. Not in respect from reviewers, other authors, or in compensation for their endeavors. Benedict examines the relationship between the writers and their growth as they solve the crime. She also speaks to the fact that women have come a long way in gaining rights and respect. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

This was a fun read. I loved the dynamics of the five women. They were such a great group of women. I could picture the scenes clearly spelled out on the page. The clear description of what each woman was wearing in each scene was described in detail.

This book kept me entertained throughout the entire book. The book never let me down from the beginning to the very last word.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Superb could not put it down. My favorite female authors solving a real crime. Excellent use of their brain power. Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio March, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy are determined to prove to their male counterparts that the women are just as clever at solving crimes as the male authors. A job well done.

Interesting little mystery, with the main characters four famous female mystery writers. It moved along quickly and enjoyably.

Review coming soon!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Opinions are mine.

I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.


When NetGalley sent out a 48 hour open read call for Marie Benedict’s new historical mystery, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, I dropped all my other reading projects to take advantage of this opportunity. It was well worth the jostling to my schedule.

The Queens in this story are a group of actual female mystery writers: Dorothy Sayers, (who is the 1st person narrator), Agatha Christie, (whom Benedict recently wrote a bestseller about: “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie”) Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. Via an act of slick subterfuge, these talented authors outwit their male counterparts and get all five of themselves inducted into the Detection Club; a club designed by Dorothy to elevate the genre and its authors in the publishing community. She appointed G. K. Chesterton, (Father Brown mystery writer), to be the inaugural president.

Once installed to the club, the five women create a club within the club just for women. Regardless of how successful each of them is in their own right, women are not taken seriously, for the most part, in 1931. Choosing “Queens of Crime” as the name for their club, it’s not long before this talented group has a way to prove their prowess: solving an actual murder rather than writing a fictional account.

A young nurse is missing, found strangled and the details are similar to a locked room mystery. The French police appear woefully inept or perhaps they’re covering for someone important. Whatever the reason, they are not making progress on this case but the same can’t be said of the Queens. All the skill and knowledge they have acquired as a consequence from writing mystery novels comes into play while they work together, seeking justice for this forgotten, maligned young woman.

Author, Benedict, does a skillful job weaving together the relationships of five strong women. These ladies were actually contemporaries. The fact that this club could actually happen made the story even more compelling for me. It’s long been rumored that Sayers and Christie had an adversarial relationship that was hidden within their working friendship so making them the leads in this story is genius. Each of the women has a strong personality and an area of expertise that shines for a time, contributing to the ultimate solving of the mystery.

Step by step, solid procedural crime solving in early 20th century style, very much like that done by the characters you’d find in the stories written by the authors starring in this novel. Reasonably short chapters with steady action makes for a steady pace and just enough intrigue to keep the reader motivated. The language is clean and violence level is genteel, in a descriptive sense. If you’re a fan of Victorian mysteries, this one will tick all the boxes and give you the added bonus of a visit with five of the best female mystery writers practicing their craft as THE QUEENS OF CRIME📚


Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

I received this book from the publisher as an ARC.
I enjoyed this book and I wasn't sure if I would but I did.
This historical fiction and mystery genre are both genres I read but very seldom are both genres combined.
The beginning was a bit slow but completely necessary as we came to know the characters.
The story really took off around 46% and kept a good pace.
I couldn't wait to get to the end so I could find out who did it.
I was pleasantly surprised by book as well as I was with the ending. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Queens of Crime. Must read author Marie Benedict has written an engrossing mystery in which Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Aligham and Emma Orczy decide to join forces to solve the murder of a young girl, while advancing the position of women writers in the male dominated world of 1930. Treating the victim as they would a character in a book, the ladies set out to learn everything possible about the victim and the world in which she lived and died. Written in the voice of Dorothy Sayers, readers also will love how Ms. Benedict expands the personal lives of her writer/detectives. The Queens of Crime is a story to savor. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I don't usually read ARCs in reverse publication date order, but when I do it's because they're by Marie Benedict. What an incredibly woven tale of intrigue, feminism, writer's craft...and all set so spectacularly in the history of the 1903s. Wanting to prove themselves as equals in an otherwise man's world of penning mystery novels, the Queens, as they have named themselves, set out to solve a real life mystery (a murder mystery at that!) and end up with some very real life consequences along the way.

This book really kept me on edge and I am legit thrilled to have read it AND frustrated by how long it will be until my mom can read it and we can discuss! I think this novel will speak to a wide audience - mystery writers, readers, women and anyone who enjoys a good who dunnit - all with some very appropriate and mostly clean ass kicking to top it all off.

Bravo Marie - well done!

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.