The Queens of Crime was a Macmillan Audio pick and while I knew who Agatha Christie was, I barely had a notion of Dorothy Sayers, let alone Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, or Baroness Emma Orczy. I keep saying I don’t read mystery, but after this book, I have to admit, I do enjoy mystery! This was a fictionalized story of these real-life friends and a true unsolved crime that Marie Benedict took some liberties in “solving.”

This book was a lot deeper than the mystery at its surface. The number one thing I took away from this book was the power of women: the power of female friendship, the power taken from women by men, the power of connecting with women from all walks of life, and the power that women have to take back their power!

The sleuthing in this book was spectacular fun; there were disguises, alibis, dark streets, and mysteries within mysteries! The differences between Dorothy and her friends made them such a strong group together while standing apart as their own individual characters. The cast of women who witnessed May Daniels on her last day but were ignored by the police set a stark stage for women that the Queens of Crime turned into their theater of illumination!

I loved this book, every little bit down to the narration by actress Bessie Carter (of Bridgerton), she did an incredible job with so many different accents and voices. Five stars!

"Never forget that we women aren't what you call us, witches or crones or mad women...or nobodies. We are Queens."

The Queens of Crime, by the clever awesomeness that is Marie Benedict, is the historical fiction mystery we need now. A well crafted puzzle, being solved by the best mystery writers of the time, with a dash of positive female friendships and empowerment, has never been more relevant.

Inspired by true events, this writer has created an entertaining mystery with the most inspiring writers in this genre's history. Dorothy Sayer was Agatha Christie's literary rival in the 1930s but she appreciated Agatha's brilliance and that, despite her unprecedented success, she still had to maneuver her way around a male dominated society, in order to maintain her career.

Dorothy helps Agatha and 3 other women writers of the time, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orgczy, join the Detection Club. Though Dorothy is a founding member of the famed mystery writers club, she was the only woman. To prove their worth they decide to solve a real murder.

Listening to the actress Bessie Carter become these iconic women was just a delight. Dorothy's fierceness and Agatha's assuredness shines throughout the story.

The real murder of English nurse May Daniels on a trip to France is a tantalizing locked room conundrum of sorts. She disappeared from a train station bathroom, her body found months later, strangled in a pool of blood with no cuts on her. As the 5 newly formed sleuths solve what the police fumbled, their own truths are revealed and, like the queens they are, they uplift and hold tight to one another. It would be a crime if we don't get more from these queens of mystery.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair & honest review. Opinions are my own.

This was a fun read. I was intrigued by the premise, where read historical figures, specifically authors, came together to solve a fictional crime. I was especially excited that one of the characters was Ngaio Marsh. I listened to the audio and appreciated that the author used a distinctly New Zealand accent for Ngaio, instead of the typical broad approximation of an Australian one.

In 1930, five prolific female mystery writers come together to determine how they can join the elusive Detectives Club; a club for mystery writers that they have been shut out of due to the fact they are women. They decide the way to ensure their entrance is to solve a real crime, and decide to solve the case of a young, British nurse who went missing on a short trip to France.

This was such a fun book to read set in the perfect place given the plot: London, England. Five female mystery writers are fed up with being treated like second class citizens, and Dorothy Fleming (or Sayers, her pen name) had been largely responsible for helping organize the Detection Club, a club where mystery writers of Great Britain could meet to "champion their genre." The five female authors (all of the women were real authors in real life), Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, Baroness Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham, under Dorothy's guidance decided to infiltrate the Detection Club and call themselves The Queens of Crime. The problem? It was basically male authors who were not accepting of the women.

The way they felt they could prove their worth/sleuthing skills was to solve a crime. They decided to solve the disappearance of a young woman named May Daniels. As they were investigating the disappearance became a murder. The Queens were women authors ahead of their time. They found that women were most often "forgotten" or considered "whores" and thus didn't dig deep to give them justice. Such was the case of May Daniels.

The detective skills these women illustrated was so fun to read. It made me feel proud to know that women stand up for women's rights and have for 100's of years. Realizing that we women still have a way to go in order to be equally treated in society in what is still often called "a man's world" made me think/wonder just what I might be able to do in order to stand up for my rights as a woman and in so doing possibly helping other women.

I had both the ebook and audiobook, thanks to NetGalley. I loved the book, and I would have to say that either version would be enjoyable. That being said, the audiobook version was very well-done and the voice inflections, pacing, and stress on certain words or phrases definitely increase my pleasure reading it.

Maybe my expectations were too high for this book. I really enjoyed The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray so I thought I’d enjoy this one as well. The premise of this book was really interesting; it’s the 1930s and a group of female mystery authors join forces to solve a real life murder. These women are supposed to be strong and independent but unfortunately they are only trying to solve the murder in order to get the approval of a group of male authors. The plot was slow paced and didn’t have a lot of intrigue. I wish the characters had bigger personalities and evoked more emotion. In the end the mystery was wrapped up all too easily and nicely.

I really liked the historical aspects of this novel. The audiobook was well paced and narrated. Some of the finer details were lost on me and it seemed it could have been about an hour shorter than it really was.

I had an absolute blast reading <i>Queens of Crime</i>! This book was the perfect mix of history, mystery, and good old-fashioned sleuthing, with a refreshing dose of feminism and girl power. Based on true events, it dives into the lives of the pioneering women crime writers who helped shape the genre, and I loved how their stories were woven into a clever, bookish mystery.

Not only was the mystery engaging, but the writing had a sharp wit that made me chuckle more than once. It felt like a love letter to classic detective fiction while still bringing something fresh and fun to the table.

I also have to give a shoutout to the audiobook—it was fantastic. The narration featured multiple accents, which made the characters feel even more alive. I honestly felt like I was sitting in on a real-life detective story, and it added so much charm to the experience.

If you love a well-crafted mystery with strong female leads, Queens of Crime is a must-read. It was smart, fun, and thoroughly entertaining—the kind of book that makes you want to recommend it to everyone you know!

Marie Benedict’s The Queens of Crime brings together five legendary female mystery writers—Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—as they set out to solve a real-life murder. Set in 1930s London and France, the novel follows this fictionalized version of the Detection Club as they investigate the death of May Daniels, a young nurse whose body turns up months after she vanished. What begins as an effort to prove themselves equal to their male counterparts turns into a dangerous pursuit when Sayers herself becomes a target.

The historical setting is richly drawn, and Benedict’s research shines through, especially in her portrayal of these literary icons. The premise—famous crime novelists solving a mystery—had great potential, but the execution fell a bit flat. The pace was slower than expected, and despite the impressive lineup of detectives, the investigation felt like a solo effort by Sayers rather than a true group endeavor. The character development was weak, making it hard to fully connect with these brilliant women.

That said, the book does a great job evoking the feel of classic detective fiction, and fans of Golden Age mysteries will appreciate the nods to Sayers, Christie, and their peers. The novel reminded me of Maisie Dobbs, with a similar historical mystery feel. Though not as gripping as it could have been, The Queens of Crime is still an enjoyable jaunt into the past.
4 stars

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for comps of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.

Loved the premise and this author is great at recreating historical characters. I wish the mystery involved a little more puzzle aspect, and the side characters were a little more fleshed out. Enjoyed the story overall!

Marie Benedict weaves a story including mystery crime writers of their time including Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Emma Orczy, Margery Aligham, and Ngaio Marsh. A murder needs to be solved that the police are not spending the time needed to discover the real killer. One of the female writers is invited to join the all=mens club of mystery writers and she brings her female mystery writer friends along. Soon the women realize they are not taken seriously so they create their own "Queen of Crime Club," to solve the murder of a female nurse in France. Dorothy Sayers is most prominent as this well-crafted story unfolds seamlessly, maintaining constant engagement. Based on a historical crime, Ms. Benedict introduced this avid mystery reader to two writers I was not aware of but look forward to discovering their writings.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange of my honest opinion,

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑪𝑹𝑰𝑴𝑬 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕 came out this week and I am so glad I got to listen to Bessie Carter narrate this @macmillan.audio through @netgalley!

I was really fascinated by this idea since I do enjoy the AG stories I have read. I am a bit embarrassed to admit I have not read Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, or Baroness Emma Orczy. I have some work to do! I do think this would have been even better had I known these characters better.

I did enjoy learning more about these amazing women through this fictionalized account. What brought me the most fun, however, was the imagined banter of the women about the men surrounding them who utterly underestimated their abilities. I found their manipulation of those moments to be both witty and brilliant, and left me taking notes! How much has changed, and yet remains the same.

This audio was narrated really well, giving each woman a clearly distinct voice making this a superb choice if you enjoy audiobooks.

I would recommend this for historical mystery fans, especially those who enjoy seeing the women rise above the challenges!

"The Queens of Crime" is a delightful mystery set in the golden-age of the 1930s where five well-known female mystery writers work together to earn the respect of the other more "respectable" male detective fiction writers by solving an *actual* murder.

A young English nurse was found strangled in a small town in France, but her murder has gone unsolved and Dorothy Sayers (known for the Lord Wimsey mystery series) enlists her fellow female writers (Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy) to use their unique skills to find justice for the young woman.

This creates an enjoyable story for the rest of us--an interesting mystery with a group of fun strong female characters.

And, of course, knowing that the story is based on some truth makes it even more fun.

The audiobook is done well with a solid narrator that really brings the time period to life.

Book: The Queens of Crime
Author: Marie Benedict
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Places Featured: London, England and France
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has a pretty fascinating premise – legendary real life mystery authors Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie forming a cohort of women mystery writers to solve a murder? That’s a great hook. Sadly, the execution did not quite live up to the promise of the premise. The story never really grabbed me – I frequently found myself going back to re-listen to parts of the audiobook because I realized I had mentally checked out. It wasn’t the fault of the narrator, who did a fantastic job. I never really felt the emotional stakes. I never quite felt the bond between the Queens was as substantial as I would have liked, with the exception of Dorothy and Agatha. I would have liked more development among the group dynamic. The mystery was pretty straightforward, and with my lack of investment in either the emotional core of the story or the mystery plotline, the plainness of the author’s prose wore on me a bit. Overall, I’m going to call this an even three stars – there’s nothing wrong with the book per se, I just found it kind of boring.

Such a fantastic premise for a book is bogged down with slow, stilted writing and characters that are never fully developed so no connection can be made. It started out interestingly enough, with the introduction of the Detection Club but then slows down so much that it couldn’t hold my attention. More character development and less explanation of every little detail would have gone a long way in creating a more well-rounded and captivating plot. This was a DNF for me as not even the mystery of what happened to May Daniels could keep me listening. I think Marie Benedict’s writing is just not a good fit for me.

Agatha Christie’s vanishing for 11 days has remained a mystery. But that is not the mystery that Dorothy Sayers has in mind. However, her true intrigue lies in her plan to assemble five brilliant mystery women writers and form the Detection Club.

Dorothy believes that initiating a murder game will be an ideal way for these five women to bond and get to know each other. Despite their diverse ages, they share a common passion for mystery writing and the camaraderie of a solitary profession for women during that era. This shared interest and the camaraderie of their lonely profession aim to overcome barriers such as age, class, culture, and education.

Thus, the Queens of Crime are born. Dorothy L. Sayers spearheads the club, which also includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. As they embark on their journey, their first case presents itself: May Daniels, found dead, presumably by foul play. The club is promptly called upon to investigate, and these formidable Queens of Crime are determined to solve this perplexing mystery, despite the challenges that lie ahead.

Bessie Carter’s exceptional narration brings the characters, the era, and the crime to life, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story. Regrettably, the women also face the pervasive misogyny that plagued their lives throughout their endeavors, especially considering their talent. The suspense surrounding the murder is flawlessly delivered, and the inclusion of cameos by other notable historical figures further enhances the book’s appeal.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Benedict uses a twist in her latest historical fiction, The Queens of Crime by putting together several famous mystery writers to attempt to resolve a true unsolved murder of a young English nurse.
This was a unique approach to the story which I found quite enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced reading copy.

Marie Benedict is a prolific author of historical fiction with a large fan club of dedicated readers. In QUEENS OF CRIME she mixes genre to give us a historical fiction take on the 1930's murder of a young woman that was never solved. The 1930's were not an easy time to be a female mystery writer even though there are so many great authors from the era that happened to be women. The Detection Club was to be a co-ed group of writers, but women were not encouraged in their efforts for equal opportunities. So, five of the most famous women mystery writers would form their own group, The Queens of Crime. Dorothy Sayers waas elemental in starting both groups and serves as the POV in the story.
It was great to see Marie Benedict flex her considerable story telling talents to build this strong character driven mystery as she wove the social restrictions women faced in the era around five women who refused to be restricted by men's expectations of them. An easy 5 stars with the hope that Benedict will turn this group of women into a series. I listened to the book on audio and Bessie Carter does an excellent job of bringing the cast to life. Carter should get 5 stars too.

I absolutely loved this and I need it to be a series. Imagine if Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie and a few of their female mystery writing contemporaries got together to solve a murder. That’s this book. But I need them to like form a crime fighting agency and solve even more.

Women writers in the 1930s in England were a special group, so they formed one. This group of top-notch mystery writers -- including Mrs. Agatha Christie -- were fast friends and feminists. In The Queens of Crime, they advocate for a missing girl who shows up murdered. They won't stop until they get some answers, and they won't let anything get in their way. This is a wonderfully written story about the power of friendship and curiosity.

Let me start by saying, I love this cover!

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.

I enjoyed reading about these queens of crime, especially Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. Marie Benedict wove a murder mystery that felt just like an Agatha Christie novel…Full of deductions and whodunits!

I love that this story is based on a real crime. Add in these fabulous women and this is a pretty good tale! And no, I did not guess who did it until the author wanted me to!

Need an old timey murder mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.