4.25 stars. This novel was a step outside my usual reading and listening genres. I am typically not one for historical fictions or for mysteries, and yet I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There was something about combining real life historical female murder mystery writers with a fictional twist based on real-life events and a real, tragic, murder that kept me so engaged. This was well written in a rich but easy to listen to historical voice. The narrator did an excellent job of creating distinct, identifiable, and character-fitting voices for each character. The pace of the book was perfect, it whisked me away and kept me thoroughly enraptured throughout. I absolutely adore all five of the Queens, they are a fantastic bunch, but yet each character is distinct. While I did guess who did it a number of chapters before it was revealed, I didn't guess how they were going to solve that for themselves, which was really fun to listen to. That conclusion to the murder was excellent.

I also like how there was commentary on the position of women, how they were treated, and historical discourse on the "surplus women" during the inter-war period, which was something I was unaware of. I didn't expect to learn some actual history while listening to this book, and I'm pleasantly surprised I did. It really is sad that the opinions and beliefs of women were largely disregarded during that time period. The author did an excellent job showing how the Queens navigated that situation and even used it to their advantage at times.

I would absolutely read another murder mystery following the Queens if the author ever writes a sequel. This is also goes to show that sometimes stepping outside your usual genre preferences can really pay off with finding something so enjoyable to listen to.

Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced audio of THE QUEENS OF CRIME by Marie Benedict. This story revolves around five popular mystery writers, told from Dorothy Sayers point of view, from the early 1930s. This novel is a fictionalized version of how these women could have solved a murder a locked room mystery like those that these authors were famous for. Although it's told from Dorothy's point of view, you do get a feel for the other authors mentioned, particularly Agatha Christie. It kept my interest the whole novel as I anxiously awaited what would happen next. I try to read novels by classic authors like Agatha Christie (who I've read) and will look into getting novels by the other authors mentioned. This novel also dealt with sexism and how women authors weren't taken seriously and had to fight getting published.

This book was so well done. I loved the support the female characters offered each other. The characters were really fleshed out and their personalities shown through. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as the 5 women team up to solve a real-life mystery and prove that they are just as capable as their male counterparts. This was the first book I've read by Marie Benedict but it won't be the last.

Oh, Marie. You have done it again.

I could never have imagined this delight of a book. It's rich, clever, engaging and charming. To have the grand dames of early 20th century crime (Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Baroness Orczy, and Ngaio Marsh) come together as a group to solve a murder was a combination of historical fiction, murder mystery, and women's equality woven into a one-of-a kind story. I don't want to give anything away, but now I want to read everything by Dorothy Sayers and reread everything by the others. To find a murder mystery with such heart is a gift.

I know this probably won't have a sequel, but I would LOVE for this to become a series. I completely fell in love with The Queens of Crime and woud love more from them.

I listened to this audiobook and the narrator was incredibly talented. She had so many different voices and she performed so well that I was more than halfway through the book before I realized there was only one performer.

Marie Benedict has done it again...a well-researched fictional account surrounding many factual events within. Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie round out the Queens of Crime...an unlikely (of course because they were all female) group of British mystery writers in 1930's London. This was a fun foray into the ins and outs of a group meeting to discuss events of an actual murder that had taken place. The ill effects of living in a male-dominated world leaving them often overlooked and underestimated, actually helped these crime-solvers in some ways during this investigation as they were able to pay attention and go where no one thought they were a threat.
The twists and turns of this story were well-executed and the pace was constant throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version as well. Bessie Carter does a great job handling the various characters and dialects.
I liked learning more about these prolific writers of their day and would love to see this as a series!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Another great work by Marie Benedict! I really enjoyed the all-female group leading the charge to help save the day. It was amazing the read about characters who wanted to break down barriers and pave the way for those to come after them. Though this didn’t feel like the most fast-paced story, I really did enjoy listening to this and would recommend this to others.

A fun and interesting story!
I really enjoyed this mystery. Five mystery writers coming together to solve a real- life murder is an excellent premise for a story and Marie Benedict does a wonderful job developing that premise into the book The Queens of Crime.
I was concerned prior to reading the book that five women working together would be too much. That it would make it difficult to really give a unique voice to each character. I'm happy to say that my concerns were unfounded.
I listened to the audio book and the narrator does a really nice job.

Thank you to #netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Based on a real story from Dorothy L. Sayers' life, The Queens of Crime offers a delightful twist on the classic mystery novel. 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.
However, as they delve into the mysterious death of young nurse May Daniels, their mission transforms from a bid for recognition to a genuine pursuit of justice. Along the way, the women discover that crafting fictional detectives is far easier than confronting real-life criminals. With engaging characters and a clever plot, this novel is a must-read for mystery lovers and fans of these legendary authors.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

Five mystery women authors in the 1930s ban together to solve a real-life murder. Stepping outside of their fictional detectives, they realize that writing mystery and solving a murder are two different things.

Set in 1930-31, five of the greatest women detectives of the "Golden Age of Mystery" band together to solve a real murder in order to be taken seriously and combat sexism in The Detective Club in which they want to be considered as esteemed and as respected as the male members of the club.

One part murder mystery, one part historical, and one part a social commentary on the struggles of women in this time period, the writing throughout kept me interested, intrigued, and impressed at the natural dialog, well-researched details, and dramatic suspense created throughout.

This book has not only inspired me to follow up on additional Marie Benedict books, but as importantly, this fabulous book has encouraged me to seek out the two Queens of Crime in the book that I had never read before, Allingham and Orczy; and to do more of a deep dive into Sayers's and Marsh's works. To me, that is evidence of a great writer and a great book: the fascination of the material remaining long after the book itself is finished.

My highest recommendation! I thank NetGalley for the advanced audio version of The Queens of Crime in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5 Stars

The premise of a group of the famous woman authors coming together to solve a murder sounded amazing, but I was sold when I saw the characters are all real authors and the murder was inspired from a true story in the life of one of the main characters.

The audio was nicely done. The narrator's voice fit the character perfectly and did a great job.

I wrote how much I liked this book and Marie Benedict’s writing on goodreads. I loved the characters and how she writes historical fiction. The plot had surprises which kept me listening.

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict is a captivating historical fiction novel that delves into the fascinating, often untold story of the women crime writers who shaped the genre in the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of a male-dominated literary world, Benedict shines a light on these remarkable women who fought for their voices to be heard and their works to be taken seriously.
The book follows a fictionalized account of several prominent crime writers of the era, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh.
What I found particularly interesting was how Benedict brought these complex women to life, showing their strength and resilience in an industry that often dismissed them. I am a fan of Benedict's work, and how she takes historical subject matter and strong women and creates a unique story. Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC.

This was my first Marie Benedict novel and I am of mixed minds about it. I loved the premise of it: these famous female mystery novelists coming together to solve a real life murder. The plot was great. However, I did find my mind wandering as I was reading. The novel was told with a first person perspective which told us most about Dorothy Sayers, but fell a bit short when it came to the other female sleuths. I thought that the dialogue, which was intended to reveal character, was a bit flat. I might have been more invested had there been multiple perspectives or it was told in third person, delving more deeply into each of the characters, who were working together to solve this mystery. I also felt like there were moments where the author was delivering a lecture on women's rights and thought this message should have been delivered more subtly, since it was a message worth getting.
I received the audio and after reading the text, I shifted to the audio, which helped. The narrator was excellent and engaging and helped me to get through a book that I might have otherwise given up on. Thanks to MacMillan Press and MacMillan Audio as well as to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this novel before publication in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

London in the 1930’s is a time of magic. The city had survived the war and was returning somewhat to a semblance of normality after years of reconstruction with the arts at the center of London life. Plays, operas, and books capture the attention of many in the city – especially the crime novels by the famous Detection Club members like G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown series. But when the men of the Detection Club won’t take the female members seriously, the ladies take some drastic measures. Channeling the protagonists in their books, Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy decide to show the men what they can really do…and solve the murder of a young woman. A murder the police have failed to properly investigate and local dignitaries are urgently looking to sweep under the rug. Will The Queens of Crime solve the murder or will one of them become the next victim?

Best-selling author Marie Benedict is back with another fantastic historical fiction tale in The Queens of Crime. Based on real events from the lives of some of the best-known female crime writers in history, Benedict explores the constraints placed on women in this era, but also their attempts for freedom. The pages will expose readers to the culture and history of 1930’s London and given an intimate look at some of the most well-known crime writers of the era. This is a book about the importance of close friendships, but also the damage one secret can do.

I give The Queens of Crime 5 out of 5 stars. Benedict pulls on her own experience as a writer and an investigator to explore the life of Dorothy Sayers, showing what it must be like to work so hard to uncover the facts but also still meet your obligations to your publisher. I have been a fan of Agatha Christie since I was very young, but had not learned for Sayers until this novel. I appreciate the way Benedict explores their friendship and similarities, while also marking their differences. I was able to connect with each character, not only these two, and understand their motivations well – this is a hallmark of Benedict’s writings for me. This reads like a crime novel worthy of inclusion on a shelf full of Sayers’ and Christie’s works!

Historical fiction and true crime readers alike will appreciate this novel! If you loved Benedict’s other works, especially The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, make this your next read. I would also recommend this for readers who love the authors who star here: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. Mystery and Historical Fiction book clubs would do well selecting this book, too – there is much to unpack around the women’s decision to investigate and their methods! With references to potential forced sexual encounters, murder, and other physical violence, I would direct this novel to more mature audiences over 16.

I have been hearing about this book for a few months now and was excited to see the Audio version available on NetGalley – especially when I realized the narrator was none other than Bessie Carter! Carter is best known as Prudence Featherington on the Netflix sensation “Bridgerton” and her performance with this novel was mesmerizing! This was one book I didn’t want to put down – and you won’t either.

The Queens of Crime will release February 11th – you can pre-order your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!

Audiobook: Enjoyable

The Queens of Crime - Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, Baroness Emma Orczy, who are working together to solve a murder of a young girl May Daniels. It’s London 1931 when society is male dominated and women aren’t taken seriously. These women set up a club called Detection Club and they begin following clues to work to solve this murder and be taken seriously. A fun entertaining story from Dorothy’s perspective based on a true unsolved murder. I love Marie Benedict’s writing and these ladies together and their friendship.

Thank you Net Galley for ALC.

This book was a hoot - following crime writer Dorothy Sayers and her group of female writer friends solving a real murder mystery, using the same tricks as they would in their fictional stories. Building on her previous book about Agatha Christie's life, Marie Benedict has once again written about her favorite classic murder mystery genre, but more importantly (to me) she's written about the feminism her characters live and promote, as they each in their own way struggle to thrive within the societal norms their surroundings try to force upon them.
This book is both entertaining and uplifting.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Great escape, mainly featuring Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, with the other mystery queens along for the ride. Interesting play by play, showing how these stellar writers negotiated living in those times, in that ultra man’s world. Women were not without their strengths and I enjoyed seeing that. All of this going on underneath the main event of solving the murder. At one point I was wishing for more heart, and right then a real emotional heart-tug was there, also reminding how very different were the times. Sorry to be so cryptic but I don’t want to give away a spoiler. Glad for romp! Now maybe I need to finally read Sayers.

Audiobook was quite well executed—perfect!
Thank you to all for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by Benedict and will not be my last. I felt this was well written and enjoyable even if it had me raging on the victim’s behalf. I loved the found family/girl power aspect of the women crime writers who joined together. They also had some truly great banter between the characters. I also felt the mystery itself was well written. I did find myself falling for a red herring during the story, which made me appreciate mystery even more. The narration by Bessie Carter more than did justice to these characters. She brought them to life and kept my focus fully invested on the story. I would definitely recommend picking up this book.

As someone who has always enjoyed Agatha Christie murder mysteries, this book had me hooked from the start. With this new take on a murder mystery, the author gave us the points of view of famous women mystery writers (including Christie) who actually get to solve a murder. I loved how Benedict gave these women a voice in which we felt we were there with them. Each of them had their own unique ways of contributing their thoughts about the murder. Overall, I enjoyed this book and the feminist vibes I got from it!