Erin's Reviews > The Queens of Crime

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

Marie Benedict is one of my favourite authors. She writes about strong women and the trials and tribulations that they encountered in their lifetime( Clementine Churchill, Agatha Christie, Hedy Lamarr, The Mitford sisters etc.). The Queens of Crime is only a slight departure from her previous books in that it surrounds a mystery. Benedict's main protagonist is author Dorothy L.Sayers, who along with four other mystery writers( Agatha Christie, Baroness Emma Orczy, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh) find themselves trying to solve the mysterious death of a British nurse vacationing in France. At the same time, the authors are trying to find their place in a very male-dominated Detection Club(London Detection Club). The crime provides all five women with the chance to prove their worth as real detectives.

I found this book to be very entertaining and from the moment I opened the book, I was committed to following these five author sleuths to the end of the tale. I have read several Agatha Christie titles and have read at least one title of Dorothy Sayers and Baroness Emma Orczy under my belt. However, I thank the author for bringing to my attention two authors- Margarey Allingham and Ngaio Marsh that I was not familiar with but now desire to find their books to read.

The story also highlights views in the 1930s on women writers, children out of wedlock and those who fell prey to serious crimes. A very memorable read.






Publication Date 11/02/25
Goodreads Review 12/02/25