I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for this advanced digital copy. I paired the audio with the digital copy, and the audio was very well done!

Set in 1930s London, The Queens of Crime is the story of friendship among women — we are stronger together than we ever imagined.

Inspired by a true story, I loved seeing these talented female writers take charge and prove themselves in the male dominated literary world.

The moment I heard what this book was about, I knew I wanted to read it. I mean — a story about female authors who write stories about murder solving a real life murder that could have come from the pages of their own stories — sign me up!

As they race to solve a real life murder, they must keep their own secrets hidden.

Side note: I did feel that the story dragged on a bit in the middle, but I had to know how it ended, so I stuck with it. I’m glad I did!

Five female mystery writers (the Queens of Crime) are inducted into an all male writers club. The women feel patronized and not really welcomed by the group of men. They come up with a plan to solve a real live mystery to get acceptance they deserve.
Young May is a nurse who is found dead with a syringe. The police conclude that she is a drug dealer/user nevermind the evidence that suggests otherwise. The Queens investigate to redeem May’s name and find her true killer.
This book is okay. Found it slow moving. The initial three suspects remain throughout and so there is no surprise or mysterious tension at all. Overall a disappointment.

Marie Benedict is one of those authors who's been on my radar for a while now, and I have several of her books on my TBR, but I hadn't actually read any until this one. I was drawn to it because of the subject matter, a group of female mystery writers who call themselves the Queens of Crime, and band together to solve a murder and thus prove that they can hold their own with the male mystery writers of the time. It's 1930, between the wars, and they have their hands full with both missions. The interesting factor here is that these are actual women who were writing mysteries at the time, including Dorothy Sayres and Agatha Christie. As a Nancy Drew kid who grew up to continue to love mysteries until this day, I enjoyed the mystery here and the lengths the Queens go to to in their attempt solve this murder that occurred in France. I found myself checking on some of the names and histories as I read, and adding more names to my mystery TBR list. Overall, a very enjoyable historical mystery.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

Set in 1930s London, the novel follows Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy as they form a secret society to prove their worth in the male-dominated world of detective fiction.
The novel’s theme—a group of brilliant women using their expertise to crack a baffling case—is both clever and compelling. The mystery itself is intricately plotted, with twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the end. For fans of historical fiction, classic detective stories, and strong female protagonists, The Queens of Crime is a must-read.

This one was just okay. I guess I had higher expectations than were actually met. I think fans of this author and/or classic female mystery writers will enjoy it.

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.

In The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict a group of prominent female crime writers has formed a secret society. They call themselves The Queens of Crime and their plan to prove they are legitimate crime writers is to solve a murder.

A young nurse has been found dead in a wooded area under what seem like suspicious circumstances. Can The Queens of Crime solve the mystery and prove their worth in the genre?

Enjoyable, quick mystery featuring characters you'll recognize.

Marie Benedict has yet again brought a book full of intrigue. She has never failed me in terms of writing a book that holds my interest and keeps me turning the page. The Queens of Crime provides a historical mystery that kept me on my toes and made me think. One thing Benedict does very will is that they allow for the reader to see themselves in her characters, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I wanted to love this book—I really did—but for me, it ended up just okay. I did really enjoy learning more about the real-life authors it centers on, like Dorothy Sayers. That part was fascinating and definitely sent me down a Wikipedia rabbit hole. :)

But the story itself moved a bit too slowly for my taste. There was a lot of introspection that kind of dragged the pace down. I’m more into fast-paced mysteries. If you’re someone who loves getting deep into a character’s inner world, though, this one is for you!

Also, some of the themes felt a little too on-the-nose. That said, I appreciated learning more about 1930s society—especially the whole “surplus women” topic. That was eye-opening and sent me down another rabbit hole. So in hindsight, I think I should’ve gone into this expecting more of a historical novel that explores the social landscape of the time, rather than a Poirot-style mystery. And that would have done the trick for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, Marie Benedict, and St Martin's Press for the e-Arc.

I really enjoyed The Queens of Crime! It’s a clever, character-driven mystery that brings together iconic women writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to solve a murder in 1930s London. The plot is fun, but what really shines is the dynamic between the women—their wit, ambition, and refusal to be underestimated. If you love classic mysteries and strong female leads, this one’s worth picking up.

This book is a total treat for mystery lovers and fans of literary history. I loved watching real-life legends like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers team up to solve a murder that feels straight out of one of their own novels. The blend of fact and fiction is clever, the writing is sharp, and the 1930s London setting adds just the right moody atmosphere.

Packed with locked-room vibes, dark secrets, and sharp commentary on women in publishing, The Queens of London is a smart, engaging read that celebrates the brilliance and boldness of the original queens of crime.

The five greatest female crime writers decide to form a club, The Queens of Crime, to try to solve a muder mystery to give, not only justice, but also the voice back to a nurse that is the victim of a violent murder. May Daniels vanished during a Paris trip with her friend. Weeks later her body is found and the police is not interested in solving the case when they found evidence that she might be a part of the drug traffic.

The motivation to form the group is just so irksome... Why must the women prove themselves to the men? This book is extremely slow. It felt way longer than its 310 pages. The 5 take their time to discover clues and we have to follow each thought that goes through our narrator`s mind and through her friends mind. And their thoughts feel like a list of things instead of being presented as a narration. It just felt lkike infodump. There isn't one character that was compelling; they were so wooden. And nothing happens up until the ending of the book.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

A fascinating blend of historical fiction and classic mystery bringing together five legendary women crime writers for a thrilling whodunit. The mystery is engaging with a locked room style murder
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my review!

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery set in the 1930's with all of the great mystery writers that we have come to know and love. Led by Dorothy Sayers the "Queens of Crime" as they dub themselves also includes the authors Agatha Christy, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and the Baroness Emma Orczy.

I thought that it was really fascinating to take these real life authors who pioneered detective and crime novels in the 1930's and give them a sort of origin story. While these authors have already been writing at the start of the novel the group came together out of necessity to prove to themselves and their colleagues that they were as good as they claimed to be by solving the case of a missing woman. Part historical fiction and part cozy mystery this was a great look at what life would have been like for these women in the 1930's in a time where men still held most of the power. This novel is centered around feminism, both in the relationships and support between the five women, but also in the way that they all come together to help May, the nurse who has disappeared and the other girls that they meet along the way.

The Queens of Crime is yet another fantastic historical fiction book by Benedict. This time, she takes us back to the golden age of detective fiction, bringing together Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham (The Queens of Crime) on a real-life murder investigation. Benedict’s twist-filled homage is a clever and delightful tribute to these groundbreaking women. The mystery is gripping, the characters vibrant, and the story a fantastic glimpse into the challenges these women faced in a male-dominated world. For anyone who loves classic detective stories, this book is a true treat!

Marie Benedict has become an auto-read author of mine! And I love that she's returned to the age of classic detective fiction by not only returning to Agatha Christie, but also bringing along Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Emma Orczy and Margery Allingham aka The Queens Of Crime. But here they're going to solve a real murder together instead of writing one themselves! Any of them would be proud of Marie's twist filled tribute to them in The Queens Of Crime.

Marie Benedict's The Queens of Crime is a delightful and clever homage to the legendary female pioneers of mystery fiction. For anyone who loves the classic detectives and intricate plots of the past, this novel is a true treat. Benedict brilliantly brings Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and their contemporaries to life, placing them at the center of a compelling missing person case. It's not just a gripping whodunnit; it's a wonderful tribute to these groundbreaking women and their resilience in a male-dominated world.

The story beautifully highlights the bonds of sisterhood and cleverly exposes the underestimation these brilliant women often faced. I particularly enjoyed the ingenious twist of having the Queens infiltrate the esteemed Detection Club, shining a light on the corruption lurking within. Benedict masterfully recreates the elements of a classic mystery: a plot that unfolds at a satisfying pace, carefully placed clues that keep you guessing, and that iconic final gathering where the truth is revealed.

The Queens of Crime is both a loving celebration of the golden age of detective fiction and the extraordinary women who shaped it. This enjoyable and cozy mystery, inspired by real history and amazing writers, is the perfect read for anyone who loves a well-crafted puzzle and a story that leaves you with a smile.

Many thanks to NetGallery and Saint Martins Press for sharing this interesting read that shined a light into the past by Benedict.







Gemini ca

In the spirit of the great mystery writers of the past and their brilliantly crafted detectives, this novel brings the legendary Queens of Crime to life, placing them at the heart of a gripping investigation into a missing woman. As a longtime admirer of these pioneering women in crime fiction, I was intrigued by the premise, and the book absolutely delivered.
It serves as a fitting homage to their legacy, highlighting not only their literary talents but also their resilience in a male dominated era. The story beautifully explores themes of sisterhood and the persistent underestimation of women’s intellect by men. I especially enjoyed the clever twist of having the Queens infiltrate the renowned Detection Club, exposing the corruption of its male members.
What stood out most to me was the return to the classic elements of mystery, a slow burning plot, meticulous clues, and the iconic final gathering where all suspects are assembled to unmask the killer. This book is both a celebration of golden-age detective mystery and the powerful group to the women who shaped it.

*Thank you to Marie Benedict, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The Queens of Crime takes readers on a delightful journey investigating a murder alongside five writers of detective novels, including Agatha Christie. The book brings to life legendary authors as they cross the English Channel to probe the details of a horrible crime and find out who murdered a young nurse. It took me a while to grow invested in the story, but when I did, I enjoyed it. This book is another enjoyable read from Marie Benedict. I received a copy of the book through Net Galley, but the opinions are my own.

This author can honestly be a little hit or miss for me, but Queens of Crime is easily my favorite one I’ve read. The writing flowed well & the characters were great.