This seemed a bit different for Marie Benedict, but very enjoyable. I didn’t know all of the women in the Queens of Crime were real. It was fun to watch them try to solve a murder. While the mystery aspect is a different turn, I very much enjoyed it. I liked how Benedict kept her feminist protagonists strong. While the book is set in the 1930s, some of the themes are still very relevant to today if one is paying attention. I appreciated her social commentary in that aspect.

I do wish the book had an author’s note, but I received an advance copy thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. Perhaps the author’s note will be included in the final version.

It was a very interesting book about how these 5 famous mystery writers. We're trying to solve a murder and I like how they were always treated as second class citizens, but the writing is amazing. I like how they went about Solving MAY and her friend were close but. She did not know anything about her friend and they were both nursing students. It started in france when she died unexpectedly and nobody knew why she was there but her friend went there on an excursion from brighton beach. I like how these women solve the different clues and did it very strictly. And everything led to how she was murdered and why she was murdered. This.
Was pretty amazing at that time because they do not have a lot of the technologies we have now but it's just hard knowledge. How one piece of the puzzle would lead to another piece of the puzzle and it was interesting how they got together to figure this out because they were great writers, and they used their knowledge of what they had in their books. The title is great too because solving.This murder was pretty interesting because I had no idea why this woman died how she died but they figured it out and it is a great end and you'll love it

Thank you @netgalley for the Advance Reader Copy of The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. This is a fun read and a very clever idea! It’s 1931 in London, and a group of male detective crime writers is forming a society. They are reluctant to include women, but two of the leading female writer’s of the day kind of force in a core group of 5 writers. Then they decide to solve an actual crime. They work as a team, using their crime writing skills, and solve a crime that the police have given up on. It’s a great idea, putting these real like authors in the story. Good historical fiction read! #thequeensofcrime #mariebenedict #advancereadercopy #netgalley #historicalfiction #lovetoread #booknerd #takeapagefrommybook

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.

Enjoyed reading about these classic mystery writers from times gone by. Some of whom I wasn't aware of. Good story. I enjoyed how the personalities of the different authors came out in the story and the interplay between them. I liked that not only is there the normal historical fiction that you expect from Marie Benedict, but there's the added bonus of a mystery!

This is a mystery set in 1931 and features 5 real female mystery writers as characters, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, who narrates the story. When the group are dismissed as not up to snuff at a detective writers club for simply being female, they decide to solve a real mystery. This was a fun story, and I really enjoyed it, as will I think anyone who loves the classic mysteries of that era. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reading copy. 4/5

If you are a fan of historical fiction with mystery included, this may be the book for you. It is different from other books by Benedict; I generally prefer a straight historical fiction novel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for early reader and listener copies of The Queens of Crime in exchange for my honest opinion. I knew of Marie Benedict, but this was the first book of hers that I read/listened to. I mostly listened to the audio, but I found myself following along in the ebook while listening.
The Queens of Crime is historical fiction based on a true story, in which the female authors of the Golden Age of Mystery form a secret group and work to solve a real-life murder. Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy call themselves the Queens of Crime and work together to fight against male stereotypes and preconceived notions to find the story behind the disappearance and murder of a young English nurse named May Daniels in 1930s France while abroad with her friend.
I thought the book was well paced, as I was invested in the story and didn't want to pause when I had other obligations. I liked that the main characters were authors although I had not heard of all five before reading this book. And I appreciated that this historical fiction set in Europe did not involve WWI or WWII!

I love historical fiction and was a fan of Marie Bennet's The Personal Librarian and I was intrigued by her latest novel, The Queens of Crime, which explores the real-life Detection Club, a group of prominent crime writers in the 1930s who banded together to uphold the integrity of detective fiction. While the club included both men and women, the female writers—Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—were not fully welcomed into discussions, leading them to form their own informal group within it, calling themselves The Queens of Crime. This historical foundation was one of the most interesting aspects of the book.

Reading this, my list of go-to mystery authors has grown, as I’ll be checking out more works from these actual Queens of Crime. I especially enjoyed how the novel touched upon each writer’s creative process—their muses, their approaches to murder, and the different literary devices they employed. The camaraderie among the women as they worked to solve the murder of May Daniels was also enjoyable.

That said, the novel fell short for me in a few areas. The dialogue felt overly structured, making the conversations stiff rather than natural. There was also an excessive focus on clothing descriptions—particularly of women—which sometimes felt unnecessary. Gender roles and societal expectations were two themes of the story, however, they seemed forced in the writing and redundant, rather than naturally part of the narration. While I appreciated the premise and enjoyed learning more about these trailblazing women, the mystery itself didn’t quite pull me in as much as I had hoped.

I would point readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on literary figures or those interested in the inner workings of classic crime writers to The Queen of Crimes. I appreciate the chance to read and review this novel. Thank you to NetGalley.

SYNOPSIS

- In 1930s London, five legendary female mystery writers—Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—form The Queens of Crime to prove their worth in the male-dominated world of crime fiction.
- Frustrated by their exclusion from the prestigious Detection Club, they set out to solve the real-life murder of May Daniels, a young nurse found strangled in a French park under puzzling circumstances.
- But as they uncover dangerous secrets, the case becomes personal—someone wants to keep them quiet, and Dorothy herself is at risk.

MY THOUGHTS

- A unique concept – The idea of these real-life mystery legends coming together to solve a crime is absolutely brilliant. Benedict delivers a compelling mix of historical fiction, cozy mystery, and feminist themes, all wrapped in a locked-room whodunit.
- First book by Marie Benedict—won’t be my last! Her writing transported me to another era with ease, and I can’t wait to explore more of her work.
- Atmospheric & immersive – The settings, from Boulogne-sur-Mer to 1930s London, are richly described, making the historical backdrop feel incredibly real.
- Fast-paced & engaging – The mystery had me hooked from the start, and while I predicted the murderer early on, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. The journey was just as compelling as the destination.
- Dorothy’s POV – The story unfolds solely through Dorothy Sayers’ perspective, but Benedict ensures that the other women feel just as vivid and distinct. I also learned a lot about Dorothy’s real life, which was fascinating.
- The characters shine – Each of the women is distinct and fully realized, with her own quirks, strengths, and motivations.
- A solid, well-constructed mystery – While I guessed the murderer early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The complexity of the case, the layered clues, and the way the Queens piece everything together kept me engaged. The locked-room aspect of the crime was intriguing, and even though the reveal wasn’t shocking, the journey to get there was incredibly satisfying.
- A powerful look at women’s struggles – This book explores the broader struggles women faced in the early 20th century. The Queens’ fight for recognition mirrors the plight of the victims they seek justice for—women dismissed, ridiculed, and overlooked by men in power. Benedict highlights the misogyny of the time, from how female crime writers were sidelined to how female victims were diminished in the press. The discussions on “surplus women” after WWI and the way women’s intelligence was often only valued within marriage were particularly striking. I also thought it was interesting how nursing was even discouraged.
- Touches on important themes – The book explores issues like unwed motherhood, socioeconomic struggles, sexual assault, and abortion—all woven seamlessly into the narrative.
- The friendships are a highlight – The camaraderie between the Queens was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Their respect for one another, their banter, and their shared determination to fight for their place in the literary world were so well done. Watching them come together to solve the mystery—and support one another along the way—was incredibly rewarding.
- Satisfying conclusion – While the identity of the murderer wasn’t the most surprising twist, the resolution was still deeply satisfying. More than just solving the crime, the book leaves readers with a sense of triumph—not just for the Queens, but for all the women they represent.

TL;DR

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A brilliantly crafted blend of historical fiction, mystery, and feminist themes. The Queens of Crime is a must-read for fans of Golden Age mysteries, stories about trailblazing women, or anyone who loves a good whodunit. Marie Benedict’s writing is immersive, the characters are richly drawn, and the story is both entertaining and thought-provoking. An absolute gem.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now.

I enjoyed this historical fiction that is loosely based on a true story. In 1930, crime writers decide to come together and create the Detection Club but the men aren't keen to allow the 2nd class women crime writers to join. The women create their own club - The Queens of Crime - and then set out to prove the men wrong. They ban together to solve the murder of nurse May Daniels. As they work to uncover clues, they become more and more angry at the police for wanting to make this poor girl out as bad guy who deserved what she got. I enjoyed the way the ladies bounced ideas off of each other and thought about how their characters would feel to help them find clues to solve this mystery. We not only learn the true story of who orchestrated the demise of May, but we also learn a few other mysteries about the Queens of Crimes themselves. The story kept me guessing right up until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I ended up quite enjoying it, even if I did figure out whodunnit quite early on.
I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, I've read the bulk of Sayers' mysteries, and tried to read The Scarlet Pimpernel, but I've never even heard of the other authors, so I'm looking forward to tracking down copies of their work.

The Queens of Crime is a fictionalized depiction of the real Queens of Crime who broke glass ceilings and demanded equal seating in the legendary Detection Club: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. What would happen if they banded together and tried to solve a real crime of their own? I have to say, their talents lie in the details and in their willingness to flaunt convention. Overall, this was an enjoyable mystery read, and I enjoyed getting to know the authors as they played out their roles in this story. I've read much of AC and Sayers, and I most definitely look forward to exploring the works of the other Queens of Crime very soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The Queens of Crime consists of five female mystery writers who are ready to showcase their skills and become more accepted by their male peers. How will they do this? They will solve an actual mystery! With Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie amongst the five, the number of references to each of their works, I found myself making a list! Marie Benedict brings readers into the 1930s London setting through the blend of historical fiction and mystery. I like to be an armchair detective and this book gave me that chance. Thank you to St. Martin's for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

As a lover of the Golden Age of Mystery writers, particularly the queens of crime, I knew I was going to love this book. (Also because I’ve loved so many other books by Marie Benedict). This did not disappoint! It’s so fun to read a novel based on these impressive and accomplished women. It’s truly a story about how a group of very distinct women can come together and accomplish so much.

The storyline had me hooked as the book progressed, and Marie Benedict did a fantastic job of allowing the reader to follow along with the clues and come to their own conclusion of events.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"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.

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

This was an enjoyable historical mystery read centred around five real-life mystery authors including Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayer, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. I thought that Marie Benedict was very clever to use real-life mystery writers as the characters who work to solve a mystery that could have been pulled from any of their novels.

Set in the 1930s, it has a very cosy mystery feel about it with very likeable characters, descriptive writing that pulled into the setting, and a whodunnit underlying it all. I thought it was a fun, warm-hearted read that kept me entertained. The pacing was good and the ending was generally good. There were a few loose ends but I wonder if this could be the start to a series with these characters.

I liked how the mystery author characters used their skills as writers of famous sleuths (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirier) to investigate and solve the mystery. Interwoven through the plot as the mystery authors worked to solve the murder are observations about 1930s society’s dismissal of older women, the sexism female authors faced, and the importance of found family and friendship. I also enjoyed that the author included real-life references to the famous writers’ lives, such as Agatha Christie’s mysterious eleven-day disappearance in the mid-1920s.

I can’t wait for this author’s next novel.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
I was engrossed and totally trying to guess who's who up until the end. The journey was well organized and well thought but sometimes, mostly past the 90% point, the Queens were brainless by putting themselves in dangerous positions, with only one Pinkerton to help them, just in case. I thought of another question: What if the body didn't belong to the purse? No one could check that out in those times (1930s). I didn't think Sayers was a team player; I didn't care much about Marsh - she gave off weird vibes. I thought there was a bit too much emphasis on babies out of wedlock.

The Queens of crime is a historical murder mystery in 1930’s where five famous female mystery writers get together to solve the death of a young British nurse traveling in France.

This book was slow paced in the beginning and the ending was kind of rushed but I still enjoyed the book. It is about strong, independent and intelligent women, female friendships at times when women were considered second class citizens.

Overall, I enjoyed the cozy mystery element and the frequent banter between ‘The Queens’. Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!