The Queens of Crime | Marie Benedict

The Queens of Crime: A Novel

Extended Synopsis

London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers—Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy—have banded together to form a secret society. Tired of being treated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts in the Detection Club, they decide to prove their mettle by solving a real-life murder: the death of May Daniels, a young nurse found strangled in a French park.

The crime bears all the hallmarks of a locked-room mystery. As the authors investigate, they discover they are stronger together, but the killer is watching. When Dorothy Sayers is personally targeted, the group must unpuzzle a mystery torn from the pages of their own novels before a dark secret from Dorothy's past is exposed.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of Golden Age mysteries and historical fiction.
• Readers who enjoy biographical narratives about iconic female authors.
• Book clubs looking for suspenseful tales of sisterhood, rivalry, and brilliant literary minds.

About the Author

Marie Benedict is a New York Times bestselling author celebrated for unearthing the hidden stories of extraordinary historical women. She is the author of several acclaimed biographical novels, including The Mystery of Mrs. Christie.

Accolades & Features

An instant USA Today and indie bestseller, this edition features atmospheric 1930s-inspired design. It includes extensive historical author notes, biographical research archives, and comprehensive reading group discussion guides.

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