Inspired by a true story in author Dorothy Sayers’ own world, Benedict brings to life the lengths to which five talented women writers will go to be taken seriously, as they unravel a mystery torn from the pages of their own novels. Library Journal, in a starred review, applauds The Queens of Crime saying, “Benedict vividly brings to life real Golden Age mystery novelists…fans of Benedict’s previous novels and those who enjoy historical whodunits will find this hard to put down.”
London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who might have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment.
Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie’s Maid, The Other Einstein, and with Victoria Christopher Murray, the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. All have been translated into multiple languages, and many have been selected for national book clubs including Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.