February 2025

A few years ago, Marie Benedict wrote THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE. It examined the 11-day disappearance of Agatha Christie, which became huge news.

In THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which is set in 1930, Marie brings together Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy, all of whom are brilliant female writers in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. The book is told from Dorothy’s point of view. These women strive to have the respect of the male writers in the genre, and all are members of the legendary Detection Club.

In a novel move, they band together to prove their ability to work their craft by attempting to solve a real-life mystery --- the death of May Daniels, a young English nurse who went missing while on an excursion to France with a friend. Her body is later found in some nearby woods. The last time May was seen, she was heading into the ladies’ room, which had no windows and only one door from which to exit. The five ladies marry their skills to figure out what happened in the same way that they would write one of their own mysteries.

Along the way, Dorothy is targeted, and someone threatens to expose a secret that she dearly wants to keep hidden. The setup is paced, but the second half is brisk. It makes one wonder if today’s law enforcement might think about bringing in some thriller and mystery writers to solve crimes.

Want to hear more behind the scenes? You can watch my interview with Marie here or listen to it here.