The Four Queens of Crime

Book Review: The Four Queens of Crime by Rosanne Limoncelli 📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently picked up The Four Queens of Crime by Rosanne Limoncelli and ended up really enjoying it—definitely a solid four-star read for me. The story is set in 1938 London and revolves around the first woman detective chief inspector in the CID, Lilian Wyles. She’s called to investigate a murder at a glamorous gala hosted by the iconic four queens of British crime fiction—Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham. The event was meant to raise money for the Women’s Voluntary Service as Britain prepared for war, but things take a dark turn when Sir Henry Heathcote is found dead in his library the next morning. 🎩🕵️‍♀️📚

What I loved about this mystery is how it really captures the classic Golden Age detective vibe, complete with a locked room mystery and a fascinating cast of suspects—from an upset fiancée to a politically ambitious son and even a rebellious teenage daughter. DCI Wyles teams up with Scotland Yard’s Richard Davidson and, interestingly, enlists the help of the four legendary crime writers themselves to untangle the web of secrets surrounding Sir Henry’s death. 🔍🕰️💼

The author does a fantastic job bringing each character to life, especially the historical figures of Christie, Sayers, Marsh, and Allingham—they feel vivid and true to their real-life personas without overshadowing the main plot. Also, can I just say the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous? It caught my eye immediately and perfectly fits the elegant but suspenseful tone of the story. 🎨✨📖

All in all, if you’re a fan of classic mysteries or authors like Elly Griffiths and Claudia Gray, this is definitely worth a read. It’s clever, atmospheric, and pays homage to some of the greatest crime writers ever while delivering a fresh and engaging whodunit. 🕵️‍♂️📜💡

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was an enjoyable historical cozy mystery featuring 4 female mystery writers who were actively writing during this time period. Their interactions and work to solve the murder were entertaining. I really enjoyed this book!

I received an arc from Netgalley.