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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book 11 of the 2025 Read Your Hoard Challenge
I picked up this novel with very high hopes—perhaps too high. I mean look at that gorgeous cover! It just begs you to read it. Plus it features Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers as characters, both of whom are writers who I love. All of this potential goodness wrapped up in one volume.
It took me a while to warm up to the first person, present tense writing. Somehow it kept me at arm's length from the action, not really fully engaged. Eventually I found my stride and was able to quit obsessing over it. Told entirely from Sayers' point of view, I felt the story could have been improved by giving at least one of the other authors their turn.
I haven't read any books by Margery Allingham or Ngaio Marsh, nor have I read biographical material of them or Emma Orczy. I have read many of Sayers' Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane books and almost all of Christie's novels. In addition, I've also read Christie's autobiography and a recent biography and a biography of Sayers. My memory is less than perfect, but Benedict seems to have done her research on these women. I will be trying some Marsh and Allingham mysteries in the future in order to get to know these women.
It was a great idea, based on actual events. The author's note at the end sorts out the fictionalized aspects. I will have to re-read the last pages once more before heading off to book club tomorrow. I am scheduled to chair this meeting and I'm interested to hear the opinions of the other members. The book came highly recommended by a bookstore employee, but I am struggling to analyze exactly how I feel about it. Perhaps our discussion will help me sort out my thoughts?
I picked up this novel with very high hopes—perhaps too high. I mean look at that gorgeous cover! It just begs you to read it. Plus it features Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers as characters, both of whom are writers who I love. All of this potential goodness wrapped up in one volume.
It took me a while to warm up to the first person, present tense writing. Somehow it kept me at arm's length from the action, not really fully engaged. Eventually I found my stride and was able to quit obsessing over it. Told entirely from Sayers' point of view, I felt the story could have been improved by giving at least one of the other authors their turn.
I haven't read any books by Margery Allingham or Ngaio Marsh, nor have I read biographical material of them or Emma Orczy. I have read many of Sayers' Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane books and almost all of Christie's novels. In addition, I've also read Christie's autobiography and a recent biography and a biography of Sayers. My memory is less than perfect, but Benedict seems to have done her research on these women. I will be trying some Marsh and Allingham mysteries in the future in order to get to know these women.
It was a great idea, based on actual events. The author's note at the end sorts out the fictionalized aspects. I will have to re-read the last pages once more before heading off to book club tomorrow. I am scheduled to chair this meeting and I'm interested to hear the opinions of the other members. The book came highly recommended by a bookstore employee, but I am struggling to analyze exactly how I feel about it. Perhaps our discussion will help me sort out my thoughts?
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Murder
Minor: Rape
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No