The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

3.85 AVERAGE

booksmakesmesmile's profile picture

booksmakesmesmile's review against another edition

5.0
Fun read!
aabts's profile picture

aabts's review against another edition

3.5
informative mysterious reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jawolffe's review against another edition

3.5
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: Yes

mtysiak14's review against another edition

3.5
adventurous funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

starkymalarkey's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous mysterious fast-paced
khswesley's profile picture

khswesley's review

4.0
adventurous emotional mysterious 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: No

mstegall's review against another edition

3.75
adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

lynnleon86's review against another edition

3.5
I really wanted to enjoy this, since I love Agatha Christie have read all of her works. But I found it slow and predictable, and the characters were fairly flat. I would have loved a few more surprises, twists, and turns!

queenb48's review against another edition

4.5
adventurous emotional mysterious
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
jenabest's profile picture

jenabest's review against another edition

4.0
medium-paced
Marie Benedict's The Queens of Crime was part of my 2025 Most Anticipated List, and it did not disappoint! High-powered female crime writers solving a real-world murder... What else could you want? 

I did struggle to stay focused, but that's because I don't read tons of mysteries, and I literally just finished a different mystery for book club. I love Benedict's writing style, and the setting was so beautifully done. 

This quote, I think, was superb and makes for a great no context quote to use again and again. 
It's a devil's bargain, but what other kind can be struck when one is negotiating with demons?