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escape_into_pages 's review for:
The Queens of Crime
by Marie Benedict
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I became a fan of Marie Benedict after reading Carnegie’s Maid in 2020. Since then, I have read several more of her books. I’ve been anticipating Queens Of Crime since I learned she was writing a new novel. My favorite genres are historical fiction and mystery, so I was excited to get started on this book. I like the experience of the "Queens" and that it featured Agatha Christie as one of the characters, who happens to be my favorite mystery author. I was only familiar with Christie, so I wasn't unaware of Dorothy and the others until I began reading the book and enjoyed learning something new. I know it was fictional, but I adored the concept, especially the mystery. I enjoyed reading a book that featured Christie as a character rather than one written by her.
However, Queens Of Crime didn't meet my expectations. It was not like her earlier novel, which I had read. This novel began strong and drew me in; however, it appeared to slow down in the middle of the book, and I felt there were unnecessary details. The only character development we saw in the novel was Dorthy's and possibly Agatha's. Dorothy has changed dramatically since the story starts by finding out the truth. I liked how the novel showed five powerful women determined to find the truth regardless of what others told them.
The mystery surrounding May Daniels' disappearance was my favorite aspect of the story. I admired the five women's determination to discover what happened and why. It was fascinating how the five friends analyzed the clues, conducting interviews and imagining what the characters in their books would be like. The mystery was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat. I even found myself, along with Dorothy, Agatha, Ngaio, Margery, and Emma, attempting to figure out what had happened. I recommend this book, especially if you love historical fiction and mystery.