I'm always on the lookout for new crime fiction to read, but that's no surprise to you, is it? Sometimes a debut mystery will get a stranglehold on my attention, and I just have to read it. That's what happened with Rosanne Limoncelli's The Four Queens of Crime.
Let me tell you more about it!
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| Available March 11, 2025! |
Synopsis:
"In this debut mystery DCI Lilian Wyles, the
first woman detective chief inspector in the CID, is determined to find a
killer with the help of the four queens of crime, Agatha Christie,
Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham, perfect for fans
of Elly Griffiths and Claudia Gray.
1938, London. The four queens of British crime fiction, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham, are hosting a gala to raise money for the Women’s Voluntary Service to help Britain prepare for war. Baronet Sir Henry Heathcote has loaned Hursley House for the event and all the elites of London society are attending. The gala is a brilliant success, despite a few hiccups, but the next morning Sir Henry is found dead in the library.
Detective Chief Inspectors Lilian Wyles and Richard Davidson from Scotland Yard are quickly summoned and discover a cluster of potential suspects among the guests, including an upset fiancée, a politically ambitious son, a reserved but protective brother, an irate son-in-law, a rebellious teenage daughter, and the deputy home secretary.
Quietly recruiting the four queens of crime, DCI Wyles must sort through the messy aftermath of Sir Henry’s death to solve the mystery and identify the killer."
1938, London. The four queens of British crime fiction, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham, are hosting a gala to raise money for the Women’s Voluntary Service to help Britain prepare for war. Baronet Sir Henry Heathcote has loaned Hursley House for the event and all the elites of London society are attending. The gala is a brilliant success, despite a few hiccups, but the next morning Sir Henry is found dead in the library.
Detective Chief Inspectors Lilian Wyles and Richard Davidson from Scotland Yard are quickly summoned and discover a cluster of potential suspects among the guests, including an upset fiancée, a politically ambitious son, a reserved but protective brother, an irate son-in-law, a rebellious teenage daughter, and the deputy home secretary.
Quietly recruiting the four queens of crime, DCI Wyles must sort through the messy aftermath of Sir Henry’s death to solve the mystery and identify the killer."
Does this intrigue you as much as it does me? It's becoming more and more common for authors to have real-life people in their casts of characters, and it doesn't always work. But... sometimes it does-- brilliantly. I'm looking forward to reading this one. How about you?
This could certainly be a really interesting one, Cathy. I agree with you that this sort of setup doesn't always work. But it can, and I'll be interested in what you think of the way Limoncelli does it.
ReplyDeleteThe first woman DCI (in 1938 no less) intrigues me as well.
DeleteCathy, this book sounds very intriguing. I like the summary though the 'first woman' DCI in 1938? Maybe so. Anyway, I'm going to watch for it and will definitely put it on my TBR list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes. As I said to Margot, that angle intrigues me as well.
DeleteI’ve got this on my kindle
ReplyDeleteSo do I. Just got it from the publisher via Net Galley.
DeleteI really enjoy novels that mix real people in with the fictional characters. I really believe that if that kind of book is done right I can come away from it feeling that I know some of the real folks involved better than if I'd read a traditional biography on them. This is one I'll look for.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, Sam.
DeleteThis does intrigue me! What a great cast of mystery authors to have help solve a murder. :D
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it?!?
DeleteThat is an intriguing cast and setup, and I hope there are historical notes at the end as well. I'll be interested in your review of this one.
ReplyDeleteI always like those historical notes, too. Fingers crossed!
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