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A Four Queens of Crime Mystery #2
Death at King's Cross
DCI Lilian Wyles is confronted by a troubling case, one that only the four queens of crime can help solve—even amidst the ongoing war efforts.
Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh are back in the follow-up novel to The Four Queens of Crime.
1941, London. When DCI Lilian Wyles finds a young woman murdered at King's Cross Station, she needs the help of someone she can trust, but Richard Davidson, her former Scotland Yard partner, has joined MI5 and is busy tracking black market routes outside of London, so for now, she is on her own.
After having met the four queens of crime during a murder investigation two years earlier, DCI Wyles has kept in touch. But Agatha, Dorothy, Margery, and Ngaio are all involved in the war effort and have problems of their own.
Agatha is volunteering at the University Hospital Pharmacy, where a dangerous anesthetic has been stolen. Dorothy has heard unsettling information from her connections at the BBC regarding members of the Royal Navy. Margery, who has been in the countryside helping families escape the city from the bombing, is worried about one of her charges whose older sister has gone missing. And Ngaio, who has relocated to New Zealand and is volunteering as an ambulance driver, has begun gathering secret intelligence from wounded soldiers and sailors that may put her in danger.
When the four queens contact DCI Wyles for help, the information they share makes the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. DCI Wyles once again finds herself collaborating with her old partners in crime to solve the mystery and close the case in this thrilling sequel, perfect for fans of Nicola Upson and Anna Lee Huber.
Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh are back in the follow-up novel to The Four Queens of Crime.
1941, London. When DCI Lilian Wyles finds a young woman murdered at King's Cross Station, she needs the help of someone she can trust, but Richard Davidson, her former Scotland Yard partner, has joined MI5 and is busy tracking black market routes outside of London, so for now, she is on her own.
After having met the four queens of crime during a murder investigation two years earlier, DCI Wyles has kept in touch. But Agatha, Dorothy, Margery, and Ngaio are all involved in the war effort and have problems of their own.
Agatha is volunteering at the University Hospital Pharmacy, where a dangerous anesthetic has been stolen. Dorothy has heard unsettling information from her connections at the BBC regarding members of the Royal Navy. Margery, who has been in the countryside helping families escape the city from the bombing, is worried about one of her charges whose older sister has gone missing. And Ngaio, who has relocated to New Zealand and is volunteering as an ambulance driver, has begun gathering secret intelligence from wounded soldiers and sailors that may put her in danger.
When the four queens contact DCI Wyles for help, the information they share makes the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. DCI Wyles once again finds herself collaborating with her old partners in crime to solve the mystery and close the case in this thrilling sequel, perfect for fans of Nicola Upson and Anna Lee Huber.
336 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2026
About the author
Rosanne Limoncelli
15 books103 followersRosanne Limoncelli, PhD is a writer, filmmaker, and roller skater who writes plays, screenplays, poetry, games, mysteries, thrillers, and science fiction. Her short fiction first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and her short films have screened in festivals around the world. The historical mystery novel The Four Queens of Crime was published in March 2025 and the series continues with Death at King's Cross (July 2026) and Murder on the English Coast (July 2027). Rosanne’s thriller series that takes place in 1979 NYC, begins with Nina's Spiral (October 2026).
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 336 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley & Edelweiss
After thoroughly enjoying 'The Queens of Crime', I couldn't wait to start reading Rosanne Limoncelli's second book in the series. This sequel is darker, grittier, and considerable less interested in playing nice. The cozy veneer, that was prominent in Book One, is entirely gone. In its place is a wartime thriller with teeth, power dynamics that make your skin crawl, the grinding indignity of being a woman in the Metropolitan Police in 1941, and the kind of institutional rot that feels uncomfortably timeless. I kept asking myself: What's happening to Richard? How deep does MI5 go? How is Ngiao Marsh going to contribute from the other side of the globe? And how are these seemingly separate threads going to collide?
The best part about this book is that it quietly corrects its own predecessor. In Book One, there's something deliciously fun but also slight stretch of imagination about the crime writing Queens being amateur sleuths, purely because of their writing experience. This book hands the baton back to the professionals. DCI Lilian Wyles and May carry this story, and the result is a sharper, more grounded thriller that feels true to the era. Lilian in particular gets a stunning character arc. Watching her navigate institutional sexism without flinching, choosing what's right over what's easy, made me want to stand up and clap in my reading chair. She's a real historical figure and Limoncelli does her justice in a way that feels like a love letter and a reckoning all at once.
The four Queens are still magnificent, don't' get me wrong. But they are deployed with more restraint and precision in Book One. Dorothy doesn't hold back. Agatha's pharmacy subplot is quietly chilling. Even from New Zealand, Ngiao connects to the team spectacularly. Margery and Susana just dives in the midst of the whole story. The way their separate wartime threads eventually weave into Wyles's investigation is genuinely plotting. If The Four Queens of Crime was a sparkling cocktail party, Death at King's Cross is the morning after, when the real work begins. I didn't expect to enjoy the sequel more than the original, but I absolutely did!
Would I recommend it?
If you are expecting cozy vibes, reset and revisit. This one leans firmly into thriller territory. Limoncelli has sharpened her craft with every page and this book is proof that a series can not only continue well, but actually improve. Read Book One first (trust me, the payoff matters), then clear your afternoon for this one.
📃 336 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley & Edelweiss
After thoroughly enjoying 'The Queens of Crime', I couldn't wait to start reading Rosanne Limoncelli's second book in the series. This sequel is darker, grittier, and considerable less interested in playing nice. The cozy veneer, that was prominent in Book One, is entirely gone. In its place is a wartime thriller with teeth, power dynamics that make your skin crawl, the grinding indignity of being a woman in the Metropolitan Police in 1941, and the kind of institutional rot that feels uncomfortably timeless. I kept asking myself: What's happening to Richard? How deep does MI5 go? How is Ngiao Marsh going to contribute from the other side of the globe? And how are these seemingly separate threads going to collide?
The best part about this book is that it quietly corrects its own predecessor. In Book One, there's something deliciously fun but also slight stretch of imagination about the crime writing Queens being amateur sleuths, purely because of their writing experience. This book hands the baton back to the professionals. DCI Lilian Wyles and May carry this story, and the result is a sharper, more grounded thriller that feels true to the era. Lilian in particular gets a stunning character arc. Watching her navigate institutional sexism without flinching, choosing what's right over what's easy, made me want to stand up and clap in my reading chair. She's a real historical figure and Limoncelli does her justice in a way that feels like a love letter and a reckoning all at once.
The four Queens are still magnificent, don't' get me wrong. But they are deployed with more restraint and precision in Book One. Dorothy doesn't hold back. Agatha's pharmacy subplot is quietly chilling. Even from New Zealand, Ngiao connects to the team spectacularly. Margery and Susana just dives in the midst of the whole story. The way their separate wartime threads eventually weave into Wyles's investigation is genuinely plotting. If The Four Queens of Crime was a sparkling cocktail party, Death at King's Cross is the morning after, when the real work begins. I didn't expect to enjoy the sequel more than the original, but I absolutely did!
Would I recommend it?
If you are expecting cozy vibes, reset and revisit. This one leans firmly into thriller territory. Limoncelli has sharpened her craft with every page and this book is proof that a series can not only continue well, but actually improve. Read Book One first (trust me, the payoff matters), then clear your afternoon for this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This second novel shows the four crime writers, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh, all involved in war work that uses their particular skills and knowledge.
This novel is sei in 1941, at the height of the Blitz in London, and the themes are much darker and more sinister than the previous novel. War time Britain comes to life, the terror and panic of bombing raids, the mass evacuation of children to the countryside, that contrasts with the determination of those who are just trying to survive and live a different kind of normality. There is also a growing recognition that not everyone wants to fight for King and country, there are rumours of an underground network of spies, black marketeers, trying to feather their own nests, and girls are being recruited for parties that is putting them at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Agatha is working at the pharmacy department of her local hospital when Chloral Hydrate goes missing, but nobody seems to care, what is it being used for?
Dorothy is working for the BBC, trying to convince the hierarchy that programmes need to be cheerful to help boost morale.
Margery is in the countryside helping to settle evacuees in homes, arranging for school places, extra food supplies and clothes in these desperate times.
Ngaio is in New Zealand working as an ambulance driver, she also helps the wounded servicemen in writing letters home.
How these four women come together with DCI Lilian Wyles, Commander Dorothy Peto and DS May Lee is very ingenious, and continues with the prejudice shown towards females in traditional male jobs, in this case the police, and the restrictions placed upon them in their private lives. These women show great courage and sympathy towards these tragic young girls caught up in events they are helpless to escape from, and shows that war was not pretty. Even today, some of these attitudes persist towards women from those in authority, which need to be challenged constantly.
I loved Dolly, what an outspoken and eccentric character, she would have been a wonderful friend!
This novel is thought provoking with disturbing aspects throughout. The whole story is full of tension, and so emotional, and bravery is shown in unexpected quarters. I loved it. A perfect blend of historical facts and fiction.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy, freely given in return for my honest review. I gave a five star rating. I will post to Goodreads and Amazon.
This novel is sei in 1941, at the height of the Blitz in London, and the themes are much darker and more sinister than the previous novel. War time Britain comes to life, the terror and panic of bombing raids, the mass evacuation of children to the countryside, that contrasts with the determination of those who are just trying to survive and live a different kind of normality. There is also a growing recognition that not everyone wants to fight for King and country, there are rumours of an underground network of spies, black marketeers, trying to feather their own nests, and girls are being recruited for parties that is putting them at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Agatha is working at the pharmacy department of her local hospital when Chloral Hydrate goes missing, but nobody seems to care, what is it being used for?
Dorothy is working for the BBC, trying to convince the hierarchy that programmes need to be cheerful to help boost morale.
Margery is in the countryside helping to settle evacuees in homes, arranging for school places, extra food supplies and clothes in these desperate times.
Ngaio is in New Zealand working as an ambulance driver, she also helps the wounded servicemen in writing letters home.
How these four women come together with DCI Lilian Wyles, Commander Dorothy Peto and DS May Lee is very ingenious, and continues with the prejudice shown towards females in traditional male jobs, in this case the police, and the restrictions placed upon them in their private lives. These women show great courage and sympathy towards these tragic young girls caught up in events they are helpless to escape from, and shows that war was not pretty. Even today, some of these attitudes persist towards women from those in authority, which need to be challenged constantly.
I loved Dolly, what an outspoken and eccentric character, she would have been a wonderful friend!
This novel is thought provoking with disturbing aspects throughout. The whole story is full of tension, and so emotional, and bravery is shown in unexpected quarters. I loved it. A perfect blend of historical facts and fiction.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy, freely given in return for my honest review. I gave a five star rating. I will post to Goodreads and Amazon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second Queens of Crime mystery begins with the discovery of a body at King's Cross Station. The young woman in barefoot and wearing only a silk slip and a man's overcoat. DCI Lilian Wiles arrives on the scene only moments after the unidentified woman's death.
Though quickly identified, the investigation into the woman's death is quickly snatched out of Scotland Yard and into the auspices of MI5. Lilian is curious and somewhat upset by this change of jurisdiction especially when she sees the woman as part of an investigation she's already conducting into the disappearances of a number of young women.
Meanwhile, the other four queens of crime are each doing their parts in the war effort. Agatha Christie is volunteering in a hospital pharmacy where she is noticing the some chloralhydrate is going missing. Dorothy Sayers is working for the BBC where she runs into a blackmail plot determined to undercut the country's war efforts. Margery Allingham is safe in the country where she is hosting a young woman evacuated from London. The young woman's sister has gone missing, but a note filled with Cockney rhyming slang has reached her indicating that her sister is in danger and in need of rescue. Ngaio Marsh is back home in Christchurch, New Zealand, driving an ambulance, visiting evacuated soldiers, and directing a play whose actors are young university students and writing long letters to Richard Davidson who has moved from Scotland Yard to MI5.
Each of the queens of crime has clues that all lead to the same mystery. It isn't until Lilian puts all the clues together that they understand what is going on. They rescue the young women and foil a plot against England's best good.
This was an enjoyable mystery. I liked the World War II setting. I liked the insights into the lives of four very famous mystery authors.
Though quickly identified, the investigation into the woman's death is quickly snatched out of Scotland Yard and into the auspices of MI5. Lilian is curious and somewhat upset by this change of jurisdiction especially when she sees the woman as part of an investigation she's already conducting into the disappearances of a number of young women.
Meanwhile, the other four queens of crime are each doing their parts in the war effort. Agatha Christie is volunteering in a hospital pharmacy where she is noticing the some chloralhydrate is going missing. Dorothy Sayers is working for the BBC where she runs into a blackmail plot determined to undercut the country's war efforts. Margery Allingham is safe in the country where she is hosting a young woman evacuated from London. The young woman's sister has gone missing, but a note filled with Cockney rhyming slang has reached her indicating that her sister is in danger and in need of rescue. Ngaio Marsh is back home in Christchurch, New Zealand, driving an ambulance, visiting evacuated soldiers, and directing a play whose actors are young university students and writing long letters to Richard Davidson who has moved from Scotland Yard to MI5.
Each of the queens of crime has clues that all lead to the same mystery. It isn't until Lilian puts all the clues together that they understand what is going on. They rescue the young women and foil a plot against England's best good.
This was an enjoyable mystery. I liked the World War II setting. I liked the insights into the lives of four very famous mystery authors.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The four queens of crime - Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham & Ngaio Marsh - each have individual problems in among the volunteering for the war effort. Having met and helped DCI Lilian Wyles of Scotland Yard, two years prior, they decided to contact her for help. It was 1941 in London and Lilian had troubles of her own. Right on the scene at King's Cross station, where a young woman was murdered, Lilian knew the four women could help her with what she knew, and what she didn't know - yet.
Young women were going missing, and the murdered girl seemed like she could be part of what was happening. Richard Davidson, formerly of Scotland Yard and good friends with Lilian, was now a member of MI5, spending his time undercover. He was currently in London and did some sleuthing for Lilian. As pieces of the puzzle began falling into place, Lilian, her offsider May, and the four writers, all joined together to find the final solution...
Death at King's Cross is the 2nd in A Four Queens of Crime Mystery series by Rosanne Limoncelli and I enjoyed it very much. Well written characters, a promising plot, plenty of twists and lots of danger; all surrounded the women who kept their courage and tenacity in front of them, pushing through the dangers. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
Young women were going missing, and the murdered girl seemed like she could be part of what was happening. Richard Davidson, formerly of Scotland Yard and good friends with Lilian, was now a member of MI5, spending his time undercover. He was currently in London and did some sleuthing for Lilian. As pieces of the puzzle began falling into place, Lilian, her offsider May, and the four writers, all joined together to find the final solution...
Death at King's Cross is the 2nd in A Four Queens of Crime Mystery series by Rosanne Limoncelli and I enjoyed it very much. Well written characters, a promising plot, plenty of twists and lots of danger; all surrounded the women who kept their courage and tenacity in front of them, pushing through the dangers. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second book in the Four Queens of Crime series is set in London in 1941 in what was to be the final months of the Blitz. DCI Lilian Wyles and her four author friends, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh and Margery Allingham are all engaged in their individual war efforts, but when a young woman is murdered at King's Cross Station they pull together to solve the crime. Their collective intelligence information sends them on a dangerous mission.
The author's descriptions of what it was like to live through the dreadful situation they were all in at that time are excellent. I was particularly intrigued by the time spent with Ngaio Marsh in New Zealand where she worked as an ambulance driver. I was not aware before this that men injured in fighting in North Africa were sent to New Zealand hospitals to recover. Also written really well was Lilian's experience of the terrible night in May when London was subjected to its heaviest bombing of the whole war.
As well as drawing an amazing picture of the war the author spins an intriguing mystery which moves from one point of view to another until eventually the five friends pool their information and act. The ending is exciting and rewarding. Altogether an excellent book and I hope we hear more from Lilian et al in the near future.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The author's descriptions of what it was like to live through the dreadful situation they were all in at that time are excellent. I was particularly intrigued by the time spent with Ngaio Marsh in New Zealand where she worked as an ambulance driver. I was not aware before this that men injured in fighting in North Africa were sent to New Zealand hospitals to recover. Also written really well was Lilian's experience of the terrible night in May when London was subjected to its heaviest bombing of the whole war.
As well as drawing an amazing picture of the war the author spins an intriguing mystery which moves from one point of view to another until eventually the five friends pool their information and act. The ending is exciting and rewarding. Altogether an excellent book and I hope we hear more from Lilian et al in the near future.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham are back in another “let’s solve a mystery” adventure in Death at King’s Cross, the second “Four Queens of Crime” mystery. This one involves a stolen dangerous drug, missing women and the plan to disrupt the wartime economy. All in a day’s work for our experienced writers, one could hope.
But they’re really given very little to do in this series entry, especially with Margery in the country (our timeframe is early WWII) and Ngaio thousands of miles away in New Zealand. The footwork is mainly left to the women police of Scotland Yard, who find help and hindrance from a large cast of others. While the writers do have their stories to tell, that narrative is mostly of a personal nature and less with the actual mysteries encountered herein.
Be that as it may, the wartime setting is portrayed (especially the air raid of 10 May 1941) with insight and the characters expressive. And there’s quite an exciting “combined operation” at the end that’s neatly done that brings a satisfactory ending to all of the proceedings. Hopefully another situation will pull in more involvement and activity from the “Four Queens of Crime” in a future story.
But they’re really given very little to do in this series entry, especially with Margery in the country (our timeframe is early WWII) and Ngaio thousands of miles away in New Zealand. The footwork is mainly left to the women police of Scotland Yard, who find help and hindrance from a large cast of others. While the writers do have their stories to tell, that narrative is mostly of a personal nature and less with the actual mysteries encountered herein.
Be that as it may, the wartime setting is portrayed (especially the air raid of 10 May 1941) with insight and the characters expressive. And there’s quite an exciting “combined operation” at the end that’s neatly done that brings a satisfactory ending to all of the proceedings. Hopefully another situation will pull in more involvement and activity from the “Four Queens of Crime” in a future story.
August 4, 2026
3.5 The second book in a series featuring the four queen’s of detective fiction of the golden era: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh, this time as characters in mystery stories. It takes place mostly in London during the bombings of World War II, writing is taking a back seat to finding ways to help the war effort: Agatha back working in a dispensary, Margery sheltering people in the country, Dorothy working with the BBC on programming, and Ngaio back in New Zealand helping wounded soldiers. The Scotland Yard detective that they had worked with in the last book, comes to them for help on a case that she has been officially banned from being involved with: a nearly naked woman knifed and killed in a train station and a blackmail scheme that may be connected. She is not sure of who to trust, with both her superiors and the secret service blocking her efforts. An intriguing read though perhaps too many threads to follow until late in the book. It will be interesting to see where the author takes the series. Free ebook from the library.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is book Two in the series about four famous mystery writers set in the early 1940s. This time, the focus is on three of them is Ngaio Marsh is in New Zealand with her family, working in a hospital. The crime writers are joining forces with the Scotland Yard detective, Lillian Wiles, who is investigating the public murder of a woman in the London underground station. Unfortunately, MI5 is determined to stop the women from looking into the case, which only increases their determination to investigate. The authors themselves are not only invested in looking into the murder, but they continue to write their novels and we see their relationships strengthening. I absolutely love this series and the author. She does an excellent job with her character development and the plots. I look forward to book 3.
July 25, 2026
This is the second book in the 'Four Queens of Crime' series and Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh are back with DCI Lillian Wyles. Set in 1941, London is under siege with bombings occurring on a regular basis.
DCI Wyles is a King's Cross Station when a young woman is murdered and the circumstances are strange to say the least. Meanwhile, Agatha is volunteering in a hospital pharmacy where chloroform is going missing and Ngaio is home in New Zealand volunteering at their local hospital. Dorothy is working for the BBC radio where a presenter is being blackmailed and Margery is hosting a young displaced Londoner whose sister has gone missing. The 'four queens' pool their resources to try and solve their various mysteries only to find a common thread.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
DCI Wyles is a King's Cross Station when a young woman is murdered and the circumstances are strange to say the least. Meanwhile, Agatha is volunteering in a hospital pharmacy where chloroform is going missing and Ngaio is home in New Zealand volunteering at their local hospital. Dorothy is working for the BBC radio where a presenter is being blackmailed and Margery is hosting a young displaced Londoner whose sister has gone missing. The 'four queens' pool their resources to try and solve their various mysteries only to find a common thread.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the sequel to the 2024 FOUR QUEENS OF CRIME novel. Here the famous authors and the Scotland Yard officer are all experiencing the London Blitz - Nazi nighttime bombings of London in 1941 during World War II, except Ngaio Marsh, who is in New Zealand with family working in a hospital. They all join forces when Lillian Wyles, the Scotland Yard officer, investigates the public murder of a woman in the London train station. MI5 tries to stop the women from looking into the case, which just makes them more determined. The authors continue to write, as their relationships are strengthened. This series has fascinating characters who provide lots of drama and entertainment. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received this via Library Thing Early Reviewers and Crooked Lane Books. I had not read the first book in the series and didn't know what to expect, but I was intrigued as "the queens of crime" are major characters. Other reviewers have mentioned that this one is darker, grittier than the first book.
While I enjoyed the book, I found the switching between so many viewpoints (Agatha, Lilian, Richard, May, etc. etc.) somewhat distracting.
All the "queens" had a role to play, and I enjoyed their work individually and together. I had not previously known about Lilian Wyles and thought her presentation in the book was realistic (as possible in fiction) and interesting. The mystery and resolution were well done.
I would recommend this book.
While I enjoyed the book, I found the switching between so many viewpoints (Agatha, Lilian, Richard, May, etc. etc.) somewhat distracting.
All the "queens" had a role to play, and I enjoyed their work individually and together. I had not previously known about Lilian Wyles and thought her presentation in the book was realistic (as possible in fiction) and interesting. The mystery and resolution were well done.
I would recommend this book.
August 1, 2026
3.5 stars
Second in a series featuring classic mystery authors Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, as well as actual historical Lilian Wyles, one of the first female Scotland Yard officers.
It's wartime in London, toward the end of the Blitz, and a woman's murder opens up a whole series of questions, implicating some higher ups possibly in the Royal Navy, MI-5 and maybe even at Scotland Yard. Wyles is ordered to stay away from the case but she is troubled by the lack of investigative interest in what is possibly a case of sex trafficking. She turns to the authors for help..
A bit over the top in terms of believability but fun to watch the author interactions.
Second in a series featuring classic mystery authors Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, as well as actual historical Lilian Wyles, one of the first female Scotland Yard officers.
It's wartime in London, toward the end of the Blitz, and a woman's murder opens up a whole series of questions, implicating some higher ups possibly in the Royal Navy, MI-5 and maybe even at Scotland Yard. Wyles is ordered to stay away from the case but she is troubled by the lack of investigative interest in what is possibly a case of sex trafficking. She turns to the authors for help..
A bit over the top in terms of believability but fun to watch the author interactions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked this much better than the first book in the series. Perhaps I've just settled into Limoncelli's style, but I didn't mind the jumping between characters' viewpoints as much. In part, I think it worked better in this book because there were so many puzzling strands that eventually do all come teogether. I enjoyed the twisty plot, as well as Limoncelli's ability to portray great evil in a way that still felt more like a historical cozy mystery rather than a thriller. There was a bit of suspension of disbelief as some plot details seemed a bit contrived, but that didn't lesson my enjoyment. I do hope the series continues. I want to see what Lilian and the writers tackle next.
August 3, 2026
I have to say, book two of the Queens of Crime series really impressed me! I was confused when I first started- how do we bring everyone back together to solve a crime in the middle of a war? How do we get Ngaio back from New Zealand?? The way everyone’s stories came together to create a gripping mystery was ultimately really exciting and masterfully done- though it does stretch belief just a bit that all of them became involved in the same case while so separated. However, that didn’t matter to me at all as I raced to the end- the end was satisfying, and I made me excited for a future book three.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a wonderful mystery combined with some wonderful historical fiction and then throw on an exploration of current events, then this is the book for you. There is so much to love about this murder mystery set in World War II England. The Nazis are in full Blitz but the enemy may be coming from within. This is an easy 5 of 5 star book that delivers on all fronts.
August 3, 2026
It isn't often that a murder mystery crime novel can make me cry, but somehow, Limoncelli brought a tear to my eye, and that gets a book a full 5/5 stars from me! Now I want to read the first one, and sincerely hope that Limoncelli continues with this series, because I'm totally all in!
You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/08/0...
You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/08/0...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hello! The author here! I hope you enjoy this follow up to THE FOUR QUEENS OF CRIME!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cool thriller featuring four incredible mystery writers as the investigators - such a fun read, and good vibes. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.
August 1, 2026
Loved it! Cleverly written…
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three and a half stars.
It's May 1941, the world is at war. The famous novelist Agatha Christie is volunteering at a local hospital in the dispensary. The author Dorothy L Sayers is writing copy for the BBC. Ngaio Marsh has returned to New Zealand where she cares for her father and volunteers at a local hospice for recovering servicemen. Finally, Margery Allingham is in the countryside helping those who have been evacuated or just misplaced by the bombings of London. Each of these famous authors of detective novels comes across something disturbing: blackmail; a sister's disappearance; missing drugs; and ravings about Nazi-style brothels.
Meanwhile, DCI Lilian Wyles is called into the mysterious murder of a young woman at King's Cross station. She was found wearing a flimsy silk nightdress, a man's coat, and nothing else, not even shoes. Her appearance suggests she has been beaten and possibly starved. Then abruptly the murder is taken out of Scotland Yard's hands and taken over by MI5 - the dead woman was an MI5 operative undercover on a mission. When Lilian calls on the four famous novelists little does she know that each of them holds a small piece of a puzzle which could put all their lives at risk.
This is apparently the second book in the Four Queens of Crime Mystery series, I didn't read the first book and there is no need to have anything other than the knowledge that these four women wrote detective novels to be able to read and understand this. I assume some of the story is based on fact (ie that DLS worked for the BBC) and other parts are fiction.
I enjoyed this, despite the coincidences and not having read the first book, and would definitely read more in the series.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
It's May 1941, the world is at war. The famous novelist Agatha Christie is volunteering at a local hospital in the dispensary. The author Dorothy L Sayers is writing copy for the BBC. Ngaio Marsh has returned to New Zealand where she cares for her father and volunteers at a local hospice for recovering servicemen. Finally, Margery Allingham is in the countryside helping those who have been evacuated or just misplaced by the bombings of London. Each of these famous authors of detective novels comes across something disturbing: blackmail; a sister's disappearance; missing drugs; and ravings about Nazi-style brothels.
Meanwhile, DCI Lilian Wyles is called into the mysterious murder of a young woman at King's Cross station. She was found wearing a flimsy silk nightdress, a man's coat, and nothing else, not even shoes. Her appearance suggests she has been beaten and possibly starved. Then abruptly the murder is taken out of Scotland Yard's hands and taken over by MI5 - the dead woman was an MI5 operative undercover on a mission. When Lilian calls on the four famous novelists little does she know that each of them holds a small piece of a puzzle which could put all their lives at risk.
This is apparently the second book in the Four Queens of Crime Mystery series, I didn't read the first book and there is no need to have anything other than the knowledge that these four women wrote detective novels to be able to read and understand this. I assume some of the story is based on fact (ie that DLS worked for the BBC) and other parts are fiction.
I enjoyed this, despite the coincidences and not having read the first book, and would definitely read more in the series.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great series that mimics the golden age of crime. The four Queens of crime ladies aid Scotland Yard and a female detective. Let the women solve the case amidst the war going on around them!!
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