The Four Queens of Crime

DEBUTIn 1938, four iconic writers of Golden Age crime fiction—Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham—agree to host a gala to raise funds for the Women’s Voluntary Service, knowing the money will help Britain prepare for the coming war. Baronet Sir Henry Heathcote offers his home, Hursley House, for the event, and London’s most monied and influential figures attend. Although the authors notice a few problems, most of them involving Sir Henry, the event is a success. However, the next morning, a maid finds Sir Henry murdered in his library. DCI Lilian Wyles, the first woman detective chief inspector in the CID, is sent to Hursley House, along with DCI Richard Davidson. While Davidson is deferential to those of high status, Wyles wants to involve the mystery authors, knowing that they are keen observers. When Allingham loses valuable papers after someone hits her over the head in the library, Wyles and the authors know they’re on the right track.