Death at King's Cross

by Rosanne Limoncelli

Series:A Four Queens of Crime Mystery (2)

Description

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 show more 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. show less

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khiemstra631 503 reviews

I received this from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers. I had not read the first book in this series, but that had no effect on my reading pleasure for this book. The "Four Queen's of Crime" (Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers, and Margery Allingham) get involved in solving a second murder, working closely with Detective Superintendent Lilian Wyles from Scotland Yard. (Ms. Wyles was also based on a real person.)
The story takes place during the London Blitz fairly early in World War II. The author did an especially fine job of portraying the terrifying, as well as wearing effects, the bombs had on the people of London. In the midst of it all someone kills an MI5 agent in broad daylight in King's Cross Station. And, a number of show more women turn up missing who have a common link back to the dead agent. Shut out from solving the crime by MI5, DSI Wyles turns to the Queens for their assistance.
This is one of those mysteries where the reader begins to see how the pieces fit together before those involved in the solving of the crime have the chance to do so. Of course, the Queens finally assemble all of the pieces to solve the crimes. The author has provided the reader with an intense, slightly gritty, mystery featuring well-known characters from real life. All five main characters help move the narration forward in separate narratives. While necessary, this sometimes jerked the narrative along due to the brevity of some sections. That minor quibble aside, I recommend the book as a worthwhile read that readers of British mystery fiction will enjoy. I will most likely circle back and read the first book in the series now that I have enjoyed the second one so much. I might also sample some additional books written by the Queens of Crime. show less

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Jun 17, 2026

mitchma 85 reviews

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.