Loved this! It was wonderful to get information on these women that - for some- so little is known. Bravo, Mr Marks, job well done! ( )

Marks does a serviceable job of introducing the life and works of seven successful woman writers of the 20th century, only one of whom, Patricia Highsmith, I have actually read. After a while, the detailed descriptions of various plots (with spoilers) become a little tedious, but perhaps that is more due to the writer herself (e.g., Mignon G. Eberhart) than to Mark's retelling. This book does make me want to explore the psychological depths of Margaret Millar's best works. Perhaps a little Leslie Ford, since I live near the area where so many of her books were set. Dorothy B. Hughes also emerges as more than worth a look as does Charlotte Armstrong, whose books I remember seeing on my father's shelves. Eberhart, I'm not too enthusiastic about. Phoebe Atwood Taylor sounds interesting, but not really my style. And I think maybe the Highsmith I have read is enough--but I plan to live a long long time, so who knows, I may get back to her after all!

The author's respect for each author shines through, and except for his misuse of "hoi polloi" this is well done. ( )