Ngaio Marsh

New Zealander Dame Edith Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982) is recognized as being one of the four "Queens of Crime," alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Margery Allingham. Over the span of 48 years, she published 32 mystery novels, all of them starring British Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Her most popular books include Vintage Murder, A Man Lay Dead, and A Grave Mistake. She was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1966.