This book was right up my dark and devious alley. I have always been one to champion the underdog and while Mrs King may seem to be exactly that, she is not to be underestimated. Her plot bands together a fantastic group of women that made my feminist little heart want to own a petticoat containing a secret plan too. Housekeeper Mrs King is dismissed and has revenge on her mind. She brings together a team of female associates to plan a robbery and all whilst the house is in the throes of a party during the season. Laughs and mysteries abound in Alex Hay’s, The Housekeepers.

The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup

For a historical fiction, I didn’t think that the telling was good enough to evoke the year of 1905.It’s 1905, the somber colors and repressive sensibilities of the Victorian era are gone along with the 19th century, and the glittering Edwardian era is in its full if brief splendor of wretched excess in the pursuit of pleasure while so-called ‘Radicals’ agitated towards reform and the world lurched towards the Great War that upended society, killed a generation of young men and hastened the British Empire towards its sunset. Imagine Ocean’s 8 had an illegitimate baby with Fingersmith– a big fat diamond of a book’ Erin Kelly The night of the Ball arrives and of course disaster after disaster occurs, but with this group of unwavering women, they will fight to the very end for what they are rightly due.

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay | Waterstones

Punch-the-air good, the Edwardian heist novel you never knew you needed. Flawless, lawless fun’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave But it was the intrepid plan to remove every single item from the grand house, all while a costumed ball is underway that really intrigued me. Leave your disbelief in the servants quarters and just enjoy the dancing.

The strong, determined and memorable female characters pull you into their web of intrigue' JENNIFER SAINT

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay - Fantastic Fiction The Housekeepers by Alex Hay - Fantastic Fiction

With the countdown of the days to the costume ball, they set up the scam with the help of Mrs. King’s sister Alice, Winnie, the two Janes, Sue and Hephzibah. All take incredible skills to the table which will be used to prepare for the night and work the steal before, during and after the Ball. And practice makes perfect!

Alex Hay

That being said, Alex Hay does a spectacular job of navigating sensitive issues and topics in his engaging prose without veering into an exploitative territory. Punch-the-air good, this is the Edwardian heist novel you never knew you needed. Flawless, lawless fun." - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The Housekeepers: A Novel by Alex Hay, Hardcover | Barnes The Housekeepers: A Novel by Alex Hay, Hardcover | Barnes

London. When Mrs King is suddenly dismissed from her position as housekeeper at the de Vries home, she isn't worried because she has an ace plan up her sleeve. On the night of the de Vries's ball coming up about three weeks later, Mrs King, along with her carefully chosen group of six women, will strip the de Vries mansion of its valuables. Is this just a revenge for being fired, or does Mrs King have some ulterior motive? How will this heist proceed? The twists or secrets were not that big, in my opinion, and, at the end, it all felt farfetched. Also, the reason for the heist was a bit weak and unrealistic. The goal? Clean out the estate. Of everything. Leaving nothing. Of course, along the way they come to many crossroads but with determination they will not fail. They will stay strong not for themselves but for the justice that will be served for all the housekeepers who have had to pay with sweat, tears and sometimes their lives. These housekeepers will learn they are extremely strong and capable with more skills they ever thought they had which gives them the courage needed to get the job done.Senior commissioning editor Frankie Edwards won world rights to the Edwardian heist novel from Alice Lutyens at Curtis Brown. Headline Review will publish it as a lead launch title in spring 2024.