The Housekeepers - by Alex Hay

Book Synopsis

The night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs plot a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and class

Named a Best Book of Summer by The Washington Post * Good Housekeeping * Harper's Bazaar * Reader's Digest

"Rollicking fun and entirely original... Anyone who relishes a good party gone wrong will devour this."
--Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she's made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows.

When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs. King's predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance.

Their plan? On the night of the house's highly anticipated costume ball--set to be the most illustrious of the year--they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there's one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she'll run any risk to get it...

After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs.

"A deliciously clever novel... You'll never have so much fun cheering on grand larceny."
--Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair, a Reese's Book Club Pick

*Don't miss Alex Hay's clever next novel, The Queen of Fives, in which a mysterious heiress with a secret sets her sights on London's biggest wedding of the season

Review Quotes

Praise for The Housekeepers

Named a Best Book of Summer by The Washington Post * Good Housekeeping * Harper's Bazaar * Reader's Digest

"Rollicking fun and entirely original... Anyone who relishes a good party gone wrong will devour this."
--Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

"A treasure trove of contradictions: fast-paced but thoughtful, vengeful but compassionate, satisfying but completely unpredictable. Alex Hay has written a deliciously clever novel... You'll never have so much fun cheering on grand larceny."
--Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair, a Reese's Book Club Pick

"Hay brings a lively tempo and an elegant wit to this zippy thriller that is also a social commentary on the plight of the powerless."
--The Washington Post

"If Ocean's 8 took place at a Bridgerton ball instead of the Met Gala, you'd have The Housekeepers."
--PopSugar

"[A] glittering debut...The ensemble cast is a delight of this delicious, Downton Abbey-like tale of the reversal of fortunes."
--ShelfAwareness

"[A] quick-fire, almost whimsical story of class and privilege, of low and high society.... mischievous, suspenseful and just plain fun from start to finish."
--BookPage (Starred Review)

"A glamourous, fast-paced historical heist novel that kept me hooked 'til the last page. The strong, determined and memorable female characters pull you into their web of intrigue--it's so much fun!"
--Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

"Fun, fast-paced, and totally immersive, The Housekeepers is a rare jewel worth coveting. Sensational!"
--Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters

"Imagine Ocean's 8 had an illegitimate baby with Fingersmith--a big fat diamond of a book, sharp and shiny, joyful and generous, intricately plotted and featuring an ingenious use for a trapeze."
--Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said

"[A] glittering debut.... This lighthearted romp is a treat."
--Publishers Weekly

"This wonderfully inventive story paints an authentic portrait of London society in the early 1900s and is full of shocking secrets, suspense, hidden identities, flamboyant characters, and subtle humor... Fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, and twisty, pacy thrillers will love it."
--Booklist

"Alex Hay's fun, fast-paced debut is shot through with themes of power and class... If you enjoyed Oceans 11 or any of the films that followed, you're going to want to snap this one up."
--Reader's Digest

"The heist novel may be almost as difficult to plot successfully as to pull off in real life. "The Housekeepers," by Alex Hay, gives the genre a delicious twist."
--Christian Science Monitor