What about a heist but in the turn of the century? We have this historical fiction book:
A Housekeeper - Mrs. King was until very recently a housekeeper in a large and expensive house. Until she gets fired.
A Heist - So in revenge she plans a heist, to rob the mansion, with the help of other women who are also posing as workers, and its going to take place during the evening of a grand ball
A Legacy - Are there other reasons for this robbery and what other connections are there between these women?

For those of you who like Oceans 8, this one is kind of like that, but also some Gosford Park and The Guilded Age thrown in. It was fun, but sometimes it lagged a little in its pacing. There is a lot to unpack in this book with all of the ladies' motivations, including the one being robbed. If historical fiction is your thing, you probably should pick this one up.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for my advance electronic copy

On the day that Mrs. King, housekeeper to one of the grandest houses in Mayfair, is dismissed, her plan is set in motion. Not for her to grovel and pine. No. She helped plan the event of the season before she was sacked, and now she will use it to perform the heist of the century. She recruits a group of women that society has passed over: an aging mentor who is fighting off younger competition; an actress trying to overcome childhood trauma; two twins whose brilliance is overlooked; a young seamstress trying to find her way; and another former housekeeper carrying secrets not her own. And as we fall in love with this rag-tag bunch, we begin to see that friendship may very well overcome class and gender, but only when strengthened by the truth.

I was totally sucked in! I found myself rooting for this group of women out to get some of their own back--a piece of the ill-gotten fortune of the recently-deceased Mr. de Vries, now that his spoiled daughter has taken over. Secrets and secret connections and motivations were uncovered at every turn. I also loved the glimpse into Edwardian London--historical mysteries are my groove. I always find it interesting when men write female characters (and vice-versa), and I felt that Hay did himself proud in this case. I hope there will be another chance to see what Mrs. King and her crew get up to!

I will share this review on the book's release date on Instagram, and will share it immediately on Goodreads (see links).

This is a fun caper and revenge novel against a housekeeper’s employer. There is a good deal more going on. It was so brilliant to see the Haves and Have Nots, not just in upper crust Edwardian London society, but also a secret society of gangs who control an underground of thieves and pawnbrokers. All types of folks get their comeuppance. No one is spared. Even family. Female revenge at its best.

The reader is an active participant in the novel, watching as an entire mansion ‘s contents, including the private rooms, get stripped of their possessions. These are removed in an acrobatic blur of activity with precise timing DURING a ball at the mansion. I can’t wait to see this as a film.

When Mrs. King, head housekeeper of the gawdy de Vrie’s estate, is let go from her position, she starts to plan. First step, assemble a team. There is no shortage of people who would love a piece of the late William de Vries' vast fortune. But she knows the women for the job. Winnie, former housekeeper, took Mrs. King under her wing so many years ago. And who conveniently has personally catalogued each item in the massive house. Mrs Bone, who taught her everything she needed to know about scheming and plotting, and who might have an ulterior motive herself. Hephzibah, scullery maid turned actress extraordinaire. And Alice, quiet as a mouse and perfect for keeping eyes in the house. Step 2, the plan. On the night of the biggest ball of the year, things will disappear. Not just a couple of items.... all the items.

In a very Oceans 8 meets downtown abbey heist plot, we follow these women as they plan the biggest heist of all times. With hidden secrets and motives around every corner this book is an entertaining page turner that truly plays out like a movie. Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Canada, and the Killer Crime Club, for the opportunity to receive and advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own

After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs.

With that tag line, how could you not love The Housekeepers? While there are a lot of characters to keep track of, it's a fun, fast-paced read set in one of my favorite time periods. Thanks for the opportunity to review!

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for access to this arc.

This sounded delicious. When I was approved for an arc, I think I clapped my hands with glee. Who doesn't want to see "put upon" people finally getting their revenge? That it's set in 1905 just added to my interest. How on Earth were five women going to strip a house down to its mouseholes <i>while</i> a lavish party was in progress? I couldn't wait to find out.

I had no idea how they were going to do it and once the plans began to unfold, I wondered how there would be enough from the haul - magnificent as it seemed it would be - to pay everyone off. A lot of cleverness went into it. A lot of planning was done. It was lucky that Mrs. King could read (most) people well enough to judge to a nicety how they would respond. She was usually correct.


Still a good heist story needs not only interesting robbers with reasons for us to pull for them but also some last minute snags and unforeseen events. The book has both. Mrs. Bones is not a woman to cross under any circumstances as she's been ruthlessly running her patch of London for decades. She will, however, snatch women from the common fate of females without protection, as she did with the Janes, two women enough alike to pass as sisters who also have remarkable skills.


It's Mrs. Bones who discovers a dark secret in the house which uncovers the truth behind another woman's sudden dismissal three years before and her reason for joining the heist. And Mrs. King's half sister will face a temptation even as she hides from and fears the results of an earlier attempt to follow her dream. There's another prickly woman I never truly got a good handle on. I think I might know why she also left the household but that's nothing but a guess.


The plan is bold, daring, and audacious. It relies on some advanced planning and expecting normal human reactions from people. There is timing involved but no split second fuses nor does anyone peel off a fake "Mission Impossible" facial mask. Some ropes and rappelling does take place. I like that there's an even mix between the heist, the women, why some of them (the ones not only after enough money to set them up for life) are doing this, and the justice that is found for ones who were done terribly wrong. I wish the little ferret faced errand boy had been dealt a round of rough and ready. But for the rest, they find what they're seeking even if perhaps they didn't realize exactly what they sought.

Early 1900s, London, an eclectic group of women who call themselves the housekeepers, stage a heist to rob a wealthy Mayfair mansion during a fancy fall. While the premise is great, I found it a bit confusing with all of the different characters, their motivations and side plots.

Alex Hays’ The Housekeepers is a clever, imaginative, entertaining tale of a grand heist, set in 1905 London. The thrilling plot kept me flipping the pages to discover what the merry band of housekeepers and other “below stairs” servants would next devise and achieve. Though some of the characters might have been better developed, and I would have liked more detail in the final few chapters, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and would welcome a sequel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Graydon House for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Housekeepers is a fun read that will have you laughing out loud and cheering on the group of women who are simply the best at planning the heist of the century.

Mrs King having been let go as Housekeeper has come up with the brilliant plan to strip the grandest home in Mayfair.

There is quite a cast of characters and I loved everyone of them.

Twists and turns keep those pages turning.

Bookclubs will love The Housekeepers and I recommend highly you get your copy and settle in for a delightful read.

Alex Hay you have a new fan and I cant wait to see where you take us next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin Trade Publishing Graydon House for a fun and exhilarating read.

I loved the concept of this book though it wasn’t as riveting as I expected. It had a good plot but I found it was lacking in the character development. I enjoyed the characters but I just wanted something more. Maybe some more back story would have helped me connect a little more. All in all a solid read.

The premise of this book ticked all my boxes. I enjoyed the storyline and characters and look forward to more from this author.

In this book full of secrets, a recently dismissed domestic worker recruits a motley assortment of women for an elaborate heist on the house she left.

4.25/5⭐️

This is my first “heist” book. A debut novel set in 1905 London, this is a story about secrets, revenge and power as well as the dynamics of blood family and family built on friendship.

The premise of the plot is a daring heist orchestrated by the “hired help” (including ex-housekeepers, an actress and a “mafia-type” lady boss) during the most lavish ball of the season.

While yes, it’s about the meticulous planning and implementation (albeit with mishaps/mistakes) of a pretty much impossible task, it’s also about the dynamics of power, control, and class and family factors.

I enjoyed this book, reminiscent of both ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Downton Abbey’, but I also had to suspend belief quite often on the mechanics and outrageousness of the actual heist. I admired the women who undertook the monumental task. And I was also glad to hear from each woman what this daring-do meant to/for them.

My only caveat is probably the length which I feel could have been tightened up a bit. Otherwise, I found it well-written and entertaining.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Graydon House for providing the free early arc of The Housekeepers for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The synopsis had me very interested but I struggled to get into the story, connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Ultimately, it wasn't for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it early!

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay is an absolutely magnificent novel from start to finish. Eloquently written, the novel grabs you immediately and never lets go, making for a page-turner of a book.
The setting of the book in pre-WWI, with all of the social norms and morals - or lack thereof - of the time makes the intriguing story all the more rich and compelling.
The roster of female characters, who rise above their own unique challenges to make up the crew of a heist worthy of another Oceans 8 movie, consists of women who are relatable and fascinating. The struggles each of the women experience before and during the heist deepens the novel. But it is still, at its core, a wonderfully fun romp in which women engage in a high stakes crime to rise beyond the lot in life that has been meted out by the powerful men of the world.
The Housekeepers is satisfying, original, complex, and clever novel, and one of the best historical novels I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it.
I am happy to have received an ARC of #TheHousekeepers from #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing.

This was a turn of the century London heist during a masked ball! All pulled off by “the help”. I felt I would have given this 5 stars had the characters had more backstory. Overall enjoyable read. Would have liked to see a reconciliation at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book, which I was able to get thru #killercrimeclub group on Facebook.

The Housekeepers is like no historical fiction I have ever read before. Someone said Downton Abby meets Ocean's 11 and that really says it all. I really loved the concept of the women who worked for the elite pulling off a heist.

Mrs. King is working as a housekeeper in 1905 London when she is let go of her position. She brings together a group of women, many of them with understandable grudges against the deVries family, to pull off the heist of the century. They are going to wipe out the mansion while Miss deVries, whose father recently passed away, hosts a ball at her home.

The descriptions of the mansion and London do an excellent job of taking the reader into the location. The characters are interesting but there are so many of them and so many relationships between them that I never felt like I truly became attached to anyone. I enjoyed the book but I would have liked it better if it had gone more in-depth with fewer people.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley, Killer Crime Club and Harper Collins Canada.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This an Intriguing story of the world of a housekeeper.

What happens when the lower staff members takes revenge on high society, The unimagine happens as you will be taken on a wild journey at a ball that will make an unexpected mark.

They say there is nothing like revenge by the opposite sex but when the lower class strikes, it will be a costly price in this game of war.
A fascinating read.

Thank you NetGalley and Graydon House for my ARC copy of The Housekeepers. What a fun read. We get to follow along with angang of women as they plan a hugh robbery during a ball. They also take the time to.seek out some revenge and some justice. This was a well written debut novel from Alex Hay and I will be watching for his future books.

THE HOUSEKEEPERS was an entertaining heist story set in London 1904. A group of women from the working class decide to strip the house of recently deceased Wilhelm deVries from top to bottom during a ball held by his daughter.

Each of the women has their own reason to want revenge on deVries and the plot twists and turns as each reason is revealed. The story was filled with twists and turns. It is a rather grim story spending a lot of time in the underworld that supports the glorious upper class with their homes, fashions, and folderols.

Fans of heist stories and of the time period will enjoy this one.