The Housekeepers: A Novel

by Alex Hay

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798885793483
Publisher:	Gale, A Cengage Group
Publication date:	11/08/2023
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	566
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

ALEX HAY grew up in the United Kingdom in Cambridge and Cardiff, and has been writing as long as he can remember. He studied history at the University of York, and wrote his dissertation on female power at royal courts, combing the archives for every scrap of drama and skulduggery he could find. He has worked in magazine publishing and the charity sector and lives with his husband in London. The Housekeepers is his debut novel and won the Caledonia Novel Award.

Editorial Reviews

06/05/2023

In Hay’s glittering debut, a former housekeeper in Edwardian London embarks on an ambitious plan to burgle the mansion where she used to work. Assisting Dinah King in robbing the de Vries house, home of Dinah’s late employer Wilhelm, are Winnie Smith, Dinah’s predecessor and close confidante; Mrs. Bone, a black-market trader and Dinah’s mentor in crime; a pair of circus performers each named Jane; and servants Hephzibah Grandcourt and Alice Parker, the latter of whom still works in the house. The crew hatches a scheme to rob the house on the same night Wilhelm’s daughter plans to hold the biggest ball of the season there. What initially appears to be an act of revenge against Dinah’s former employer evolves into a multifaceted tale of individual desires, social machinations, and the reckoning for long-buried secrets. Hay spins a remarkable yarn of daring and defiance, and gleefully piles on one outrageous event after another over the course of the party, involving both thieves and guests. Though the hijinks require a broad suspension of disbelief, readers will delight in the shenanigans. This lighthearted romp is a treat. (July)

Publishers Weekly

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

From the Publisher

Meet the most likeable group of criminals since Robin Hood’s merry men. The Housekeepers is fast-paced but thoughtful, vengeful but compassionate, satisfying but completely unpredictable, a deliciously clever novel…You’ll never have so much fun cheering on grand larceny.”

New York Times bestselling author Nina De Gramont

A glamorous, 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!”

author of Adriane Jennifer Saint

Rollicking fun and entirely original…Anyone who relishes a good party gone wrong will devour this.”

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Penner

Jasmine Blackborow transports listeners to 1905 London for this intriguing story of revenge and robbery. Mrs. King, housekeeper for Miss de Vries of Park Lane, is suddenly fired for supposed indiscretions. Mrs. King decides to harness her power and gathers a group of working-class women to pull off a robbery of the de Vries mansion. The catch? The robbery, intended to clear the house of all possessions, will happen during a grand masked ball with guests present. Listeners will hold their breath as Blackborow builds the tension slowly and mindfully, from the planning of the heist to the night of the ball itself. Blackborow conveys empathy for all the characters and will make listeners question what makes a hero or a villain. The boundaries are not always clear. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2023 - AudioFile

Jasmine Blackborow transports listeners to 1905 London for this intriguing story of revenge and robbery. Mrs. King, housekeeper for Miss de Vries of Park Lane, is suddenly fired for supposed indiscretions. Mrs. King decides to harness her power and gathers a group of working-class women to pull off a robbery of the de Vries mansion. The catch? The robbery, intended to clear the house of all possessions, will happen during a grand masked ball with guests present. Listeners will hold their breath as Blackborow builds the tension slowly and mindfully, from the planning of the heist to the night of the ball itself. Blackborow conveys empathy for all the characters and will make listeners question what makes a hero or a villain. The boundaries are not always clear. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2023 - AudioFile