The Housekeepers
Alex Hay
368 pages
Graydon House
published July 4, 2023
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About the book
The night of London’s grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs launch a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and class
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.
My Review
What if Downton Abbey took a more nefarious turn? This really gave me Downton Abbey vibes with the time period and the rich and their servants. Except everything is not what it seems and a little bit wild. There are all types of secrets and a countdown to the planning of a heist. Throughout the book, as the heist planning gained new participants, I kept wondering why they were doing it.
While it is a little bit of a slow build, it ends up with mystery and suspense. The reasoning behind the heist is complex and the layers unravel slowly., but eventually all is revealed. I paid close attention but I was still surprised by some of the double and even triple crossings. I did have a little trouble at times keeping track of all the characters and would go back and start a chapter over, but that cleared up any confusion I had.
I think this would make a good book club choice as there is lots to talk about and maybe even a better buddy read with stops to chat about where things are headed while reading.
A unique twist on a historical mystery. I am interested in what the author has planned next.
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.
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