1905

The House of de Vries is a huge 7-floor home sumptuously decorated and filled with expensive treasures. The master of the house has recently died leaving just his daughter to inherit everything. Miss de Vries has decided to hold a ball and there is a lot of planning going on for that.

Mrs. King has been the housekeeper at the mansion for some years now but has just been fired after being caught in the gentlemen’s quarters. Ah, but she is not going to let that go easily. So, she is meeting with some of her cohorts to take revenge on this family.

We have Mrs. Bone who has her fingers in lots of pies. Winnie Smith was the housekeeper at the mansion before Mrs. King. Hepzibah used to work in the kitchen. Alice is a good seamstress and has a job at the mansion as a sewing maid working on Miss de Vries's ball gown. All of these women and more plan to pull off a huge heist the night of the ball stealing every valuable in the house. Can they do it?

For me, this book was all over the place. It took awhile to try and figure out why these women were wanting to do this. The events at the ball were just crazy. So, if you like a book with lots of over-the-top things going on, this one is for you.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

3.25

As an avid reader of British historical fiction, I am invested in the plight of the downstairs staff. It sickens me when I read about housemaids being raped, knocked up, and inevitably kicked out without a reference by the master of the house or 12-year-olds starting their life-long careers in service (or servitude rather).

It was the sticking-it-to-the-man (or ma’am), that drew me to this book. Just like with any of their servants, the smallest of miss steps could get you kicked to the curb. I like that goal of the story was to really make a statement. That said, it was quite a bit over the top and highly unbelievable.

Because it was so preposterous, I should have known that my nerves wouldn’t be able to take it. I spent the entire book cringing and waiting for the other shoe to drop, and for the servants to be locked up with no consequences for the Gentry. Speaking of locked up, reading that the servants were locked in their rooms each night just because one was found in the hallway in the male servant's quarters was despicable. From my limited knowledge, I believe even slaves in the south were able to cohabitate.

Mrs. King is the housekeeper found the out of bounds and immediately sacked. Even from the beginning, her indifference towards that outcome makes you think it was done completely on purpose. Immediately, as if she had been planning it for a very long time, she approaches a female mob-boss-type character to partner with, and essentially underwrite the theft of every single valuable item in the house. This is where things take an unbelievable turn. Stealing a number of large, valuable pieces, could have made a major statement and kept the storyline somewhat believable.

Semi spoilers ahead…

As things, progress, Mrs. King seems to be the one part of the plan who is least necessary. It is quickly apparent that any success is completely down to the army of actors and hired masses, and they aren’t even being paid yet or, as far as we know anything beyond a standard wage. If it wasn’t under believable enough, each of the seven “masterminds“get sidetracked with their own agendas and throw off the tightly scheduled and choreographed haste. In the end, was any of it even worth it?

There are a number of endearing characters and moments, however. I really liked the Jane’s and they were the most committed in the end. The spectacle in the backyard was kind of fun to read about, and, unfortunately in many cases, not too far off from the way Victorians treated the rare curiosities (animals, people, plants, etc.) of the colonized world.

Had I not committed to reading and reviewing this book, I’m not sure my heart would have let me continue through to the end, though I rarely abandon what I start reading. Take my comments with a grain of salt and don’t read it unless you can abandon any need for the sensible and believable.

Oceans 11 meets Downtown Abbey in this upstairs/downstairs heist of the century.

I was really excited by the premise of The Housekeepers and was expecting it to be my book of the year from the blurb alone, which is high expectations going in! The main characters are mainly female-led which is great and I really enjoyed the plot being presented – ransacking an entire household of possessions during the party of the year undetected.

Unfortunately, some aspects of this book fell short. Firstly, I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters as well as I could have – there are quite a few of them and they all have their own secrets which aren’t revealed until later in the book. This means that it feels like you are held at arms-length with some of them. There were also quite a lot of strands to the story – the part about young girls in the household didn’t really make sense to me and I was unsure why it was included. Lots of people seemed to be related to other characters as well which was difficult to keep track of in my mind.

The pace is quite slow which was a surprise – I was expecting myself to be racing through it. I also felt that the conclusion of the heist itself wasn’t as satisfying as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fun, light read but expectations were high, and it didn’t quite deliver!

Overall, The Housekeepers is a brilliant premise but was let down on the execution which was a shame, with a pace that dragged and too many characters and sub-plots which muddied the plot. Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin, Graydon House & Headline - Review for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun in reading this story of revenge, solidarity amongst women who are considered as expendable by those who are upstairs. A group of woman who join forces to rob the former employee of Mrs King of all her riches.
I loved Mrs King since the first pages as she’s a clever and ruthless woman and it will be hard to stop her to reach her goal. She and her companions are interesting and clever women, women who suffered but also know secrets of what happens behind the shining façade.
A fast-paced story featuring a cast of well-developed characters, a different look to the world of upstairs and downstairs. The historical background is vivid and detailed.
I loved these women and loved this story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Housekeepers is the debut novel by Alex Hay. This is a historical fiction about a heist organized and carried out by the "downstairs" help.

Set at the turn of the 20th century, this novel is full of deception, intrigue, and suspense.

An interesting take on a historical fiction novel.

I tried to get into this one but ultimately it just wasn't for me. I will try the author again though!

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!