Fabulous! I loved learning about the untold lives of these amazing women who dared to live life on their own terms. Rich with detail, Webb spins a magnificent tale.

1925: The men are home from war, and women are back to their miserable jobs as laundresses and cleaners, but not for Diamond Annie who refuses to work herself to the bone for pennies. As the head of the notorious all girl gang the Forty Elephants, she is determined for her girls to have a better life, despite their criminals means of reaching that dream. Diamond Annie, Alice, wants to buy a building so her girls can, like her, get out of their parents’ house and support themselves. To do this she needs far more money that her typical heist provides. No more five-finger discounts, this time, the girls need to go to the source, the manufacturers, to get the scale of stolen goods to move them up and out.

Young Hira Wickham has run away from her greedy miserable uncle who threatened to move her to a boarding house that runs more like an orphanage after her parents passed away. Life on the streets is tough for a posh half Indian girl, and other than one friend at a department store, Hira’s only hope of surviving the winter is under the protection of Diamond Annie. The Forty Elephants are anything but maternal, and Hira does what she can to stay out of the way and be useful when necessary. Alice has a job for her, and after that Hira wants out.

Inspector Lillian Wyles simply wants her male colleagues to see her as an equal. As a former war nurse, she has seen her fair share of blood and heartache. Lillian, despite being put on a the shopping lifting/chasing orphans beat, knows her time is coming when she’ll finally make a name for herself and earn a little respect at the Met. She has her eyes trained on Diamond Annie, if only that orphan Hira wouldn’t stand in her way.

Inspired by the real Forty Elephants gang, Heather Webb gives us a fun fast paced story about women who are willing to do what they must to get ahead and their deep-rooted loyalty to one another. These “Queens of London” will keep you turning the pages long after bedtime.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and of course the author Heather Webb for the advanced copy of the book. Queens of London is out now. All opinions are my own.

An story full of glamor and danger, Queens of London transports us into London’s criminal world where Diamond Annie rules as queen of the Forty Elephants women’s gang.
Four fascinating characters whose lives crash together to create a page-turner of a novel, Queens of London is an fun story of three women and a young girl who take charge of their lives and become experts at their chosen professions. Set in 1920s London, the story revolves around the infamous Forty Elephants, a gang of female thieves who robbed London’s best high-end department store, they are led by Diamond Annie, aka Alice. The tale of a lady detective, an honorable thief, a department store clerk, and an orphan kept me up late into the night. I was routing for these criminals! The characters are so flushed out and really enjoyable.
A fast read and worth your time.

This historical was absolutely unputdownable. It is a boutique London first all women crime syndicate and a female detective at Scotland Yard. So good! It completely captured me and I couldn't stop thinking about this book. One of the best historical reads I've read.
I just reviewed Queens of London by Heather Webb. #NetGalley
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Alice Diamond aka Diamond Annie runs her gang of women on the tough streets as the Queen of London. Diamond Annie takes in a street kid and takes her under her wing while teaching her the ways of the streets. The gang spends a lot of time taking from others as their livelihood. Toss in a fairly newly minted inspector with the local police and the story is a classic cops and robbers. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.

Never hearing about this famous female “mobster”, I was immediately interested in this book! It’s one of my favorite time periods set in one of my favorite places. There are many strong personalities within the women in the book and I loved how the worlds of Hira, Dorothy and Annie intersected. I adored Hira and her resolve to set herself apart from what her uncle had in store for her as well as Annie being the ultimate girl gang leader of the Forty Elephants, which was an actual female crime syndicate! Then there’s Dorothy who hasn’t quite found her happy place but plays a key role. The alternating MC to Diamond Annie is detective Lillian who puts up a tough fight to prove her worth to her male counterparts to bring down Diamond Annie and her gang. I really felt for Lillian with her sharp mind and her warm heart trying to protect women.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and author Heather Webb for my gifted physical copy and this eARC to read and review!

This is an absolutely riveting 1920s historical fiction based on the real life all-girl crime gang, The Forty Elephants. This story focuses on the lives of 4 very strong, cunning and capable women .... from both sides of the law! But don’t you dare think that because this is about women gangsters and pink-collar crime that it isn’t full of fast-paced action! It’s a page turner bursting at the seams with drama and intrigue that got my heart pumping … but also a heartwarming tale of found family that pulled at all my emotions!

This was a new corner of history for me and I found it very captivating. Heather does an amazing job interweaving fact and fiction (don’t miss the author’s notes at the end of the book) and I was not only entertained, but learned so much too! This is a big recommend from me!

I enjoyed this look at a historical women's gang of thieves. I haven't read about this topic in the time frame in the story and I found it so interesting. The author bases some of her characters on real people and I loved the author's note at the end detailing her inspiration and how it all came together. The audiobook is very well done and it was a fun way to enjoy this book.

Queens of London tells the dark and glamorous tale of Britains first all female gang, The Forty Elephants. Alice Diamond is the most notorious leader of the Forty Elephants and expects complete loyalty from her girls. Lillian Wyles is of Londons first female detectives and she’s determined to catch Alice and end the reign of the Forties. The two women are drawn together by Hira, a young girl runaway who needs their help.

Queens of London is a historical crimes novel. It was full of fast paced action. The Forty Elephants and characters are drawn from real life. The story is told from the perspective of the three main characters; Alice, Lillian, and Hira. Hira is a smart girl who uses her wits to survive on the streets of London. Alice and Lilian are real life characters. They are both strong and fierce and their characters were fully fleshed out.

I switched between the physical and audiobook. I enjoyed the narration by Amy Scanlon. She portrayed each character in a unique way making it easy to follow the different points of view.

This is my first novel by Heather Webb and I will definitely be reading more of her books! Queens of London is a great pick for fans of historical fiction!

Courtesy of Sourcebooks Publishing and Netgalley I received the ARC of Queens of London by Heather Webb. This well researched atmospheric historical novel is set in 1925 London and relates the stories of Diamond Annie, head of the Forty Elephants female crime gang, and Inspector Wyles, the first female inspector in the Metropolitan Police Force, and their intersecting paths. In a world not hospitable to women trying to survive on their own merits, the compelling and intelligent fictional characters of young and resourceful runaway Hira and beautiful hard working Dorothy add to the compelling narrative. This tale of strong women survivors on both sides of the law is highly recommended!

Heather Webb has introduced me to a whole new world of thieves. 1925 is the time of Diamond Annie, AKA Alice, in London. I love that she led a gang of women, Forty Elephants, doing heists in major department stores. In exchange for these thefts, Alice offers her girls protection from the world around them. I love the grit, the strength, and the wits that had to be shown to pull off their heists and to keep them out of jail.

The other story, Hira’s story, was also interesting. I love seeing this young girl’s will to make something of herself and her struggle with right and wrong. Her understanding that to live on the streets sometimes you have to do the wrong thing but that does not make you a bad person showed how grown up she was. While her life was not easy, she never gave up on making something of herself.

The Queens of London is a marvelous historical fiction book that tells of a part of history that I had not heard of before. This book teaches me about history but also tells me a story that is new to me.

Hira is a young girl living with her uncle in London. Her parents have passed away and he is threatening to send her to an orphanage. Hira runs away and ends up on the streets. She finds a wonderful dog that she names Biscuit. But she also finds Alice. Alice, the queen of the streets and leader of a crime syndicate, takes Hira in and trains her. But Hira knows she can’t keep this lifestyle up.

Wow! What a great read! So different and unique! I love a story that teaches me a thing or two! I had no idea about a gang of women in London, the first female crime syndicate. Not only that. this story also covers female detectives during this time period.

This is a well researched and absolutely captivating tale. I was hooked in the very first chapter. I love all the layers, time period and characters! Do not miss this one!

The narrator, Amy Scanlon, is extremely talented and did the child’s voice perfectly. That is a big turnoff for me. But this narrator nailed it!

Need a fantastic, engrossing tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Queens of London is a totally binge-able story about the real-life “Diamond Annie,” the elected queen of an all-girl gang in the 1920s. It also includes the real-life Lilian Wyles, one of the very first female detectives of Scotland Yard. While the story itself is fiction, this is one of my favorite genres of historical fiction. I love it when authors learn about real figures like this and weave a delicious storyline that makes them truly real and relatable characters.

I definitely recommend this one for my female empowerment friends who love a little history and fiction thrown into a mixing bowl and served up as an entertaining novel. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a few sad aspects of the storyline that will pull at your heartstrings, but overall I definitely recommend this one for historical fiction lovers.

I am always excited when I see Heather Webb has a new book out, and with my latest addiction to anything London this was the perfect book for me! Not only did I love the fiction parts of the story but I loved all the details of real events that took place between 1870 and 1950. Have you ever heard of the ring of female thief’s called the Forty Elephants? I never had and after I finished the book I did a hard dive into Goole learning about these fearless women. The Queens of London follows the main character “Alice Diamond” and her team of women as they set out robbing expensive department stores. When I was in London I visited Harrods so throughout the book I was picturing the women navigating this glamourous department store. I loved that the author told the story of these women but beautiful weaved in a story about a little girl without a home or family. Hira was my favorite part of the book. A sweet little girl left without a family flees from her uncle who wants to send her to an orphanage. Hira would rather live on the streets then end up in a place she has heard scary tales about. Life on the street is harder then she thought but she finds a very nice lady who wants to help her, a dog who adopts her as his owner, and a powerful woman named Alice that Hira knows is trouble. Alice is willing to take Hira in when she catches her pick pocketing on the street because she can use her as part of their gang. No one would suspect a small child and she could be the perfect distraction for her girls to gran what they need and get out. Clothes, Fur, jewelry… all these items can be stolen and sold for money. Hira will learn that life is complicated and she has to be careful who she trusts but she’ll also learn that the kindness of strangers can change her life for the better.

The Queens of London is based on real life Diamond Annie, her gang the Forty Elephants, and first female detective Lilian Wyles- or Inspector Wyles, as she quickly corrects. Readers get a sneak peek behind the swinging doors of pubs in the East End and posh entries into the shops of Mayfair. The suspenseful plot is advanced by four main characters.
The antics and heists of the female gang, the Forty Elephants, with Diamond Annie as the Queen, continue to be a major focus for Scotland Yard in 1925 London. The main character is based on the real-life Alice Diamond. Webb develops Annie so deeply that I changed from being dubious of her motives to being very anxious that she might be caught and sent back to prison! Somewhere, deep down, Annie does have a heart covered by years of scars. Inspector Lily Wyles is also based on one of the first female detectives. She begins at Scotland Yard with “womanly duties” such as watching for shoplifters and orphan chasing. As the plot progresses this former nurse begins to question justice and her rigid rule following. Her tolerance for finding logic relaxes in a very satisfying turn of events.
Dorothy, a vibrant, unique, shop girl and aspiring designer, reveals her dreams of moving out from her mum’s flat and to an independent lifestyle. A fictional character, filled with angst at finding a husband or following her dreams, she is very typical of young girls of that time. The development arc is deftly drawn and will keep readers engaged and cheering for Dorothy.
The ten-year-old beautiful, brown skinned Hira Wickham is a heart stealer who reads her etiquette books, deals with her wealthy but hateful uncle, and makes gut-wrenching decisions. Hira is smart, brave, and with her lovable, street-smart dog, Biscuit, tugs at all the emotional heartstrings.
Diamond Annie and the Forty Elephant’s next major heist is just the case that could change everything for the female crime syndicate and Inspector Wyles. An immensely nerve wracking but exhilarating chase!

Queens of London by Heather Webb is a wonderful novel about the Forty Elephants - an all girl gang in London in 1925. Their fearless leader is Alice Diamond also known as Diamond Annie.. They steal mainly from high-end department stores. Everything is going really well until Lilian Wyles from Scotland Yard sets her sights on arresting Alice. Based on actual events, this is a story I have never heard anything about. Heather Webb always has strong female characters in her novels and I really learned a lot reading this book and I think you would too!

This book is a prime example of all the "good" stuff no one learned about in school! Webb dazzles readers with the glamour of crime by providing Alice with dimension. She wasn't just a crime leader. She was a woman who had wants, needs, and desires. Lilian mirrored Alice in knowing she was the best at her job but consistently had to contend with her femininity. In adding the characters of Dorothy and Hira, Webb allows readers a glimpse into the other pitfalls that females had to endure. Being unloved, unappreciated, and undervalued have led women throughout the centuries to make hard decisions. Webb balances crime and compassion in a story that will be enjoyed by many.

Alice leads a gang of all women thieves, The Forty Elephants, in 1920s London. Tough girls all, the characterization is well developed and engaging. With the only female detective from Scotland Yard involved, the action is fast and makes for a good read.

I loved everything about this novel based on real-life Diamond Annie, leader of Britain’s first female crime syndicate (called ‘The Forty Elephants’); and real life Inspector Lilian Wyles, one of the first female officers in UK history. Set in 1920s London, the novel focuses on the Elephants and how Alice (Diamond Annie) operates the gang and protects her girls while the Inspector works to capture the thieves despite having an unfavourable detail. The story is narrated by the two strong, formidable women as well as two other determined females: 10 year old Hira, who grows up without any real affection and runs away from her uncle’s house to live on the streets with newfound friend Biscuit; and always underestimated Dorothy, a clever shopgirl with a flair for design.

I enjoyed this story’s development and watching the characters grow, particularly sweet innocent Hira. The pacing of this story was spot on and the shifting narration kept me engaged from start to finish, something which can be tricky when switching points of view. I love how Webb tied each of the story lines together and how even the smallest details were wrapped up by the novel’s epilogue. Despite the fact that the women are at odds and on different sides of the law, I found myself rooting for each of the characters in turn as they worked to bring their dreams into reality. Throughout #queensoflondon there was action, suspense, strength in female friendships, helping those who need protecting, found family, loyalty, discrimination, survival, heartache, love, and loss.

I really enjoyed how Webb seamlessly connected each of the stories with multiple points of view using her flawless writing style. Each story had me engrossed from the start; even sitting on the edge of my seat at times. I was intrigued from the start to see how everything would come together. I can’t wait to read more by Heather Webb!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance #drc (digital review copy). I loved every page!!

#bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookstagram #femaleauthor #femalewriter
#queensoflondon #heatherwebb Heather Webb, Author #historicalfiction #women #roaring20s #femaleempowerment #strongfemalecharacters #literaryfiction #youshouldreadthis #diamondannie #elephantandcastle #fortyelephants #alicediamond #lilianwyles #roaringtwenties

This is a fictionalized story of the life of Alice “Diamond Annie” Diamond, the leader of the Forty Elephants which was an all-girl gang that specialized in shoplifting in the early part of the 20th century. It’s told from the perspective of Alice herself, as well as from one of the first female detectives, a shopgirl, and an orphan who now finds herself homeless and drawn into Annie’s world.

There is nothing about this that particularly stood out to me besides Alice’s story itself. I’ve never heard of Diamond Annie but I was very intrigued on what led her to the life she had and what an all-girl gang looked like in the 1920s. The book did manage to delve a little deeper into the differences between a gang of men versus one, with just females, and how the females utilized their “feminine” assets to make them successful. Alice also had to fight harder and faced problems that her brother, as leader of his own gang, would never have dreamt of.

The problem though with telling a criminal’s story is you have to evoke some sort of compassion or empathy from a reader. Unfortunately, all of the characters were exactly what I predicted them to be. Alice herself remained unlikeable to the bitter end. I’m not sure she ever really justified her motives, even to herself. It also felt like it was trying to cover too much by giving us so many perspectives. I would have just preferred this to be about Alice as opposed to a broader attempt to tackle feminism.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.