"Queens of London" by Heather Webb is a captivating work of historical fiction that transports readers to the vibrant and gritty underbelly of post-World War I London. Drawing inspiration from real-life figures, Webb weaves a compelling narrative that explores the complex dynamics between two formidable women – Diamond Annie, the tough and cunning leader of the notorious Forty Elephants gang, and Inspector Lilian Wyles, one of the first policewomen in English history.

Through this dual-perspective storytelling, the author deftly brings to life the criminal underworld and the nascent efforts of law enforcement to combat the rising tide of crime. The portrayal of Diamond Annie, with her commanding presence and unapologetic embrace of a lifestyle far beyond the expectations of women in the London slums, is both intriguing and thought-provoking. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the solidarity and resilience of the women who defied societal norms and carved out their own paths to a better life.

Equally compelling is the character of Inspector Wyles, whose intelligence, courage, and determination to prove herself in a male-dominated field add depth and nuance to the narrative. Her pursuit of Diamond Annie not only highlights the challenges faced by pioneering women in law enforcement but also touches upon broader issues of social justice and the complexities of upholding the law in a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred.

Through its vivid depictions of the Roaring Twenties in London and its exploration of the unique bonds forged between the women in this story, "Queens of London" emerges as a fierce feminist tale that offers a fresh and engaging perspective on history. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate well-crafted historical fiction that not only entertains but also sheds light on the untold stories of remarkable women who defied the constraints of their time.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book and how it transported to a historical time and setting that I was rather unfamiliar with, the streets of 1920's London, A story surrounding an all woman gang wouldn't be my first choice, but I'm so glad I took a chance here because it proved to be a winner in every way! It's always appreciated to get a fresh and unique perspective in the historical fiction genre that I love so much! Heather Webb's strong writing and storytelling and ability to weave strong historical detail and atmosphere in so well really made this one stand out to me! The story was immersive and compelling, the characters so strong and inspiring, and the overall themes of perseverance, strength, and making a mark in history left their mark. I also really enjoyed seeing the story through the three different women's perspectives. Queens of London truly checked all the boxes for what makes a great historical fiction book. And I can't fail to mention what a phenomenal job the narrator did with this audiobook. The story really came to life as I was listening, to the point it felt more like I was listening to a movie. Such a well done job!

Many thanks to RB Media and Netgalley for the gifted audiobook!

Strong and independent female personas adds to the glamourous but gritty telling of Britain’s first female crime syndicate.
The tough Queen of the Forty Elephants, Diamond Annie might have met her match as she becomes the focus of Office Lilian Wyles goal to prove herself. Putting the infamous crime queen out of business is a sure way to prove herself as the best detective Scotland Yard has. Little do they know how their lives would intertwine due to a little runaway.
A thrilling tale of sisterhood, loyalty and justice like none other.

Set in 1925 London, Queens of London follows Alice "Diamond Annie" Diamond as she leads an all-female crime syndicate, and Officer Lilian Wyles, a detective determined to bring her down. I really enjoyed the focus on female characters and the rich 1920s setting. The intersecting stories of Alice, Lilian, Hira, and Dorothy kept me hooked, and the audiobook narration added extra depth to the experience.

I really enjoyed this book! I read a lot of historical fiction, but not a lot takes place in the 1920's, so this was new for me. This book focuses on all women characters, which I loved.

Hira is a young Indian girl living with her cruel uncle. She decides to run away and take her chances on the street. While she's struggling to survive, she runs into Diamond Annie, the most notorious thief in London. Diamond Annie, or Alice, takes Hira under her wing and teaches her the ways of the world.

While Hira is shadowing Diamond Annie, we also meet Dorothy, a shop girl at one of the biggest department stores in London, and Lilian, a female police officer. Dorothy dreams of becoming a fashion designer, and Lilian is working hard to earn the respect of her male colleagues. All of these characters intersect with each other, creating a rich and diverse story. I honestly didn't know how it was going to end.

The narrator of this book was fantastic. Her voice was crisp and clear, and she brought the story to life in ways that I really appreciated. I would definitely listen to more books with this narrator.

Loved this read, so historical and immersive..

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my feedback.

I think this book just isn’t for me, or at least for me in this particular moment in time. I’m finding myself unable to connect with the characters and I’ve been struggling to keep picking this book up for me. However, I think this may be a me issue since the reviews are really good.

If a slower burn, character driven historical fiction is in your wheelhouse, definitely give this one a try.

Thank you Recorded Books for the advanced copy.

I just love a Historical Fiction story, and I’m always so fascinated by the 1920s. Set in London during 1925, Queens of London is a story of glamour and adventure as it follows four women trying to make their way in the world.

I enjoyed this story and love seeing strong females represented in a time that was predominantly a man’s world. Diamond Annie leads a ring of women in a heist.

I loved Lilian and Annie’s characters, and did an immersive style of reading with the physical and audio formats and loved both.

*many thanks to RB Media and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I always love a good historical fiction read and this was a pleasure to listen to. Good story and great narration to support the wonderful characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of four strong women making their way in the world. Lilian Wiles, proving her worth as a female detective in Scotland Yard; Alice Diamond, queen of the Forty Elephants, the first female crime syndicate in London; Hira Wickham a 10 yr old runaway orphan living on streets, and Dorothy McBride, honest, caring store clerk. I loved seeing their lives intertwine and the respect they received from each other and those that were part of their inner circles. The narration was very good and kept my interest. Thank you to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the ARC in change for my honest review.

I loved that this book was all about women. The woman, in power, Officer Lilian Wyles, and the criminal, Diamond Annie, the Queen of the Forty Elephants.

Diamond Annie leads a ring of women that steal on the streets of London, from people, from stores, anywhere they can set up a heist. Officer Wyles is stuck in a man’s world, where she is treated like she’s incompetent and gets inconsequential jobs just to keep her busy. She wants to prove herself, so she is determined to catch Diamond Annie and dissolve the Forty Elephants.

Lilian and Annie are both strong, independent women. They both want to make their mark on the world in their own ways. I loved how each character was written. I wanted to be friends with both of them.

I enjoyed Amy Scanlon’s narration of this book. She did a good job distinguishing between the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for my ALC of this book.

This is the second time I’ve picked up a novel about the Forty Elephants in the last year, so I was a little nervous it would feel repetitive, but Webb has done something really different with the story here from what Erin Bledsoe did in her version, eponymously titled Forty Elephants. Both were excellent books, and proof that there are many ways to take an historical subject while still trying to be faithful to the real story.

The addition of a child protagonist to this one makes it likely the less realistic of the two, but it also may be the more entertaining and certainly the closer to a happily ever after ending.

I preferred Bledsoe’s Alice, but I liked Webb’s portrayal of her better. This is likely closer to what the real Diamond Annie might have been like, and though I expect both authors may have been kinder to the legacy of Lilian than the likely reality, it’s a good way to create a heroine for the story on the other side of the law.

Though it’s entirely fictional, Hira’s role in this book was my favorite part of it, and I loved how Webb imagined her role into some of the real events involving the Forty Elephants. And of course, I adored Biscuit.

4.5/5 stars. historical fiction about strong women leading gangs, strong women trying to arrest those gangs, and the strongest little girl to ever run away from home? count me in.

this was a delicious read inspired by real events and individuals in london, and one of the rare books where i found myself liking all of the main characters. diamond annie, the leader of the all-women's gang featured in this book, was my favorite by far, though. heather webb did an amazing job of humanizing her and giving the reader insights into her struggles as queen of a notorious gang, without spoon-feeding or sugarcoating anything. i loved the way annie's relationship with simon was written in particular, especially the ending.

i also wanted to write a special mention about what a phenomenal job the narrator did in the audiobook edition of this. each character was given a unique voice and accent, to the point where i felt like a movie was playing in the background as opposed to a novel. this translated very well to an audio format, and i'd definitely recommend it.

i received an ARC of the audiobook edition in exchange for an an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alice Diamond is the head of an all woman gang, the 40 Elephants, in London in the 1920s. She comes by it naturally, as the eldest of 8 children, in a family that has always skirted the law she is the first one to become successful. The Elephants look out for each other and commit crimes together, usually looting the high end department stores, to get by. Alice prizes loyalty above all else. One day she encounters a spunky street urchin named Hira, a recently orphaned upper crust runaway with a pup at her heels, and decides to take the girl under her wing and train her in the ways of the gang. But Alice's focus is divided as her gang is on the brink of splitting and they have met their match when Lilian Wyles, Scotland Yards' first female detective, begins to investigate them. These women are the real queens.

Loosely based on real people Heather Webb's historical fiction is captivating and original. I found the subject matter and women to be intriguing as I was unfamiliar with either of the real women's stories. The plot is face paced with the three main characters contributing their POVs. Although the characters are vastly different they are connected and ultimately understand each other . Webb's descriptions and ability to capture the worlds that these ladies lived in is impeccable. I love a good historical fiction that can capture the essence of a time frame but with character and an undercurrent that still feels relevant today.

I had the audio version read by Amy Scanlon who's narration was engaging and enjoyable to listen to.

Just goes to show you that women really can be anything - even criminals!

I was so surprised by this book - picked it up on a whim after receiving an advanced audio copy and it absolutely blew me away. I am 100% in my historical fiction era, and like most fans of the genre, am often in search of a unique time period/location. I had not previously read anything about Diamond Annie or the Forty Elephants, and was just fascinated at the premise of an all-female street gang, let alone one that was in place 100 years ago. This was also my first Heather Webb, but I am sure it won't be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley + RB Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

“Queens of London” by Heather Webb, narrated by Amy Scanlon, is a thrilling and captivating tale of power, ambition, and sisterhood set in 1925 London. The protagonist, Alice Diamond, also known as Diamond Annie, is the fearless leader of the Forty Elephants, an all-girl gang determined to leave their mark on the city. Alice is a brilliant mastermind with big dreams of creating a crime dynasty, unlike anything the world has seen before.
On the other side of the law, we have Officer Lilian Wyles, one of the first female detectives at Scotland Yard. Lilian is a determined and skilled investigator looking to prove herself in a male-dominated world. When Lilian catches wind of the heist planned by Alice and her gang, she sees an opportunity to make a name for herself by taking down the notorious Diamond Annie.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed, drawing readers into the lives of these strong and complex characters. The dynamic between Alice and Lilian is tense and gripping, showcasing the power struggle between two formidable women on opposite sides of the law. The supporting characters, such as Hira and Dorothy, add layers to the narrative and offer different perspectives on the challenges faced by women during that period.
I particularly enjoyed the historical and factual elements woven into the narrative, shedding light on the notorious female crime syndicate, the Forty Elephants. The author's note at the end provides valuable insights into the real-life inspirations behind the story, adding depth and authenticity to the novel.

Overall, “Queens of London” is a compelling and thought-provoking read that explores themes of justice, power, and resilience. I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone looking for a riveting tale of strong, independent women making their mark in a male-dominated society. Heather Webb has crafted a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

The Queens of London by Heather Webb is a story about London society: the good parts and the ugly parts. I almost didn't listen to it, as I didn't know if I would enjoy it but I am glad I did. The story has some endearing moments, especially with young Hera, an Indian child who has to survive on the streets. I felt for sweet Dorothy, who was naïve but had so much promise. Diamond Annie, the gang leader, hurt my heart, as she had so much potential for good, but only knew how to survive. Finally, Lilian, the police officer, who wanted to change the world, one woman at a time, was a delight to read about.

Who knew the measures that women would go through in post-WWI London to get by. Diamond Annie is straight gagster with a heart of gold. The way she cares for and helps provide for the Forty Elephants but she does expect the upmost loyalty from each of them.

Sweet innocent 10 year old Hira Wickham is just trying to escape her uncle who is wanting to take all her inheritance and send her away to a boarding school. She runs away. While living on the streets she befriends Biscuit whom becomes her most loyal companion. She stumbles upon Diamond Annie and helps the Forty Elephants pull off one of the biggest crimes.

I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really liked Queens of London. Webb's story made you feel like you were in the streets of London with Diamond Annie, Hira, and the Inspector. I liked getting to know all of the characters. They were well developed. I also liked that it was based on real people and that the author provided info at the end of the story. The story was fast paced and exciting. I was sad when it ended. I highly recommend this story if you are a historical fiction lover or love a story about strong women and found family.

This is a weird one. I liked the narrator, and I liked the premise of the novel. I liked getting to learn about a "real life' gang of women, and thinking about the strength they showed when strong women were an anomaly. However, I really didn't like the novel/audiobook. The two biggest problems are that I really didn't like either of the main characters - I didn't find Lilian or Alice engaging or interesting or compelling. Alice was annoying, selfish, and strangely stereotypical. Lilian was too bland, wishy-washy, and not fleshed-out enough. Too many of the plot elements relied on things that were too unbelievable to too much of a "coincidence" and too much of the story was overly predictable.
All that said, there are a couple of supporting characters who have REALLY stayed with me, and I think of strangely often.

Both Hira and Dorothy are charming, and sweet, and I really want to follow them after the pages of the book. Again, I'm not sure why they both, but especially Hira, have really stayed with me, but it is because of them that I raised the star rating of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.