I gave Queen of Diamonds 4 stars because it’s an enjoyable and well-crafted historical fiction novel. The setting, spanning the 1890s and 1920s, is richly detailed and immerses the reader in a world of intrigue and deception. The storyline, centered around a group of thieves, is engaging and offers plenty of twists to keep things interesting. This book is a prequel and works as a standalone read, but I believe it would be even better when read as part of the series. I read it before the other books and liked it enough to want to go back and start from the beginning.

However, it did take me a while to get familiar with the characters. The split POV structure, while adding depth to the story, was somewhat confusing at first. The characters felt a bit too similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them initially. I have a feeling that reading the previous books might have helped with this, as there would have been more background to build on.

Overall, I enjoyed Queen of Diamonds, though it wasn't the best book I’ve read in the genre. It’s a solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of suspense.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

After reading and loving the first two installments in the Queen of Thieves series (Queen of Thieves and Queen of Clubs), I was excited to read the final installment in the series, Queen of Diamonds. This third book most accurately would be billed as a prequel, as it covers the origin story of Alice, the Queen of Diamonds, and her inspiration, Mary Carr.

While I enjoyed learning how Alice got her start, I found the novel a little confusing, as it is told in dual timelines and dual points of view, and the two stories seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. In fact, for most of the book I was wondering why I was reading about Mary Carr at all! The author does bring the two stories together in the end, which saved the novel for me. The crossover of the two stories is a little far-fetched, with too many coincidences to be believable.

Beezy Marsh writes of the first quarter of 20th century England in a way that makes the scenes come alive, and the characters, though they may be hoisters, are likeable and empathetic. The plight of the women in the story is described in such a way that crime becomes the logical solution, and one that the reader supports regardless of its immorality.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC of Queen of Diamonds by Beezy Marsh. The opinions in this review are my own.

In this final installment of The Queen of Thieves series, you'll be transported to the streets of London in the 1920's. It's a raw story of love, loss, backlash and revenge. I've loved this series. The 20's setting is always a favorite of mine.

Queen of Diamonds by Beezy Marsh is a gripping and entertaining read that will captivate fans of strong female protagonists and historical fiction fans.
Such a great read. I loved everything about this book. The characters were relatable.
The setting is ending and the storytelling was fantastic.
This historical crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Queen of Diamonds, the third installment in the Queen of Thieves series, offers a captivating glimpse into Alice's origins! I've thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, but this one stands out as my favorite! The characters of Alice and Mary truly resonated with me. From the very start, Queen of Diamonds captured my attention and held it tight! The narrative was emotional, mysterious, and intriguing. I found it impossible to put this book down, and I sincerely hope there will be a fourth installment!

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series by Beezy Marsh, so I was really looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint! I loved that we got Pearlie's origin story, as well as, Alice's. This is a gritty tale of two women who fought with what they had to get themselves out of the slums of the Seven Dials. Thieving was way they chose to elevate their stations, and they were very good at it, until they got caught. This is both heartbreaking and inspirational.

I really, really love this historical fiction series based on real life women who rise above their lower class origins to take control of their lives and fortunes by grifting. This book is told in a dual timeline structure that focuses on multiple women living in London in the 1880s and 1920s and the way their lives intertwine comes together beautifully in the end. This is a great as an audiobook narrated by Rachel Atkins and can be read as a standalone. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Books and author Beezy Marsh for the arc!

Gah. I am absolutely in LOVE with this series!! I don’t know where to even begin, so I’ll start with those covers. Ya’ll … they are so gorgeous! And trust me, you can judge these books by their covers ... the stories inside are just as beautiful! Gritty & real highs & lows, fast paced scenes with plenty of action, heart wrenching drama & heart warming accounts of loyal friendship & found family … these books have it all!

Queen of Diamonds is the third & final book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. It takes us back to where it all started … with Alice Diamond as a young girl & Mary Carr, the woman who stormed the way for female hoister gangs in London. Both of their stories will rip you apart!

I wanted to scream with the unfair treatment of these women faced simply because of their station in life & their gender! I don’t usually get too emotional when reading books, but viewing life through the lens of these women feeling their pain & frustration along with them made me want to throw something. Ya, I know they were thieves … but in this case, I was totally rooting for these morally gray gals!

Beezy Marsh expertly tells this tale so that even tho I felt all the despair & heartbreak of what these women endured just to survive … I closed the book with smile on my face & a warm place in my heart!

Queen of Diamonds is a fantastic standalone read that immediately drew me in. Even though I haven't read the first two books in the series, the historical elements were a highlight. The characters, storylines, and descriptions of impoverished London from the late 1800s to the mid-1920s made for a page-turner.

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this eARC.

This is a dual-timeline story, with Mary Carr being the focal point of the late 1800's timeline, and Alice Diamond's timeline in the 1920's. The two merge in the most unexpected way. Although this is book 3 of the series, this could be read as a standalone. I had already read another book about Alice Diamond, so I was interested in finding out more about her backstory. It was depressing, reading how women from the "wrong side of the tracks" so to speak were treated, and the conditions the were forced to live and work in. The ways they were exploited by those in authority or with wealth was shameful. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to check this out.

This book 3 of trilogy, which can be read as a stand-alone, is based on the leader of a notorious gang of shoplifters, Alice Diamond of the Forty Thieves. She was inspired by the first Queen of Thieves, a daring girl from the London slums of the 1880s, called Mary Carr.

London, 1900. The story begins with Lady Harcourt venturing into the dangerous alleyways of Seven Dials, despite the warnings to avoid the area. As an artist, her curiosity wins out, leading her to explore the lives of ordinary people, which she captures in her sketches.

In Seven Dials, while watching her brother play at the fountain, Mary notices a lady in a fancy dress. The woman offers Mary a coin and asks her to show her around. The encounter sets Mary on a new path. She begins to pose in ragged clothes for Lady Harcourt and later, secretly, for her husband. Mary is a quick learner and observes how people look at her differently when she wears fine clothing. This realization sparks an idea.

Alice grew up in Seven Dials, where stealing comes naturally as a means of survival. She has no interest in toiling in a factory. Instead, she prefers to ‘liberate’ fine things from people’s pockets or counters at posh shops. It’s there that she meets another accomplice, Kate Felix. With her refined accent and her own gang of the Forty Thieves, Alice is exceptionally Skilled at what she does. But it only takes one man to distract one of them, leading to dire consequences.

The sharp and engaging prose makes the story fast-paced, and there is a surprising moment when the connection between the two protagonists is revealed. The novel also vividly portrays the grim reality of London’s poor neighborhoods, evoking sympathy for the girls who long for a better life. It also highlights the attitudes of the privileged, who often look down on the less fortunate as if they were mere obstacles to be crushed.

At the forefront of the story is a gang of women who take charge of their lives, but behind this façade lie deeper issues, including incarceration - in both jails and mental institutions. The narrative delves into the psychological toll of separation, exploring how isolation can exacerbate anxiety and lead to further mental damage. The story touches on real and timeless themes with remarkable depth.

Queen of Diamonds is a must-read. It challenges readers to weigh two sides of ethics dilemmas: those who steal without remorse and those who dismiss others with cruelty and a lack of empathy. While the story may seem superficial on the surface, it delves deeply into societal issues, making it powerful and though-provoking read.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this advanced copy of #QueenofDiamonds !

Can’t believe the final installment of the Queen of Thieves trilogy is here already. I have thoroughly enjoyed this 1920s all girl-gang from London. Think Peaky Blinders, but with all women!

In this one, we get to learn more about Alice and how she went from working in a jam factory to becoming the head of The Forty Thieves. I really liked getting to read about Alice’s backstory and learn about all that she had to overcome.

You can read them in order of their pub date (like I did), or you can read this one first since it’s the backstory of Alice, and then read the other two.

I enjoyed the first two books in the series, Queen of Thieves and Queen of Clubs, and this third installment was a great origin story of Diamond Alice! Dual time line set in late 1800s and 1920s in the tenements of London as well as the posh areas of Mayfair and Soho. Alice grew up hearing about Mary, the legendary Queen of Thieves back in the day. Alice was tired of living and suffering in poverty, so she gathered friends to create her own gang of thieves. She and her gang sisters hoisted in the stores for those bits that could be sold quickly for cash (stockings, scarves, single ring, etc.) but also went big with fur coats and luxurious gowns. They were good and quick with a swipe, until Alice and her best mate, Kate, were nicked by the cozzers (police). I was surprised at who got them caught as it is reveled near the end of the book.
This origin story of how Mary began her first gang of Forty Thieves was creatively woven throughout Alice's story. I do not want to give anything away, but I believe any reader will be captivated by this book and how the two women's stories intersect. Alice, Kate, and Mary were well developed characters. The antagonist, Lady Dorothy Harcourt, was a fictionalized character and entertains the reader with her snooty attitude toward those less fortunate. As the story unfolds in the tenements of the Seven Dials, you could feel the despair and smell the horrors of that living situation. When Alice was all spruced up and at the dance hall, you could picture all the dazzling men and women dancing the evening away.
What I was surprised about was in the Author's Notes, she states she spoke to relatives of the original gang for insights. I love when primary sources can inform authors writing.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you read the first two from this author. I would also recommend this book if you have read other books about Diamond Alice and the Forty Thieves.
#QueenofDiamonds #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I looked forward to reading this third book in the series and it did not disappoint! I do think one could easily read as a stand alone. I love the gritty setting in the poorer parts of London and the way we learn how they survive. The jelly factory was quite an eye opener.

The author brings the reader back into the world of thievery and pick pocketing. The characters are interesting, flawed and well developed. While in the modern world we may feel disdain for these criminals but in the world of Queen of Diamonds we feel empathy for most of the characters.

I think this story is a good adventure and keeps your interest! Great example of good historical fiction. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

"Peaky Blinders - but with women! In the thrilling final installment of Beezy Marsh's riveting crime trilogy about a real-life London gang that began with Queen of Thieves, we go back to crime queen Alice Diamond's bold beginnings in 1920s Soho.

London, 1922. Orphan girl Alice dreams of more than toiling long hours in Pink's jam factory. Inspired by stories about the legendary Queen of Thieves, Mary Carr, who terrorized the streets of Victorian London, Alice decides to set up her own gang: the Forty Thieves. She has an accomplice too: sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel persuades Alice they'd make the perfect team. Before long, the pair are making headlines in the glitzy world of 1920s Soho, known for their daring heists and for the row of heavy diamond rings that Alice uses like brass knuckles in her frequent brawls.

What Alice soon discovers is that a life of crime makes her powerful enemies, including some who are closer to home than they'd like. Alice must sacrifice more than she ever imagined - but the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.

From squalid slums and the grim confines of Holloway Prison to the glittering nightclubs of London in the roaring twenties, Queen of Diamonds is a fast-paced, gritty story of love, loss, and loyalty to the gang. Women's fiction with brass knuckles on!"

You know how a few years back now Ada Lovelace was everywhere? Well, replace Ada with Alice Diamond. She's the star of the moment.

This was a crazy good read. I loved every bit of it. I really enjoy the Queen of Thieves series and getting to know Alice and Mary was a great look into the next two books. I feel like the character of Alice makes MUCH more sense to me reading about her beginnings and how she became the Queen of Thieves. I also really liked the look into the early 1900s and 1920s London that wasn't a remake of Downton Abbey. You can tell Beezy Marsh did her due diligence in the research that went into this book.

I enjoyed this book. I was completely drawn into the stories of Alice and Mary. We read about places introduced earlier in the series and learn Alice's back story. I think this book was my favorite. The dual timelines worked well together.

I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC.

I absolutely love the premise of this series and the female bad guys! This book is the 3rd in the series but you can definitely read them as a stand alone. I love the time period and the elements the author used to bring this novel to life. Very fun read!

The Queen of Diamonds is the third in the fourty thieves series and I loved every one!
Following Alice Diamond is such a treat, these books are enthralling and you really can’t stop turning the pages.

In the third book we go back to Alice’s roots and learn about how she became the Queen of Thieves and it is such a fun time!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author the E-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Engaging third book in the Queen of Thieves series. Readers learn the backstory of Mary Carr-the original Queen of Diamonds back in 1898 when she first saw Lady Dorothy Harcourt and how she would affect her life. Readers also meet Alice in 1923 and how her life will later be intertwined with Mary's.

I loved how we first meet Mary in the slums and how she went from being an art model for Lady Harcourt, how she became a thief, to finally, her time in Bedlam. The details of the insane asylum during the early 19th century are horrific with the cruelty directed toward women.

These women are resilient, strong, and learn to live on their own wits. There's also a sisterhood that develops between the women. They are thieves, but they also are loyal even when pressured to be otherwise.

I loved how the author ties it all together by the end of the book with a twisty reveal that I didn't see coming.

Fans of the Queen of Thieves series won't be disappointed.