The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to listen and review it if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Gives a great insight into female crime gangs in the 1920s, a great historical novel with good narration. It’s slightly depressing in places but also funny. With great characters and a great insight into the past and way of life for many women with no options.

This book had such an interesting concept and I was so excited to read it. A book about angry girls who take back their power? Sign me up!
While I did enjoy the book, I did feel a bit disappointed with the execution of the story. I felt like not a lot actually happened and there wasn’t a real character arc. I also felt that the characters weren’t really fleshed out or very nuanced. I also wish there had been more focus on the friendships between the four girls.
I did like seeing how girls had to find other ways to gain some independence and freedom and not be forced into the only socially acceptable role for them. How working class women were treated as less even by other upper class women.
I did like that the ending was quite open so we can imagine what their lives would be like

I loved this unique and engaging story! It was the perfect insight into the real-life Forty Elephants that existed during the early 1900s while still remaining fictional enough to be exciting. I loved Eleanor's character and how she develops from being a shy, somewhat awkward girl too big for her societal role into an intelligent and courageous young woman who, while undoubtedly doing the wrong things, sticks to her morals. The only downside of this novel was the ending. I thoroughly hated what Effie did, especially since it was so out of character for her, and it disappointed me greatly that not only did the author never explain why she did what she did, but Effie got away with it completely too.

Absolutely loved this book and the insight into the lives of London's criminal groups. The narration was excellent and very engaging, making the story pop. There was humour, drama, very likable characters and how they looked out for one another. Brilliant book..

Fabulously rich in detail and atmosphere, this is a story of an organised female gang the Forty Elephants set in the 1920s. These, larger than life characters have decided not to accept their ‘fates’ of either being poor and serving others all their lives or marrying somebody for the security only, either way being miserable. Their girls are feisty, organised, confident and very colourful. I felt very transported into the era in question and immersed in a very different lifestyle and attitude, fantastic escapism and like nothing I’d ever read before. The narrative was entirely compelling as their stories unfolded and I was gripped by how the various choices and crossroads in the main character’s life completely transformed her life and took her in different directions Highly recommend, I stumbled on a real gem here.

Great historical fiction novel set in 1920s England.

When Eleanor makes a chance encounter with an attractive gentleman when working as a waitress at the Grand, little does she realise that the feeling of excitement she's been missing since the war ended, is about to return in far greater amounts than she could imagine.

Moving to London and adopting a new persona of Nell, she quickly learns how those without survive in the big smoke. Embraced by the ladies of the 40 Elephants, led by fearsome Queen Alice Diamond, Nell's lessons and life as a lady thief are both filled with adventure and danger.

Engaging and interesting; I hadn't heard of the 40 Elephants before and found it interesting to look for more detail after reading this book. Much of which helped to showcase the accuracy that Clare's novel contained.

Watching as Nell struggles to become comfortable in her life while seeking to maintain contact (and fulfil her duties to her family), her quest for justice follows her through until she suffers the same fate as many of the 40 before her...a prison term.

Looking at the strength that can come from true friendship, this is a great female led, historical fiction novel and I look forward to reading more from Clare in the future.

I don't usually read historical fiction, but I wanted to try something new. I listened to the audiobook "Poor Girls," and I really enjoyed it.

The book is about a group of women who are criminals in 1920s London. It's a surprising story because we usually see men in these kinds of roles. The story is fast-paced and exciting, with plenty of twists and turns.

I loved the characters, even though they do some bad things. They're trying to fight against the rich and powerful. There's a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the audiobook.

Excellent narration by Jenny Bede really brought this story to life. It’s the 1920’s and Eleanor is living a fairly normal life, living with her family in Brighton and wishing for something better, when she gets the opportunity to really change her future. She is invited to join a group of women called the 40 elephants, a gang of thieves. It is easy to like Eleanor and hope that everything works out for her. A very enjoyable read. Thank you to Net Galley for an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

This title appealed because it sounded a little different and I was looking for a change from my usual genres. I wasn’t disappointed. I have the audio version and narration throughout is spot on. Captures the essence of each of the characters and the times. It has a loose historical setting and I felt the period detail was interesting. There’s such a stark difference in lives; on the one hand poverty driven and the other, a life of fun and excess.

It’s great to follow a journey into a different world and this book really sparkles, especially the dialogue. I found it very easy to visualise as I was listening and I was quickly lost in another era. It’s a cracking tale with a huge twist. Loved it.

An extremely enjoyable historical tale in which you are fully on the criminals’ side all the way. They are definitely have more scruples than the wealthy, powerful men in the book. Lovely book and great ending

I really enjoyed this book and found the plot and premise interesting. Eleanor was a really interesting character to follow and I found her compelling to follow. She had a really interesting story and development progress. The side characters were interesting and well developed, I like the girls she lived with and found them so interesting. The story progression was done really well and I liked the way it always kept me on my toes. The elephant gang were so interesting and I definitely want to learn more about them.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Poor Girls - @clarewhitfieldauthor

“Men steal everything. Now we want our share.

1922. Twenty-four-year-old Eleanor Mackridge is horrified by the future mapped out for her – to serve the upper classes or find a husband. During the war, she found freedom in joining the workforce at home, but now women are being put back in their place.

Until Eleanor crosses paths with a member of the notorious female-led gang the Forty Elephants: bold women who wear diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin, who take what they want without asking. Now, she sees a new future for herself: she can serve, marry – or steal.”

What a wonderful and vivid story of friendships, bravery and loyalty. Claire paints such a vibrant and clear picture for the reader and you can’t help but feel fully immersed in 1920s London. It’s full of the excitement, glitz and glamour you’d expect from a book set during this time and is based on the true story of the real Forty Elephants gang who were working during this time. If you like historical fiction, strong women and suspense with a character driven plot then this book will be for you.

The audiobook narration by @jennybede was outstanding and added an extra level of brilliance to the story. Their ability to switch between characters was great and their pacing and delivery was really good. I’m very quick to stop listening if a narrator doesn’t work for me but this performance was 5 ⭐️.

Thank you to @netgalley, @headofzeus and @clarewhitfieldauthor for the opportunity to listen to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Girls is released on the 7th November!

3.5 Stars ⭐️

I did not expect this book to be so witty!
It was an interesting historical fiction with a lot of funny characters. They were just stealing and shoving things into their bloomers. Doing crime but make it chic ✨

It was a fun listen, full of humour and unfortunate events. Nell was definitely my favourite character!! She was bossy and knew what she wanted. It was quite entertaining.

My favourite quote:
“This is her Lambeth, we just live in it” 😂

Thank you Head of Zeus audiobooks via @Netgalley for this ALC

Enjoyable romp set in London after the end of the Great War.

1920’s and “Nell” can stay waiting in tables in a grand hotel or she can take a risk….. beg, borrow or steal are her options so she chooses Steal!

She gets involved in a “cell” of female thief’s who steal from large stores. It gets her Adrenalin roaring and she finds it exciting, not to mention it pays well. She can even send money home to her parents……thank goodness hey don’t know how she’s making this money!

It’s a true story based on the gang from the 1920’s but using fictional characters. They are a bit like a female version of The Artful Dodger and his cronies as Nell is shown how to steal then hide her swag.

It’s a very gentle tale, not only of thievery, but of female bonding and friendship. Through poverty comes loyalty, trust and bonds that are strong.

Set in the 1920s, Eleanor is a young woman living in Brighton with few prospects for her future. After something of a chance encounter, she is drawn into this world of the 40 elephants, an all female criminal gang specializing in shoplifting and petty theft.

Women, especially poor women, have long been forgotten from history books, so when a book offers to cover a topic that hasn’t really been covered before, I’m always intrigued. The pacing of this book is quite good, and the characters are well written. I like the varied backstories of each member of the cell. This book does a good job of showing the (few) options that working class girls had those days and how our characters rationalize their decisions. There is a part towards the end that I thought was not necessary for the story especially because I think it changed how I viewed the characters and their actions. Either I would’ve preferred it was left out or that it had different impact.

3.5/5 stars ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks for this advanced copy of this audiobook!

An exciting read with twists that keep you guessing till the end! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Not a true story but loosely based around the exploits of the infamous all women gang of shoplifters, The Forty Elephants, operating around London in the 1920’s.

This is a real romp of a book from start to finish, so buckle up and join Nell, Effie, Charlie and Lily in a story that drips with the glitz and glamour of the 1920’s and oozes with excitement and nerve.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Clare Whitfield’s Poor Girls grips you from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the final twist. The audiobook adds a new layer of immersion to the narrative, making this already captivating story even more engaging.
I really enjoyed Clare Whitfield’s ability to balance suspense with deeper themes of class, gender, and societal expectations makes the story more than just a mystery; it becomes a commentary on the plight of women in society, particularly those on the margins.
The pace of the story is well maintained, with plenty of tension building moments that keep you guessing. Clare Whitfield’s writing is rich with dark, vivid imagery that brings London’s streets to life, making it feel almost like another character in the story. The complex, flawed characters are captivating, especially as their lives intersect with the deadly crimes. The protagonist’s determination to expose the truth, despite personal risk, makes her a compelling and relatable figure.
The narrator’s performance is exceptional and with the ability to switch between different characters’ voices and perspectives really brings the story to life. They capture the grim, gritty mood of the novel perfectly, while also giving each character their own distinct voice and emotional depth. The pacing is spot on, maintaining the tension and mystery while allowing the time to absorb the heavier moments of the plot. The shifts between suspense, fear, and occasional moments of vulnerability are beautifully managed, enhancing the overall experience of the story.
For fans of crime thrillers, true crime vibes, and character-driven mysteries with social commentary, Poor Girls is a must-listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus Audiobook for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It's the first historical fiction book I have listened to and I honestly feel like listening to it just made it feel so real. The narrator did an absolutely fantastic job of telling this story and I was fully immersed in it. I found myself on the edge of my seat at points just waiting to see what happened, other parts I was laughing out loud!

The narrator for this was the same through the whole book and she played all characters and I feel like she did just an amazing job. if you are wondering whether to read or listen to this book I would definitely recommend listening to it.

From start to finish it was so good!