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!

Nell worked in a munitions factory during the war but now she is expected to be grateful serving tea to the upper classes. Not a life she is enjoying. She moves to London and joins the Forty Elephants and learns the art of stealing. She makes a life of money, f3male friends and adventure, but becomes more distant from her family.

Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Lots of excellent characters in this well paced novel. Can Nell see a long term future for herself or will she end up in prison? Can she find love and a future in a time of hardships for the majority? Well worth a read, very enjoyable.

I am a big fan of this author's work. Historical fiction is probably one of my favorite genres, and I am lucky enough to follow Claire on her social media so I can see some of her work process. It's exciting to see how books develop. This book was perfect from start to ending. It was fast-paced, with beautifully developed characters, and a brilliant fiction story based on a real story about the real female criminal gang called "the Forty Elephants." In the summary of this book you can read: Twenty-year-old Eleanor Mackridge is upset about the future that is planned for her. When she meets a member of the notorious female-led gang the Forty Elephants, she is impressed by these confident women who wear diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin, and take what they want without asking. Now, she sees a new future for herself: she can work, marry - or steal. After all, men will only let you down. Diamonds are forever. The characters in this book are truly endearing, and the portrayal of how the gang operates is very intriguing. The author skillfully creates an ambiance that transports you to the London of the 1920s, providing insight into the social and economic situations of women in the post-war era. The author weaves a narrative that delves into the deep desires, fears, and personal struggles of the characters, as well as the strong connection they share with each other, making this book an enjoyable, fast-paced read. I am currently searching for a book signed by the author to add to my collection. I already have two books signed by the same author, and I proudly display them on my bookshelf. I'm really eager to find the third signed book to complete the set. I absolutely admire this author's work and I can't wait for Claire's next book! In this blog, we believe this book deserves a solid five-star rating. 🌟🌟🌟🌟I want to express my gratitude to the publisher and the editorial team for granting me early access to this book. Thank you for this opportunity.

Where to start? I absolutely loved this book, a piece of historical fiction set in the 1920’s taking a real gang and creating some unforgettable fictional characters. The story was highly addictive and I simply couldn’t stop listening, I just had to know what happened to each and every character. The book itself is a fairly fast paced story of a young lady who wants so much more from her current life. Like so many other girls of the time Eleanor has found herself back in a mundane unfulfilling job after having experience the excitement of a job in a munitions factory during World War 1. After finally having enough of her current waitressing job Eleanor heads to London and into a notorious London gang - the Forty Elephants.

The author does a fantastic job of making the characters felt so real and you really get to know them as individuals as well as part of the “cell”. Whilst you probably shouldn’t like the girls due to some of their antics, it’s really hard not to like them. I am sure most who read this book will develop a favourite, I have to say mine was Effie. Her inability to engage her brain before her mouth leads to some great one liners.

The detail in the story is so on point as the author encapsulates the era to perfection, not only with the huge disparity between the classes but also between the sexes. The period details really make you feel like you are transported back to the 1920’s, the attention to detail of clothes, hair and jewellery amongst other things is incredibly atmospheric and all adds to the sense of realism that this novel creates.

I really liked that this was a seamless blend of fiction and non fiction, as whilst the story is fiction the author has used the real gang - The Forty Elephants and real places - I have walked down Cecil Court for instance. There were numerous times where you forget what is real and what is not. This book is 100% an experience.

I listened to the audio version of this story and the narration was one I did enjoy. I have listened to hundreds and hundreds of audiobooks and whilst I haven’t listened to the narrator before I do hope I will in the future. Quite often I have to have narration on 1.2 or 1.5 but this was great on 1. I did struggle a little at first as her differentiation between with girls was only slight but once you have heard each one a few times you could desperate them fairly ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and the head of Zeus audiobooks for this ELC in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1922 and Eleanor has, quite simply, had enough! Having worked hard for her country during the war, in a munitions factory, Eleanor is finding the adjustment back to "normal" society difficult to take. Working as a waitress in a high end hotel in Brighton, Eleanor snaps after one too many high society ladies complains that the cake is dry, the tea is cold, and the sandwiches are stale!

When Eleanor discovers the Forty Elephants, a notorious criminal gang, she realises this is her chance. She can either settle for marriage, or take control of her own destiny and surround herself with luxury, albeit luxury she has to steal!

The characters are great and the story feels like an authentic portrayal of the time, with some wicked humour balancing the slightly depressing options for young women in society.

Fantastic narration by Jenny Bede brought this wonderful characters to life.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Clare Whitfield and Head of Zeus, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Poor Girls isn’t my usual go to for reads, historical fiction doesn’t always tend to leap out at me but I felt like getting out of my comfort zone a little because I love a mystery thriller. I listened to this as an audiobook, only my second sent to me for review, I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Poor Girls dives into the criminal underbelly of London the 1920s. It’s something I’ve never quite considered how single working class women may have ever been involved in this. Everything I’ve seen on TV and film always focuses around men and honestly found this story absolutely fascinating.

Whitfield captures a great fast paced story following Eleanor Mackridge who joins a notorious female led criminal gang “the forty Elephants”. I found this to be funny, charming and above all else thrilling at the twist and turns. I’m not sure I should have loved the characters in this book given some of the absolutely depraved things they get up to, but you really do feel the eat the rich message the women are living by. A fantastic twist, that honestly I’m not sure I really saw all of this coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and head of Zeus audiobooks for this ELC in exchange for an honest review.

I should have reviewed this sooner as I have listened to it a little while ago now. I was initially drawn in by the cover as all readers are by any good book even if they argue differently. I mostly enjoyed how the characters were written and how this worked so well with the plot. From the blurb I expected the audio to be slightly different in terms of premise but I wasn’t disappointed once I’d started to listen and obviously gotten hooked in.. Poir Girls would be great as a book club read and I kind of wish I’d listened to it with the book club girlies if we had all managed to nav a copy from Net Galley