What a ride! I loved the concept of this novel and it didn’t disappoint. The revealing back story which explained why this unlikely but strong group of women want revenge on a rich family, is dark and intriguing. The connections between the women and their loyalties and disputes added a depth to this 1905 set Oceans 8. It was historically believable but had a modern twist, which I really enjoyed.
The novel is written with a clock ticking down to the day of a ball where a robbery will take place, and the tension builds beautifully. The cast of characters are warm, funny and likeable. I will definitely be recommending this book. It would make a really good book club choice and a fabulous film.

Although I was looking forward to reading this unusual novel, ultimately I found it to be a Marmite sandwich: the bread at the beginning and end was good but I did not enjoy the middle.
The story had many interesting characters and I was often unsure in which direction I wanted the story to go, but overall, although an interesting read, not really for me.

This is a rip roaring stonker of a book. Set in early Edwardian London, all I could think about for most of it was a kind of Oceans 8. It goes off like a rocket and the pace never slackens. There are darker undercurrents throughout the book too and in the end I felt a little sorry for the lady of the house. I have a feeling there may be spin offs rather than sequels and perhaps I might try them.

I had a lot of fun in reading this story of revenge, solidarity amongst women who are considered as expendable by those who are upstairs. A group of woman who join forces to rob the former employee of Mrs King of all her riches.
I loved Mrs King since the first pages as she’s a clever and ruthless woman and it will be hard to stop her to reach her goal. She and her companions are interesting and clever women, women who suffered but also know secrets of what happens behind the shining façade.
A fast-paced story featuring a cast of well-developed characters, a different look to the world of upstairs and downstairs. The historical background is vivid and detailed.
I loved these women and loved this story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book wasn't for me. The plot sounded great but it was very slow going despite some great characters. It really only got going in the last 20% when the heist actually takes place. Although, for me, the book didn't work, it would make a great TV mini-series.
This was still a good first novel so I will certainly look out for Hay's next.

Mrs King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she's made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with little treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows. When Mrs King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. a seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs King's predecessor, with her own desire for revenge.

Revenge is sweet and this group of eclectic women intend to get theirs. Mrs King was the housekeeper for William des Vries until the butler found her in the men's quarters after hours. Thrown out on the streets, Mrs King plans her revenge and calls in favours she's owed to pull off the biggest heist - stealing all the contents of the grandest house on Park Lane while a ball is taking place. This is a historical work of fiction set in 1905. The author has definitely done his research on what it was like working below stairs in Edwardian London. The females are strong likeable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #AlexHay for my ARC of #TheHouseKeepers in exchange for an honest review.

Power and corruption laid low by those considered powerless is the theme of Alex Hay's fun and very readable novel 'The Housekeepers'.

When Mrs King is fired for entering the men's quarters at night, no one suspects the real reason she is there. Not even William, the footman she loves. They also do not suspect that she will go on to arrange the biggest heist of the century with other housewives and maids. So, while Mrs de Vries is planning a spectacular ball and inviting everyone from society, Mrs King is busy planning how to take everything she has.

I really enjoyed Hay's writing style. They move between different characters, all of whom are well drawn, and plot twists are revealed. The opulence of the house and the ball contrasts well with the corruption lurking behind the smart walls in Park Lane. Reading this was a pleasure I'd recommend.

I was looking forward to this one but for me it wasn’t what I thought it would be.

There were too many characters which made it difficult to root for anyone and the heist just took long to get to.

Overall it wasn’t for me but others have enjoyed it so I hope it does well.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, but I struggled with it. I loved the idea of house keepers, women, getting their revenge, by plotting a burglary, bigger than anyone could imagine.
I enjoyed the relationships and descriptions of the women but found it didn’t capture the excitement for me.

2.5 stars

Overall I liked the premise of this book. A historical version of oceans 8 sprang to mind.

I enjoyed the build up and found the tension raised quickly to start with. The family connections were interesting and gave the story good dimensions.

I did find it tricky keeping up with all the characters. I found so many were crammed in it was hard to build any real connection with them.

Also the heist itself felt to long and complex! Obviously it was going to be a big operation. But we weren't ever let in on the initial plans so it was difficult to know what was a technical hitch and what was meant to happen.

A thought-provoking novel - would recommend

I was hooked with this from the first minute. Well written and excellently plotted. Lots of twists and turns, and sweeping themes. The characters were also very likeable although I think more could have been done to draw them out earlier on.

Like a Downton Abbey where the downstairs rebel!

A delightful story of an historical heist. Quirky and engaging.
Downton Abbey merged with Oceans Eleven. Enjoyable.

I loved this ARC; a blend of Oceans 8, Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders, it’s impossible not to root for the women at the heart of the story and I found myself getting more entangled with them as the story twisted and turned.

4.5 stars

A delightful story about former Housekeepers planning a heist on the lady of the manor, kind of Upstairs Downstairs meets Oceans 8. A quirky read with some delicious humour and a lot of heart. Totally implausible but tons, and tons of fun.

I’ve seen this one raved about on Bookstagram by a few of my favourite reviewers and I can see why! An old fashioned heist story pulled off to perfection! You can already hear the tv producers knocking down Alex Hay’s door for the rights to screen these badass women pulling off their revenge!
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Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the early read!!

An exciting historical heist, well written with a surprising twist.
Set in Edwardian London - Mrs King, a former Mayfair housekeeper decides to exact revenge following her dismissal.
She knows just who to recruit to exact her plan, all women who have a score to settle.
The servants downstairs are plotting one amazing heist.
They’ve come from nothing but will leave with everything.
Loved the concept of the book, well plotted.
But was a bit of a slow burner, found there too many characters and had to keep flicking back to keep up.
All in all a very good immersive read as you wanted to know the outcome
Thanks @alexhaybooks, @headlinebooks & @netgalley for the eARC

I found this very slow and struggled to read it.
Mrs King is sacked as a housekeeper at the de Vries residence. She's delighted as it makes it easier to plan the heist on the night of the ball.
Why does she want to clear out the house? Well, you'll have to read it to find out.
This did pick up after halfway through when the countdown to the ball was actually on the day.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The story of an audacious heist and women taking control of their destinies. At last, a book that shows that women are not just victims. It’s something of a slow start but quickly becomes compelling. There’s a large cast of characters that are well drawn, diverse and interesting. I particularly liked the two Janes as trapeze artist thieves could not be called run of the mill! Set in the Edwardian era with an upstairs/downstairs feel it could made a glorious film/tv series. I enjoyed and recommend this novel.

Many thanks to the author, publisher & Netgalley for approving my request to read this book!

I really liked the premise of this book, I love historical fiction & thought the idea of a female heist was quite interesting & had the potential to be quite gripping.

Sadly, however, this book just didn't work for me.

The build-up to the heist felt very drawn-out, with multiple other subplots & narratives adding to this. I felt at times that there was too much going on & because of this, I struggled to really get into the book & fully enjoy it.

This isn't to say I didn't enjoy some parts or some of the characters. I just wish that there were less characters & additional plots so that I could have connected more to the story & the characters better.

Thank you to the author, publishers Headline Review and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Mrs King has left her post as housekeeper for the De Vries in disgrace. But, as the newly orphaned Miss De Vries plans her first ball as mistress of the house and seeks a suitable husband, Mrs King and her gang of ex-servants are hatching a plan to pull off an audacious robbery to get everything the De Vries own.

A high stakes heist against the backdrop of 1900s London. It’s an interesting concept, and it works.

The layers of the story behind the initial crime planning adds a depth to the plot which is mostly welcome. The darker sub-plot of what has happened to the maids of the house who have mysteriously left the service over the years feels like it either should have had more prominence or been saved for another book as it doesn’t get the storytelling attention it deserves.

The characters of Mrs King and her gang of ‘housekeepers’ are great, I particularly enjoyed the Janes. It would have been nice to see them develop in a sequel, but from the way the ending is written that doesn’t seem to be the author’s intention.

The historical setting feels almost incidental so if you’re not normally a historical fiction fan don’t let that put you off. This is well worth a read.