This is the final instalment in this series. As young children, Bertram and Alice were orphaned and left to bring themselves up. They struck up a friendship and rescued each other from a dire fate by sustaining an existence through pickpocketing. However, for seven long years, they have been separated with Bertram, known as BJ to his friends, being sent to Australia. BJ has managed to turn this to his advantage and eventually thrived in the penal colonies of Australia, while Alice has grown her prosperous chain of bakeries in the Black Country town of Wednesbury.

As the story begins, BJ's sentence is nearly over, and he faces a choice about his future. Should he stay in Australia with his boss or return to England and Alice. Should he leave behind the life he has built and endure the terrifying, months-long voyage back home? Alice is a successful business woman but is still lonely and longs to be reunited with BJ. But will they ever be reunited and will they have changed?

I enjoyed this story despite not having read the earlier instalments. It's an historical tale and covers what life was like in Victorian England for the working classes of the Black Country. Alice is a strong woman as she has grown her own business and looks for opportunities to grow the business further. I liked the fact that she was able to be independent and a leader but showed her vulnerability when considering whether she had a future with BJ. The story is well plotted with some elements of jeopardy but all the loose ends are neatly tied up at the end. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.

"The Pick-Pocket's Return" by Lindsey Hutchinson is the newest addition to her "Pick-Pocket" saga series, and it's creating a lot of buzz. Here's what I've learned so far:

The novel picks up where Bertram (BJ) and Alice left off, as orphaned children who survived on each other.

It's Victorian England, with some of the action also occurring in Australia's penal colonies.

The novel discusses themes of friendship, courage, heartache, and happiness within this backdrop of history.

Seven years apart, BJ's Australian sentence is coming to a close and he must consider going back to England.

Alice, on the other hand, has established herself well in Wednesbury.

The book revolves around BJ and Alice reuniting and if they would be able to have their "happy ending."

Lindsey Hutchinson is referred to as "The Queen of Black Country sagas," suggesting that she has a considerable support base among historical saga readers.

It is a read that fans of writers such as Katie Flynn, Val Wood, and Lyn Andrews are likely to enjoy.

Readers' reviews vary from remarks such as "I couldn't put it down" and that the book is "Excellent easy reading.".

In short, "The Pick-Pocket's Return" is a warm and captivating historical epic that will no doubt attract readers who appreciate tales of survival, reunions, and the intricacies of human relationships in a historical context.

Lovely feel good story. Loved the characters and how they all connected by family and friendship. Would recommend this book.

I don’t have the first two books to refer to in this review, but I feel like I don’t need them. Both Australia and The Black Country are interesting settings.i liked both Alice and BJ as characters.

Lindsay Hutchinson is a talented author and one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I found The Pickpocket’s Return to be immersive, atmospheric and informative.

Thanks to Lindsey Hutchinson and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review

4 stars

I just love Lindsey Hutchinson books and have been looking forward to this book, which is the 3rd in the Pick Pockets series. After being transported BJ ‘s sentence is nearly up. He has to decide if he should stay in Australia or to make the long journey back to England. Alice is getting on with her life and her bakery business is doing really well.
It was great to catch up from book 2 . I hope that there will be a 4th book as it’s such a great series.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and publisher Boldwood Books for the read

This is book three in the Pick Pockets series and I absolutely loved it. The first two books are great as well so I recommend reading them all. I just love when a book pulls me in right from the start and this one most certainly did that. BJ has been doing well in the penal colonies of Australia but his sentence is nearly up. He has to make the big decision whether or not to stay in Australia or to make the long and arduous journey back to England. Meanwhile Alice is getting on with her life in the town of Wednesbury and her bakery business is really flourishing.
Everything about this book was just so good , from the story and the characters. It was great to be back with them all and catch up from the previous book. There is some heartbreak at times but it’s not all doom and gloom. I have a feeling that this might be the last book in the series but I’m hoping not as it’s such a fabulous series. However the ending was very satisfactory if it is the final book

Can she finally get her happy ending? Or does fate have other plans?

The third and, I assume, final book in the Pick Pocket's trilogy sees Alice and BJ's tale come to a close. I was sad to say goodbye to them as I had come to know and love them and all their friends.

Alice met BJ when he saved her from a terrible fate and took her under his wing. He taught her to pick pockets, to scavenge and to make the best of it on the streets of Wednesbury. They set up a camp of sorts on the heath where they ate and slept until fate ripped them apart when BJ was caught breaking into a house (though he never stole anything). Still, he was sentenced to seven years transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. And boy, was he in for a shock when he set foot on the dry and arid land. The heat was relentless and like nothing he had ever known.

Meanwhile Alice had been taken in by a couple who used to take pity on the air and feed them leftovers from their bakery. The Greens taught her everything they knew and gave her a home in which she felt safe and loved. But then fate came knocking once again and a fire tore through the bakery from which Alice escaped but the Greens were not so lucky.

Both had been dealt harsh hands in life but they rose above their circumstances and made the best of things. For BJ, that meant knuckling down an enduring the harsh Australian heat while for Alice, she continued to scavenge and pick pocket until she decided to open her own bakery. After all, the Greens taught her everything they knew. And her bakery thus became the talk of Wednesbury which enabled her to expand into a thriving chain of several bakeries. As for BJ, he was lucky with his sentence in that the cattle station (not ranch, as we don't call them that but stations) he was working on was a fair place to be. The owner, Mac, took BJ under his wing and over the seven years of his sentence there, he had risen to overseer and was well-liked and well-respected amongst the men. Mac looked on him as a son while for BJ, he was the father he never had. He had even learnt to read and write, receiving an education whilst there. Thus enabling him to write to Alice and read her letters to him.

Now the seven years are nearly up and both Alice and BJ are counting down the days till his release. But BJ has made a life for himself - will he want to return to England and give up the land he has come to love? And Alice, she so desperately wants to see BJ again, but will he want to return? Their lives have changed so much since they last saw one another...will they still recognise the other after all this time? They were barely 13 years old when they were separated and now they are adults with wealth in their own right. Now that their pick pocketing days are behind them, will they fall into their easy friendship once again? That is, assuming, BJ returns at all. Alice has no idea and lives with the hope that he will but fears the land he was sent to as punishment, the land he has come to love, will keep him there.

I assume that this is the end of the line for our pick pocketing friends, but I would love to know what's in for them beyond this. However, the ending is satisfactory enough as it stands should the story not continue. There were tears at the appropriate moments and as such an easy read that it is, I devoured it in one sitting last night.

Another enjoyable foray into the Black Country via Lindsey Hutchinson's pen and I enjoyed my stay there, as I generally do. Her books are nice quick easy reads which once you start, you don't want to put down but don't want to finish either. As always, I look forward to more by the author.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ThePickPocketsReturn in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the third in a series of books following BJ and Alice, and I think this instalment was my favourite. The two characters are longtime friends whose connection has remained constant, and having followed them thus far, I was excited to follow the next stage of their journey.

This was really heartwarming to read, as I appreciated not only the connection between Alice and BJ, but also the other characters, as it seemed that everyone supported and took care of each other. I appreciated those solid friendships.

In the latter part of the book, I found myself tearful, but in a good way. This was an easy read, but it was uplifting and left me with a warm, happy feeling. I think it could be enjoyed as a standalone, but to fully appreciate these characters and their story, I would recommend reading the previous two books first.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This was another great story in the Pick pocket series.BJ has been in Australia for 7 years now in the penal colonies ,his time for going home will soon be here but will he return as life is going well for him in Australia .Alice is is running a chain of bakeries and is waiting for BJ too return .Will things be back to normal when or if he returns. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

The Pick-Pocket's Return is the book I have been waiting for to be released. This third installment in the Pick-Pocket Series by Lindsey Hutchinson has Alcie and BJ all grown up having done the best that they could during this time apart. Both are hard workers, and problem solvers, having learned to make an honest living. Still, they are an ocean apart.

I had wondered how they would make it back together, then to continue their honest way in the world. No fear, the plot is a wonderful story of determination, friendship and love. Everyday life and the friends that they have made are included in this final book. The conclusion of this book is just the icing on the cake. Try the entire series, you will especially enjoy The Pick-Pocket's Return.

The Pick-Pocket’s Return by Lindsey Hutchinson is the third in a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. It is the story of two young homeless people: BJ and Alice who lived by their wits. The time is the mid-to late 1860s and eventually BJ got caught robbing a home. He got sent to Australia for seven years. There he met a rancher named Mac who basically adopted him and also helped some other Englishmen out of bad situations. As luck would have it, Mac and the men discovered gold on the property and Mac, being the man he was, shared it with the others. Meanwhile Alice owned a chain of three bakeries back in England. They never lost touch. When it finally came time for BJ’s sentence to be up, each was excited to reunite with their old friend.

This was a good story, although something was off with the writing. The best I can describe it is choppy, although that’s not totally it. The characters were good; the plot was decent, although totally transparent. That’s OK; it’s the journey. The settings were good and friendly. BJ was a very lucky man. Many sent to Australia were not as lucky. This book made me happy..

I was invited to read the Pick-Pocket’s Return by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #LindseyHutchinson #ThePickPocketsReturn

I just completed a wonderful series by Lindsey Hutchinson. I accidentally found her first book and loved it. Fortunately, I have been able to read the previous other two. The first was The Pick-Pocket Orphans where we are introduced to Alice and B.J.



The second installment was the Pick-Pocket's Plight.




And then this book.



I loved all three books. I had the pleasure of enjoying these characters as they grew up and became adults. Both had rough childhoods but it didn't stop them from becoming good and caring individuals.

Their relationships were wonderful to read. Their friends became family. I was anxious to see how this ended. I was not disappointed.

I have become a Lindsey Hutchinson fan for life.

Great book.

This is a light-hearted, entertaining tale of historical fiction. It goes back to the time in the 1800's when Britain still sent her convicts to Australia. It touches on the lives of some of them, one of whom is BJ, whom a reader can meet in preceding books. All is not sunshine as there are interludes of sadness and tragedy - true to life.
I liked the camaraderie among the convicts-cum-ranch hands on Mac's ranch where BJ, Colin, James, John, George and others worked out their sentences. Meanwhile back in Black County, England, Alice, BJ's friend, is doing well for herself. She too has developed great friendships with Doris and her girls. She awaits BJ's return.

There was some rough language which I take issue too. There are vague references to God and praying, which redeems the narrative a titch in my mind.

Although this third book can be read as a stand alone story, I sense it would be more fun and lend to better connection after having read the earlier books.

As they say, "all's well that end's well," as I found this narrative to do. It was nice to have that "happily-ever-after" feel to close the saga. I finished with regret that it had ended but finished with a satisfied smile in my mind and on my face.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

March 2025

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy I received from Net Galley and the publisher.

I had read the other books in the series and think that perhaps the books need to be read as a series. The characters develop from book 1 until this episode which would appear to tie up all the ends and finish the way it seems it should.

It’s not often a historical saga brings me to tears but there was one part where I did need a tissue - the way it was written was so touching but to say more would be a major spoiler.

We meet Alice and her bakeries and Doris and her daughters again - all are growing up and ready to settle down - though there are often pitfalls and prejudices on the way. Alice has developed into an independent young lady which must have been very difficult in the late 1800’s.
And BJ (Bertram Jordan) has also grown into a fine man, respected by all who knew him in Australia where he had been transported 7 years before.
Freedom beckoned for BJ and his friends - and reunion with Alice.

All in all a well written heart warming story - it was a bit rushed at the end but maybe that was because I wanted to know what happened and read the last third in a couple of hours.

I recommend this to anyone that likes historical sagas - a great read

I absolutely loved all 3 of the books in this saga and this one didn't disappoint.
It didn't end the way I anticipated but that made it all the more interesting some unexpected twists
I hope there will be another book which tells what everyone does afterwards

Another amazing book and continues the story and does not disappoint.

BJ is still in Australia but is coming to the end of his time in which will he come back to Alice or will he stay at the ranch to help Mac run it only time will tell. Alice and her bakery business is going from strength to strength and with the help of Doris and her family. Alice wonders if BJ will return to her and as the time gets nearer she gets anxious of where he is.

The book was well written and I enjoyed catching up with them all. There was romance, sadness and happiness in the book. I was thinking there might be a different outcome in the book but was surprised that there wasn’t.

Would recommend the book.

Pick=Pockets #3

BJ and Alice saved each other from a terrible fate. But for seven long years they have been kept apart. BJ was sent to the penal colonies of Australia. Alice has a thriving chain of bakeries in the Black Country of Wednesbury. BJ's sentence is nearly uo, but will he return to England and Alice, the girl he has longed for? Will BJ and Alice finally get their happy ever after.

This is the third installment of the Pick-Pocket series and it just gets better and better. All the characters are back, but there is some heartbreak for some along the way. Although she is always busy, Alice is lonely, and hoping BJ is making his way back to England. I loved everything about this series. Now that I've finished book three, I'd love to learn more of how everyone's life turns out.

Published 12th March 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LindseyHutchinson for my ARC of #ThePickPocketsReturn in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this book.

The story is set in Wednesbury, Black Country, England where Alice’s bakery business is going well and she so wants BJ to get his certificate of freedom, so that he can join her from Australia. It’s certainly been a long time since they each saw each other.

So, will their friendship develop into something else?

I highly recommend this book.

The Pick Pockets Return by Lindsay Hutchinson

A fab read and a great historical fiction book .
The setting was really great , you can almost feel you were there alongside them and I loved the plot.
Would highly recommend this book.

This is the book that I have eagerly been awaiting! Alice and BJ may finally be reunited after years of waiting. The story is also full of tense drama for the other characters in Doris's family which I won't go into but will say that it broke my heart. As Alice and her bakery thrives she is feeling lonely and anticipating BJ's arrival. BJ has some heartbreak heading his way. The best addition I believe to the series that I love!