The Housekeepers - The Library of the Uncommons

eBook, 302 pages

English language

Published July 4, 2023 by Graydon House.

ISBN:: 978-0-3697-3582-9
OCLC Number:: 1389353880
Goodreads:: 60731181

(1 review)

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 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 vengeance.

Their plan? On the night of the house’s highly anticipated costume ball—set to be the most illustrious of the year—they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there’s one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: …

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 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 vengeance.

Their plan? On the night of the house’s highly anticipated costume ball—set to be the most illustrious of the year—they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there’s one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she’ll run any risk to get it…

After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs.

5 editions

Phil in SF reviewed The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

Housekeepers plot revenge

4 stars

Mrs. King works in the household of Mr. de Vries, an Irishman who made a fortune in South African mining (and changed his name). But shortly after his death Mrs. king is dismissed from the staff after being discovered in the men's quarters.

Soon she's plotting revenge along with other dismissed staff and de Vries' unacknowledged sister, Mrs. Bone.

They're going to steal everything in the house. Everything.

The Housekeepers is set in 1905 London. I love the setting and the plotting and the characters. At the end, i even feel a bit sorry for Miss de Vries, who is a thoroughly unlikable character. Her father didn't have her interests in mind.