"Vividly bold and striking, 1920’s London roars to life around the Forty Elephants female crime gang in this fascinating meld of fact and fiction."
Oh my, what a story! Set in the 1920’s, Nell finds herself caught in the middle of a crime spree, and faced with the difficult decision of whether to serve, marry, or steal. The Forty Elephants actually existed, women running their own, mostly family based, gang of thieves from the 1870’s through to the 1950’s. Author Clare Whitfield has obviously thoroughly researched the history of these women and has created a thrilling and beautifully eloquent tale. Her compelling debut People of Abandoned Character was also set among history and focused on Jack the Ripper. Some of the actual figures from the Forty Elephants appear within Poor Girls, however the majority of this tale is set within the fictional world of Nell. It feels oh-so real, the clubs and clothing are described so vibrantly, and the life of the gang sparks with fiery authenticity, It isn’t all high-jinks, diamonds and champagne, the darker side of their life spills into violence, and prison life is made abundantly clear. I found myself caught hook line and sinker, not wanting to put this book down as the end drew ever closer. Chosen as a LoveReading Star Book, this really hits the spot. Exciting and fascinating in equal measure, Poor Girls grounds itself in reality and thrusts a fist in the air for the strength and audacity of these women.
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We were never destined to have anything - so you know what we did?
We took it anyway.
1922. Twenty-year-old Eleanor Mackridge is horrified by the future mapped out for her - to serve the upper classes or find a man to marry (preferably kind). She 'proved useful' working in a munitions factory during the war - handling explosives - but now, society is returning to normal and women are being put back in their place.
But Eleanor has never paid attention to what society expects of her. When she crosses paths with a member of the notorious female-led gang the Forty Elephants, she is in awe of these 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.
After all, men will only let you down. Diamonds are forever.
In Poor Girls, Clare Whitfield exposes the criminal underbelly of 1920s London - but this isn't a morality tale, it's an adventure for the willingly wicked.
Poor Girls features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Star Books, Action Adventure, Crime and Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical crime and mysteries, Feminism and feminist theory, First World War fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Social issues, Fiction, Historical crime and mysteries, War, combat and military adventure fiction, First World War fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction: narrative themes, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Social issues, Society and Social Sciences, Society and culture: general, Social groups, communities and identities, Gender studies, gender groups, Gender studies: women and girls, Feminism and feminist theory
Poor Girls is available in Paperback, Hardback
Poor Girls was written by Clare Whitfield and published by Head of Zeus an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Poor Girls has 408 pages
£8.99
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