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A sparkling new historical novel set in the 1920s, inspired by the notorious all-female crime syndicate known as the Forty Elephants who operated out of the slums of south London.
Ruby Mills is ruthlessly ambitious, strikingly beautiful - and one of the Forty Thieves' most talented members.
Harriet Littlemore writes the women's section in a local newspaper. She's from a 'good' London family and engaged to an up-and-coming Member of Parliament - but she wants a successful career of her own.
After witnessing Ruby fleeing the scene of a robbery, Harriet develops a fascination with the elusive young thief that extends beyond journalistic interest. As their personal aspirations bring them into closer contact than society's rules usually allow, Ruby and Harriet's stories become increasingly intertwined.
Their magnetic dynamic, fraught with envy and desire, tells a compulsive, cinematic story about class, morality and the cost of being an independent woman in 1920s London.
Perfect for fans of hit TV series A Thousand Blows and Peaky Blinders, as well as readers of Camilla Bruce, Sarah Waters and Laura Purcell.
'Gaining lots of love from book reviewers, Clarke's standalone thriller is inspired by the real-life all-female gang "The Forty Thieves" who reigned supreme over London in the early 20th century. With a touch of Killing Eve, dutiful journalist Harriet becomes obsessed by one of the thieves, Ruby Mill, and what it really means to be an independent woman' - EVENING STANDARD (Best New Books for 2022)
‘Fans of Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson will adore this compelling, evocative and utterly gripping tale... It deserves to be huge’ - RED (Best New Books for November)
‘This was a marvellous read... Two fabulous protagonists, you will be rooting for them both’ - PRIMA (Book of the Month)
'There's a diamond-hard glint to the central character in this cinematic tale of the criminal underworld in 1920s London' - DAILY MAIL
‘Immersive, compelling and darkly seductive’ - LAURA CARLIN, author of The Wicked Cometh and Requiem for a Knave
‘Clarke conjures feminine wiles and wilfulness, gutsy girl gangsters and their seedy surroundings with immersive, sparkling flair. You’ll never go shopping again without thinking of Ruby!’ - HARRIET WALKER, Times fashion editor and author of The Wedding Night
‘A brilliantly original, witty story filled with the most vibrant, exciting female cast of characters I’ve read in a long time. I was completely transported to the underbelly of 1920s London and relished every thrilling page... As dazzling as the title suggests!’ - ANNIE LYONS, bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett
Genre: Historical Mystery
Ruby Mills is ruthlessly ambitious, strikingly beautiful - and one of the Forty Thieves' most talented members.
Harriet Littlemore writes the women's section in a local newspaper. She's from a 'good' London family and engaged to an up-and-coming Member of Parliament - but she wants a successful career of her own.
After witnessing Ruby fleeing the scene of a robbery, Harriet develops a fascination with the elusive young thief that extends beyond journalistic interest. As their personal aspirations bring them into closer contact than society's rules usually allow, Ruby and Harriet's stories become increasingly intertwined.
Their magnetic dynamic, fraught with envy and desire, tells a compulsive, cinematic story about class, morality and the cost of being an independent woman in 1920s London.
Perfect for fans of hit TV series A Thousand Blows and Peaky Blinders, as well as readers of Camilla Bruce, Sarah Waters and Laura Purcell.
'Gaining lots of love from book reviewers, Clarke's standalone thriller is inspired by the real-life all-female gang "The Forty Thieves" who reigned supreme over London in the early 20th century. With a touch of Killing Eve, dutiful journalist Harriet becomes obsessed by one of the thieves, Ruby Mill, and what it really means to be an independent woman' - EVENING STANDARD (Best New Books for 2022)
‘Fans of Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson will adore this compelling, evocative and utterly gripping tale... It deserves to be huge’ - RED (Best New Books for November)
‘This was a marvellous read... Two fabulous protagonists, you will be rooting for them both’ - PRIMA (Book of the Month)
'There's a diamond-hard glint to the central character in this cinematic tale of the criminal underworld in 1920s London' - DAILY MAIL
‘Immersive, compelling and darkly seductive’ - LAURA CARLIN, author of The Wicked Cometh and Requiem for a Knave
‘Clarke conjures feminine wiles and wilfulness, gutsy girl gangsters and their seedy surroundings with immersive, sparkling flair. You’ll never go shopping again without thinking of Ruby!’ - HARRIET WALKER, Times fashion editor and author of The Wedding Night
‘A brilliantly original, witty story filled with the most vibrant, exciting female cast of characters I’ve read in a long time. I was completely transported to the underbelly of 1920s London and relished every thrilling page... As dazzling as the title suggests!’ - ANNIE LYONS, bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"Immersive, compelling and darkly seductive." - Laura Carlin
"A brilliantly original, witty story filled with the most vibrant, exciting female cast of characters I've read in a long time. I was completely transported to the underbelly of 1920s London and relished every thrilling page... As dazzling as the title suggests!" - Annie Lyons
"Fans of Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson will adore this compelling, evocative and utterly gripping tale... It deserves to be huge." - Sarra Manning
"Clarke conjures feminine wiles and wilfulness, gutsy girl gangsters and their seedy surroundings with immersive, sparkling flair. You'll never go shopping again without thinking of Ruby!" - Harriet Walker
"A brilliantly original, witty story filled with the most vibrant, exciting female cast of characters I've read in a long time. I was completely transported to the underbelly of 1920s London and relished every thrilling page... As dazzling as the title suggests!" - Annie Lyons
"Fans of Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson will adore this compelling, evocative and utterly gripping tale... It deserves to be huge." - Sarra Manning
"Clarke conjures feminine wiles and wilfulness, gutsy girl gangsters and their seedy surroundings with immersive, sparkling flair. You'll never go shopping again without thinking of Ruby!" - Harriet Walker
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