The Jewel Keepers

by Sara Sheridan

Men would kill for this treasure.
The McKenzie women will guard it with their lives.

London, 1837. When 25-year-old Araminta McKenzie-Moore is summoned from Richmond to her great aunt's deathbed in Edinburgh, it's the first time she's met her extended family. The McKenzie women, however, have been keeping a close eye on her. For they have a long, secret and dangerous history as Jewel Keepers to the Scottish Crown and they need Araminta to play her part to solve a puzzle which stretches back generations.

But the McKenzies are not alone in this high-stakes treasure hunt though history. They're being pursued. The last of her line, if Araminta succeeds, she will uncover something more valuable than mere jewels - a secret that will change the lives of all women living on this, the cusp of the Queen Victoria's rule.

Featuring real historical events and places amid its fiction, The Jewel Keepers is an immersive, evocative story tinged with romance and brimming with intrigue.

Genres: Historical Fiction

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Born in Edinburgh. I'm a complete swot - love books always have! Currently obsessed with late Georgian/ early Victorian culture, the subject of several of my novels, and with 1950s Britain for my Mirabelle Bevan murder mystery series set across the UK - and even one in Paris. Occasionally write tie-in books for historical dramas on TV, children's picture books and short stories, mostly for charitable causes.

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Sara Sheridan’s historical fiction and The Jewel Keepers has cemented her place as one of my favourite historical novelists. When I told my husband how much I was enjoying the book, he asked what it was about. I said if he imagined Dan Brown writing historical fiction, set in Scotland and featuring female leads he’d be on the right track. Well, Dan Brown might aspire to write this kind of book but Sara Sheridan does it so much better!

Araminta McKenzie Moore receives a letter requesting she comes to Edinburgh immediately as her great-aunt Eilidh is on her deathbed. Araminta knows nothing about her Scottish family as her mother had died young in an accident. When she gets to Edinburgh she discovers she is from a long line of McKenzie women who have sworn to ‘help the Queen’ and are the keepers of some rather important treasure. The only problem is, the treasure has been hidden for decades to keep it safe and Araminta now has to unravel the cryptic clues left by her great great grandmother in order to find the treasurer. So begins a perilous and exciting adventure featuring a handsome butler, dastardly villains, a muff gun and a courageous nun, all taking place in early 19th century Edinburgh.

I found this to be such a fast paced and enthralling read. My heart was in my mouth at times as Araminta, her maid Eleanor and Sister Winifred (she’s quite a character!) raced against time to solve the clues before the dangerous men who were also on the trail. I loved that the main characters were such strong women, a feature of Sara Sheridan’s writing. As she always says, our foremothers are just as important and did just as much as our forefathers – and often are much more interesting! Araminta discovers that she comes from a long line of ‘eccentric and interesting’ women and I loved reading about them.

I also loved reading about 19th century Georgian Edinburgh. It was a time of great change for the city with the old Town rather grubby and down at heel while the New Town featured elegant, grand houses. The historical detail in the book is spot on and Sara Sheridan paints a vivid picture of old Edinburgh.

Don’t miss reading the author’s fascinating historical note at the end which explains a lot about the real life inspiration behind the book, some of the deviations she took from historical facts (and why) and also gives more information about many of the locations in the book. There’s also a treat of the first chapter of Sara Sheridan’s next novel. Personally, I can’t wait!

The Jewel Keepers is a mystery, an adventure, a treasure hunt and a love story all wrapped up in a richly detailed historical novel. It’s one of my favourite books this year and I think it’s Sara Sheridan’s best yet!

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The McKenzie women have been the secret jewel keepers for the Scottish Crown for generations but Araminta only discovers this when she is contacted by a great-aunt she didn’t know existed. Araminta’s arrival at the home of her great-aunt in Edinburgh is tinged with sadness and with more questions than there are answers Araminta is soon plunged into a dangerous world of intrigue and long buried secrets. Racing against time she tries to solve a puzzle which has been set by her female ancestors in order to keep the jewels safe.

The Jewel Keepers is a tightly knit cat and mouse style treasure hunt which sees Araminta pursued by some dastardly villains as she attempts to make sense of the clues which have been left for her. Georgian Edinburgh, both the place, and its people, come alive and there is an authentic historical feel to the story. Overall, this is a fascinating story about strong women who have been trusted with a powerful secret and who must do everything they can to keep that secret from falling into the wrong hands.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed range of characters and location (Edinburgh). Fun treasure plot. Satisfying ending.

[Carla Taylor-Combe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Sheridan delivers again. Historical fiction with excellently crafted characters (particularly the take no prisoners women), a brilliant adventure/mystery concept and engaging writing.

[NickeySummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastical, historical romp through the 1800’s where women are badly treated and men can be brutes! I raced through this book, which at times was infuriating, as the Mr Thom closed in on the trail of Amaramini McKenzie and her quest for the crown!
Fast paced and full of interesting characters (some real), I loved it!

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Sara Sheridan book and it most certainly wont be my last! Based in Edinburgh at the start of the 19th c, the author takes the facts about the Honours of Scotland (for the king) and mixes them with a strongly led female group in search of the fictional lost ones for the queen. It is fast paced throughout and I couldn't put it down, wanting to know what was going to happen to Araminta and her family. Loved the story from beginning to end.

[Robert Burgon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating historical novel from the pen of Sara Sheridan.