The Jewel Keepers: Immersive, evocative historical fiction, brimming with romance and mystery

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, Historical Fiction, Scotland

368 pages, Hardcover

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!

[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!

[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.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read most of Sara Sheridan's other novels and really enjoyed them, but I really struggled with this one and stopped reading after Chapter 10. It seemed far too wordy and took an age to go anywhere, resulting in me losing interest. Everyone else seems to love it however, so maybe it's just wrong book, wrong time for me.

[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.

[Morag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the setting of Old and New Edinburgh which was rich in details of the city, of sights and sounds and smells! There was so much detail that I could imagine walking along the streets with the characters, or travelling in a carriage along Princes Street! (Very interesting to hear SS's historical notes at the end, which brought life to some very familiar places).
It is 1837. Araminta McKenzie Moore is summoned to Edinburgh to see her Great Aunt Eilidh before she dies. (She travels by sea because it's so much quicker!). They do not have long together but Araminta discovers a whole family tree of foremothers and becomes involved in a task which began generations ago.
I liked all the strong and feisty women, especially Sister Winifred, another Great Aunt. Women from different walks of life were brought to life, not just the ones from Araminta's class.
There is a very old love story and rivalry.
There was a particularly nasty character who seemed to be very lucky in his pursuit and didn't care who he hurt along the way.
I took off a 'star' because I was annoyed by a couple of things which I won't mention because of spoilers - I'm sure you'll work those out for yourself when you read this. (Plus I didn't like it quite as much as The Fair Botanist or The Secrets of Blythswood Square!).
I would recommend The Jewel Keepers though!! It really brings Edinburgh to life and I'll be looking at many parts of the city through different eyes from now on.

[Fiona Woolford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much promise…. England & Scotland 1837 intrigue about a long line of MacKenzie women maintaining a vow to the queen from decades previously, with them following clues to find the missing crown, all good so far… but then in come the men who think women are good for being wives and mothers and nothing else….still all good so far!
Unfortunately 1/3 way through there is too much writing about religion, Masonic men, and interesting historical facts but I just got lost within it so landed up just taking in the main story line.
The characters were all good especially the two Great-Aunts, I found Araminta ( main protagonist) to be a rude unlikeable character. There were also a lot of Scottish names to remember…. Oh wait …. At the end of the book is a list of all the MacKenzie women’s names and dates of birth…this would have been helpful at the beginning of the book !
I was disappointed because it was such a good read to start with.
Would I read it again…No, but will remain on my book case with two previous Sara Sheldon novels which really liked.
Would I recommend it….yes , but have pen and paper ready to make notes to help you remember stuff that could be important.
A ⭐️⭐️⭐️rating ( sadly )

[Janni_B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book which is set in 19th century Edinburgh. Family secrets, finding and solving clues, stalking, kidnap, treasure seeking. And I liked the characters.

I started out listening to the audiobook but found it exhausting (or more likely I was exhausted and I was finding it too easy to close my eyes and switch off). I ended up buying the Kindle version (special price of 99p at the time) and continued with the story. It didn't take me long to finish it. I wish I had bought the book in the first place. I definitely prefer ebooks to audiobooks.

I also found the authors historical note at the end very interesting.

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I really enjoyed this! What a romp bringing history, intrigue, secret sects together as we follow the latest member of the McKenzie family as she follows in her female ancestors' footprints to find the secret that was entrusted to them generations before. Set in the Edinburgh of the 1830s, it covers a lot of ground but at an excellent pace. I learnt a great deal but Sara Sheridan carries her research lightly through the text so you absorb it without feeling you are having a didactic experience. Her notes at the back concerning her research and inspiration are equally good to read.

[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.

[Christi Poulsom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was saved by the interesting characters. Unfortunately I found the mystery unengaging, and have a dislike for 'historical' fiction that uses modern-day concepts and language. Hard work at times, but improved towards the end.

[Robert Burgon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating historical novel from the pen of Sara Sheridan.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably enjoyed this more because of all the familiar places.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Sheridan is a brilliant storyteller