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Queens of the Underworld: A Journey into the Lives of Female Crooks
Robin Hood, Dick Turpin, Ronnie Biggs, the Krays ... All have become folk heroes, glamorised and romanticised, even when they killed. But where are their female equivalents? Where are the street robbers, gang leaders, diamond thieves, gold smugglers and bank robbers?
Queens of the Underworld reveals the incredible story of female crooks from the seventeenth century to the present. From Moll Cutpurse to the Black Boy Alley Ladies, from jewel thief Emily Lawrence to bandit leader Elsie Carey and burglar Zoe Progl, these were charismatic women at the top of their game. But female criminals have long been dismissed as either not 'real women' or not 'real criminals', and in the process their stories have been lost.
Caitlin Davies unravels the myths, confronts the lies and tracks down modern-day descendants in order to tell the truth about their lives for the first time.
Queens of the Underworld reveals the incredible story of female crooks from the seventeenth century to the present. From Moll Cutpurse to the Black Boy Alley Ladies, from jewel thief Emily Lawrence to bandit leader Elsie Carey and burglar Zoe Progl, these were charismatic women at the top of their game. But female criminals have long been dismissed as either not 'real women' or not 'real criminals', and in the process their stories have been lost.
Caitlin Davies unravels the myths, confronts the lies and tracks down modern-day descendants in order to tell the truth about their lives for the first time.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2021
44 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Davies
16 books50 followersI'm a writer, teacher and journalist, the author of six novels and seven non-fiction books. Many of my early books were inspired by the 12 years I spent in Botswana, where I worked as a teacher, award winning human rights journalist and newspaper editor. My more recent books draw on the stories and history of London. These include The Ghost of Lily Painter, based on the true story of two Edwardian baby farmers, and Family Likeness, inspired in part by the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle ‘Britain’s first black aristocrat’.
Some of my books have a swimming theme, such as Taking the Waters, about the bathing ponds and lido on Hampstead Heath, Downstream: a history and celebration of swimming the River Thames, and Daisy Belle: Swimming Champion of the World, based on the lives of several Victorian aquatic stars.
Other books have a criminal theme, including Bad Girls: A History of Rebels & Renegades, nominated for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, and Queens of the Underworld: A Journey into the Lives of Female Crooks.
I mentor writers at https://www.storyboardwriter.com/
Some of my books have a swimming theme, such as Taking the Waters, about the bathing ponds and lido on Hampstead Heath, Downstream: a history and celebration of swimming the River Thames, and Daisy Belle: Swimming Champion of the World, based on the lives of several Victorian aquatic stars.
Other books have a criminal theme, including Bad Girls: A History of Rebels & Renegades, nominated for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, and Queens of the Underworld: A Journey into the Lives of Female Crooks.
I mentor writers at https://www.storyboardwriter.com/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 1, 2022
An interesting look at the history of women thieves of London. These women all seemed to show resilience, adaptability and tenacity. They made up their minds, set their goals and went for it. They enjoyed adventure and daring.
Although I found the stories and women interesting, they all did start to sound alike after awhile.
An interesting look at women thieves.
Although I found the stories and women interesting, they all did start to sound alike after awhile.
An interesting look at women thieves.
April 21, 2023
Queens of the underworld: A journey into the lives of female crooks by Caitlin Davies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fascinating and well-researched book that tells the stories of some of the most notorious female criminals in British history. The author did an excellent job of bringing these women to life, and her book is full of interesting details about their lives and crimes.
Inn be particularly loved the tale of Mary Carr, a Victorian highwaywoman who robbed wealthy men on the road.
These women really came to life for me and I can see this being made into a great tv/ Netflix series.
I did feel it was a little repetitive at times though and could be edited down a little bit more.
Overall though I really enjoyed Queens of the Underworld and would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in crime, history, or women's studies.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fascinating and well-researched book that tells the stories of some of the most notorious female criminals in British history. The author did an excellent job of bringing these women to life, and her book is full of interesting details about their lives and crimes.
Inn be particularly loved the tale of Mary Carr, a Victorian highwaywoman who robbed wealthy men on the road.
These women really came to life for me and I can see this being made into a great tv/ Netflix series.
I did feel it was a little repetitive at times though and could be edited down a little bit more.
Overall though I really enjoyed Queens of the Underworld and would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in crime, history, or women's studies.
April 4, 2023
There are many books, documentaries, films and online features about crime. When you look many or most are about the men in the world that commit those crimes. Women are mentioned but they are often thought of as trophies, a bit of fluff or an accomplice. Most of the time they are not seen as the masterminds behind the crime or the gangs that are involved.
The author takes several women who, over the centuries, committed crimes that would have been serious, dangerous and downright shocking. They may have sweet angelic faces but beneath this veil, there is a shrewd and often deadly woman.
These women are mostly from around the London area and the author gives details about the women, their crimes, families, what made them stand out, when they were caught and how they then passed out of sight and mind. In some respects, you could say that these are the most notorious but are they the Queens of the Underworld as there are so many accounts that have been lost? There is also something else to consider... what about those who have not been caught!
The way women are seen in society plays heavily in this book and from the early accounts women are seen as not having any reason to be educated in any form as they are there to look after the home, and the children and maybe do chores or cleaning for others or they are prostitutes. They are not deemed worthy of being able to handle the intellect to plan and carry out a crime. Even in the modern day and at the turn of our century women are not classed as the worst of the worst. This mantle of the worst criminal always seems to go to the men.
Are women who commit crimes wanting to be seen in the same respect as their male counterparts or are they looking to make a statement? Or is it because they are responsible for raising and providing clothing and food for their children? There are mentions of women of different ethnicities, social classes and backgrounds to give a well-balanced mix. It has been difficult for the author though to find the information and gather all the details she would have liked. Again this is something where the male criminal has another advantage as such, there are so many more books and theories and documentaries about them, and you find yourself sifting through to find the women.
This is a fabulous book and I do like how the author links and then at times comes back to the women she has already mentioned. From pick-pockets, to armed-robbers, swindlers to contraband smugglers the author takes the reader on a journey thorough history. It is a fascinating book and has made me realise how little I know or have been aware of as reagrds to women and crime are concerned. It has opened my eyes and it is a book I would definitely recommend.
The author takes several women who, over the centuries, committed crimes that would have been serious, dangerous and downright shocking. They may have sweet angelic faces but beneath this veil, there is a shrewd and often deadly woman.
These women are mostly from around the London area and the author gives details about the women, their crimes, families, what made them stand out, when they were caught and how they then passed out of sight and mind. In some respects, you could say that these are the most notorious but are they the Queens of the Underworld as there are so many accounts that have been lost? There is also something else to consider... what about those who have not been caught!
The way women are seen in society plays heavily in this book and from the early accounts women are seen as not having any reason to be educated in any form as they are there to look after the home, and the children and maybe do chores or cleaning for others or they are prostitutes. They are not deemed worthy of being able to handle the intellect to plan and carry out a crime. Even in the modern day and at the turn of our century women are not classed as the worst of the worst. This mantle of the worst criminal always seems to go to the men.
Are women who commit crimes wanting to be seen in the same respect as their male counterparts or are they looking to make a statement? Or is it because they are responsible for raising and providing clothing and food for their children? There are mentions of women of different ethnicities, social classes and backgrounds to give a well-balanced mix. It has been difficult for the author though to find the information and gather all the details she would have liked. Again this is something where the male criminal has another advantage as such, there are so many more books and theories and documentaries about them, and you find yourself sifting through to find the women.
This is a fabulous book and I do like how the author links and then at times comes back to the women she has already mentioned. From pick-pockets, to armed-robbers, swindlers to contraband smugglers the author takes the reader on a journey thorough history. It is a fascinating book and has made me realise how little I know or have been aware of as reagrds to women and crime are concerned. It has opened my eyes and it is a book I would definitely recommend.
June 22, 2022
I expected an intriguing and exciting book, but unfortunately it failed to hold my attention, which is probably why it took me 1.5 months to finish. The only reason I did finish is that it was the final book for a reading challenge and I had no alternatives. It did seem very well-researched though, and the author had obviously put a lot of effort in.
January 6, 2023
A great book about the lives of infamous female criminals. Each woman's motivation(s) and criminality were so vastly different and fascinating. I really enjoyed Caitlin Davies feminist analysis of the myths and stereotypes of women men and male-dominated society had (have) of women and crime, leading the women to largely get away with it. I wish I could send a copy to filmmakers with a note saying, "The world really, really doesn't need another Batman remake... how about telling the amazing stories of real women's lives." My only critique is that it would have made the book even more interesting if Caitlin had included the stories of Northern, Irish, Welsh and Scottish women as well.
March 30, 2024
I loved this. A study of female crooks from the Jacobean pickpocket Mary Frith, through the various ‘queens’ of the Forty Thieves/Forty Elephants gangs right up to cyber fraud, this is a series of case studies which aims to put women on the criminal map. An odd ambition when you put it like that, and you think of the suffering behind every crime, but what Caitlin Davies is trying to do is to counter-balance the belittling of the role of women in crime.
In her excellent summing up at the end of the book, she puts her case really brilliantly – so brilliantly, to be honest I felt it would have worked better as an introduction – here’s the theory, now here’s the evidence kind of thing. However, that’s a minor gripe.
First of all, the case studies tell us a lot about women’s lives – their circumstances, their family, and to an extent (but only to an extent) why they chose crime – and all of them did choose, seems to be her argument.
Then the cases show as a lot about society’s and the Establishment’s bias and prejudices about women. And for me this was the most compelling of her arguments. Why are the roles of women in crime so persistently downgraded? Why are they molls, sidekicks, mistresses, the Bonnie and never the Clyde? The author gives numerous examples of women whose story is re-written (by the press, by the police, often by the women themselves) in order to conform to a stereo-type – they were coerced, they did it for love, they were only obeying orders. And of course, they regret it, especially when they look at the harm did to their children. Because you can’t be a criminal and a mother. Yet you can easily be a criminal and a father.
Then there’s the case that women only commit ‘female’ crimes. Shoplifting, primarily. Women over the centuries have been ‘permitted’ to commit this crime because they’re weak. They are so easily influenced. They give in to a latent desire to acquire, to accumulate possessions, and it’s not their fault that they struggle to resist. Even if the statistics show that shop lifting is actually carried out as much by men as women, the author argues that they are judged differently. One is a victim of her sex, the other – well, men shoplift because they make a deliberate choice – or so the trend in sentencing would say.
The Queens of the Underworld that form the case studies in this book break the rules. They don’t only shoplift, they are the masterminds behind gangs. They on occasion are violent. A surprising number of them choose not only to dress like a man, but to live with and love other women (or maybe it’s not a surprising number, I was aware the whole time I was reading this that the case studies have been carefully chosen).
The women in this book are artistes – they are mistresses of disguise – but when they are caught, they are often portrayed as sirens, insatiable women who lead men astray for purely sexual reasons. The crimes they commit are once again downgraded, not their choice, but in a sense they were victims – of men, of their sex. We simply don’t want women to be like men.
The case studies show women who are out to prove themselves. Women who refuse to conform. Women from a multitude of backgrounds who are excited by the life of crime, by being outsiders, by being in control. But their sentencing and their history as written by others doesn’t show this. Right down to the last case study, the infamous Joyti de Laurey who defrauded Goldman Sachs of over four million pounds. Because it was easy. Because that money was a drop in the ocean to her bosses. Because there were insufficient checks and balances. She proved there was a massive hole in their security, but what she was judged as was a greedy woman who loved jewels.
This is a very biased book, but it needs to be because there’s a huge imbalance that isn’t even being recognised. Is it a double-edged sword though, to demand equal place for female and male criminals in this way? Fact is that we have far, far fewer convicted women than men. Women don’t commit as much crime, and I applaud that. And taking a step back from the heated arguments in this book, and the fascinating case studies it presents, personally I cannot laud what the women did. They hurt people (with the possible exception of the crime against Goldman Sachs). Their ‘freedom’ came at a cost not only to their victims but their families (of course the same can be said for men). And is it right for us to want, for example, a film or tv series to be made about them in the style of Peaky Blinders, just for the sake of equality? I have very mixed feelings about that – though I know I’d watch it!
This was a really interesting book, and it was a right riveting read. It’s only when you’re done you start really asking the questions – as the author does, at the end. Which of course is also the sign of a very well-written book. Highly recommended. And I already have her next book, about female detectives, on my TBR.
In her excellent summing up at the end of the book, she puts her case really brilliantly – so brilliantly, to be honest I felt it would have worked better as an introduction – here’s the theory, now here’s the evidence kind of thing. However, that’s a minor gripe.
First of all, the case studies tell us a lot about women’s lives – their circumstances, their family, and to an extent (but only to an extent) why they chose crime – and all of them did choose, seems to be her argument.
Then the cases show as a lot about society’s and the Establishment’s bias and prejudices about women. And for me this was the most compelling of her arguments. Why are the roles of women in crime so persistently downgraded? Why are they molls, sidekicks, mistresses, the Bonnie and never the Clyde? The author gives numerous examples of women whose story is re-written (by the press, by the police, often by the women themselves) in order to conform to a stereo-type – they were coerced, they did it for love, they were only obeying orders. And of course, they regret it, especially when they look at the harm did to their children. Because you can’t be a criminal and a mother. Yet you can easily be a criminal and a father.
Then there’s the case that women only commit ‘female’ crimes. Shoplifting, primarily. Women over the centuries have been ‘permitted’ to commit this crime because they’re weak. They are so easily influenced. They give in to a latent desire to acquire, to accumulate possessions, and it’s not their fault that they struggle to resist. Even if the statistics show that shop lifting is actually carried out as much by men as women, the author argues that they are judged differently. One is a victim of her sex, the other – well, men shoplift because they make a deliberate choice – or so the trend in sentencing would say.
The Queens of the Underworld that form the case studies in this book break the rules. They don’t only shoplift, they are the masterminds behind gangs. They on occasion are violent. A surprising number of them choose not only to dress like a man, but to live with and love other women (or maybe it’s not a surprising number, I was aware the whole time I was reading this that the case studies have been carefully chosen).
The women in this book are artistes – they are mistresses of disguise – but when they are caught, they are often portrayed as sirens, insatiable women who lead men astray for purely sexual reasons. The crimes they commit are once again downgraded, not their choice, but in a sense they were victims – of men, of their sex. We simply don’t want women to be like men.
The case studies show women who are out to prove themselves. Women who refuse to conform. Women from a multitude of backgrounds who are excited by the life of crime, by being outsiders, by being in control. But their sentencing and their history as written by others doesn’t show this. Right down to the last case study, the infamous Joyti de Laurey who defrauded Goldman Sachs of over four million pounds. Because it was easy. Because that money was a drop in the ocean to her bosses. Because there were insufficient checks and balances. She proved there was a massive hole in their security, but what she was judged as was a greedy woman who loved jewels.
This is a very biased book, but it needs to be because there’s a huge imbalance that isn’t even being recognised. Is it a double-edged sword though, to demand equal place for female and male criminals in this way? Fact is that we have far, far fewer convicted women than men. Women don’t commit as much crime, and I applaud that. And taking a step back from the heated arguments in this book, and the fascinating case studies it presents, personally I cannot laud what the women did. They hurt people (with the possible exception of the crime against Goldman Sachs). Their ‘freedom’ came at a cost not only to their victims but their families (of course the same can be said for men). And is it right for us to want, for example, a film or tv series to be made about them in the style of Peaky Blinders, just for the sake of equality? I have very mixed feelings about that – though I know I’d watch it!
This was a really interesting book, and it was a right riveting read. It’s only when you’re done you start really asking the questions – as the author does, at the end. Which of course is also the sign of a very well-written book. Highly recommended. And I already have her next book, about female detectives, on my TBR.
May 4, 2023
This is a book devoted to the lives of some of the most famous female criminals in England over the past few hundred years. From the 1600’s until the present day we meet some of Britain’s most infamous women crooks, from pickpockets to fraudsters the book was inspired by a meeting with prolific criminal Zoe Progl’s daughter. It details the people, their crimes and punishment along with the lifestyles they were brought up in and the environment in which they operated.
Briefly, separate chapters for each woman allow the reader to understand them further and I really appreciated this. Just a little taster of some of the stories: in the mid 1700’s Ann Duck was a member of The Black Boy Alley Gang and one of the most notorious street robbers in London. In 1927 around 40 women took part in a huge shoplifting spree instigated by Alice Diamond, fresh out of prison, and she became known as Queen of the Underworld for 30 years. Joyti De-Laurey was a modern day crook, from 1998 until she was caught, charged and found guilty, she had embezzled £4.3m from her employers.
Whilst some of the women were clearly evil many of the women appear to have been forced into a life of crime solely as a means of survival. Many were prostitutes. It was enlightening to see how many ran their own gangs, so lack of education was clearly not a hindrance. It also appears spells of prison time only encouraged the crooks to continue their lives of crime despite the appalling conditions of Holloway/ Newgate etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; as well as the stories there are some wonderful illustrations and information about the research. An excellent non fictional exposé about the real women behind the criminal faces, well written and an interesting and fascinating read.
4.5⭐️
Briefly, separate chapters for each woman allow the reader to understand them further and I really appreciated this. Just a little taster of some of the stories: in the mid 1700’s Ann Duck was a member of The Black Boy Alley Gang and one of the most notorious street robbers in London. In 1927 around 40 women took part in a huge shoplifting spree instigated by Alice Diamond, fresh out of prison, and she became known as Queen of the Underworld for 30 years. Joyti De-Laurey was a modern day crook, from 1998 until she was caught, charged and found guilty, she had embezzled £4.3m from her employers.
Whilst some of the women were clearly evil many of the women appear to have been forced into a life of crime solely as a means of survival. Many were prostitutes. It was enlightening to see how many ran their own gangs, so lack of education was clearly not a hindrance. It also appears spells of prison time only encouraged the crooks to continue their lives of crime despite the appalling conditions of Holloway/ Newgate etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; as well as the stories there are some wonderful illustrations and information about the research. An excellent non fictional exposé about the real women behind the criminal faces, well written and an interesting and fascinating read.
4.5⭐️
August 31, 2023
Based on archives, social history researches and direct interviews with family members of some of the women featured in the book, Queens of the Underworld offers not only a different take on women but also a completely new perspective on the history of the city of London. Some of the episodes automatically made me think of the dark yet historically relatable human moments in the history of the city. At the same time, it also offers a dramatic twists to the ways in which women histories were read and interpreted. Each of the women featured do have a history larger than life to share that take a different angle on the ways in which women´s role were shaped in the society, including the less desirable episodes of the history. Social history, including London´s, cannot be read without women, any kind of women, more or less representative for the Victorian standards.
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
May 7, 2023
We always hear about the men who made up the seedy underworld, but we never hear about the women. I always found this crazy, as the men are strong and powerful, but the women have to be even stronger and show not one thread of weakness, or they are done for. The first time I saw a women of the underworld show in all her glory was the fictitious account of Polly, in Peaky Blinders. Now, we have this book.
It shows the true and detailed accounts of all the queens who made the underworld tick, giving the real accounts of who they were, how they worked and what they did. It is a no holds bar account and really gives a vivid picture. I must say, I was blown away by the level of detail and thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about their gritty, determined lives. Truly a must read account and one with a vivid and brilliant cover to match.
It shows the true and detailed accounts of all the queens who made the underworld tick, giving the real accounts of who they were, how they worked and what they did. It is a no holds bar account and really gives a vivid picture. I must say, I was blown away by the level of detail and thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about their gritty, determined lives. Truly a must read account and one with a vivid and brilliant cover to match.
September 30, 2023
This book is not just a series of short biographies of women who, at least for significant portions of their lives, made crime their careers. And were, by and large, successful at it. The author also examines how most of these women have been largely glossed over and forgotten by history, while their male counterparts have been studied, written about, and in some cases, become legendary.
The author makes the point that female criminality often seems to be treated with hand-wringing about how women are becoming more violent, and so on, and yet, in the longer term, they're marginalized, and portrayed as accessories to men. Seem familiar, somehow? Yeah, thought so.
I thought this was an enjoyable read, and made some interesting and thought-provoking points.
The author makes the point that female criminality often seems to be treated with hand-wringing about how women are becoming more violent, and so on, and yet, in the longer term, they're marginalized, and portrayed as accessories to men. Seem familiar, somehow? Yeah, thought so.
I thought this was an enjoyable read, and made some interesting and thought-provoking points.
March 11, 2023
This is a really insightful and well put together book, shedding some needed light into what has been (and continues) to be a vastly overlooked and unreported area of social history in Britain. The use of relative accounts and author's experiences trying to hunt down locations in London brought the storytelling to life; you can tell this has been thoroughly researched and written by an experienced fiction writer. The storytelling of hooks you in from the first page to the last. Will be recommending to all my friends and family!
October 26, 2021
Another great read from Caitlin Davies. A fascinating and insightful journey into the world of female criminals
April 27, 2023
My review for this fantastic read, is on my blog https://thefallenlibrarian.wordpress....
July 24, 2024
10/10 no complaints
June 22, 2023
3.75 stars.
Interesting to hear about ‘bad’ women considering they apparently can’t do anything such as commit a crime haha!
Interesting to hear about ‘bad’ women considering they apparently can’t do anything such as commit a crime haha!
May 7, 2023
The author’s writing is lively and peppered with her own experiences of researching the book which is hilarious and interesting in its own right. There is plenty of details relating to history, society, religious, and political issues that would have been pertinent to these women, but this never feels tedious. The author included interviews with some of the women’s descendants which adds a more personal touch.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
This book is a feminist exploration of ‘bad’ women- women who have been pretty much written out or ignored by historians. This is despite them being as interesting, devious, lethal and dangerous as their male counterparts. I must confess I had heard of Dick Turpin or the Krays but not Mary Firth or Shirley Pitts.
The book describes the women who were robbers, thieves, pickpockets, and fraudsters from Jacobean times to the modern digital age. Sadly, one of my favourites from the book is remembered for dressing up in men’s clothes instead of the pickpocket, fence and would-be assassin.
I loved the fact that despite this being set in England covering history from the 1600’s, there is a diversity in these women that I never would have guessed existed.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
This book is a feminist exploration of ‘bad’ women- women who have been pretty much written out or ignored by historians. This is despite them being as interesting, devious, lethal and dangerous as their male counterparts. I must confess I had heard of Dick Turpin or the Krays but not Mary Firth or Shirley Pitts.
The book describes the women who were robbers, thieves, pickpockets, and fraudsters from Jacobean times to the modern digital age. Sadly, one of my favourites from the book is remembered for dressing up in men’s clothes instead of the pickpocket, fence and would-be assassin.
I loved the fact that despite this being set in England covering history from the 1600’s, there is a diversity in these women that I never would have guessed existed.
November 11, 2023
My Thoughts: this book was right up my street, I’m a sucker for true crime & to to read about women being bad ass criminals was the icing on the cake!
Caitlin had a way of taking to people about their family history without judgement which was refreshing, she was just eager to know them as people and find out where possible what led them to the lives they chose to live.
This book was so easy to get lost in, although I did find it repetitive at times so this it’s definitely not a one sitting read, but that made me appreciate it even more.
The descriptions made this so easy to picture what was happening which helped me to remember that everything I was reading was real.
A book I would recommend to all fans of true crime, and those who just want to dip their toes in too.
Absolutely brilliant!
🐧❤️
Caitlin had a way of taking to people about their family history without judgement which was refreshing, she was just eager to know them as people and find out where possible what led them to the lives they chose to live.
This book was so easy to get lost in, although I did find it repetitive at times so this it’s definitely not a one sitting read, but that made me appreciate it even more.
The descriptions made this so easy to picture what was happening which helped me to remember that everything I was reading was real.
A book I would recommend to all fans of true crime, and those who just want to dip their toes in too.
Absolutely brilliant!
🐧❤️
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews