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Queen of Thieves #3
Queen of Diamonds
London, 1922. Orphan girl Alice dreams there's more to life than toiling long hours in Pink's jam factory. Inspired by stories about the legendary Queen of Thieves, Mary Carr, who terrorised the streets of Victorian London, Alice decides to set up her own The Forty Thieves.
Sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel persuades Alice they'd make the perfect team and before long, the pair are making headlines in the glitzy world of 1920s Soho with their criminal sprees.
A life of crime means they soon make some powerful enemies, and Alice must sacrifice more than she ever thought if she is to be crowned Queen of Diamonds.
But the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.
From squalid slums and the grim confines of Holloway Prison to the glittering nightclubs of London in the roaring twenties, Queen of Diamonds is a fast-paced, gritty story of love, loss and loyalty to the gang.
Sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel persuades Alice they'd make the perfect team and before long, the pair are making headlines in the glitzy world of 1920s Soho with their criminal sprees.
A life of crime means they soon make some powerful enemies, and Alice must sacrifice more than she ever thought if she is to be crowned Queen of Diamonds.
But the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.
From squalid slums and the grim confines of Holloway Prison to the glittering nightclubs of London in the roaring twenties, Queen of Diamonds is a fast-paced, gritty story of love, loss and loyalty to the gang.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 29, 2024
18 people are currently reading
3714 people want to read
About the author
Beezy Marsh
9 books167 followersBeezy Marsh is an international #1 and Sunday Times top-ten best-selling author who puts family and relationships at the heart of her writing. She believes that ordinary lives are extraordinary. She is also an award-winning journalist, who has spent more than 20 years making the headlines in newspapers including The Daily Mail and The Sunday Times. She began her career as a writer after graduating from Leeds University with a Joint Honours degree in English Literature and French. She was Women’s Editor on The Northern Echo in the North East, where she grew up, winning awards for her reporting before moving to the Daily Mail, where as Health Correspondent she was nominated for a National Press Award for her investigations. Her historical novels featuring the gritty lives of working class women in the first half of the twentieth century have spent six weeks in the Sunday Times best top ten bestseller list in the U.K. and nine weeks at the coveted #1 slot in Canada. She is married, with two sons, and lives in Oxfordshire with a never-ending pile of laundry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 2, 2025
This book 3 of trilogy, which can be read as a stand-alone, is based on the leader of a notorious gang of shoplifters, Alice Diamond of the Forty Thieves. She was inspired by the first Queen of Thieves, a daring girl from the London slums of the 1880s, called Mary Carr.
London, 1900. The story begins with Lady Harcourt venturing into the dangerous alleyways of Seven Dials, despite the warnings to avoid the area. As an artist, her curiosity wins out, leading her to explore the lives of ordinary people, which she captures in her sketches.
In Seven Dials, while watching her brother play at the fountain, Mary notices a lady in a fancy dress. The woman offers Mary a coin and asks her to show her around. The encounter sets Mary on a new path. She begins to pose in ragged clothes for Lady Harcourt and later, secretly, for her husband. Mary is a quick learner and observes how people look at her differently when she wears fine clothing. This realization sparks an idea.
Alice grew up in Seven Dials, where stealing comes naturally as a means of survival. She has no interest in toiling in a factory. Instead, she prefers to ‘liberate’ fine things from people’s pockets or counters at posh shops. It’s there that she meets another accomplice, Kate Felix. With her refined accent and her own gang of the Forty Thieves, Alice is exceptionally Skilled at what she does. But it only takes one man to distract one of them, leading to dire consequences.
The sharp and engaging prose makes the story fast-paced, and there is a surprising moment when the connection between the two protagonists is revealed. The novel also vividly portrays the grim reality of London’s poor neighborhoods, evoking sympathy for the girls who long for a better life. It also highlights the attitudes of the privileged, who often look down on the less fortunate as if they were mere obstacles to be crushed.
At the forefront of the story is a gang of women who take charge of their lives, but behind this façade lie deeper issues, including incarceration - in both jails and mental institutions. The narrative delves into the psychological toll of separation, exploring how isolation can exacerbate anxiety and lead to further mental damage. The story touches on real and timeless themes with remarkable depth.
Queen of Diamonds is a must-read. It challenges readers to weigh two sides of ethics dilemmas: those who steal without remorse and those who dismiss others with cruelty and a lack of empathy. While the story may seem superficial on the surface, it delves deeply into societal issues, making it powerful and though-provoking read.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
London, 1900. The story begins with Lady Harcourt venturing into the dangerous alleyways of Seven Dials, despite the warnings to avoid the area. As an artist, her curiosity wins out, leading her to explore the lives of ordinary people, which she captures in her sketches.
In Seven Dials, while watching her brother play at the fountain, Mary notices a lady in a fancy dress. The woman offers Mary a coin and asks her to show her around. The encounter sets Mary on a new path. She begins to pose in ragged clothes for Lady Harcourt and later, secretly, for her husband. Mary is a quick learner and observes how people look at her differently when she wears fine clothing. This realization sparks an idea.
Alice grew up in Seven Dials, where stealing comes naturally as a means of survival. She has no interest in toiling in a factory. Instead, she prefers to ‘liberate’ fine things from people’s pockets or counters at posh shops. It’s there that she meets another accomplice, Kate Felix. With her refined accent and her own gang of the Forty Thieves, Alice is exceptionally Skilled at what she does. But it only takes one man to distract one of them, leading to dire consequences.
The sharp and engaging prose makes the story fast-paced, and there is a surprising moment when the connection between the two protagonists is revealed. The novel also vividly portrays the grim reality of London’s poor neighborhoods, evoking sympathy for the girls who long for a better life. It also highlights the attitudes of the privileged, who often look down on the less fortunate as if they were mere obstacles to be crushed.
At the forefront of the story is a gang of women who take charge of their lives, but behind this façade lie deeper issues, including incarceration - in both jails and mental institutions. The narrative delves into the psychological toll of separation, exploring how isolation can exacerbate anxiety and lead to further mental damage. The story touches on real and timeless themes with remarkable depth.
Queen of Diamonds is a must-read. It challenges readers to weigh two sides of ethics dilemmas: those who steal without remorse and those who dismiss others with cruelty and a lack of empathy. While the story may seem superficial on the surface, it delves deeply into societal issues, making it powerful and though-provoking read.
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2025
Massive thanks to @williammorrowbooks and @beezy.marsh for gifting me this beautiful gem!!!
First and foremost, historical fiction is not my jam. I’ve only read one other, The Specimen, and I did enjoy it. However, THIS WAS EVERYTHING!! Phenomenal! I even cried 😭😭😭. Fr!!! Who am I???
🔥Peaky Blinders but with women! A bit milder though.
This story follows two poor women. Mary Carr, in 1898, a poor London woman who is referred to as an urchin. She basically stays on the streets caring for her eighteen-month-old brother. They are the poorest of the poor. Then we have Alice, 1922, who works in a jam factory and is also slumming it up.
Soon, these women find themselves forming their own gangs who steal the richest items. Alice calls her girls The Forty Thieves.
GUYS!!! This story is about coming from the gutter and finding your way! About friendships that truly touched my soul!!! About the importance of family even when they are absent. About the hard life of prison and even the insane asylum. It gets real dark in some places.
Gut wrenching! Heartbreaking and even funny! I would have never read this if it wasn’t sent and it turned out to be an absolute PRECIOUS GEM!!!! 💎💍
If historical fiction isn’t your go-to, I challenge you to give this a read!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! 😭😭😭
🔥🔥🔥 Based on the true story of Mary Carr, Queen Of Thieves, in the 1880’s
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 1/14/2025
First and foremost, historical fiction is not my jam. I’ve only read one other, The Specimen, and I did enjoy it. However, THIS WAS EVERYTHING!! Phenomenal! I even cried 😭😭😭. Fr!!! Who am I???
🔥Peaky Blinders but with women! A bit milder though.
This story follows two poor women. Mary Carr, in 1898, a poor London woman who is referred to as an urchin. She basically stays on the streets caring for her eighteen-month-old brother. They are the poorest of the poor. Then we have Alice, 1922, who works in a jam factory and is also slumming it up.
Soon, these women find themselves forming their own gangs who steal the richest items. Alice calls her girls The Forty Thieves.
GUYS!!! This story is about coming from the gutter and finding your way! About friendships that truly touched my soul!!! About the importance of family even when they are absent. About the hard life of prison and even the insane asylum. It gets real dark in some places.
Gut wrenching! Heartbreaking and even funny! I would have never read this if it wasn’t sent and it turned out to be an absolute PRECIOUS GEM!!!! 💎💍
If historical fiction isn’t your go-to, I challenge you to give this a read!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! 😭😭😭
🔥🔥🔥 Based on the true story of Mary Carr, Queen Of Thieves, in the 1880’s
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 1/14/2025
May 3, 2025
Great series! The second half of this book was the best. Took me a bit in the beginning to stay with it. Happy I did as the second half and ending were fantastic!
November 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Queen of Diamonds. Queen of Diamonds is a third in a series of books about female thieves but can be read as a standalone book, which I did. It’s a unique historical fiction that really pulls you in and makes you feel like a firsthand witness to the interesting historical women portrayed.
The book takes place in a dreary poor area of London from the late 1800s to the mid 1920’s. The book is two parallel stories that each progress as the other does. There’s so much drama, glitz, and glamour for a story about two very poor girls doing what they must to survive. Both characters have a lot of similarities, they’re both driven, have expensive taste, love deeply, are loyal to the people they love and face terrible injustice by society.
On the surface these derelict, destitute, and underprivileged girls have no morality when it comes to committing crimes and stealing, yet they have a better sense of ethics than the privileged elite who look down on the poor, as if they aren’t anything but pests that are a detriment to society. In this book the real villains are the entitled, arrogant, and elite. The heroes are the felonious, reprobate, and impoverished women of the wrong side of town.
This story focuses on a lot of important issues such as class, the perceived amorality of the lower class, how perceptions shape the classes, a woman’s place in society and the way punishments such as jail and asylums harm more than they help. When I read this story, I knew very little, other than that it was about some lady thieves, but it delves into very serious topics in an in-depth and analytical way. It shines a light on society as a whole and not only how they treat the upper and lower classes but the ultimate outcome and perception of that class.
This book is a feminist historical fiction that is not to be missed. It asks some interesting questions and shines light on important issues as well as some rather interesting women of the day. I will be reading the other books in this series after reading this novel. If you like a criminal underground, enterprising females, and interesting characters that are morally gray then this is the book for you.
The book takes place in a dreary poor area of London from the late 1800s to the mid 1920’s. The book is two parallel stories that each progress as the other does. There’s so much drama, glitz, and glamour for a story about two very poor girls doing what they must to survive. Both characters have a lot of similarities, they’re both driven, have expensive taste, love deeply, are loyal to the people they love and face terrible injustice by society.
On the surface these derelict, destitute, and underprivileged girls have no morality when it comes to committing crimes and stealing, yet they have a better sense of ethics than the privileged elite who look down on the poor, as if they aren’t anything but pests that are a detriment to society. In this book the real villains are the entitled, arrogant, and elite. The heroes are the felonious, reprobate, and impoverished women of the wrong side of town.
This story focuses on a lot of important issues such as class, the perceived amorality of the lower class, how perceptions shape the classes, a woman’s place in society and the way punishments such as jail and asylums harm more than they help. When I read this story, I knew very little, other than that it was about some lady thieves, but it delves into very serious topics in an in-depth and analytical way. It shines a light on society as a whole and not only how they treat the upper and lower classes but the ultimate outcome and perception of that class.
This book is a feminist historical fiction that is not to be missed. It asks some interesting questions and shines light on important issues as well as some rather interesting women of the day. I will be reading the other books in this series after reading this novel. If you like a criminal underground, enterprising females, and interesting characters that are morally gray then this is the book for you.
November 29, 2024
Beezy Marsh does it again! I love this entire series but I really love how Queen of Diamonds brings the reader back to the very beginning…how “The Forty Thieves” all began.
Taking place in the slums of London during the late 1800’s to early 1920’s, the author does a great job of allowing the reader to visualize and understand the struggles of poor women during this time period. There was no middle class - just rich or poor. The justice system, jails, asylums, took advantage of this class of women and it’s super heartbreaking to read about.
I enjoyed reading about these two strong women and I really enjoyed the ending! I think it’s pretty cool that Breezy based so much of the book on true events.
Though I have read others say that this could be read as a stand alone, it doesn’t make sense to me to do so. I recommend reading them in order.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this one!
Taking place in the slums of London during the late 1800’s to early 1920’s, the author does a great job of allowing the reader to visualize and understand the struggles of poor women during this time period. There was no middle class - just rich or poor. The justice system, jails, asylums, took advantage of this class of women and it’s super heartbreaking to read about.
I enjoyed reading about these two strong women and I really enjoyed the ending! I think it’s pretty cool that Breezy based so much of the book on true events.
Though I have read others say that this could be read as a stand alone, it doesn’t make sense to me to do so. I recommend reading them in order.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this one!
June 27, 2025
CW: confinement, kidnapping, vomit, eating disorder, forced institutionalization, pregnancy, (mentions of) rape, (mentions of) sexual assault, (mentions of) death of a parent, (mentions of) animal death
I received a copy of this book for free via Goodreads Giveaway. This has not impacted my final review.
Women's wrongs 💪 💁♀️ ♀
Very Sarah Waters-lite, but without the Sapphism
I received a copy of this book for free via Goodreads Giveaway. This has not impacted my final review.
Women's wrongs 💪 💁♀️ ♀
Very Sarah Waters-lite, but without the Sapphism
January 31, 2025
Queen of Diamonds, while the third book in the Queen of Thieves series, is actually a prequel book giving insight into how Alice Diamond rose to the infamy as the Queen of Diamonds we first met in Queen of Thieves in 2023.
Set in London 1922, we follow Alice's trajectory through being an orphan to leading the notorious Forty Thieves hoisting gang, a rebirth from the original run by Mary Carr. We learn Mary's history along side Alice's as the stories weave and interconnect.
While I didn't LOVE the Queen of Clubs (book tw0), Queen of Diamonds brought me right back around to how engaged and stoked I was to be reading this series. I love the non-fiction inspiration for these fictionalized versions of events and, honestly, would love to read any more books that Marsh wanted to put into the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Set in London 1922, we follow Alice's trajectory through being an orphan to leading the notorious Forty Thieves hoisting gang, a rebirth from the original run by Mary Carr. We learn Mary's history along side Alice's as the stories weave and interconnect.
While I didn't LOVE the Queen of Clubs (book tw0), Queen of Diamonds brought me right back around to how engaged and stoked I was to be reading this series. I love the non-fiction inspiration for these fictionalized versions of events and, honestly, would love to read any more books that Marsh wanted to put into the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
December 16, 2024
Thank you to #NetGalley for this advanced copy of #QueenofDiamonds !
Can’t believe the final installment of the Queen of Thieves trilogy is here already. I have thoroughly enjoyed this 1920s all girl-gang from London. Think Peaky Blinders, but with all women!
In this one, we get to learn more about Alice and how she went from working in a jam factory to becoming the head of The Forty Thieves. I really liked getting to read about Alice’s backstory and learn about all that she had to overcome.
You can read them in order of their pub date (like I did), or you can read this one first since it’s the backstory of Alice, and then read the other two.
Queen of Diamonds publishes 1/15/25 in the US, so be sure to pick this one (and the rest of the series) up!!
Can’t believe the final installment of the Queen of Thieves trilogy is here already. I have thoroughly enjoyed this 1920s all girl-gang from London. Think Peaky Blinders, but with all women!
In this one, we get to learn more about Alice and how she went from working in a jam factory to becoming the head of The Forty Thieves. I really liked getting to read about Alice’s backstory and learn about all that she had to overcome.
You can read them in order of their pub date (like I did), or you can read this one first since it’s the backstory of Alice, and then read the other two.
Queen of Diamonds publishes 1/15/25 in the US, so be sure to pick this one (and the rest of the series) up!!
February 25, 2025
I enjoyed this audiobook but I didn’t like the storyline as much as the first two books in the series. I kept waiting for something more…more action. However, it was interesting to see the development of Alice’s character. This was the prequel to the first two that tells the story of how Alice came to be the Queen of Thieves. There were two storylines going on and it took me a while to figure out why and how they connected in the end (which I thought was well done).
September 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫.
Society, suffering, and sparkling strength.
Mary is a young, low class girl living in the 1900’s. From the Seven Dials, she was busy taking care of her baby brother and getting in line each morning for day old bread costing the only pennies that she had. Watch as Mary emerges from her personal trenches.
Our Alice Diamond, she’s back for this 3rd book in the series! It was interesting to read about her early days with this one. This parallel storyline is one that keeps you wondering from the beginning.
These leading woman go through a tremendous amount of early success and heartbreak. This time period was interesting, harrowing, I and love how Breezy Marsh takes us through this historical fiction period!
Thank you NetGalley and Willam Morrow Books for this ARC opportunity. This gem is being published January 14, 2025.
Society, suffering, and sparkling strength.
Mary is a young, low class girl living in the 1900’s. From the Seven Dials, she was busy taking care of her baby brother and getting in line each morning for day old bread costing the only pennies that she had. Watch as Mary emerges from her personal trenches.
Our Alice Diamond, she’s back for this 3rd book in the series! It was interesting to read about her early days with this one. This parallel storyline is one that keeps you wondering from the beginning.
These leading woman go through a tremendous amount of early success and heartbreak. This time period was interesting, harrowing, I and love how Breezy Marsh takes us through this historical fiction period!
Thank you NetGalley and Willam Morrow Books for this ARC opportunity. This gem is being published January 14, 2025.
January 13, 2025
I really, really love this historical fiction series based on real life women who rise above their lower class origins to take control of their lives and fortunes by grifting. This book is told in a dual timeline structure that focuses on multiple women living in London in the 1880s and 1920s and the way their lives intertwine comes together beautifully in the end. This is a great as an audiobook narrated by Rachel Atkins and can be read as a standalone. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 1, 2025
This is the third and final installment of the Queen of Thieves series. I loved the first two, but this one just fell short for me. It is a prequel of sorts giving the stories of how the characters became who they were. I’m not sure why but as much as I looked forward to reading this one, I just couldn’t get enough interest to just get lost in the story.
March 6, 2025
Decent wrap-up to the series. Fairly predictable ending, but the women’s life stories of thieving intertwined well together.
November 9, 2025
If there’s one thing I love it’s a villain origin story where you find out the villain was never a villain at all.
March 4, 2024
Oh my goodness this is book three in the series and once again we learn more and more about Alice Diamond and her Forty Thieves as we go back to the Seven Dials in London slums.
The best hoisters pick pocketing in Selfridges from the roaring twenties.
Then we get to meet Mary Carr along with Polly all the best gear from furs down to bloomers , this is once again an eye opening story.
I do advise you read this series in order, they are such unputdownable read with a lot of characters that you will grow to love but also to hate too.
Alice the diamond of the forty thieves, the gem of them all, a pure queen ruling her roost of the London slums, walking bold as brass in her furs and her diamond ring sparkling on her finger.
I loved this book just like the two in the series, and this author has captures so much research into every chapter for readers to enjoy right down to the juicy bits to get stuck into.
This booklover is giving this book a full five stars.
The best hoisters pick pocketing in Selfridges from the roaring twenties.
Then we get to meet Mary Carr along with Polly all the best gear from furs down to bloomers , this is once again an eye opening story.
I do advise you read this series in order, they are such unputdownable read with a lot of characters that you will grow to love but also to hate too.
Alice the diamond of the forty thieves, the gem of them all, a pure queen ruling her roost of the London slums, walking bold as brass in her furs and her diamond ring sparkling on her finger.
I loved this book just like the two in the series, and this author has captures so much research into every chapter for readers to enjoy right down to the juicy bits to get stuck into.
This booklover is giving this book a full five stars.
December 11, 2024
I enjoyed the first two books in the series, Queen of Thieves and Queen of Clubs, and this third installment was a great origin story of Diamond Alice! Dual time line set in late 1800s and 1920s in the tenements of London as well as the posh areas of Mayfair and Soho. Alice grew up hearing about Mary, the legendary Queen of Thieves back in the day. Alice was tired of living and suffering in poverty, so she gathered friends to create her own gang of thieves. She and her gang sisters hoisted in the stores for those bits that could be sold quickly for cash (stockings, scarves, single ring, etc.) but also went big with fur coats and luxurious gowns. They were good and quick with a swipe, until Alice and her best mate, Kate, were nicked by the cozzers (police). I was surprised at who got them caught as it is reveled near the end of the book.
This origin story of how Mary began her first gang of Forty Thieves was creatively woven throughout Alice's story. I do not want to give anything away, but I believe any reader will be captivated by this book and how the two women's stories intersect. Alice, Kate, and Mary were well developed characters. The antagonist, Lady Dorothy Harcourt, was a fictionalized character and entertains the reader with her snooty attitude toward those less fortunate. As the story unfolds in the tenements of the Seven Dials, you could feel the despair and smell the horrors of that living situation. When Alice was all spruced up and at the dance hall, you could picture all the dazzling men and women dancing the evening away.
What I was surprised about was in the Author's Notes, she states she spoke to relatives of the original gang for insights. I love when primary sources can inform authors writing.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you read the first two from this author. I would also recommend this book if you have read other books about Diamond Alice and the Forty Thieves.
#QueenofDiamonds #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
This origin story of how Mary began her first gang of Forty Thieves was creatively woven throughout Alice's story. I do not want to give anything away, but I believe any reader will be captivated by this book and how the two women's stories intersect. Alice, Kate, and Mary were well developed characters. The antagonist, Lady Dorothy Harcourt, was a fictionalized character and entertains the reader with her snooty attitude toward those less fortunate. As the story unfolds in the tenements of the Seven Dials, you could feel the despair and smell the horrors of that living situation. When Alice was all spruced up and at the dance hall, you could picture all the dazzling men and women dancing the evening away.
What I was surprised about was in the Author's Notes, she states she spoke to relatives of the original gang for insights. I love when primary sources can inform authors writing.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you read the first two from this author. I would also recommend this book if you have read other books about Diamond Alice and the Forty Thieves.
#QueenofDiamonds #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 10, 2025
Thank you William Morrow Books and author Beezy Marsh for the arc!
Gah. I am absolutely in LOVE with this series!! I don’t know where to even begin, so I’ll start with those covers. Ya’ll … they are so gorgeous! And trust me, you can judge these books by their covers ... the stories inside are just as beautiful! Gritty & real highs & lows, fast paced scenes with plenty of action, heart wrenching drama & heart warming accounts of loyal friendship & found family … these books have it all!
Queen of Diamonds is the third & final book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. It takes us back to where it all started … with Alice Diamond as a young girl & Mary Carr, the woman who stormed the way for female hoister gangs in London. Both of their stories will rip you apart!
I wanted to scream with the unfair treatment of these women faced simply because of their station in life & their gender! I don’t usually get too emotional when reading books, but viewing life through the lens of these women feeling their pain & frustration along with them made me want to throw something. Ya, I know they were thieves … but in this case, I was totally rooting for these morally gray gals!
Beezy Marsh expertly tells this tale so that even tho I felt all the despair & heartbreak of what these women endured just to survive … I closed the book with smile on my face & a warm place in my heart!
Gah. I am absolutely in LOVE with this series!! I don’t know where to even begin, so I’ll start with those covers. Ya’ll … they are so gorgeous! And trust me, you can judge these books by their covers ... the stories inside are just as beautiful! Gritty & real highs & lows, fast paced scenes with plenty of action, heart wrenching drama & heart warming accounts of loyal friendship & found family … these books have it all!
Queen of Diamonds is the third & final book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. It takes us back to where it all started … with Alice Diamond as a young girl & Mary Carr, the woman who stormed the way for female hoister gangs in London. Both of their stories will rip you apart!
I wanted to scream with the unfair treatment of these women faced simply because of their station in life & their gender! I don’t usually get too emotional when reading books, but viewing life through the lens of these women feeling their pain & frustration along with them made me want to throw something. Ya, I know they were thieves … but in this case, I was totally rooting for these morally gray gals!
Beezy Marsh expertly tells this tale so that even tho I felt all the despair & heartbreak of what these women endured just to survive … I closed the book with smile on my face & a warm place in my heart!
January 16, 2025
After reading and loving the first two installments in the Queen of Thieves series (Queen of Thieves and Queen of Clubs), I was excited to read the final installment in the series, Queen of Diamonds. This third book most accurately would be billed as a prequel, as it covers the origin story of Alice, the Queen of Diamonds, and her inspiration, Mary Carr.
While I enjoyed learning how Alice got her start, I found the novel a little confusing, as it is told in dual timelines and dual points of view, and the two stories seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. In fact, for most of the book I was wondering why I was reading about Mary Carr at all! The author does bring the two stories together in the end, which saved the novel for me. The crossover of the two stories is a little far-fetched, with too many coincidences to be believable.
Beezy Marsh writes of the first quarter of 20th century England in a way that makes the scenes come alive, and the characters, though they may be hoisters, are likeable and empathetic. The plight of the women in the story is described in such a way that crime becomes the logical solution, and one that the reader supports regardless of its immorality.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC of Queen of Diamonds by Beezy Marsh. The opinions in this review are my own.
While I enjoyed learning how Alice got her start, I found the novel a little confusing, as it is told in dual timelines and dual points of view, and the two stories seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. In fact, for most of the book I was wondering why I was reading about Mary Carr at all! The author does bring the two stories together in the end, which saved the novel for me. The crossover of the two stories is a little far-fetched, with too many coincidences to be believable.
Beezy Marsh writes of the first quarter of 20th century England in a way that makes the scenes come alive, and the characters, though they may be hoisters, are likeable and empathetic. The plight of the women in the story is described in such a way that crime becomes the logical solution, and one that the reader supports regardless of its immorality.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC of Queen of Diamonds by Beezy Marsh. The opinions in this review are my own.
January 22, 2025
I gave Queen of Diamonds 4 stars because it’s an enjoyable and well-crafted historical fiction novel. The setting, spanning the 1890s and 1920s, is richly detailed and immerses the reader in a world of intrigue and deception. The storyline, centered around a group of thieves, is engaging and offers plenty of twists to keep things interesting. This book is a prequel and works as a standalone read, but I believe it would be even better when read as part of the series. I read it before the other books and liked it enough to want to go back and start from the beginning.
However, it did take me a while to get familiar with the characters. The split POV structure, while adding depth to the story, was somewhat confusing at first. The characters felt a bit too similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them initially. I have a feeling that reading the previous books might have helped with this, as there would have been more background to build on.
Overall, I enjoyed Queen of Diamonds, though it wasn't the best book I’ve read in the genre. It’s a solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of suspense.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
However, it did take me a while to get familiar with the characters. The split POV structure, while adding depth to the story, was somewhat confusing at first. The characters felt a bit too similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them initially. I have a feeling that reading the previous books might have helped with this, as there would have been more background to build on.
Overall, I enjoyed Queen of Diamonds, though it wasn't the best book I’ve read in the genre. It’s a solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of suspense.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
February 26, 2025
I gave Queen of Diamonds 4 stars because it’s an enjoyable and well-crafted historical fiction novel. The setting, spanning the 1890s and 1920s, is richly detailed and immerses the reader in a world of intrigue and deception. The storyline, centered around a group of thieves, is engaging and offers plenty of twists to keep things interesting. This book is a prequel and works as a standalone read, but I believe it would be even better when read as part of the series. I read it before the other books and liked it enough to want to go back and start from the beginning.
However, it did take me a while to get familiar with the characters. The split POV structure, while adding depth to the story, was somewhat confusing at first. The characters felt a bit too similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them initially. I have a feeling that reading the previous books might have helped with this, as there would have been more background to build on.
Overall, I enjoyed Queen of Diamonds, though it wasn't the best book I’ve read in the genre. It’s a solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of suspense.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
However, it did take me a while to get familiar with the characters. The split POV structure, while adding depth to the story, was somewhat confusing at first. The characters felt a bit too similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them initially. I have a feeling that reading the previous books might have helped with this, as there would have been more background to build on.
Overall, I enjoyed Queen of Diamonds, though it wasn't the best book I’ve read in the genre. It’s a solid read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of suspense.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
September 6, 2024
Queen of Diamonds is the third book in the Queen of Thieves series and I think it just might be my favorite! This story focuses on our favorite Queen, Alice, and a little of her background on how she went from the Slums of the Seven dials to Queen of hoisting. It’s well written and Beezy Marsh does an excellent job connecting all the dots and bringing everyone’s storyline together beautifully. Absolutely love all three books of this series and each woman’s story. Highly recommend !! FIVE STARS ⭐️
London, 1922. Orphan girl Alice dreams there's more to life than toiling long hours in Pink's jam factory. Inspired by stories about the legendary Queen of Thieves, Mary Carr, who terrorised the streets of Victorian London, Alice decides to set up her own The Forty Thieves. Sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel persuades Alice they'd make the perfect team and before long, the pair are making headlines in the glitzy world of 1920s Soho with their criminal sprees. A life of crime means they soon make some powerful enemies, and Alice must sacrifice more than she ever thought if she is to be crowned Queen of Diamonds. But the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.
From squalid slums and the grim confines of Holloway Prison to the glittering nightclubs of London in the roaring twenties, Queen of Diamonds is a fast-paced, gritty story of love, loss and loyalty to the gang.
Thank you to NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange of honest feedback!
London, 1922. Orphan girl Alice dreams there's more to life than toiling long hours in Pink's jam factory. Inspired by stories about the legendary Queen of Thieves, Mary Carr, who terrorised the streets of Victorian London, Alice decides to set up her own The Forty Thieves. Sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel persuades Alice they'd make the perfect team and before long, the pair are making headlines in the glitzy world of 1920s Soho with their criminal sprees. A life of crime means they soon make some powerful enemies, and Alice must sacrifice more than she ever thought if she is to be crowned Queen of Diamonds. But the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.
From squalid slums and the grim confines of Holloway Prison to the glittering nightclubs of London in the roaring twenties, Queen of Diamonds is a fast-paced, gritty story of love, loss and loyalty to the gang.
Thank you to NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange of honest feedback!
October 5, 2024
Engaging third book in the Queen of Thieves series. Readers learn the backstory of Mary Carr-the original Queen of Diamonds back in 1898 when she first saw Lady Dorothy Harcourt and how she would affect her life. Readers also meet Alice in 1923 and how her life will later be intertwined with Mary's.
I loved how we first meet Mary in the slums and how she went from being an art model for Lady Harcourt, how she became a thief, to finally, her time in Bedlam. The details of the insane asylum during the early 19th century are horrific with the cruelty directed toward women.
These women are resilient, strong, and learn to live on their own wits. There's also a sisterhood that develops between the women. They are thieves, but they also are loyal even when pressured to be otherwise.
I loved how the author ties it all together by the end of the book with a twisty reveal that I didn't see coming.
Fans of the Queen of Thieves series won't be disappointed.
I loved how we first meet Mary in the slums and how she went from being an art model for Lady Harcourt, how she became a thief, to finally, her time in Bedlam. The details of the insane asylum during the early 19th century are horrific with the cruelty directed toward women.
These women are resilient, strong, and learn to live on their own wits. There's also a sisterhood that develops between the women. They are thieves, but they also are loyal even when pressured to be otherwise.
I loved how the author ties it all together by the end of the book with a twisty reveal that I didn't see coming.
Fans of the Queen of Thieves series won't be disappointed.
January 28, 2025
The origin story of Alice Diamond becoming the Queen of Thieves, along with the story of the original leader of the Forty Thieves.
This isn't a bad book, but Alice's story seems to be completely inconsistent with the backstory given on her in the previous books. It would do well as a standalone novel, but having just finished the other two books, there are glaring inconsistencies and omissions. My other gripe is that the voices of Mary and Alice are sometimes too similar so it was difficult to keep track of the two different timelines.
Considering it as a standalone novel, it is a good look at the plight of women in England from the turn of the century into the 1920s, and highlights the interesting story of London's all female gang. The powerlessness and difficulty of just surviving as a woman 100 years ago is eye opening.
This isn't a bad book, but Alice's story seems to be completely inconsistent with the backstory given on her in the previous books. It would do well as a standalone novel, but having just finished the other two books, there are glaring inconsistencies and omissions. My other gripe is that the voices of Mary and Alice are sometimes too similar so it was difficult to keep track of the two different timelines.
Considering it as a standalone novel, it is a good look at the plight of women in England from the turn of the century into the 1920s, and highlights the interesting story of London's all female gang. The powerlessness and difficulty of just surviving as a woman 100 years ago is eye opening.
September 26, 2024
Though "Queen of Diamonds" is the third entry in Beezy Marsh's Queen of Thieves series, about the all-female London shoplifting gang the Forty Thieves, it takes place before the other novels. It's also, imo, better than the previous two, which I enjoyed in a guilty-pleasure way. The writing seemed a little more vivid and the characters more multidimensional. And though this entry suffered from a few of my biggest fiction irritants—dual timelines, multiple first-person narrators who sound the same, and convenient coincidences—I barely minded. This was a fast, entertaining read.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2024
I looked forward to reading this third book in the series and it did not disappoint! I do think one could easily read as a stand alone. I love the gritty setting in the poorer parts of London and the way we learn how they survive. The jelly factory was quite an eye opener.
The author brings the reader back into the world of thievery and pick pocketing. The characters are interesting, flawed and well developed. While in the modern world we may feel disdain for these criminals but in the world of Queen of Diamonds we feel empathy for most of the characters.
I think this story is a good adventure and keeps your interest! Great example of good historical fiction. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.
The author brings the reader back into the world of thievery and pick pocketing. The characters are interesting, flawed and well developed. While in the modern world we may feel disdain for these criminals but in the world of Queen of Diamonds we feel empathy for most of the characters.
I think this story is a good adventure and keeps your interest! Great example of good historical fiction. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.
January 7, 2025
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
This is a dual-timeline story, with Mary Carr being the focal point of the late 1800's timeline, and Alice Diamond's timeline in the 1920's. The two merge in the most unexpected way. Although this is book 3 of the series, this could be read as a standalone. I had already read another book about Alice Diamond, so I was interested in finding out more about her backstory. It was depressing, reading how women from the "wrong side of the tracks" so to speak were treated, and the conditions the were forced to live and work in. The ways they were exploited by those in authority or with wealth was shameful. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to check this out.
This is a dual-timeline story, with Mary Carr being the focal point of the late 1800's timeline, and Alice Diamond's timeline in the 1920's. The two merge in the most unexpected way. Although this is book 3 of the series, this could be read as a standalone. I had already read another book about Alice Diamond, so I was interested in finding out more about her backstory. It was depressing, reading how women from the "wrong side of the tracks" so to speak were treated, and the conditions the were forced to live and work in. The ways they were exploited by those in authority or with wealth was shameful. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will definitely want to check this out.
November 27, 2024
The research that Beezy March put in this book is unparalleled. Honestly this is the best book of the series. How did Alice become of the Queen of Thieves? Who did she take the crown from?
This heartbreaking yet thrilling story will answer your questions and more.
This book will give you a glimpse into the lives of women who lived in the early 1900’s slums of London. As well as what it was like for women in the roaring 20’s. The connection between the two timelines is wonderful. Never trust a woman who seeks revenge on those who wronged her.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
This heartbreaking yet thrilling story will answer your questions and more.
This book will give you a glimpse into the lives of women who lived in the early 1900’s slums of London. As well as what it was like for women in the roaring 20’s. The connection between the two timelines is wonderful. Never trust a woman who seeks revenge on those who wronged her.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
January 15, 2025
Queen of Diamonds, the third installment in the Queen of Thieves series, offers a captivating glimpse into Alice's origins! I've thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, but this one stands out as my favorite! The characters of Alice and Mary truly resonated with me. From the very start, Queen of Diamonds captured my attention and held it tight! The narrative was emotional, mysterious, and intriguing. I found it impossible to put this book down, and I sincerely hope there will be a fourth installment!
November 8, 2024
The Queen of Diamonds is the third in the fourty thieves series and I loved every one!
Following Alice Diamond is such a treat, these books are enthralling and you really can’t stop turning the pages.
In the third book we go back to Alice’s roots and learn about how she became the Queen of Thieves and it is such a fun time!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author the E-arc in exchange for my honest review!
Following Alice Diamond is such a treat, these books are enthralling and you really can’t stop turning the pages.
In the third book we go back to Alice’s roots and learn about how she became the Queen of Thieves and it is such a fun time!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author the E-arc in exchange for my honest review!
January 12, 2025
Queen of Diamonds is a fantastic standalone read that immediately drew me in. Even though I haven't read the first two books in the series, the historical elements were a highlight. The characters, storylines, and descriptions of impoverished London from the late 1800s to the mid-1920s make for a page-turner.
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this eARC.
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this eARC.
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