The Housekeepers Review

Upstairs is planning a ball. Downstairs is planning a heist.

The Housekeepers by Alex Hall is by turns funny and serious. The plot centers around a mansion in London in 1905 where the newly orphaned lady of the house is planning a ball — very scandalous, as she is supposed to be in mourning. Unbeknownst to her, the domestic staff are simultaneously planning a heist.

Hay’s writing was easy to read, but not simplistic, and the characters were well fleshed out — an impressive feat, considering how many were present. Though the narrative had an explosive plot, the book still felt character-driven because of the care Hay put into their development and interpersonal interactions.

The Housekeepers is an excellent exploration of social class and family ties in the early 1900s and is clearly well-researched. As a history lover myself, I appreciated the dedication to historical accuracy, wherever possible. It balanced very well between observance and commentary and the thrill of the heist plot and I rated it four out of five stars.