Poor Girls
Clare Whitfield
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2025 CRIME WRITERS' ASSOCIATION HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD!
'Funny, fast-paced and dark... with dialogue that absolutely crackles’ ELODIE HARPER
'A brave, bold novel' ARAMINTA HALL
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE RULES
1922. Eleanor Mackridge is staring down the barrel of two equally depressing life choices – serving the upper classes or finding a husband – when she crosses paths with the notorious all-female gang, the Forty Elephants.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL BREAK THEM
These are women who society would rather forget. They are bold and vulgar, they steal diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin. They give young women ideas above their station – and Eleanor wants in. Now she has the chance to make sure that history remembers her.
Because women don't have to marry or serve to get ahead.
They can steal.
In Poor Girls, Clare Whitfield exposes the criminal underbelly of 1920s London – but this isn't a morality tale, it's an adventure for the willingly wicked.
'Memorable, outrageous and full of heart. Loved it – every time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.’ ELENI KYRIACOU
'Wonderfully roguish characters, and great period detail. Really enjoyable.' IAN MOORE
'A richly vivid and picaresque masterwork, Poor Girls is by turns humorous, horrifying and humane.' TOM MEAD
'A compulsive read... A real page turner.' CAITLIN DAVIES
Join the growing fans of the Forty Elephants…
‘Clare Whitfield's best book to date.’ Reader Review
‘What a ride, this book is so much fun.’ Reader Review
‘Will make you laugh but also shed a tear.’ Reader Review
‘I highly recommend it to anyone drawn to tales of resilience, ambition, and rebellion.’ Reader Review
‘Such a brilliant book, everyone should read it!’ Reader Review
‘Glamorous and uncompromising.’ Reader review
Product Details
About Clare Whitfield
Reviews for Poor Girls
Araminta Hall
‘Funny, fast-paced and dark, Poor Girls is a riveting read, with dialogue that absolutely crackles and a fabulously unsentimental heroine in Nell.’
Elodie Harper
This world is not all fur coats and champagne. An exuberant and atmospheric read
The Times
A pacy, entertaining caper with well-drawn characters
Good Housekeeping
Vivid, witty, and full of wonderfully drawn characters
Woman & Home
Raucous, fast-paced and dripping with 1920s grime and glamour
The Sun
Captivating
Crime Monthly
'The story moves along at a terrific pace with wonderfully roguish characters, and great period detail. Really enjoyable.'
Ian Moore
'A richly vivid and picaresque masterwork, Poor Girls is by turns humorous, horrifying and humane.'
Tom Mead
‘A compulsive read. Brighton waitress Eleanor is recruited by the female crime syndicate the Forty Elephants into a world of champagne, diamonds and furs. But there’s a price to pay for postwar women who wanted to become something - how far will she go, and will she get away with it? A real page turner.’
Caitlin Davies
‘An addictive, thrilling five-star read with a plot that races along and is packed with unexpected turns. Nell and her friends in the girl-gang the Forty Elephants are unapologetically out for themselves, stealing, drinking and partying their way to infamy, and all the time defying expectations of what it means to be a woman in 1922. Memorable, outrageous and full of heart. Loved it – every time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.’
Eleni Kyriacou
What a rollicking riot!... You'll love the adventures of this sisterhood
Peterborough Evening Telegraph
A crime novel like no other I’ve encountered, and it's solid proof of the old adage truth is stranger than fiction. And it’s a jolly good read into the bargain
Promoting Crime Fiction
This is splendidly entertaining, with sharp characterisation and a great sense of fun in addition to providing a fascinating insight into a lost period of British history
Maxim Jakubowski, CrimeTime
A vivid and witty read
Woman 'This Week's Hot Read'
[A] good read
Historical Novel Review