LONGLISTED FOR THE 2026 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE
SHORTLISTED 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.

Product Details

Format: Paperback | 416 pages
Language: English
ISBN: 9781837930876
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Publication date: 7 Nov 2024
Category: Crime & mystery
Author: Clare Whitfield