Clare Whitfield – författare

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 HALLIF 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 DAVIESJoin 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

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZESHORTLISTED 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 HALLIF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE RULES1922. 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 THEMThese 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 DAVIESJoin 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

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZESHORTLISTED 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 HALLIF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE RULES1922. 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 THEMThese 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 DAVIESJoin 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

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZESHORTLISTED 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 HALLIF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE RULES1922. 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 THEMThese 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 DAVIESJoin 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

There's more than one way to feed her hunger.'An evocative and unsettling tale ... Chilling and thought-provoking' ANNA MAZZOLA, author of The Clockwork Girl'Richly-drawn and atmospheric.... Whitfield is a masterful storyteller who shines a light on the darkest of themes' NIKKI MARMERY, author of Lillith THE HANDMAIDHungary, 1604. Orphaned and alone, Catalina arrives at Csejte Castle with no protection and no power. It is a place of shifting loyalties, and girls who displease the household simply vanish. Survival here depends on obedience – and silence.THE COUNTESSCatalina is summoned to serve Countess Erzsébet Báthory, a woman as volatile as she is feared. Only she seems able to soothe her moods, drawing Catalina into the Countess' private chambers and her interest in strange ‘medicines’.THE COMPULSIONAs more girls disappear, Catalina knows there is a cost to staying alive. She must decide whether to try and escape her mistress’ hunger, be consumed by it – or learn to feed it herself…Inspired by the alleged most prolific female serial killer of all time, told through the eyes of their most trusted companion, this gothic historical suspense is perfect for fans of Carmilla and Weyward.'Beautifully and atmospherically painted .. A vampiric countess, a forest hag and the woman who chose the darkest path' CATHRYN KEMP, author of A Poisoner's Tale'Capturing a sense of Gothic splendour tempered with humour and suspense. An epic in every sense' TOM MEAD, author of The House at Devil's NeckPraise for Clare Whitfield'Fast-paced and dark' ELODIE HARPER'Brave and bold' ARAMINTA HALL'A compulsive read' CAITLIN DAVIES'An addictive, thrilling five-star read' ELENI KYRIACOU'An exuberant and atmospheric read' THE TIMES

What if you thought your husband was Jack the Ripper?London, 1888. Susannah rushes into marriage to a young and wealthy surgeon. After a passionate honeymoon, she returns home with her new husband wrapped around her little finger. But then everything changes. His behaviour becomes increasingly volatile and violent. He stays out all night, returning home bloodied and full of secrets.Lonely and frustrated, Susannah starts following the gruesome reports of a spate of murders in Whitechapel. But as the killings continue, her mind takes her down the darkest path imaginable. Every time he stays out late, another victim is found dead. Is it coincidence? Or is her husband the man the papers call Jack the Ripper?Reviews for People of Abandoned Character:'A mistreated wife suspects her husband might be the Whitechapel killer... Compelling' Sunday Times'An astonishing book' M.W. Craven'A gripping and original take on the world's most notorious serial killer. A perfectly thrilling read for those long winter nights' Adam Hamdy'This impressive debut builds up pace, pathos and intrigue superbly, with plenty of twists and turns' Woman's Weekly

Part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age novel from the author of People of Abandoned Character. An absent father. A missing girl. Buried family secrets. Is the truth worth searching for?Sixteen-year-old Prue has grown up around secrets. Her gran''s stern silence, her mother''s teary breakdowns, her aunt''s whispered assurances. But now, in the aftermath of her mum''s latest ''episode'', Prue''s decided she''s old enough for the truth. She wants to know what it is that makes the adults around her turn tight-lipped and distracted. She wants to know why her mum can''t cope. Most of all, she wants to know who her dad is.Forced to spend the summer in the Shetlands with her aunt, Ruth, and new uncle, Archie, Prue arrives determined to find some answers. But she soon finds herself caught up in a web of family secrets, betrayals and – perhaps – even murder...Set during one long summer in Shetland, this is a beautifully drawn, psychologically astute novel about a young woman''s search for truth, even as she realises the lies that surround her have been keeping her safe.Praise for The Gone and the Forgotten: ''What a beautiful, absorbing, emotional book. I was on that remote island with these characters, lost in their unfolding dramas and the barren landscape and long-past secrets. I was with young Prue on her quest to disperse the shadows of her past, and certainly identified with many of the things she had been through. A stunning read'' Louise Beech

Part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age novel from the author of People of Abandoned Character. An absent father. A missing girl. Buried family secrets. Is the truth worth searching for?Sixteen-year-old Prue has grown up around secrets. Her gran's stern silence, her mother's teary breakdowns, her aunt's whispered assurances. But now, in the aftermath of her mum's latest 'episode', Prue's decided she's old enough for the truth. She wants to know what it is that makes the adults around her turn tight-lipped and distracted. She wants to know why her mum can't cope. Most of all, she wants to know who her dad is.Forced to spend the summer in the Shetlands with her aunt, Ruth, and new uncle, Archie, Prue arrives determined to find some answers. But she soon finds herself caught up in a web of family secrets, betrayals and – perhaps – even murder...Set during one long summer in Shetland, this is a beautifully drawn, psychologically astute novel about a young woman's search for truth, even as she realises the lies that surround her have been keeping her safe.Praise for The Gone and the Forgotten: 'What a beautiful, absorbing, emotional book... A stunning read' Louise Beech