Five Queens, Forty Elephants

Peaky Blinders meets Oceans Eight. The wild-but-true story of the all-female British crime syndicate who for more than 12 decades took advantage of 20th century gender norms to outwit London police and live the high life - a criminal sisterhood living unapologetically, seductively, feloniously.

The Forty Elephants was one of the most successful and long-lasting criminal organizations in English history—yet few recognize their name.

Disciplined and dedicated, this all-female, all working-class gang terrorized the streets of London from the 1870s to the early 1960s, not only matching their male counterparts in daring exploits, but outdoing them in ingenuity, adaptability, and organization. In their trademark fur coats, bloomers, and cleverly altered clothing with numerous fake pockets, they ran a complex and diverse operation that extended from pickpocketing and blackmail to shoplifting, fraud, and jewelry theft—and earned them a fortune.

The Forty Elephants’ reign lasted for 12 decades—a testament to their many remarkable leaders, including Mary Carr, their groundbreaking founder in the 1880s, the charismatic Alice Diamond, who took over the gang at the age of 19 and authored their famous Hoister’s Code, and Shirley Pitts, nicknamed Queen of the Shoplifters, who led the gang until her death in 1992.

From hustling schemes that played on Victorian gender norms to bold department store smash-and-grabs, their methods evolved as times changed. But what remained constant was their bond of sisterhood, and the respect and admiration they received from the South London community, and surprisingly, from the police.

Despite their longevity and successes, the astonishing story of the Forty Elephants has been diminished and their achievements largely ignored. Now, drawing on previously untapped sources, award-winning author Nikki Vietz finally gives voice to these extraordinary, defiant women in an eye-opening, thrilling narrative of ambition, rivalry, feminism, resilience, and sisterhood.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs