I love the premise of the novel. Set in Victorian London, Quinn Le Blanc is the current Queen of Fives – the head of a group of con-artists who use the illustrious-sounding yet ultimately humble Château as their base of operations. We meet Quinn and her right-hand man, Silk, in desperate times. She and Silk are all that remain of their group, and their recent attempts at filling the coffers have gone awry. They need to pull a big job, successfully, to get things back on track, and Quinn intends to pull a particularly daring heist – the “false heiress” – in which she will play a wealthy young woman seeking a husband. Setting her sights on the Duke of Kendle (ludicrously wealthy but seemingly a confirmed bachelor), the game begins.

Quinn is an absolutely fantastic character. Despite the relatively desperate times we meet her in, I can’t really say that I sympathised with her (she is a con-woman, after all), but I immediately warmed to her and I knew pretty much from the first page that I was in for a treat with this novel. She is, out of necessity, a bold and charismatic individual, and there’s something refreshing about meeting a woman who goes against convention with complete and utter confidence, never once doubting her abilities to run a con successfully or questioning her choices. I admired her ability to hold her nerve even as things don't go quite according to plan – it takes real gumption to improvise in those situations and I was cheering her on the whole time. She’s a joy to spend time with, and I wanted her to succeed as she cleverly insinuates herself into the duke’s life.

Each con has rules and a strict process to adhere to, and Hay has structured the novel to mirror the five key steps that Quinn will follow in securing her prize. It’s simple but effective and pulls the reader into the narrative from the get-go. At each stage of the con, the entirety of which is to be completed in five days, the reader sees how Quinn and Silk have planned these steps in great detail, and yet also see how things might go wrong as some situations demand a spontaneous reaction as something unexpected occurs. It adds tension to the narrative, keeping the reader engaged throughout. And each stage is so brilliantly thought out – I loved seeing Quinn’s daunting and ambitious plans brought to life, and couldn’t wait to see if the overall scheme would be successful.

To add another layer to the novel, there is also an antagonist – a mysterious figure monitoring Quinn’s actions, although who they are and their ultimate purpose isn’t revealed until later in the novel. I did work out this individual’s role before the big reveal, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the novel – I couldn’t wait to see how it would be brought to a close and whether Quinn would be successful, and I thought that the denouement was excellent. The Queen of Fives is a huge amount of fun, and I would love to read another novel featuring Quinn Le Blanc and the Château. Highly recommended.

Completely bonkers and utterly implausible, I wasn’t sure whether to continue reading this book at first. However, something about it intrigued me and it sustained my interest enough to keep me going.
It’s a romp of a story, like jumping on a theme park ride and hanging on for the sheer mad fun of it. Enjoyable if you can suspend your disbelief, with many twists and a satisfying conclusion. 3.5 stars.

The Queen of Fives - Alex Hay to be published 30 Jan 2025

I really enjoyed The Housekeepers and was so hoping I enjoyed Alex's new novel.

Quinn Le Blanc the con artist of all con artists is down on her luck. She is the reigning Queen of Fives following in the footsteps of her mother. But mounting debts and failed cons means she has to pull off the biggest con of her life attempting to marry into the one of the richest families in Victorian England. With only five days to do it can she pull it off.

Not as easy as Quinn thought everyone has secrets and the con of course does not go to plan. Secrets and lies abound, twists and turns are everywhere.

I have to say I loved it as much as The Housekeepers it was entertaining very imaginative and fast paced.. Unputdownable.

Thanks to Netgalley for a pre publication copy.

The Queen of Fives is a fast-paced, twisty, devious and intriguing read and would be devoured by fans of historical crime writers such as Laura Shepherd-Robinson and SG McLean. 4 stars

This book was a slow starter but it had so many twists and turns. I really liked Quinne as a character and even more in a Victorian setting where women are not meant to be strong and cunning! I could see this making an amazing TV series.

This is an enjoyable story with richly created characters and locations. I had really enjoyed The Housekeepers so had had high hopes for this, but it did fall a bit short of expectations, and did not keep me quite as engaged as The Housekeepers, but still an enjoyable read.

This was such a fun read. I loved all of the characters, they were all very strongly written. I did like that the bad guy (well, sort of ) was a woman. Very twisty and exciting.

THE QUEEN OF FIVES is a historical thriller about a conwoman trying to trick a duke - and a master of disguises who's trying to thwart her for their own ends.

This is another brilliantly twisty book from Alex Hay, once more about female criminals getting on up on the rich, as with THE HOUSEKEEPERS, but in this one the "sides" feel more complicated and a lot more grey. It's thoroughly engaging though, full of twists and turns as both Quin and her enemy's schemes get wound tighter and tighter around everyone.

The setting is the late Victorian era, just before the turn of the century. It's well into the industrial revolution, which leads to a tension between different types of money - and lots of societal changes that gives people like Quin plenty of room to cause mischief.

I liked the range of narrators in this book. The main character is, of course, conwoman Quin, but we also get to hear from the Duke and Tor (the mark and the mark's sister), as well as Quin's right hand man Mr Silk, but the master of disguises who's out for Quin. It was a nice range of perspectives on the situation. The Duke and Tor were a particularly nice addition for making you care about the marks such that you wanted BOTH parties to succeed, which added tension as only one really could.

Polly Edsell narrates, bringing distinct voices for each of the characters, which is particularly useful with a cast this big. Plus she does a good job of telling you when the various conpeople are in roles by shifting her voice so you can tell it's them but playing a part.

Reallly great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were really well written and Victorian London came to life. The plot held me gripped throughout. I did feel the ending wasn’t great but I suppose it did wrap up all the strands of the plot. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early release of this book..

A book that is entertaining, intriguing and fascinating like Quinn, the FMC. A schema to seduce and bring into marriage a wealthy duke. A game of deception that bring Quinn into a world where everyone wears a mask, deception and lies are a sort of way of living.
Like any good historical romance there a game that can be seduction, deception or something else.
You can read this book as a historical romance, a historical fiction that delivers a dark and vivid image of Victorian aristocracy, and of London underworld.
It’s a page turner and a book you want to read again to discover new sides and layers.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I loved this book, which is full of twists and turns, but still manages to be believable. Quinn is a wonderful character, and I hope to meet her again in future books.

Whilst this was enjoyable, I much preferred his previous book. I didn't connect with the characters as much and just felt it fell a little flat. That being said, I did like the book and thought it was a fun read.

The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay publishes January 30th with Headline and is described as ‘twisty and original’. Last year I reviewed The Housekeepers by Alex Hay where I said that it was an outrageous and entertaining plot and I think it’s safe to say that The Queen of Fives fits the same bill.

In the Author’s Note at the back of the book Alex Hay provides plenty of detail about the inspiration behind his latest novel and his wish to ‘conjure up yet another devious scheme‘. Using the notion of five card movements in a game invented by his imagined Queen of Fives, Alex Hay creates a wonderful character in Quinn Le Blanc. Central to this rather crooked and extremely inventive scheme is a rulebook, one that states, with very strict instructions, how the game is played and the penalties attached if failure ensues. The pure novelty of this idea for a plot appealed to me so I was looking forward to immersing myself in this Victorian escapade.

Quinn Le Blanc is a con-artist but once her history and personality are revealed, one cannot but be drawn into her madcap plans and the world of shadows she inhabits. The latest game that Quinn embarks on is one of a grand scale, unlike any she has participated in the past. Quinn is unafraid of risks and with her experience to date she has the confidence to expect successful results. She sets her sights on an influential family, in particular the bachelor son. The plan is simple, ensnare him, accept his hand in marriage and walk away with a heavy purse. Quinn knows this will be challenging but she has her aides and places complete trust in those loyal to her leadership.

But Quinn is very much unprepared for the scale of duplicity, greed and revenge that soon entraps her, causing her to rethink her plan and take seriously the possibility of a threat to her own life. What follows is a riotous escapade through Victorian society as trick outclasses trick and masquerades become confusing. Who really is the innocent party and who is the puppet-master controlling the strings?

The Queen of Fives is a rollicking romp through Victorian London, plunging the reader into a world of intrigue and danger, where appearances are deceiving and trust is a rare commodity. Alex Hay stated that in writing this novel he ‘deliberately played with some of the tropes of fin de siècle literature, a genre that revels in duality & savagery & repressed desire…’ giving the tale a really tantalising spin. The Queen of Fives is a wholly imaginative and creative story that will appeal to all who look for the fantastical element in their book choices. It’s pure entertainment, a perfectly delightful and beguiling read with plenty of twists and turns to keep most readers guessing.

The Queen of Fives follows competing cons in the laser-focus of the marriage market. It is a historical mystery with great characters and a fiercely compelling plot.

I really enjoyed The Housekeepers where Hay burst onto the scene. This is an equally scheming gem of a book with twists aplenty and a great mystery at its core. Hay has a great aptitude for creating these layered characters that are larger than the page. Within just a few lines, you have a complete sense of who they are and their motivations. Quinn is a formidable protagonist with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is intelligent, able to adapt and has a deep sense of loyalty for those she loves, though she is willing to do anything to succeed. However, this might not be quite the game that she is used to playing.

Hay has a subtlety to world-building, with some fascinating threads buried in here. Between The Queen of Fives, the con-school and the Kendal family, there is no shortage of rich detail that is excellent to delve into. There are so many tangled relationships and secrets within and a power system that is fantastic. I would happily read several spin-offs about elements of the book. You have so many questions, but part of the allure is the mystery. It is like magic, seeing the trick done is awe-inspiring, but so it discovering the set-up behind it. Sometimes it can feel like a house of cards though, with everything hanging on a precipice. As a reader you are aware of the foreboding force playing in the shadows. It adds more tension to a situation where the stakes are already sky-high. Placing this within the high society marriage market is ingenious. It adds in themes around class and gendered expectations, which are played with to decieve both those around them and the reader themselves.

The Queen of Fives is a high-stakes historical story with all the drama of the ‘big con’.

Quinn Le Blanc is the Queen of Fives, living at the Chateau with Mr Silk and their associates creating games to scheme and steal from the rich whilst sticking to a strict rule book. She has five days to become Miss Quinta White and broker a marriage as a false heiress.
I thought Alex Hay wrote the story well, I had a clear Victorian image in my mind of both the High Society and the grubby London Streets. I really enjoyed getting to know each character especially the characters of Quinn and Max Kendall but would have liked to read more of their joint story.
It was an enjoyable and easy to follow read with each chapter being from another perspective.
This story is very different to any other books I have read but I am glad I gave it a go. I will certainly be recommending Queen of Fives to anyone who loves a historical mystery book.

I loved reading this book, it is so well written and kept me gripped from start to finish. The characters and plot are so exciting to read and I look forward to reading anything by Alex Hay a must read author. My thanks to Netgalley, the Publishers and Alex Hay (The Author) for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I saw a blurb for this stating it was ‘a sheer delight from start to finish’

Hmppph I said with NY grumpiness we shall see about that

I now bow to the blurb writer as honestly I couldn’t have put it better myself

What a gem of a book, late 1800’s is described robustly via sights, sounds, smells, clothes, food, housing and the social snobbery of the era and in the middle of this is the ‘Queen of Fives’ who is the crime alternative of royalty and has 5 days and 5 stage to lure, catch, trap, keep and rob her victim ( that is a quick way to put it, the rules are much more intricate )

But all does not go to plan, at all and the story takes a real old romp through Victorian life with all its foibles and restrictions

The writing for me was magical, modern old fashioned terminology used understandably and joyfully versed…..everything about this book was a genuine pleasure

Loved every bit of it

What a book!
Set in 1898 in London, Quinn le Blanc, The Queen of Fives, head of the Chateau, a house of con women. She has five days to con the Duke into marrying her.
Intriguing, complex characters and jaw dropping twists.
I was taken back to living in Victorian London while reading this cunning, fast paced, historical thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC of this book.

'To be the Queen of Fives required a certain darkness after all. To deploy all sides of oneself, in the service of one's ambition. No queen could reign without some force'.

Quinn Le Blanc is the reigning Queen of Fives, queen of schemes, scams, lies and fraud, residing at the chateau. However, lately, her rouses have been routed and with debts mounting, she needs to pull off the biggest scheme of all, 'False Heiress', and nab a fortune from a titled fop. Quinn has given herself just five days to dupe a Duke but as her game continues, it appears that she's not the only two-faced player: everyone has secrets they are desperate to hide and ill intentions abound.

'The Queen of Fives' has more twists than a box of pretzels! After a bit of a slow start, I found this story to be a real page-turner; never knowing what path I'd next be led down. Although I'm not sure the ending quite worked for me, I appreciate wrapping up such a complicated plot is tricky. All in all this Victorian-set story is a fun and worthy read.

What a novel, an absolute wonder and delight. It was tricky to get into with so many characters and back stories, but the story shines and intrigues in equal parts,
There is a Rule book in play here, that gives steps about a planned confidence trick. Quinn le Blanc is a fraud, a confidence trickster, Queen of her very own underworld, who has plans to dupe a rich man, remove him from his fortune and then disappear, all this must be completed in the tight time space of five days. She is mistress of the Chateau, that was once a very profitable organisation, but now has mounting debts. Her proposed trick will hopefully pay off her debts, the Chateau never blackmails its clients, just gives gentle reminders of what is owed.
The rulebook gives a heading of each step in the game, The Mark, The Intrusion, The Ballyhoo, The Knot and finally The All In. Each step must be undertaken in order for success to be accomplished. This sounds simple, but life always deals hands that are hidden and complex in treachery.
This is real heart in the mouth reading, so many variables in play, one slip and all goes pear shaped.
I loved the character of The Duke, his character was stubborn and obstinate, he had his own plans about how events would turn out.
Quinn was beautifully drawn, determined and foolhardy at times, but not a character I warmed to.
Very Gothic in tone, with a side helping of betrayal and cross dressing to complete the story. Many old scores are settled, long running disputes come to the fore. I was very happy with this novel.
A five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Headline for my advanced eARC freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.