This is an excellent book which twists and turns. It’s based on a confidence scheme, whereby Quin Le Blanc has fives days to manage to marry an earl… and steal his fortune. I was gripped by the plot where nothing is ever quite what it seems and each chapter unravels another layer.

The premise of this book was so intriguing and drew me kn, unfortunately the execution wasn't so great. I found it a jot complicated to follow. Maybe because I had such high expectations but I just felt a bit flat after reading it.

Three and a half stars.

Quinn Le Blanc is the Queen of Fives, sort of head of a group of con-artists of the highest order with strict rules of engagement, including that no con can last longer than five days. A bit like the TV series Hustle, Quinn and her crew only target the evil, the corrupt, the cheaters. But things haven't been going well for a long time, she is sinking deeper into debt and needs to pull off a big con to re-establish herself. Quinn decides to raise her aim from cheating bankers and stockbrokers to the Duke of Kendal, reputedly one of the wealthiest men in England and also, allegedly, a depraved man who unsavoury personal proclivities. Quinn decides to play the False Heiress con, pretend to be a wealthy heiress, get engaged to the Duke, and then vanish into thin air with lots of his lovely wealth.

Unfortunately, all is not what it seems in the House of Kendal and there is another player on the scene, someone who wants to be the Queen of Fives, spoiling Quinn's plans.

The other week I reviewed the third book in Anthony Horowitz's excellent Susan Ryeland series and remarked that it was easier to follow the story reading than I found it watching the series on TV. Well I think this would be easier to watch on TV or in a film that it is to read - you know when in the Ocean's Eleven films they show you flashbacks to reveal how the con was performed - like that. As it was, reading it the twists felt too implausible and difficult to follow. Also, keeping the identity of Quinn's nemesis a secret required a lot of convoluted shenanigans and I'm not sure it really worked - I also suspect the timeline wouldn't work.

Overall, not really Bridgerton, maybe more steampunk meets Oceans Twelve or Thirteen (ie not the best one).

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Great twists but not my favourite book I've read, I did struggle with the amount of characters and the very slow pace. DNF at 44%

In this fun bit of historical fiction we meet Quinn Le Blanc – the reigning “Queen of Fives” – known for her ability to pull of elaborate confidence tricks. When she hatches a plan to seduce and marry the notorious Lord Kendal within five days, she must draw on all her resources to pull off the biggest con of her career.

The characters in this novel are great – from Quinn and the Duke, to his rebellious sister and enigmatic stepmother. There are plenty of twists and turns, and some fun surprises along the way. The plot licks along at a nice pace, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a caper!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I found this to be a captivating read, although it took some time to fully engage with. However, once I did, I found it to be truly excellent. A cleverly written Victorian-era novel, filled with intriguing scandal, betrayal, masquerades, and a powerful climax. Alex Hay consistently delivers exceptional works, and this one is no exception; it's unique, entertaining, and delightfully quirky. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical dramas.

Thank you for this ARC.
I really wanted to enjoy this and I did parts of it but it was a bit one dimensional.
Not one I would recommend,

An historical thriller is right up my alley and this book is one I couldn't put down. Set in Victorian London this is a book that took me back through the ages and kept me enthralled throughout. The pacing was perfect and kept me on my toes and the characters worked perfectly, Quinn Le Blanc being an intriguing con-woman and the perfect match for this story.

Well written, a wonderfully thrilling read and one I would highly recommend. Twisty, interesting, fun, fast and very readable. Loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

After having loved this author’s debut novel - The Housekeepers - I was keen to dive into his latest novel, The Queen of Fives. I was delighted to discover another hugely entertaining read! This book is a wonderful historical fiction novel that brilliantly blends suspense, ambition, deception and intrigue. Set in Victorian London, the story follows Quinn Le Blanc, a fearless con artist determined to outwit England’s elite. With a plan as bold as it is dangerous, Quinn aims to marry into the aristocracy and claim a fortune, all while navigating a web of secrets and betrayals. The writing is vibrant and immersive which really brings 19th-century London to life with its opulent details and shadowy underside. It has a nice steady pace, and a plot full of clever twists that held my attention from start to finish. This novel shines not only in its gripping storyline but also in its rich character development. Every figure, from the cunning Quinn to the enigmatic members of high society, felt brilliantly crafted. With themes of power, deception, and resilience it’s a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The Queen of Fives is a great read for fans of historical fiction and thrillers alike. With its thrilling plot and unforgettable heroine, it makes Alex Hay a standout voice in this genre.

I loved The Housekeepers and this book from Alex Hay didn’t disappoint.
Fantastic story and an original concept- very much recommend

This was an interesting read, I found it hard to get into but once I did it was really good. A clever novel based in Victorian times, plenty of scandal, betrayal, masquerades and power being the ultimate climax.
Alex Hay always produces great reads and this was different, entertaining and quirky
I would recommend to anyone liking historical dramas

Quinn Leblanc is the Queen of Fives inheritor to an underground Victorian Kingdom built of secrets and deception but times are changing and with it her fortunes. She risks it all on one last roll of the dice and her target: the extremely rich, extremely insular Kendal family. Quinn sets herself up as the diamond of the season in an attempt to catch the first son of the family and take him for a large chunk of change but unknown to Quinn there’s pretender to her throne lurking in the shadows and determined to scupper everything Quinn has worked for. This was a right romp, it ripped along at smart pace, there’s multiple view points to keep it interesting and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It smart and twisty with just the right amount of heart. Excellent capers.

I was sent a copy of The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay to read and review by NetGalley. This is the second novel from the author, the first being The Housekeepers, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This book carries on in the same vein with a woman heading a household, this time called The Chateau. She is named Quinn and has been crowned the Queen of Fives of the title. I really loved the play of characters literally changing who they are mid chapter by simply discarding their clothes, and the fact that the author delves in deep to everyone’s psyche. There is a lot of action and many twists and turns. You start off hating some characters but then change your mind as the story unfolds. With a real flavour of Victorian England this is a must read for lovers of historical fiction. I can’t wait for Alex Hay’s next novel!

I loved this book, if you enjoyed The Housekeepers then chances are you will enjoy this too. Alex Hay's writing is a delight and Quinn Le Blanc shines from the pages like the uncut diamond that she is. Highly enjoyable with a brilliant plot, can't wait to read more and highly recommend!

So good! I loved Alex Hay's The Housekeepers, and this has not disappointed as the next read.

Quinn Le Blanc is the Queen of Fives, the lead player in a house of cons and trickery. Queen of the heist, the game she plays is to ensnare a naive duke into marriage in just five days - the five days that must govern every game that is played. Quinn manages to inhabit the role of a wealthy society lady, and finds herself at court and soon has the Duke curious.

The thing I really loved about this was the relationship that evolves between Quinn and the Duke - it soon becomes apparent this isn't just a straightforward piece of trickery, but the Duke has his own issues that Quinn ends up tangled with, and everything ends up death-defying and dangerous.

A great piece of adventure and highly amusing, very much recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of The Queen Of Fives.
An enjoyable read, but slightly one dimensional. I would like to have seen more of Quinns history, and the making of the Queen of Fives.
It was an overall good read, however not one I would put on my favourites list.
3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline books for the advanced copy!

The Queen of Fives is a historical heist following Quinn as she endeavours to trick a rich duke into marriage and steal his fortune. She has 5 days in which to pull it off, and the story unfolds over the course of the different stages of her plan. I loved the concept of the Chateau and Quinn's position as the 'reigning queen', though i wish we could have dived more into the Chateau itself.

I loved Quinn as a character, I was really rooting for her, but its a testament to Alex Hay's writing that my loyalties felt very torn as the narrative progressed. There's only so much Quinn can prepare for though, and every game has that element of gambling involved. The wild cards in this particular game come in the form of the Duke's family, who tripped me up every stage of the process. All the characters in general fooled me in one way or another, which I love, it kept me on my toes.

This book is set in 1898, and so I have to talk about how this book was settled in the time period. Honestly it could have taken place at any point in the 19th century, but i'm not so much of a snob for that to affect my enjoyment of the book.

I highly recommend this if you enjoy heists and strong women making their own way in the world.

I think this definitely could have been longer with more things fleshed out, but this was a highly enjoyable read and it will go on my list for potential gifts.

“The Queen of Fives” is a Victorian-era historical mystery that promises intrigue, deception, and high stakes by Alex Hay.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️
Ending: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️ Victorian intrigue
⭐️ Big ending
⭐️ Slow pacing
⭐️ Twists delivered

My Review:

The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay is a Victorian-era historical mystery that promises intrigue, deception, and high stakes—but while it has its moments of brilliance, it left me with a mix of feelings. I’d rate it three stars, as while the story had potential, it didn't fully deliver the gripping, fast-paced narrative I was hoping for.
The premise of the book is intriguing: Quinn Le Blanc, a talented con woman, has five days to marry a wealthy duke and steal a fortune from the Kendal family, one of the richest and most powerful in England. Hay introduces us to Quinn as a master of disguise, weaving in and out of high society’s glittering world of lavish balls and social maneuvering. At first, the setup seems to promise a thrilling game of deception, and the atmosphere of Victorian London is beautifully evoked.
However, despite the compelling premise, much of the middle of the book felt a bit slow. While Quinn is an interesting character with her many personas and calculated moves, the pacing in the story falters at times, and the plot occasionally drags. For much of the novel, I found myself waiting for the action to really pick up. Quinn's scheming and interactions with the Kendal family, while carefully crafted, don't always hold the same intensity as the tension promised in the book's premise.
That said, the ending does deliver in a big way. The twists in the final chapters completely transformed the story for me. The revelations about the Kendal family and Quinn’s own secrets were cleverly executed and left me stunned. It was a satisfying conclusion that tied everything together in a way that was both unexpected and deeply satisfying. If you can push through the slower sections, the ending certainly rewards your patience with its heart-racing developments.
Ultimately, The Queen of Fives is a book that had the potential to be something really special but didn’t quite hit the mark for me until the very end. The slow buildup and occasional lack of tension made it feel like it was treading water for too long, but that twisty finale was enough to leave me with a positive impression. If you enjoy historical mysteries with complex characters and enjoy a surprise-filled ending, this one might be worth the read — just be prepared for a slower middle.

To be honest it took me a few days to get into this story. Initially I felt it was similar to The Housekeepers which put me off a bit. However I soon got into the story and found myself immersed in the world of Quinn Le Blanc.

The story is a real page turner and I loved how the plot developed over the five days. Five days seemed to be a bit far-fetched for a con on such a huge scale, however the Duke had his own issues and didn’t seem to mind too much who he married. Towards the end of the con the story unravels as you realise Quinn is not the only con woman around. Will her plan succeed or will she be thwarted and lose her crown? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Raucous and riotous dip into Victorian high and low society
—
This is for anyone who says that they don’t read historical fiction. Based on history but deliciously wicked and fiendishly plotted, it’s about what happens when the smartest trickster in the room meets their match. Quinn Le Blanc is the current Queen of Fives, doyenne of a gang of cons who, like Pratchett’s King of Beggars, has to go after the biggest of scores to set things right. Her mark is the Duke of Kendal, fabulously wealthy but whose own secrets are a match to Quinn’s. When the con is on, Quinn needs all to go smoothly, but there’s a fly in the ointment, another game in play that she doesn’t know about, a threat from an unseeable direction.

How bloody good was this! Beautifully written with each chapter dedicated to each of the in-play characters and the twist anticipated but not at all predictable; so well-planned that I can’t wait to read it again to see how the trick was managed. Each character is a perfectly judged meld of dark and light, seen and unseen, and Victorian London—the underworld, the glittering heights, the everyday—thrums with life in a historical novel that breaks the mould.

All the stars: five stars all round.