The Queen of Fives was a bit of a genre-bending book- a little bit mystery, suspense, historical fiction, and fantastical.

Set in London in 1898, Quinn Le Blanc has five days to pull off an extraordinary heist, conning one of the most wealthy families in England. The story take place over five days, as each section of the "rulebook" or the "game" that Quinn is entangled in unfolds. The book was unique and fun, and while I would say there were parts that dragged a bit, the last quarter was especially exciting. I could definitely picture this being brought to life on the big screen. It was a perfect book to read over the Christmas break, and now I'm curious to check out the author's previous debut novel.

Possibly 3.5 stars (but still rounded down to 3). I enjoyed this book overall, especially seeing how Quinn sets in motion her 5-day con and all the elements of it coming together (or falling apart). The multiple points of view from Quinn, Mr. Silk, the Kendal family, and others were interesting and added to the suspense. The history of the Chateau/Queens of Fives and the reason why all the cons had to be only 5 days was slightly less clear, though. The goal purportedly was serving justice against bad actors, but it was also a game for them to do it only in 5 days and without deviations from the set plan--which seems counterproductive to the ultimate goal. My main issue with the story was that it seemed confusing tonally -- it started off as somewhat of a lighthearted mystery, but ultimately was a pretty dark and twisted story. It certainly kept me hooked throughout, but from one page to the next I wasn't sure what to expect (not always in a good way).

Thank you to Graydon House for providing an ARC for review!

The Queen of Fives by Alex Hay is a captivating and intricate tale of deceit and manipulation, where the lines between truth and falsehood, wealth and poverty, are blurred. This novel is a true delight from beginning to end, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to set it down.

Quinn Le Blanc, a master of confidence games, is about to embark on another meticulously planned con. With only five steps and five days to win, she must execute her plan flawlessly. Recent cons have fallen short, but this one promises to be a resounding success.

Quinn’s target is an old-money family, and she has found her mark. Now, she must execute the second step: the intrusion. This is where she will become an enviable woman, sweeping her way into the inner circle of the Kendal family. To achieve this, she has chosen a duke as her mark and will approach the situation with great pomp and circumstance, seeking as much attention as possible. After all, the clock is ticking.

Prepare to be astounded by the unexpected turn of events in this captivating plot set within the Victorian era. The interplay of love and wealth blurs the distinctions between the two, creating a narrative that is both suspenseful and intellectually stimulating. This literary work boasts a cast of intriguing characters, offers multiple viewpoints, and presents a compelling storyline. It was very easy to get lost in the story and the timeline of five days made the story all that more exciting. I do look forward to seeing what Alex Hay has to offer in his next book.

Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

"The Queen of Fives" is a masterful piece of historical fiction that completely blindsided me with its intricate plot twists and turns. Alex Hay has crafted something truly unique - a Victorian-era confidence game that kept me guessing until the very last page. I've read my fair share of historical mysteries and con artist tales, but this was unlike anything I've ever encountered.

The story follows Quinn le Blanc, a fascinating and complex protagonist whose schemes within schemes had me constantly questioning what was real and what was merely another layer of deception. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was heading, Hay would pull the rug out from under me with another brilliant misdirection. The way the five movements of the con are woven throughout the narrative is simply genius.

What truly sets this book apart is how it manages to be both a thrilling confidence game and a deep exploration of human nature. The Kendal family members are far more than mere marks - they're fully realized characters with their own secrets and motivations. The period details of 1890s London high society are impeccably researched and bring the setting vividly to life without ever bogging down the pace.

The romantic elements are perfectly balanced with the suspense, creating genuine emotional stakes that had me invested in not just the outcome of the con, but the fates of all the characters involved. This is one of those rare books that manages to be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.

I couldn't put it down and I'm still thinking about it days later. Five stars doesn't seem like enough - this one deserves all the accolades it's sure to receive.

I read The Housewives prevously by this author and I liked it. But this book really was a rollercoaster. It had twists upon twists but it kind of lost it in the last half. I think it tried to do too much and was lost in execution.

It was a quick historical read with some pretty good twists. The plot was quite interesting and it felt like a murder mystery set in Victorian London, but the only problem were the characters. I genuinely felt no interest or connection to the characters, their motivations and interests were quite boring, and unfortunately I just did not care for any of them. Overall it was a simply an okay read.

good and well written sotry about a very effective con artist and an awesomely done tale. 4 stars. tysm for thea rc.

This is a fun quick twisty read that has a good sense of place and an intriguing premise and plot. The twistiness of it combined with the historical setting made it especially unusual.

This book is unlike any I've read before, though admittedly I don't read a lot of historical mysteries. The story was unique and interesting, there were several mysteries throughout the book that kept me guessing. While I wouldn't call it humorous, it has a clever wit about it and it reads like an elevated cozy mystery at times.
The characters are well-developed and I could see this being a six-part mini series.

This is a fun tale in historic London. A fun game to put all of the pieces together. This fell a little flat for me as I wasn't that invested in the characters, but it was a quick read..
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This was a very quick read. Quinn is a con artist who hopes to marry a Duke from one of England's wealthiest families. This was an interesting read taking place in London in the 1800s. I was invested in the characters and the many twists this book kept having. However, it did move a bit slow at times and I feel like there were parts of the book that weren't needed to add to the overall story.

First there’s the chateau, sitting unobtrusively in Spitalfields, belying the happenings inside. Then there’s Quinn, the current Queen of Fives. Next comes her steward, Silk, his job to ensure the games are played by The Rule Book. And the games, you might ask? Elaborate confidence tricks in which no expense is spared. But lately Quinn senses her usual marks are being thwarted and she’s racking up debts. Quinn must up the ante. Her new mark is the wealthiest man in the country. Someone so far out of reach, he is untouchable. But all does not go quite as planned, as Quinn is about to find out.

This novel is such rip-roaring good fun, as Hay pulls in backstory and cons to con the people who are doing the conning. The story moves along at a fast clip, whilst being well-paced enough not to have the reader skipping things in breathless anticipation. I did figure out the villain by about half way through, but it was based on one particular sentence, and a reader has to assume that Hay placed that sentence there deliberately. This is a terrific follow up to The Housekeepers, appealing to readers who enjoy complex puzzle mysteries with enigmatic characters who are definitely not your usual run-of-the-mill folk. Highly recommended, tremendously enjoyable escapism, and bravo Mr. Hay. We’d like more please.

"Nothing is quite as it seems in Victorian high society in this clever novel set against the most magnificent wedding of the season, as a mysterious heiress sets her sights on London's most illustrious family.

A confidence scheme, when properly executed, will follow five movements in close and inviolable order:

I. The Mark II. The Intrusion. III. The Ballyhoo. IV. The Knot. V. All In.

There may be many counter-strikes along the way, for such is the nature of the game; it contains so many sides, so many endless possibilities...

1898. Quinn le Blanc, London's most talented con woman, has five days to pull off her most ambitious plot yet: trap a highly eligible duke into marriage and lift a fortune from the richest family in England.

Masquerading as the season's most enviable debutante, Quinn puts on a brilliant act that earns her entrance into the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of high society - and propels her straight into the inner circle of her target: the charismatic Kendals. Among those she must convince are the handsome bachelor heir, the rebellious younger sister, and the esteemed duchess eager to see her son married.

But the deeper she forges into their world, the more Quinn finds herself tangled in a complicated web of love, lies, and loyalty. The Kendals all have secrets of their own, and she may not be the only one playing a game of high deception..."

The real question is how the con woman got the right credentials to pull this off...

Victorian high society meets a dazzling game of deception in The Queen of Fives, a clever, twist-filled novel that had me riveted from start to finish.

Quinn le Blanc is London’s most brilliant con artist, and her latest scheme is her most ambitious yet: pose as an heiress, marry a duke, and steal a fortune. With just five days to execute her plan, Quinn dives into the glittering world of grand balls and drawing rooms, earning the trust of the powerful Kendal family. But as secrets unravel and emotions rise, she discovers she may not be the only one spinning a web of lies.

Alex Hay’s sharp prose, layered characters, and intricate plotting make this an unforgettable tale of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal. If you love historical dramas with a dash of intrigue and a strong, morally gray heroine, this is a must-read.

This was a very good story and the concept was incredibly intriguing! I definitely recommend the book, the twists were twisty with twists!
Quinn is the Queen of Fives, essentially queen of con-artists. A position that has been handed down amongst the worthy. She pulls off job after job and pays nicely the people that helped her and has maintained a balanced community in the underworld. Times lately have been tough with jobs gone wrong and she needs to make a big score to keep her head above water and reputation intact. She makes one of the richest families in her area as her mark and trouble ensues.
The story was slow to get going in the first quarter of the book and then slowed down the last quarter where I found myself skimming the extra fluff cuz I was so excited to get to the good stuff.

I am a fan of both historical fiction and a good heist story, so I am here for Alex Hay's delightful novels. And when he throws in social commentary on the class divide, weird Victorian weather patterns, and a cheeky little glimpse of Alexandra, Princess of Wales, I am more than satisfied. This book follows the exploits of Quinn, the titular Queen of Fives, who has set out on an ambitious con by infiltrating London high society. Little does she know, forces are at work against her. Bristling with clever criminal procedures and replete with complex, relatable characters, this entertaining novel kept the pages turning.

The Queen of Fives is a multi-layered story of deceit and double-cross set in Victorian London. I can appreciate the skill it took manage all the threads in the novel, but the book never came together for me in the way that I had hoped given the premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun idea for a book. It's like a high stakes spy movie meets high society in the age of Jane Austen novels. Deception and love intertwined,

I loved this book's concept, but fear the execution didn't measure up. When I think of con-people, I want high stakes and fast-paced stress. I didn't get that from this book. It was interesting enough for me to finish it, but that's the extent.