They whisper her name in every corner of town.
The lady with a hundred faces, a thousand lives.
Five moves, five days – for such are the rules of her game.
1898. Quinn Le Blanc, London’s most talented con woman, has five days to pull off the seemingly impossible: trick an eligible duke into marriage and lift a fortune from the richest family in England.
Masquerading as a wealthy debutante, Quinn is the jewel of the season. Her brilliant act opens doors to the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of high society – and propels her into the inner circle of her target: the corrupt, charismatic Kendals.
But as she spins in and out of their world, Quinn becomes tangled in a dangerous web of love, lies and loyalty. The Kendal family all have secrets of their own, and she may not be the only one playing a game of high deception…
Having thoroughly enjoyed Alex Hay’s debut, The Housekeepers, I was eager to delve into his latest novel, The Queen of Fives, and it did not disappoint. Set against the rich tapestry of Victorian London’s criminal underworld, Hay introduces us to Quinn Le Blanc, a masterful con artist who embodies the desperation and cunning required to navigate such a treacherous landscape.
While both novels explore the intricacies of Victorian society, The Queen of Fives shifts focus to the personal struggles of its protagonist. Quinn’s journey is a poignant reflection on women’s limited roles and rights during this era. With few legitimate options available, Quinn relies on her intelligence and skill at the gambling tables to carve out a space for herself. Yet, even in a world where trickery is currency, she finds herself at the mercy of forces beyond her control. Her actions are not those of an ambitious criminal mastermind but of a woman forced to find agency in a society that refuses to grant it to her.
One of the novel’s most striking elements is its commentary on inheritance and gender. The restrictions placed upon women, particularly regarding property and legacy, are embodied in the character of Victoria, the Duke’s older sister. As the firstborn, Victoria should have been the rightful heir, but because she is a woman, she is denied what would have been hers had she been born a man. She is left to watch as her younger brother assumes the role society has dictated for him, despite having proved herself more than capable. Victoria’s situation serves as a stark reminder of the deeply ingrained patriarchal structures that governed women’s lives, stripping them of independence and forcing them into predefined roles.
The novel also introduces an enigmatic antagonist, someone who believes that they have earned and therefore truly deserve the position of Queen of Fives, and they are determined to bring Quinn down, no matter what it takes and who gets hurt in the process. What makes this conflict particularly fascinating is Quinn’s complete unawareness of her enemy’s motives. She is not locked in a battle of wits by choice; rather, she is an unfortunate casualty of events set in motion by her mother during her tenure as Queen of Fives. This dynamic adds a layer of suspense and inevitability to the narrative, as Quinn must outmanoeuvre an opponent who continues to operate from the shadows, she is unaware that this opponent is doing their utmost to block any plans Quinn has put in motion.
Beyond its thrilling plot, The Queen of Fives serves as a powerful exploration of the role of women, and their lack of power in society, during the Victorian era. Women during this time were expected to be ornamental rather than influential, yet Quinn and Victoria, despite holding positions in completely different social spheres, seem to represent the frustration and defiance of those who refused to accept their assigned places. Their struggles highlight the limited avenues available to women, whether noble or common and the ways in which they had to circumvent societal expectations just to survive, let alone thrive.
I truly enjoyed this book, just as much as The Housekeepers, with both novels showcasing strong female characters who push to better themselves despite the rigid confines of the world they find themselves forced to operate within. They refuse to be complacent, to quietly accept their fates. Instead, they fight, they strategise, and they take what they can—even if it means stepping outside the law. I respect them greatly for that. The Queen of Fives is a gripping, thought-provoking read, perfect for those who love historical fiction rich with intrigue, ambition, and the unyielding resilience of women who refuse to be underestimated.
