Published By: Headline Review
Pages: 416
Released On: 30/01/2025
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…
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Review for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I loved Alex’s previous book The Housekeepers. It was like a cross between Upstairs Downstairs and Ocean‘s 11.
I know authors worry about the second novel, whether it would live up to the first. It’s never been a worry for me as a reader, but I admit that I was worried before going into this one because his first book was such a marvel, I was dubious as to whether he could replicate it. And whilst it didn’t hit quite those high marks, it was still a very good book.
But I admit, I was wrong with my assessment of The Housekeepers. It turns out that THIS is the cross between Upstairs Downstairs and Ocean’s 11.
On reflection, I did enjoy The Housekeepers slightly more. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this. Of course not. This was very enjoyable, well written, fun and such a good book.
What I have come to love about Alex’s writing (even just two books in) is that he’s writing about a time he has no first-hand knowledge of (unless he’s a 200 year old vampire), and yet there’s so much depth to everything. I know you can do research and whatnot, but even from my layman’s perspective, there’s only so much you can get from books and whatnot. But he has managed to write a layered story, with believable characters. Okay, so the plot itself might be a bit hard to believe when you think of it on its own, but in combination with everything else, he’s mastered the historical novel.
Another thing I liked about his first book, and now this one, is his use of female characters. Usually when I read historical novels, it usually involves a young woman who is a bit lost and trying to stand up for herself in a man’s world – and I do thoroughly enjoy those. But in these books, they are women (often older than the female protagonist I’m used to reading) and they are brave, confident, almost man-like (relative to the era) in their way of getting what they want and that is refreshing to read.
I did have a slight issue with Quinn though. I didn’t much care for her. That’s not to say she’s badly written, I don’t think that’s the case at all. I think in fact she is well written. But I just couldn’t find myself willing her on at all. In fact I found her to be a bit awkward and embarrassing if I’m being truly honest. And so I was more reading around her character, if that makes sense.
What I will say, and I don’t necessarily mean this in a negative way, as I didn’t mind it but I know it’s a personal taste thing. It is a bit slow to get going, and not much actually happens. At least not in the first half or so. And sometimes that bores me and I find myself skipping further on. But Alex has managed it well. It’s a lot about the characters, their wants, likes and dislikes, lies, truths, secrets, tangled webs, and then they are using all of that to move the story along. And yes whilst some may find it a bit slow, I think in this circumstance it helped, because it gives you plenty of time to get fully absorbed into this world. I have seen the odd review that mentions this pace as a negative and I completely understand their views on it. We all like different things and like I say, I normally wouldn’t like it, but it really works here. It really does pick up from about half way though, and it gets more complex and mysterious and you won’t be disappointed.
There were a lot more twists and turns and surprises than I expected, and the story really takes a completely different direction that I was not expecting. And it’s only after I finished it I wondered how I could ever have missed it, but Alex has concealed it so well, it was a real surprise.
It might not hit the heights of real exhilarating thrills, but overall I think it’s a very good read, with impressive storytelling and world building. Interesting if not always palatable characters, secrets, tension…it’s a slower thrill I’d say. But I think it would appeal mainly to historical readers, but also anyone interested in fiction involving con artists, intrigue, deception, powerful women in a man’s world. It’s got a lot going for it and it has helped cement in my mind that Alex is definitely an author I will look out for. Now the second novel is done, I can’t wait for what comes next.
No pressure or anything Alex.
Books By Your Bedside 