Alex Hay

Coming soon The Midnight Guests (Large Print Edition) by Alex Hay will be available Sep 15, 2026.

From the bestselling author of The Housekeepers comes a glossy, dark, page-turning mystery to rival The White Lotus - unfolding over twenty-four fateful hours in London's most lavish hotel.1923. Diana Gold, owner and impresario, throws open the doors to the most opulent new hotel in London. As the champagne flows and the chandeliers shimmer, millionaires and gamblers rub shoulders with film stars and royalty. Everyone who's anyone is here. Everyone, that is, except two guests due at midnight. Powerful and dangerous, they've dragged Diana from the gutter and taught her all she knows. Her fate rests in their hands. If everything goes right, a whole new life awaits. One mistake will cost her everything. For this is much more than a hotel - it's the heart of Diana's intricate masterplan. Over twenty-four fateful hours, her guests will learn why they're really here. And Diana will take perfect care of them - unless they take care of her first. But when a body is found in the depths of the hotel, Diana's lavish opening night suddenly spirals out of control. . . Praise for Alex Hay:'Sets a cracking pace... with plenty of twists and a great deal of fun, this is the perfect holiday read' Guardian'Sheer delight from start to finish' Janice Hallett'Delightfully mischievous' The Times'Audacious, cunning, quick-witted' Louise Candlish'Fiendishly clever' Jennie Godfrey'A dangerous game... delivered with fabulous aplomb' Daily Mail'A period piece, a full-throttle thriller and a masterclass in characterisation' Erin Kelly

'Imagine Bridgerton crossed with Hustle (only 10 times better!)' ? ?? ??'Scoundrously entertaining, I loved everything about it' ? ?? ??'One major plot twist had me actually shouting at the book' ? ?? ??'Fast-paced, witty and fun' ? ?? ??'Be prepared to read fully into the night' ? ?? ?? Nothing is quite as it seems in Victorian high society, in the vibrant and twisty new novel from the author of THE HOUSEKEEPERS...'Sheer delight from start to finish' Janice Hallett'Hay keeps the pages turning and the reader guessing' The Times 'As fiendishly clever as its characters' Jennie GodfreySHE PLAYS BY HER OWN RULES. Few can know the mysterious woman called the Queen of Fives. A talented hustler in silk and furs, she tricks fortunes from unscrupulous men with five signature moves. Masquerading as a wealthy debutante, Quinn Le Blanc has five days to win the hand of the most eligible duke in England - and disappear with the family riches. BUT HAS SHE MET HER MATCH? As Quinn targets the corrupt, charismatic Kendals, a stranger watches her from the shadows. Soon a dangerous game begins to play out within the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of London's high society. The Kendal family all have secrets of their own, and Quinn may not have the upper hand for long...---'A dangerous game... delivered with fabulous aplomb' Daily Mail'Audacious, cunning, quick-witted' Louise Candlish'A period piece, a full-throttle thriller and a masterclass in characterisation - historical fiction doesn't get more exciting than this' Erin Kelly'A fabulous mix of Victorian skullduggery and high society, full of twists that keep you turning the pages' Katy WatsonPraise for THE HOUSEKEEPERS:'The perfect holiday read' Guardian'Punch-the-air good' Kiran Millwood Hargrave'Delightfully mischievous' The Times'Imagine Ocean's 8 had an illegitimate baby with Fingersmith' Erin Kelly'Impressive' Sunday Times'Kept me hooked 'til the last page' Jennifer Saint

"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..."

'Imagine Bridgerton crossed with Hustle (only 10 times better!)' ? ?? ??'Scoundrously entertaining, I loved everything about it' ? ?? ??'One major plot twist had me actually shouting at the book' ? ?? ??'Fast-paced, witty and fun' ? ?? ??'Be prepared to read fully into the night' ? ?? ?? Nothing is quite as it seems in Victorian high society, in the twisty and original new novel from the author of THE HOUSEKEEPERS...'Sheer delight from start to finish' Janice Hallett'Hay keeps the pages turning and the reader guessing' The Times 'As fiendishly clever as its characters' Jennie GodfreyThey 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...---'A dangerous game... delivered with fabulous aplomb' Daily Mail'Audacious, cunning, quick-witted' Louise Candlish'A period piece, a full-throttle thriller and a masterclass in characterisation - historical fiction doesn't get more exciting than this' Erin Kelly'A fabulous mix of Victorian skullduggery and high society, full of twists that keep you turning the pages' Katy WatsonPraise for THE HOUSEKEEPERS:'The perfect holiday read' Guardian'Punch-the-air good' Kiran Millwood Hargrave'Delightfully mischievous' The Times'Imagine Ocean's 8 had an illegitimate baby with Fingersmith' Erin Kelly'Impressive' Sunday Times'Kept me hooked 'til the last page' Jennifer Saint

A mysterious heiress sets her sights on an illustrious family and nothing is quite what it seems in London high society in this clever novel from the bestselling author of The Housekeepers"Audacious, cunning, quick-witted--this is a jewel of a book from the seriously talented Alex Hay. I was rooting for the Queen of Fives from the very first line."--Louise Candlish, author of The Other Passenger1898. Quinn le Blanc, London's most talented confidence 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..." A thrilling and multi-layered story of trickery and deception, truth and lies, poverty and riches, that is sheer delight from start to finish. Absolutely enthralling "--Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

The night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs plot a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and classNamed a Best Book of Summer by The Washington Post * Good Housekeeping * Harper's Bazaar * Reader's Digest"Rollicking fun and entirely original... Anyone who relishes a good party gone wrong will devour this."--Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost ApothecaryMrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she's made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows. When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs. King's predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance. Their plan? On the night of the house's highly anticipated costume ball--set to be the most illustrious of the year--they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there's one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she'll run any risk to get it... After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs." A deliciously clever novel... You'll never have so much fun cheering on grand larceny."--Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair, a Reese's Book Club Pick*Don't miss Alex Hay's clever next novel, The Queen of Fives, in which a mysterious heiress with a secret sets her sights on London's biggest wedding of the season

A riotous historical heist, introducing an extraordinary alliance of women you'll never forget...

Yläkerrassa suunnitellaan kauden puhutuimpia juhlia. Alakerrassa juonitaan vuosisadan ryöstöä. Rouva King ei ole mikään tavanomainen taloudenhoitaja. Hän on kotoisin huijareiden ja varkaiden maailmasta, mutta onnistunut kiipeämään Mayfairin loisteliaimman kartanon taloudenhoitajaksi. Kun rouva King äkillisesti irtisanotaan vuosien uskollisen palvelun jälkeen, hän tietää tarkalleen, kenet kutsua avukseen kostoretkelle. Mustan pörssin kuningattaren, joka haluaa tasata tilit. Näyttelijättären, joka haaveilee menestyksestä. Ompelijattaren, joka unelmoi paremmasta elämästä. Ja edeltäjänsä, joka on säilyttänyt Park Lanen synkät salaisuudet liian pitkään. Kun odotettu juhlailta koittaa, rouva King ja kaikkien aikojen siivouspartio ovat valmiina toimintaan. Mutta yksi asia, jota rouva King haluaa enemmän kuin rahaa, on totuus. Hän on valmis riskeeraamaan kaiken selvittääkseen sen.

'Hay sets a cracking pace... with plenty of twists and a great deal of fun, this is the perfect holiday read' Guardian'Delightfully mischievous' The Times'Punch-the-air good, the Edwardian heist novel you never knew you needed. Flawless, lawless fun' Kiran Millwood Hargrave---UPSTAIRS, MADAM IS PLANNING THE PARTY OF THE SEASON. DOWNSTAIRS, THE SERVANTS ARE PLOTTING THE HEIST OF THE CENTURY. When Mrs King, housekeeper to the most illustrious home in Mayfair, is suddenly dismissed after years of loyal service, she knows just who to recruit to help her take revenge. A black-market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs King's predecessor, who has been keeping the dark secrets of Park Lane far too long. Mrs King has an audacious plan in mind, one that will reunite her women in the depths of the house on the night of a magnificent ball - and play out right under the noses of her former employers... THEY COME FROM NOTHING. BUT THEY'LL LEAVE WITH EVERYTHING.---Dazzling, stylish and wildly entertaining, The Housekeepers lets loose an outlandish alliance of women you'll never forget...'A great deal of fun, this is the perfect holiday read' Guardian'Imagine Ocean's 8 had an illegitimate baby with Fingersmith - a big fat diamond of a book' Erin Kelly'Kept me hooked 'til the last page. The strong, determined and memorable female characters pull you into their web of intrigue' Jennifer Saint'This Edwardian heist story is such a fun read!' Good Housekeeping'Prepare to grow hungrier for justice with every page you turn' Nina de Gramont, bestselling author of The Christie Affair'A page-turning delight from beginning to end' Red'Fun, fast-paced and totally immersive, The Housekeepers is a rare jewel worth coveting' Emma Stonex'Hell hath no fury like a housekeeper scorned . . . this novel is unputdownable' House Beautiful

UPSTAIRS, MADAM IS PLANNING THE PARTY OF THE SEASON. DOWNSTAIRS, THE SERVANTS ARE PLOTTING THE HEIST OF THE CENTURY. When Mrs King, housekeeper to the most illustrious home in Mayfair, is suddenly dismissed after years of loyal service, she knows just who to recruit to help her take revenge. A black-market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs King’s predecessor, who has been keeping the dark secrets of Park Lane far too long. Mrs King has an audacious plan in mind, one that will reunite her women in the depths of the house on the night of a magnificent ball – and play out right under the noses of her former employers… THEY COME FROM NOTHING. BUT THEY’LL LEAVE WITH EVERYTHING.

The night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs plot a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and class Named a Best Book of Summer by The Washington Post * Good Housekeeping * Harper's Bazaar * Reader's Digest "Rollicking fun and entirely original... Anyone who relishes a good party gone wrong will devour this." --Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she's made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows. When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs. King's predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance. Their plan? On the night of the house's highly anticipated costume ball--set to be the most illustrious of the year--they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there's one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she'll run any risk to get it... After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs. "A deliciously clever novel... You'll never have so much fun cheering on grand larceny." --Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair, a Reese's Book Club Pick *Don't miss Alex Hay's clever next novel, The Queen of Fives, in which a mysterious heiress with a secret sets her sights on London's biggest wedding of the season