What makes a truly compelling story? In this deeply insightful episode, I sit down with Alex Hay, author of the award-winning "The Housekeepers" and the newly released "The Queen of Fives," to explore the psychology behind writing con artists and morally complex characters.  From learning how to pitch effectively to understanding the complex retail landscape that determines a book's success, he offers rare insights into the business side of creativity.

 Whether you're a writer seeking inspiration, a reader curious about the creative process, or simply drawn to stories of persistence and resilience, this conversation offers something deeply meaningful. Listen now to discover why Alex believes the best writing comes from mining your own imagination and pursuing what truly lights you up as a storyteller. 

The Queen of Fives

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...

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