I Killed the King by Rebecca Mix and Andrea Hannah

✦ BLURB ✦

After a decade of war, the kingdoms of Avendell and Istellia have finally agreed to peace. As nobles and magic-wielders from both countries arrive at remote Castle Avendell for an historic, all-night masquerade to celebrate, King Costis summons an unlikely group to his chambers: the crown prince, his Istellian bride-to-be, his personal guard, a wild beast tamer, and the palace’s questionable new healer. But before Costis can reveal why he has gathered them, the castle goes dark.

When the lights come back, the king is dead—murdered with the princess’s knife, in a weak spot only his guard knew of, and with venom from one of the beast tamer’s monsters lacing the blade.

With no clear killer—and everyone a suspect—they make a risky pact: tell no one until the treaty is signed. But when a winter storm seals everyone inside, and someone aware of the king's untimely death begins to pick off guests one by one, the six suspects must work together to discover who killed the king . . . before one of them is next.

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Pre-Reading Thoughts
I love a story that throws you in the deep end, demanding you piece together the past as you go. The idea of a “fantasy Clue” combined with a found family of suspects made me instantly curious.

Post-Reading

• As I thought… The found family energy among the suspects was delightful—they’re forced to cooperate under extreme pressure, and I loved seeing the bonds form despite mistrust.

• It surprised me by… How the story reveals background in fragments. Some readers may find being dropped into the middle challenging, but I enjoyed the puzzle-like structure.

Music Pairing

• 🎵 Featured Song: “No Light, No Light” by Florence + The Machine

• 🎶 Vibe Album: Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine

• 🎧 Artist Recommendation: Hozier, for stormy romance mixed with lurking menace

Vibe Check

• 🎨 Colour Palette: Midnight blue, blood red, tarnished gold

• 🎼 Soundtrack: Strings and drums echoing through a storm

• ❄️ Season: Deep winter, snow piling against castle doors

• 😶 Mood: “We’re all in this together… until we’re not.”

• 🌹 Scent: Masked perfume, spilt wine, wet stone

Tarot Pull
🏰 The Tower, Dark Wood Tarot — Lightning strikes, trees groan, and a tower trembles. Catastrophe descends suddenly, trapping everyone inside and forcing unexpected alliances.

For Fans Of

• Knives Out (film)

• Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

I Killed the King publishes on the 16th September, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.