I Killed the King

By Andrea Hannah, Rebecca Mix | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out—with beasts, murder, and magic—in this first book in a thrilling locked-room whodunnit YA fantasy duology by Andrea Hannah and New York Times bestseller Rebecca Mix.

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 a 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.


  • A Magical Whodunnit: The king is dead, but this is no ordinary murder. The weapon is laced with a beast tamer’s venom, the wound is in a secret spot only his guard knew, and the suspects all have something to hide.
  • Multiple POV Narration: Told from the perspectives of the six suspects—the prince, the princess, the guard, the tamer, the healer, and a mysterious newcomer—trust is the most valuable and scarcest commodity.
  • A Treacherous Masquerade: Behind the elegant masks and rustling silks of the peace celebration, a killer is hiding in plain sight, picking off guests one by one.
  • Six Unreliable Suspects: Everyone has a motive, everyone has a secret, and everyone is a potential victim. They must work together to find the killer, but can they even trust each other?

Editions of I Killed the King

Hardcover
ISBN 9780063379619
EBook
ISBN 9780063379633

Read an Excerpt

One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out—with beasts, murder, and magic—in this first book in a thrilling locked-room whodunnit YA fantasy duology by Andrea Hannah and New York Times bestseller Rebecca Mix.

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 a 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.


  • A Magical Whodunnit: The king is dead, but this is no ordinary murder. The weapon is laced with a beast tamer’s venom, the wound is in a secret spot only his guard knew, and the suspects all have something to hide.
  • Multiple POV Narration: Told from the perspectives of the six suspects—the prince, the princess, the guard, the tamer, the healer, and a mysterious newcomer—trust is the most valuable and scarcest commodity.
  • A Treacherous Masquerade: Behind the elegant masks and rustling silks of the peace celebration, a killer is hiding in plain sight, picking off guests one by one.
  • Six Unreliable Suspects: Everyone has a motive, everyone has a secret, and everyone is a potential victim. They must work together to find the killer, but can they even trust each other?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is I Killed the King about?

One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out—with beasts, murder, and magic—in this first book in a thrilling locked-room whodunnit YA fantasy duology by Andrea Hannah and New York Times bestseller Rebecca Mix.

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 a 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.


  • A Magical Whodunnit: The king is dead, but this is no ordinary murder. The weapon is laced with a beast tamer’s venom, the wound is in a secret spot only his guard knew, and the suspects all have something to hide.
  • Multiple POV Narration: Told from the perspectives of the six suspects—the prince, the princess, the guard, the tamer, the healer, and a mysterious newcomer—trust is the most valuable and scarcest commodity.
  • A Treacherous Masquerade: Behind the elegant masks and rustling silks of the peace celebration, a killer is hiding in plain sight, picking off guests one by one.
  • Six Unreliable Suspects: Everyone has a motive, everyone has a secret, and everyone is a potential victim. They must work together to find the killer, but can they even trust each other?

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in I Killed the King?

Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction

Where can I read a sample of I Killed the King?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780063379619

Is I Killed the King part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series I Killed the King

Who is/are the Author/s of the book I Killed the King?

Andrea Hannah, Rebecca Mix

Who is the Publisher of the book I Killed the King?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

I Killed the King is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780063379619) and ebook(ISBN 9780063379633)

Where can I buy I Killed the King online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy I Killed the King from below

Where can I buy I Killed the King?