I Killed the King [Mix, Rebecca]

Author: Rebecca Mix, Andrea Hannah

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.

Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 09/16/2025
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780063379619

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/21/2025

About the Author
Mix, Rebecca: -

Rebecca Mix is a New York Times and indie bestselling author of stories about messy girls, eerie magic, and hope. She spent her childhood tromping through swamps and falling out of very tall trees--which, in hindsight, explains a lot. A reluctant reader at first, she fell in love with books after joining a reading contest to spite her fourth-grade nemesis. Visit her online at rebeccamix.com

Hannah, Andrea: -

Andrea Hannah is the author of nonfiction and fiction novels for young adults. She teaches creatives all over the globe and writes everything from fierce modern fairy tales to horoscopes (she's a Gemini). Her work has appeared in Bustle, Elite Daily, Reader's Digest, Thrive Global, HuffPo, Mslexia magazine, and more. You can find her on socials @andeehannah.