Four Dead Queens - by Astrid Scholte (Hardcover)

About the Book

Keralie is the best pickpocket in all of the kingdoms of Quadara, but when she steals a "comm disk" and realizes a royal murder plot is afoot, she must learn who to trust and fast in this enthralling and beguiling murder mystery-fantasy debut..

Book Synopsis

Four dead queens. Three days to catch a killer. Two forbidden romances.
One shocking twist you won't see coming.

Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but she's, in fact, one of Quadara's most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara's most enlightened region, Eonia. He runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie both find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara's queens dead.

With no other choices and on the run from Keralie's former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation's four dead queens.

An enthralling fast-paced mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.

Review Quotes

Praise for Four Dead Queens
An Indie Bestseller
An Amazon Best Book -- March 2019
A Blue Spruce Book Award Nominee - 2020
A Texas Tayshas Reading List Pick - 2020

"A good, devious mix of some of the best fantasy and murder mystery that YA has had to offer recently." --Entertainment Weekly

"Astrid Scholte's propulsive debut YA novel checks all the boxes for an addictive read." --Refinery29

"Four Dead Queens is a darkly delicious tale that keeps you in constant suspense. A thrilling, genre-blending book perfect for fans of both fantasy and murder mysteries. I just might be the fifth dead queen because this story--with its labyrinthine twists and turns--slayed me in every possible way." --Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series

"A cinematic thrill ride brimming with murder, mayhem, and twists that will shock you, Four Dead Queens is sure to be your next obsession. Absolutely riveting."--Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the Reign of the Fallen series

"Astrid Scholte breaks into the fantasy genre with a triumphant, exciting debut that will keep readers guessing all the way to final chapter. Four Dead Queens is not to be missed!" --Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Give the Dark My Love

"Scholte's stand-alone debut marks her as an author to watch." --Kirkus Reviews

"Scholte has created an intrigue-heavy adventure in a world filled with characters whom readers will want to revisit." --Publishers Weekly

"Debut author Scholte manipulates multiple points of view and flashbacks to create an action-packed romance." --Booklist

"The story takes unexpected turns, has complicated characters who develop over time, and ends unpredictably .... A recommended addition to young adult fantasy/dystopian collections." --School Library Journal

"A fierce, darkly compelling protagonist...and readers will want to double back to get a better look at the various turns of the enticingly twisting timeline." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About The Author

Astrid Scholte's fascination with all things fantasy began at the impressionable age of one while on a family vacation to Disneyland. Her desire to be surrounded by all things magical led her to a career in animation and visual effects. She received Honors in BA (Film, Media and Theater) and a Bachelor of Digital Media from the University of NSW. She's spent the last 10 years working in visual effects production as both an artist and an artist manager. Career highlights include working on James Cameron's AVATAR, Steven Spielberg's THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN and HAPPY FEET 2 by George Miller.
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She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her cats Lilo and Mickey. FOUR DEAD QUEENS is her debut novel.