The war is over, and the prince is about to become the king. Cole, as the prince’s squire, ought to be sitting pretty amid all the victory. But a charming girl comes to him with a murder to report, and his troubles proliferate from there.

Jill Williamson blends fantasy and mystery in Squire of Truth. This is book 1 of a new series called Blood of Kings: Legends, a standalone fantasy set in Williamson’s world that began in the 2009 novel By Darkness Hid. In this detective story, magic is the murder weapon, and the investigation winds through pagan temples and rumors of the occult. Political intrigue connects the mystery to the prince and his kingdom. Characters are colorful and likeable, while themes of post-traumatic stress disorder and self-esteem are light but persistent. Despite its serious elements, Squire of Truth serves a light tale that will engage readers with its mystery and sympathetic hero.

Best for: Young adult readers who enjoy fantasy and mystery.

Discern: A victim is murdered, some references to violence, people indulge in manipulation and deceit, someone has romantic relationships with multiple women at once, references to pagan gods or goddesses; and, although lightly handled, some magical practices mirror real-world witchcraft, such as harming people in effigy.

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