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4.41 AVERAGE
4.41 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Chequey Files will always be one of my favorite series for its humor and imagination, and the newest installment is no exception. This one does move a little more slowly, as our MC investigates the supernatural death of a royal. So there are fewer hijinks (though not none…), and more thinking. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just different from what I was expecting. My favorite thing is still the weirdly specific powers that O’Malley gives pawns, and the references to previous books of course. I can’t explain enough how happy I am that this series seems to be continuing, and I’m excited for my pretty UK edition to get here and join its family. Btw, I haven’t heard the audio for the one, but it’s fantastic for the previous three and I highly recommend!!!
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While my opinion on certain institutions and places is known, I do enjoy a good mystery. Daniel O'Malley gives us a supernatural one with the Prince of Wales found dead in a locked room. Out 15 July 2025, thanks for the copy Hachette Audio.
Alexandria Dennis-Palmer-Hudson-Gilmore -Garnsey has had very little control of her life since her parents sold her to the Checquy at the age of six. But since then she has been an agents of a secret British agency that deals with supernatural phenomena. One that has been inserted into aristocratic life since her abilities are not as visually as overt as some. With the murder of the crown prince "Alix" is now pushed into more of a public role as her relationship with the Royals changes. Really messes with her career goals. Least there is a quokka.
Narrated by Moira Quirk, always a pleasure to hear from you. And some of the confrontations are fantastic.
Reasons to read:
-Weird powers
-Yea I could definitely see the British government doing that
-Some interesting bits about how things are done when certain folks die
-I'd fight for a Greggs to be nearby for a reasonably priced sausage roll
-Didn't expect the quokka
Cons:
-Someone could turn into that the whole time?!?!
Alexandria Dennis-Palmer-Hudson-Gilmore -Garnsey has had very little control of her life since her parents sold her to the Checquy at the age of six. But since then she has been an agents of a secret British agency that deals with supernatural phenomena. One that has been inserted into aristocratic life since her abilities are not as visually as overt as some. With the murder of the crown prince "Alix" is now pushed into more of a public role as her relationship with the Royals changes. Really messes with her career goals. Least there is a quokka.
Narrated by Moira Quirk, always a pleasure to hear from you. And some of the confrontations are fantastic.
Reasons to read:
-Weird powers
-Yea I could definitely see the British government doing that
-Some interesting bits about how things are done when certain folks die
-I'd fight for a Greggs to be nearby for a reasonably priced sausage roll
-Didn't expect the quokka
Cons:
-Someone could turn into that the whole time?!?!
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence
Moderate: Torture, Excrement
Minor: Blood, Classism
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the fourth book of the Checquy series, Daniel O’Malley continues to expand on the supernatural world of Great Britain and the people who handle it. Alix, a minor member of the British gentry, has been assigned to the Chequy since she was a child who manifested an ability to break bones without touch. The Chequy has played the long game with Alix, positioning her in the social circles of the Princess Royal in order to be able to plausibly assign her as needed. When the first in line to the throne, the Prince of Wales, dies of no discoverable external cause, it’s Alix’s time to shine, and within 24 hours, she’s a lady-in-waiting to the princess, and the first line of defense. But she’s also still a Chequy operative, expected to complete her regular duties and training in between teas, society events, and royal family dinners. As more bodies turn up dead in the style of the prince, the King of England and the Lady of the Chequy become more and more impatient that Alix finds the perpetrator before they strike again.
I adore that O’Malley doesn’t return to the same characters– previous Chequy main characters appear, but never as point of view characters, and only to support Alix’s journey. While this could conceivably be read as a stand-alone, I won’t recommend it as one, but will definitely continue recommending this series. The humor inherent to the series is lovely, and O’Malley’s recognition that not every story needs a romantic subplot horned into it is a rare gift (speaking as someone who reads a ton of romance).
A new Checquy novel?!! YESSSS.
The Checquy is a secret organization in Britain that is comprised of people with unique and supernatural talents, protecting the country from supernatural threats. It is weird and absurd and absolutely fun. In Royal Gambit, Alix is both an aristocrat and a Checquy operative; when the royal family is put in danger, she is assigned publicly as a lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess, and secretly as a bodyguard.
I love this series. It feels like a workplace comedy that happens to be set in an absurdist urban fantasy world. In this installment, throw in the complication of trying work with the royal family and balance your personal and professional loyalties, and it’s such a great time. I think this is my favorite since the first book, The Rook. If you took a spy thriller, an urban fantasy, a supernatural thriller, and Parks & Rec and threw them all in the blender, I feel like the result would look something like this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my review! I couldn’t put it down, and I hope O’Malley keeps writing these! I feel like there are many more stories to tell in the world of the Checquy.