King Pinch

The king is dead, long live the king.

Meet Pinch, a man of many titles: scoundrel, thief criminal extraordinaire, . . . heir to the throne?

Manferic III, Pinch's guardian and the former ruler of Ankhapur, has died without a direct heir. By ancient law, the crown will pass to the relative "chosen by the cup," a family relic, in a ceremony whereby the rightful heir is selected and pretenders and other rejected candidates meet their deaths.

Pinch's outlaw days have prepared him for life on the mean streets . . . but is he ready for the dangers that lurk in courtly hallways, among royal relatives and dagger-bearing shadows?