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Tales of Darkwell
Upon a Murder: A fantasy fairy tale retelling with a whodunit twist…
A Forgotten Kingdom...
A Murderer Hiding in the Shadows...
An Ancient Enemy Stirs...
Hunter returns home to attend the funeral of the woman who raised him. Before he can leave, he is arrested for killing the King of Crows. To be free of Faedon he must track down the true killer and return the Thief’s Coin to the House of Crow.
A retelling that includes a new twist on old favorite characters such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood, and so much more. Expect to find dragons, fanciful elves, witches, and much more.
This standalone novel is the second book in the Tales of Darkwell series. Great for fans of whodunit mysteries, fairy tale retellings, Dragon Lance, and Dungeons and Dragons.
A Murderer Hiding in the Shadows...
An Ancient Enemy Stirs...
Hunter returns home to attend the funeral of the woman who raised him. Before he can leave, he is arrested for killing the King of Crows. To be free of Faedon he must track down the true killer and return the Thief’s Coin to the House of Crow.
A retelling that includes a new twist on old favorite characters such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood, and so much more. Expect to find dragons, fanciful elves, witches, and much more.
This standalone novel is the second book in the Tales of Darkwell series. Great for fans of whodunit mysteries, fairy tale retellings, Dragon Lance, and Dungeons and Dragons.
- GenresFantasy
496 pages, Paperback
Published December 9, 2022
About the author
Kal Locksley
11 books39 followersMy love of storytelling stems from a time I would entertain my younger brothers with tales of adventure, based on whatever it was they could imagine.
My love of the written word comes from my mother, an English teacher, who taught me to appreciate the art of storytelling, as much as the storytelling itself.
If you do read something of mine, please leave a review! Always love to hear...The good, the bad, and even the nasty! How else can we learn and write more books YOU want to read?
My love of the written word comes from my mother, an English teacher, who taught me to appreciate the art of storytelling, as much as the storytelling itself.
If you do read something of mine, please leave a review! Always love to hear...The good, the bad, and even the nasty! How else can we learn and write more books YOU want to read?
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 1, 2022
As an ARC copy reader, I was fortunate enough to be the very first to get engrossed in this tale. And become engrossed I did.
With many a twist and turn, I found myself following Hunter all over Darkwell, hoping and praying that the next twist would not bring the story to an end.
Alas; as all good stories do, it did end. In a spectacular way and with a twist I did not see coming.
So yes, I give five stars and I recommend the book to any/all that like a good whodunnit and loves to see evil take a dive (or something like that)
Definitely a must read.
With many a twist and turn, I found myself following Hunter all over Darkwell, hoping and praying that the next twist would not bring the story to an end.
Alas; as all good stories do, it did end. In a spectacular way and with a twist I did not see coming.
So yes, I give five stars and I recommend the book to any/all that like a good whodunnit and loves to see evil take a dive (or something like that)
Definitely a must read.
February 11, 2023
I couldn't help but find myself intrigued by the premise of this story. I loved the twist as I wasn't sure what I was getting into. The story had a nice flow and I was wrapped up in it. If Grimm's Fairy Tales taught us anything it's that stories are not usually the same ones we grew up with, and they are not always for younger audiences.
Here you see characters you think you should know but they are nothing like you'd imagine.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Here you see characters you think you should know but they are nothing like you'd imagine.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2022
Upon A Murder was my first fantasy I read in 2022, and I’m so glad it was! It was also my first retelling! It kept my attention with every twist and turn and it was so hard to put it down! Seeing the roles reversed and gender switches was brilliant! Kal’s writing in general was on point and made it so easy to read and keep up with all the characters! I am so glad I found this book and so glad she sent it to me! Just an all around great Fantasy retelling!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2022
My favorite kind of stories; Retellings. A Retelling story with mystery and suspense. A cleverly written plot and a great take on a fairytale. I am impressed with the Imagination that the author has for this story. Keep them coming!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2022
If you go down to the woods tonight you're in for a big surprise!!
Now this is hoe you retell a story:
What if the Evil Queen wasn't evil?
What if the Big Bad wolf was actually a hood guy who loved Red?
What if Snow White wasn't a main character in her own story but Red Rose was?
What if Robin Hood was a Girl?
Well this AMAZING retelling answers all those questions and more. Not only does Kal build a wonderful world of magic, she draws you in with the amazing changes to some well loved fairytales that have you saying OMG!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Now this is hoe you retell a story:
What if the Evil Queen wasn't evil?
What if the Big Bad wolf was actually a hood guy who loved Red?
What if Snow White wasn't a main character in her own story but Red Rose was?
What if Robin Hood was a Girl?
Well this AMAZING retelling answers all those questions and more. Not only does Kal build a wonderful world of magic, she draws you in with the amazing changes to some well loved fairytales that have you saying OMG!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 30, 2026
Tales of Darkwell: Upon a Murder blends classic fairy-tale atmosphere with a clever whodunnit mystery, creating a story that feels both familiar and fresh.
The premise immediately pulls you in: Hunter returns home for a funeral, only to find himself accused of murdering the King of Crows. What follows is a tightly woven mystery where uncovering the truth is the only way out. The investigation-driven plot keeps the tension steady, and the stakes feel personal rather than purely epic, which works well for this kind of story.
The world of Darkwell has a fable-like quality, with houses, symbols, and rules that feel rooted in folklore. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, offering enough clues to keep readers guessing without becoming predictable. Fans of fairytale retellings will appreciate how the story respects traditional elements while giving them a darker, more thoughtful twist.
Because this is a standalone within the Tales of Darkwell universe, it’s accessible to new readers, though familiarity with the world may add extra depth. Readers looking for nonstop action may find the story more measured, as it focuses more on deduction and atmosphere than spectacle.
Overall, this is an engaging fantasy mystery that rewards careful reading and curiosity.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings, fantasy mysteries, and whodunnit stories with a dark, folkloric tone.
The premise immediately pulls you in: Hunter returns home for a funeral, only to find himself accused of murdering the King of Crows. What follows is a tightly woven mystery where uncovering the truth is the only way out. The investigation-driven plot keeps the tension steady, and the stakes feel personal rather than purely epic, which works well for this kind of story.
The world of Darkwell has a fable-like quality, with houses, symbols, and rules that feel rooted in folklore. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, offering enough clues to keep readers guessing without becoming predictable. Fans of fairytale retellings will appreciate how the story respects traditional elements while giving them a darker, more thoughtful twist.
Because this is a standalone within the Tales of Darkwell universe, it’s accessible to new readers, though familiarity with the world may add extra depth. Readers looking for nonstop action may find the story more measured, as it focuses more on deduction and atmosphere than spectacle.
Overall, this is an engaging fantasy mystery that rewards careful reading and curiosity.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings, fantasy mysteries, and whodunnit stories with a dark, folkloric tone.
August 8, 2023
A fun, well developed 'who dunnit' that grips you from the beginning!
The author has taken a host of our favourite fairy tales and reshaped them into a wonderful murder mystery. The characters have history and depth, the villain (or is it villains, who knows?) are well hidden and cause a bunch of trouble throughout, and all the while our heroes are scratching their heads (or is it chasing their tails?).
If you're looking for a comfortable, accessible fantasy read to add to your collection, this is definitely it. The only challenge for me was in the pacing—which was perfect for a murder mystery but slightly slower than which I'm used to. When considering the story for what it is though, the pacing feels on and makes much sense.
Looking forward to more stories from the Darkwell/Faedon universe. :)
The author has taken a host of our favourite fairy tales and reshaped them into a wonderful murder mystery. The characters have history and depth, the villain (or is it villains, who knows?) are well hidden and cause a bunch of trouble throughout, and all the while our heroes are scratching their heads (or is it chasing their tails?).
If you're looking for a comfortable, accessible fantasy read to add to your collection, this is definitely it. The only challenge for me was in the pacing—which was perfect for a murder mystery but slightly slower than which I'm used to. When considering the story for what it is though, the pacing feels on and makes much sense.
Looking forward to more stories from the Darkwell/Faedon universe. :)
November 25, 2022
3 5 stars, I do recommend it!
First what I liked:
- The world building was cool.
- I liked the Little Red Riding Hood aspect.
- I really wasn't sure who to trust, so I was definitely kept guessing, and the clues were there but kinda pointed different places.
What I didn't like:
- ***Spoiler for the ending***
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I was really disappointed that there was not a HEA. That's kinda a deal breaker for me personally. I have been told the next book will have a HEA though so I will read the next one that comes out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First what I liked:
- The world building was cool.
- I liked the Little Red Riding Hood aspect.
- I really wasn't sure who to trust, so I was definitely kept guessing, and the clues were there but kinda pointed different places.
What I didn't like:
- ***Spoiler for the ending***
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*
*
*
*
I was really disappointed that there was not a HEA. That's kinda a deal breaker for me personally. I have been told the next book will have a HEA though so I will read the next one that comes out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
I really enjoyed how well Kal Locksley wrote this, it was a great combination of fairy tale and murder mystery. I was invested in what was going on and loved the execution of it. It's a great world that was created and I'm glad I got to read this sequel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2022
This is a good YA book with various characters to follow while seeing the adventure from Hunter's eyes. The fairytale characters are retold with different motives and makes it interesting to switch the reading mindset to their new personalities while solving the whodunit mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 16, 2023
I am a fan of fairytale retellings and this book did not disappoint. The story flowed very well with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you reading past your bedtime!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews