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The King's Blades #8
The Crooked House
Sir Stalwart and Emerald set off for an ancient lord's house known as Smealey Hall, where they believe the source of evil--in the form of murder--lies, and along the way they are joined by Badger, a Blade-in-training.
246 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
About the author
Dave Duncan
142 books597 followersOriginally from Scotland, Dave Duncan lived all his adult life in Western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering that imaginary worlds were more satisfying than the real one, he published more than 60 novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also young adult, science fiction, and historical.
He wrote at times under the pseudonym Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for "D'ye Ken Whodunit?")
His most successful works were fantasy series: The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word and its sequel, A Handful of Men, and seven books about The King’s Blades. His books have been translated into 15 languages, and of late have been appearing in audiobook format as well.
He and Janet were married in 1959. He is survived by her, one son and two daughters, as well as four grandchildren.
He was both a founding and honorary lifetime member of SFCanada, and a member of the CSFFA Hall of Fame.
He wrote at times under the pseudonym Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for "D'ye Ken Whodunit?")
His most successful works were fantasy series: The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word and its sequel, A Handful of Men, and seven books about The King’s Blades. His books have been translated into 15 languages, and of late have been appearing in audiobook format as well.
He and Janet were married in 1959. He is survived by her, one son and two daughters, as well as four grandchildren.
He was both a founding and honorary lifetime member of SFCanada, and a member of the CSFFA Hall of Fame.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 17, 2026
Swashbuckling fantasy
“You proved your courage at Quagmarsh. I do not want heroics this time, understand? Don’t go blundering into Smealey Hole yourself, or we’ll have two deaths to investigate. Just track down that local guide who escorted Digby there. Find out from him whom Digby saw and what was said. Then talk around. Find out all you can about the Fellowship. If you can lay your hands on evidence of black magic—at least two independent witnesses—send a courier posthaste back here.”
“This mission was urgent. If the traitor sorcerers had learned how to kill people at a distance, then the King might drop dead at any minute. It was up to Sir Stalwart to track down the evil in time, a huge responsibility!”
Wart is back in the saddle—alongside Emerald—investigating a remote estate where dark-power magicians may be developing new ways to assassinate King Ambrose, the monarch Wart is sworn to protect.
“After a day and a half in the saddle, the last thing Emerald wanted to see again was the backs of a horse’s ears. The second last thing was Wart blundering into trouble because she wasn’t there to warn him. If she complained, he would just leave her behind, so horse’s ears.”
Despite clear warnings to proceed carefully, Wart throws himself into the investigation at Smealey Hole and the secretive magicians who live there. His youthful confidence and impulsiveness raise the stakes, putting both himself and the King in serious danger. Emerald, meanwhile, proves to be a steady and perceptive companion whose skills become increasingly important as the mystery deepens.
Duncan’s sharp plotting and brisk storytelling lift this YA adventure above a simple quest tale, giving it momentum, danger, and a satisfying sense of intrigue.
“You proved your courage at Quagmarsh. I do not want heroics this time, understand? Don’t go blundering into Smealey Hole yourself, or we’ll have two deaths to investigate. Just track down that local guide who escorted Digby there. Find out from him whom Digby saw and what was said. Then talk around. Find out all you can about the Fellowship. If you can lay your hands on evidence of black magic—at least two independent witnesses—send a courier posthaste back here.”
“This mission was urgent. If the traitor sorcerers had learned how to kill people at a distance, then the King might drop dead at any minute. It was up to Sir Stalwart to track down the evil in time, a huge responsibility!”
Wart is back in the saddle—alongside Emerald—investigating a remote estate where dark-power magicians may be developing new ways to assassinate King Ambrose, the monarch Wart is sworn to protect.
“After a day and a half in the saddle, the last thing Emerald wanted to see again was the backs of a horse’s ears. The second last thing was Wart blundering into trouble because she wasn’t there to warn him. If she complained, he would just leave her behind, so horse’s ears.”
Despite clear warnings to proceed carefully, Wart throws himself into the investigation at Smealey Hole and the secretive magicians who live there. His youthful confidence and impulsiveness raise the stakes, putting both himself and the King in serious danger. Emerald, meanwhile, proves to be a steady and perceptive companion whose skills become increasingly important as the mystery deepens.
Duncan’s sharp plotting and brisk storytelling lift this YA adventure above a simple quest tale, giving it momentum, danger, and a satisfying sense of intrigue.
April 16, 2017
Short and sweet. Good story too.
November 10, 2023
I am very much enjoying the King's Daggers series, and this one is even better than the first in the trilogy. There's a lot of mystery, betrayal, misconception, and suspense. The characters are complex and realistic, and the setting of this one is so vibrantly creepy. Duncan's worldbuilding also improves with each subsequent book. This is an absolute delight to read, and is appropriate for children, likely around middle school level.
August 28, 2026
Sir Stalwart's second mission. He finds himself teamed up with Sister Emerald again. Let the misadventures begin! Sometimes it's hard to know who your real friends are, especially those from Ironhall who arrive there largely to escape the law. At least Stalwart can depend on Emerald.
A good book, though not as good as the first. Still was worth the read.
A good book, though not as good as the first. Still was worth the read.
October 16, 2012
This is the second of three short novels that make up the "King's Daggers" trilogy, a YA set that takes place in Dave Duncan's popular "King's Blades" series of 6 books. Once again, this is a nice swashbuckling tale filled with action, intrigue and daring do. The main two characters are back of course, Sir Stalwart, known as "Wart" and Emerald, a "White Sister". While the plot involves those two helping to investigate an unexplainable death in the midst of a royal ceremony, a major role is played by Badger, the Prime "Blade" who is near to being called up for duty for the king.
Looking forward to #3 in the trilogy while, at the same time dreading it because it will likely be the last story taking place in this wonderful setting that Dave Duncan has created.
Looking forward to #3 in the trilogy while, at the same time dreading it because it will likely be the last story taking place in this wonderful setting that Dave Duncan has created.
January 10, 2011
"Sir Durendal, who on the sixth day of Sixthmoon, 355, in a meadow outside Waterby single-handedly opposed four swordsmen seeking to kill his ward and slew them all without his ward or himself taking hurt."
This event is just a paragraph or two in the very first book to feature the king's blades, and yet here, a whole story is drawn around those dead men. This is the eighth book in the world I've read. it truly never gets old.
This event is just a paragraph or two in the very first book to feature the king's blades, and yet here, a whole story is drawn around those dead men. This is the eighth book in the world I've read. it truly never gets old.
March 18, 2009
Sir Salwart and Emerald team up again to save the king from death and disaster. This time they take Badger, a blade-in-training, with them as they travel to Smealey Hall, supposedly the center of sorcery and treason.
I love David Duncan's books and I don't know how I miss this one when it came out.
I love David Duncan's books and I don't know how I miss this one when it came out.
June 19, 2008
These books are too, too short!
August 21, 2009
An enjoyable light read, part of The King's Daggers trilogy. Sir Stalwart and Sister Emerald get caught in a long distance sorcery plot to murder the King of Chivial.
November 19, 2013
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
July 11, 2014
Good book, but the ending was unsatisfactory.
July 10, 2016
OK. Nice follow up to the 1st book. Stalwart and Emerald continue their misadventures.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews