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  1. Books
  2. Teenage and young adult
  3. Love and life

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3.4(11)

The King is Dead

Gossip Girl but make it royal – a Black LGBTQ+ royal reimagining full of scandalous secrets, rollercoaster romances and one hell of a mystery, from the award-winning author Benjamin Dean.

‘Scandalous, funny and deliciously compelling!’ Catherine Doyle, co-author of Twin Crowns

'All hail this royal debut that twists, turns, and revels in palace intrigue and deceit.' Kirkus

James has been a prince all his life, and since he was born, he’s been thrust into the spotlight as the first Black heir to the throne. But when his father dies unexpectedly, James is crowned king at the tender age of seventeen, and his life irrevocably changes.

When James’ boyfriend suddenly goes missing, threatening envelopes appear in the palace, and gossip and scandals that only he knows are leaked to the public. As the anonymous informant continues to expose every last skeleton in the royal closet, James realises even those in his inner circle can’t be trusted.

#LongLiveTheScandal

PRAISE FOR THE KING IS DEAD:

‘A moreish mashup of scandalous thriller and royal intrigue combines with smart observations on race and power, underpinned with real heart.’ The Guardian

‘All hail this exquisitely twisty, delightfully queer mystery.’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You

‘Benjamin Dean has written a royal triumph.’ Juno Dawson, author of Her Majesty's Royal Coven

‘A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First

‘A scandalous peek behind the royal curtain, with more jaw-dropping, OMG-twists than even the most salacious tabloid journalist could create.’ Erik J. Brown, author of All That's Left in the World

‘One page-burning scandal after another. Benjamin Dean is YA royalty.’ Femi Fadugba, author of The Upper World

‘A scandalous, twisty mystery that had me on the edge of my seat gasping for more.’ Kate Weston, author of Diary of a Confused Feminist

‘A twisty thriller that kept me guessing until the very end.’ Lex Croucher, author of Reputation

‘Addictive, compelling, and utterly delicious.’ Simon James Green, author of Noah Can’t Even

‘The scandal of the season!’ Abiola Bello, author of Love in Winter Wonderland

‘A delicious royal mystery.’ The Bookseller


Author:

  • Benjamin Dean

Narrator:

  • Ivanno Jeremiah

Format:

  • Audiobook
  • E-book

Duration:

  • 9 h 1 min
  • 212 pages

Language:

English

Categories:

  • Teenage and young adult
  • Love and life
  • Teenage and young adult
  • Novels
  • Teenage and young adult
  • Mysteries
  • Teenage and young adult
  • Nonfiction

More by Benjamin Dean

Skip the list
  1. The Boy Who Fell From the Sky

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook
  2. Bury Your Friends

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook
  3. This Story is a Lie: World Book Day 2025

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook
  4. The Super Sunny Murder Club

    Abiola Bello, Maisie Chan, Benjamin Dean, Nizrana Farook, Roopa Farooki, Sharna Jackson, Patrice Lawrence, Elle McNicoll, E.L Norry, Annabelle Sami, Dominique Valente, J.T Williams

    audiobook
  5. How To Die Famous

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook
  6. The Secret Sunshine Project

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook
  7. The Very Merry Murder Club

    Abiola Bello, Maisie Chan, Benjamin Dean, Nizrana Farook, Roopa Farooki, Sharna Jackson, Patrice Lawrence, Elle McNicoll, E.L. Norry, J.T. Williams, Annabelle Sami, Dominique Valente, Harry Woodgate

    audiobook
  8. Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow : The most joyful book you'll read this year!

    Benjamin Dean

    audiobookbook

  • 9 books

    Benjamin Dean

    Benjamin Dean is a full-time author with a background in celebrity journalism. He has interviewed a host of glitzy celebrities and broke the news that Rihanna can't wink (she blinks, in case you were wondering). His award-winning middle-grade debut, Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, was described as 'One of the most joyful books you'll read this year' (The Bookseller), and he's since gone on to publish The Secret Sunshine Project, as well The King is Dead and How to Die Famous for older readers. Benjamin can be found on Twitter as @notagainben tweeting about Rihanna and LGBTQ+ culture to his 10,000+ followers.

    Read more

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Excellent4.3 out of 5