RED AS ROYAL BLOOD, by Elizabeth Hart, HarperCollins, Nov. 18, 2025, Paperback, $12.99 (young adult)
A maid is named heir to the throne just after the king’s death in Red as Royal Blood, a YA mystery by Elizabeth Hart.
Ruby has never found a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Even though she’s destined to spend the rest of her life as a servant to the royal family, her mind itches for a true challenge. But no puzzle could prepare her for the king’s decision to name Ruby as the next heir to the throne just before his death.
Thrown into the viper’s nest of court, Ruby is forced to contend with a kingdom in crisis, the dead king’s angry wife, and the three entitled and annoyingly handsome princes. Then, as if being newly crowned queen wasn’t enough, she discovers a note left by the king that claims he was murdered . . . and that she might be next.
Unsure of who she can trust, Ruby makes uneasy alliances with each of the princes as she tries to solve the king’s murder. But with the clock winding down, she will face her most difficult challenge yet: finding the truth before the killer comes for her. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins
Red as Royal Blood is a standalone mystery/romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy courtly intrigue, succession drama, and slow-burn romance.
Author Elizabeth Hart’s writing is comfortable and smooth. Her pacing is strong and the story accessible. Hart does, at times, default into American slang, which can take you out of the moment, but it’s easy to jump back in once past it.
Hart’s worldbuilding works on a micro level — the castle comes to life in her deft hands. On a macro level, I didn’t get a full sense of the kingdom and its surrounding areas, which makes the story a little more insular.
Red as Royal Blood is a quick moving read that will especially appeal to fans of royal court-style drama.
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