A Big Announcement for Fans of the Ducal Detective Mysteries

Hello dear readers,

I've got some exciting news to share with you today. A new era of the Duchess's reign is here! Welcome to the Court of Mystery, the next series chronicling Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier.

Over the past few months while writing Books Four and Five of the Ducal Detective Mysteries, I've noticed a change. A few changes, actually. A change in my writing, a change in my characters, a change in my stories. Jax is moving away from the carefree young woman who solves fun whodunits with her friends. With the class tensions rising in the Realm of Virtues, she's now faced with real issues affecting her land and the time has come to dedicate herself to them. Jax has matured, both as a friend and a ruler, and she deserves a series that highlights those strengths. Hence, the Court of Mystery series will focus on her evolving world, while still chronicling darker mysteries that find themselves in her path.

Throne of Threats will be the last book under the Ducal Detective Mysteries mantle, but fear not, the characters you know and love will return in the Court of Mystery books. When I first started writing The Ducal Detective, I had no idea that it would become a multi-book series. I wrote it on a whim, as I wanted to see what the self-publishing process entailed. Yet, once I had published it, I realized I had more stories to tell about Jax, Perry, George, and Uma, and it continued to develop into something bigger than just a royal who considers herself an amateur detective. I've been toying with the idea of re-branding the entire series for a time, but decided that The Ducal Detective, A Feast Most Foul, and A Voyage of Vengeance still fit that light, whodunit feel. A Summit in Shadow and Throne of Threats will remain in the canon as well, as they begin to signal a change, but don't quite get there until the final pages of ToT.

So, I'm happy to say that work on the first Court of Mystery book is well underway, picking up three months after Jax and Perry's wedding. I hope to release it by the end of August.

I'm eternally grateful for all the love and support you've shown the Ducal Detective Mysteries, and know that I look forward to bringing you on Jax's journey as she navigates her world in the Court of Mystery.

Arms around,

S.B.