This murder mystery starts slow with a lot of world-building, but by the time the first queen dies, I was hooked. Kera is a pickpocket working for a childhood friend, who's let running an auction house of blackmarket goods become more important than their relationship. When Kera steals some memory chips from Varin that might get him killed, both their lives become endangered as they are drawn into the court intrigue leading to a queen's murder. The cover fits the story and the chemistry between the thief and her mark bodes well for a story that I sense I won't want to put down. Reminds me of Six of Crows.