A Rivalry of Riddles and Runes
(2026)(The fourth book in the Crooked Quire series)
A novel by Wynn Valentine
The Crooked Quire isn’t for sale.
Unfortunately, its newest rival doesn’t believe in taking no for an answer.
Hewitt Thatch has built something he never expected to find after retiring from the Royal Guard: a home.
The Crooked Quire is more than a magical bookshop now. Its peculiar shelves, hidden story-dungeon, growing garden, and collection of equally peculiar people have become part of Silverstream—and part of Hewitt’s life.
Then Quentin Vellum arrives with an offer.
His polished Luxe Scroll bookshops have money, influence, and plans for expansion. He sees enormous potential in The Crooked Quire.
Hewitt sees someone trying to buy his home.
Refusing should be the end of it.
Instead, strange hexes begin disrupting the shop. Books misbehave. Customers are driven away. And someone seems determined to prove that Hewitt is incapable of managing the magic entrusted to him.
Fortunately, Saffra Voss has never met a problem she couldn’t bury beneath research.
With an eccentric collection of scholars, friends, magical creatures, runes, riddles, tea, and one extremely opinionated cat behind him, Hewitt prepares for an unusual battle: a five-round magical contest designed to determine who truly understands The Crooked Quire.
Because knowing how magic works is one thing.
Understanding why it matters is something else entirely.
And some things cannot be bought at any price.
A Rivalry of Riddles and Runes is a heartwarming cozy fantasy filled with magical puzzles, enchanted books, found family, gentle humor, eccentric scholars, mischievous magic, and the comforting reminder that belonging is something you build'''not something you buy.
Perfect for readers who love magical bookshops, cozy fantasy adventures, clever riddles, lovable found families, and low-stakes fantasy with plenty of heart.
Genre: Fantasy
Unfortunately, its newest rival doesn’t believe in taking no for an answer.
Hewitt Thatch has built something he never expected to find after retiring from the Royal Guard: a home.
The Crooked Quire is more than a magical bookshop now. Its peculiar shelves, hidden story-dungeon, growing garden, and collection of equally peculiar people have become part of Silverstream—and part of Hewitt’s life.
Then Quentin Vellum arrives with an offer.
His polished Luxe Scroll bookshops have money, influence, and plans for expansion. He sees enormous potential in The Crooked Quire.
Hewitt sees someone trying to buy his home.
Refusing should be the end of it.
Instead, strange hexes begin disrupting the shop. Books misbehave. Customers are driven away. And someone seems determined to prove that Hewitt is incapable of managing the magic entrusted to him.
Fortunately, Saffra Voss has never met a problem she couldn’t bury beneath research.
With an eccentric collection of scholars, friends, magical creatures, runes, riddles, tea, and one extremely opinionated cat behind him, Hewitt prepares for an unusual battle: a five-round magical contest designed to determine who truly understands The Crooked Quire.
Because knowing how magic works is one thing.
Understanding why it matters is something else entirely.
And some things cannot be bought at any price.
A Rivalry of Riddles and Runes is a heartwarming cozy fantasy filled with magical puzzles, enchanted books, found family, gentle humor, eccentric scholars, mischievous magic, and the comforting reminder that belonging is something you build'''not something you buy.
Perfect for readers who love magical bookshops, cozy fantasy adventures, clever riddles, lovable found families, and low-stakes fantasy with plenty of heart.
Genre: Fantasy