King Pinch

King Pinch by David Cook is the first book in the loosely related The Nobles series.

"The king is dead, long live the king.

Meet Pinch, a man of many titles: scoundrel, thief, criminal extraordinaire,... heir to the throne?

Manferic III, Pinch's guardian and the former ruler of Ankhapur, has died without a direct heir. By ancient law, the crown will pass to the relative "chosen by the cup," a family relic, in a ceremony whereby the rightful heir is selected and pretenders and other rejected candidates meet their deaths.

Pinch's outlaw days have prepared him for life on the mean streets... but is he ready for the dangers that lurk in courtly hallways, among royal relatives and dagger-bearing shadows?"