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Overview
"The young and powerful warrior Arthur stands on the brink of legend. He has united most of Britain's clans but does not yet hold supreme power. It appears to be in his grasp when Britain's leaders come together to elect a new Rigotamos. Then a young woman is brutally murdered, and the blame is placed at Merlin's feet. Arthur's reputation is at stake, and his enemies are poised to strike. And so Arthur turns to the one man he knows can help him, a man whose keen eye on the ways of battle and keener insight into how the human mind works have helped him come to the brink of kingship. Malgwyn. Who hates Arthur most in all the world." "As a young man, Malgwyn was a farmer who had an adoring wife and a treasured babe. Then the Saxons destroyed his family and drove Malgwyn into madness. Mad Malgwyn became a slayer of Saxons and right-hand lieutenant to the warrior chief Arthur - until a Saxon cut off his sword arm. Now a one-armed scribe, Malgwyn spends much time drinking, wenching, and trying to forget the man he once was. And nursing a hatred for the man who saved him from the battlefield because he valued him for his mind as much as his valor in battle." But loyalty is sometimes stronger than hate ... and Malgwyn is pulled toward a puzzle from which he can't walk away.Synopsis
A wonderful murder mystery surrounding the election of Arthur, King of the Britons, a brutal murder, and the introduction of a new sleuth, a meticulous scribe who notices things that go unseen by most men, a gritty (and very human) Brother Cadfael type of
VOYA
Malgwyn is pulled from his life of drunkenness to help solve the murder of young Eleonore. He does not want to render assistance, least of all for the man who has come to retrieve him: Arthur, to whom he lost part of an arm in battle and toward whom he still harbors resentment. He reluctantly returns to the castle to clear Merlin, the one accused of this foul murder. A second murder may mean the forfeiture of Merlin's life and the end of Arthur's rise to power as well. This historical mystery combines much of the rich heritage of the legend of Arthur and Merlin with the more contemporary fascination with forensic evidence. Malgwyn is a detective, one who uses clues at the crime scene and careful interrogation to uncover the truth about Eleonore's murder and the subsequent crimes and disappearances. His character is complex; there are forces driving Malgwyn that might easily interfere with his ability to reason and be objective. Therein lies the suspense of this novel that could easily become part of a class study about Arthur and the Arthurian legends. The ending leaves readers hopeful that there may be other mysteries for Malgwyn to solve at the behest of Arthur. Reviewer: Teri Lesesne
Editorials
VOYA -
Malgwyn is pulled from his life of drunkenness to help solve the murder of young Eleonore. He does not want to render assistance, least of all for the man who has come to retrieve him: Arthur, to whom he lost part of an arm in battle and toward whom he still harbors resentment. He reluctantly returns to the castle to clear Merlin, the one accused of this foul murder. A second murder may mean the forfeiture of Merlin's life and the end of Arthur's rise to power as well. This historical mystery combines much of the rich heritage of the legend of Arthur and Merlin with the more contemporary fascination with forensic evidence. Malgwyn is a detective, one who uses clues at the crime scene and careful interrogation to uncover the truth about Eleonore's murder and the subsequent crimes and disappearances. His character is complex; there are forces driving Malgwyn that might easily interfere with his ability to reason and be objective. Therein lies the suspense of this novel that could easily become part of a class study about Arthur and the Arthurian legends. The ending leaves readers hopeful that there may be other mysteries for Malgwyn to solve at the behest of Arthur. Reviewer: Teri LesesneLibrary Journal
In fifth-century Britain, Arthur, a powerful knight, is about to be elected high king when a young woman is butchered and Merlin is arrested. Arthur calls upon Malgwyn, a former soldier and now a drunken, one-armed scribe, to find the culprit. Tackling the Arthurian legend, this original series debut is full of suspenseful action played out against a backdrop of Druids seeking to reestablish their influence over the people and powerful men playing politics and dabbling in treason. This fascinating blend of history and fiction by the author of Murder in the Latin Quarter is sure to engage fans of both Bernard Cornwell and Ellis Peters. Highly recommended.
—Jo Ann Vicarel
Kirkus Reviews
Hays (The Trouble with Patriots, 2002, etc.) kicks off a new series with anti-hero Malgwyn ap Cuneglas. Malgwyn is the classic hard-boiled detective: After his wife was killed by thugs, he avenged her death and hit the bottle. Beyond that there's not much that's typical in these pages. The book is set in medieval times, and here the heavies are Saxons, the weapons are swords and the hooch is mead. Malgwyn lost his right arm, and with it all hope of driving the Saxons from southwest England. The war leader Arthur ap Uther noticed his keen wit and saved him, sending Malgwyn to learn his letters as a scribe with the brothers at Glastonbury. Now, when a serving girl is found brutally slaughtered at the entrance to Arthur's castle and all the evidence points to Arthur's trusted councilor Merlin, Arthur sends for Malgwyn to investigate. Malgwyn knows that in his dotage, Merlin thinks he's cleverer than he is, but he's no murderer. Instead, what's revealed is a plot to discredit Arthur and prevent his election as ruler. Are the Druids scheming to prevent the Christian Arthur from ascending to the throne? Is Lord Tristan's proposal for peace with the Saxons sincere? As the bodies mount and the peasants clamor for the head of the sorcerer Merlin, Arthur stakes his honor and Malgwyn's life on Malgwyn's ability to deliver justice by the next nightfall, and the hunt is on. Earthy, densely plotted and likely to have readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. Agent: Frank Weimann/The Literary GroupFrom the Publisher
"This author knows his history and produces a first class, page turning tale. We shall doubtless hear much more of Tony Hays."—Peter Tremayne"There's nothing like seeing an old story through new eyes. So, how about a murder mystery set in Camelot? King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin and the rest of the gang are all here, but Tony Hays brings them to life anew, in a tale filled with twists and turns and surprises on every page. The joy of discovery—and re-discovery—will keep you reading long into the night." —William Martin, New YorkTimes Best Selling author of The Lost Constitution
“True to the magic of the Arthurian legend. The Killing Way is a beautiful tale rich in character and atmosphere, and dark with emotions old as time.”—Howard Bahr, author of Pelican Road
“A vivid and original detective story, The Killing Way is an unusual Arthurian murder mystery set against an evocative fifth century background that is more genuine than the usual Arthurian fare. Tony Hays makes thorough and intelligent use of modern research. Yes, it might actually have been like that.”—Geoffrey Ashe, leading Arthurian scholar and author of Merlin: The Prophet & His History
“An exciting, suspenseful murder mystery, The Killing Way is an excellent read.”—Richard Tuerk, author of Oz in Perspective
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