The Killing Way

The Killing Way by Tony Hays is a new Arthurian detective mystery. Lord Arthur is expected to be nominated by the retiring Rigatomus as his successor when a young servant girl is found murdered, apparently by Merlin. Arthur believes that Merlin was framed, but if he is perceived to be protecting a guilty friend he will be prevented from claiming the throne. To find the truth he turns to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a warrior whose cunning mind attracted Arthur’s attention while battling the Saxons.

This is not the traditional King Arthur story. Even a reader who goes into the book expecting a lack of fairy tales and magic will find that things have been changed, particularly the familial relationships and history of some of the characters. That reader will also find a historically authentic feeling result. Historical mystery fans and those who like well researched reimaginings of Arthurian legend will hope that we see more of Malgwyn soon.

-- Kristen, Main Library