Yet another story about Arthur (a subject that fascinates me!)This one is quite different in that Arthur is in the story, but really plays a very small part in it!This is a "who done it" Two women have been killed in a very hidious way, and Malgwyn a one time friend of Arthurs, and now a one armed drunk, who is determined to drink himself to death, until Arthur steps in and askes him to solve the mystery of who killed them.I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, reminding me in many ways of C J Sansoms mysterys. Don't look for pomposity or bombast here. You won't find anything except for murder, treason and plotting, all crying to be resolved by the one-armed scribe, Maelgwn. Hays uses a simple straight-forward style to tell a tale that is anything but straight-forward. Instead, we find a neatly knotted puzzle. Maelgwn says it himself in his narrative; nothing is what it seems. The great lords of post-Roman Britain are gathered at Castellum Arturious to vote for the next Rigotamus or Overking of Britain. Arthur, the current Dux Bellorum or War Leader, is the choice of the present Rigotamus, Aurelius Ambrosius, and is the favorite. However, he is not without his enemies, and the death of a young woman, mutilated and dumped by Merlin's house, has the potential to unseat him. Merlin's dagger has been used to rip the heart from her body and the crowd is clammering for Merlin's death. Arthur sees clearly the snare he is in. If he shows Merlin any leniency, his enemies clamor that he is displaying favoritism. If he bows to the will of the mob, he reveals weakness, AND he loses his oldest councilor. To find who really killed the girl and to prove it, Arthur chooses Maelgwn, a former warrior, now a bitter drunk, who lost his arm in battle and deeply resents Arthur for saving his life to condemn him to eke out his existence as a cripple.The great characters of The Matter of Britain are here, drawn in human colors, with real motives, loves and hates. Maelgwn tells us all their stories as he investigates the mystery. In his search, he learns much that no one really wants known and he finds not just a murderer, but his own inner peace. I really enjoyed this tale. It is an easy read that I finished in one afternoon, but I think that even those who must read in snatches of free time would still find it easy and intriguing. This not intended to be a masterpiece of scholarship, but it does take advantage of some of the most innovative and appealing theories about the Dark Age figure we call Arthur. So---find it, read it, and you tell me---didn't you enjoy it, too?
What do You think about The Killing Way (2010)?
Good quick read for those that like a mystery and historical fiction set in Arthurian times.
—fishy
Excellent mystery with wonderful historical accuracy as well. Good fun.
—maidy
Had to return to library before I I finished. Liked it so far...
—Daniii
Good book. First ina series of Arthurian murder mysteries.
—nicolefarr1
