The subtitle is "An Arthurian Mystery," but this is NOT another tale mooning over Camelot and the romance of the Round Table. It’s based on "the historical Arthur," an extraordinary war leader in an interesting, real world time. To borrow a phrase from the publisher’s site, the story really is a sort of CSI: Medieval, filled with gritty realism and genuine crime-solving through painstaking analysis of the evidence.

Arthur is on the cusp of being named Rigotamus or High King, but it’s not a given. There’s competition for the title to go with those who simply don’t favor Arthur for it, for reasons such as his steadfast Christianity in a world where pagan beliefs still hold sway. Merlin is no magician here, merely an aging wise man whose wits often wander, including into fantasies about being a sorcerer. When a young woman is found murdered and mutilated outside his home it seems clear that someone is trying to set Arthur up. Not for the crime itself, but by trying to force him into actions to save his beloved teacher that will show him unworthy to be Rigotamus.

Arthur turns for help to a man he can trust and knows has the wit to sort things out without it being assumed he’s just a puppet. Magwyn ap Cuneglas was once a trusted friend and counselor but is now a drunkard, bitterly refusing to forgive Arthur for not letting him die after losing a hand in battle, leaving him— at least in his own mind— a half man. The clever brain Arthur once valued showed a knack for solving mysteries while Magwyn was in an abbey healing from his wound, and the murdered girl was someone he cared about. Perhaps through his helping Arthur, Arthur can help him in return...

This is a compelling story full of interesting characters you believe in and care deeply about, some with familiar names but not necessarily their traditional roles. The author has clearly done his homework about the historical Arthur, while coming up with a variation that is wholly his own. Using Magwyn as hero— someone who is both part of and separate from Arthur’s inner circle— is a great idea, reinforcing the gritty realism over the romantic myth. I also love that this is a real detective story in the traditional sense; too many mysteries today rely on deus ex machine solutions. It’s first in a series but also stands as a solid read on its own. Highly recommended.