Library Journal

In his third outing (after The Killing Way and The Divine Sacrifice) Malgwyn, Arthur's one-armed scribe and most trusted adviser, is to escort Arthur's intended bride to Castellum Arturius, where the royal wedding will take place. On the eve of departure, a young woman is brutally raped and murdered, but Malgwyn has no time for an investigation. On the way, two more women are killed. Upon his return, Malgwyn finds that his cousin Guinevere, who has had a long-standing relationship with Arthur and is not dealing with the impending marriage very well, has sought sanctuary in a monastery and is the prime murder suspect. VERDICT Hayes has captured the Arthurian legend and made it his own. Many complex plot threads and believable characters make this a series to be savored by historical mystery and Arthurian fiction fans.