What do you think?
Rate this book
The Arthurian Mysteries #1
The Killing Way
It is the time of Arthur, but this is not his storied epic. Arthur is a young and powerful warrior who some would say stands on the brink of legend. Britain's leaders have come to elect a new supreme king, and Arthur is favored. But when 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. Arthur turns to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a man whose knowledge of battle and keen insight into how the human mind works has helped Arthur come to the brink of kingship.
Malgwyn is also the man who hates Arthur most in the world.
After the death of Malgwyn's wife by Saxon hands, he became Mad Malgwyn, killer of Saxons and right-hand lieutenant to the warrior Arthur. Right hand, that is, until a Saxon cut his sword arm off and left him to die on the battlefield. Arthur rescued him. Now a one-armed scribe and a heavy drinker, Malgwyn rejects the half-life that his liege gave him. But loyalty is sometimes stronger than loathing…and Malgwyn is pulled toward a puzzle that he can't walk away from.
Malgwyn is also the man who hates Arthur most in the world.
After the death of Malgwyn's wife by Saxon hands, he became Mad Malgwyn, killer of Saxons and right-hand lieutenant to the warrior Arthur. Right hand, that is, until a Saxon cut his sword arm off and left him to die on the battlefield. Arthur rescued him. Now a one-armed scribe and a heavy drinker, Malgwyn rejects the half-life that his liege gave him. But loyalty is sometimes stronger than loathing…and Malgwyn is pulled toward a puzzle that he can't walk away from.
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2009
11 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Tony Hays
32 books50 followersA native of Madison, Tennessee, Tony spent his teenage years on a farm about 10 miles southeast of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Although he had dreamed of being a writer since childhood, it was only after a brief career as a university administrator that he began to come into his own. Initially, he was awarded an undergraduate degree in history and a MA in educational psychology from Tennessee Technological University. Later, he received his MA degree in English/Creative Writing at Texas A&M University at Commerce in December 1991. Since then, he has been constantly on the move and in print.
Tony has visited some 30 countries, living in six -- Japan, Kuwait, Poland, the Marshall Islands, Macedonia, and England. During his tenure in the Middle East, he was close to members of Hezbollah and actually attended a Spring 1997 fundraiser for the Taliban. He also served as the founding chairperson of the Overseas Security Advisory Council--Kuwait, a non-profit, State Department-sponsored consortium of representatives from the various segments of the American expatriate community, exchanging security information and working closely with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in planning for civilian evacuations. His third novel, The Trouble With Patriots, grew out of this experience.
Returning to the US, Tony entered freelance writing fulltime, publishing widely in both print and online news sources as well as national magazines. His 20-week series on drug trafficking in southwest Tennessee won the Tennessee Press Association's Public Service Award in 2000 for the Savannah/Hardin County Courier.
Always going where the story is, Tony sailed aboard the USS Tortuga (LSD-46) from Norfolk, VA to the Horn of Africa during its 2002-2003 deployment in preparation for the War with Iraq. He stood the bridge of the American warship, serving as an unofficial Arab linguist, during the ship's transits through the Straits of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the Bab al Mendab Straits off the coast of Yemen. After living and working with the men and women of the Tortuga and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he published an account of his experiences in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
His eclectic tastes are demonstrated by the diverse magazines and publications that have printed his articles and stories: Insight on the News at the Washington Times, Accuracy in Media, Cvil War Times Illustrated, Appalachian Heritage, The Christian Reader, Cats Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Buffalo Spree, and Archaeology among many others. Frequently, he has collaborated with Charles C. Thompson II, a former producer at CBS' 60 Minutes and a founding producer of ABC's 20/20. Their work on Tennessee political and law enforcement corruption has been lauded across the nation. Many of their articles have been picked up and reprinted by Free Republic and The Progressive Review. Tony's articles on the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and Saudi Arabia have been reprinted or reported on by organizations as varied as the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Spanish television.
In 2003, Tony made the decision to return to his roots, historical mysteries. His efforts have not gone unrewarded. An active member of Mystery Writers of America and the Appalachian Writer's Association, Tony is the author of three novels, two historical mysteries and a contemporary satire, The Trouble With Patriots, set in the Middle East and released in 2002 by Bridge Works Press. It has now been optioned for film. His first novel, Murder on the Twelfth Night, was nominated for the Tennessee Volunteer Book Award. A scholar as well as a novelist, he is a member of the Robert Penn Warren Circle and has published criticism on Warren's early novel Night Rider.
With the critically-acclaimed release of Tony's first Dark Ages mystery, The Killing Way, from Tor/Forge, he is now under contract for three more volumes in this series. The first, The Killing Way, set against the murky
Tony has visited some 30 countries, living in six -- Japan, Kuwait, Poland, the Marshall Islands, Macedonia, and England. During his tenure in the Middle East, he was close to members of Hezbollah and actually attended a Spring 1997 fundraiser for the Taliban. He also served as the founding chairperson of the Overseas Security Advisory Council--Kuwait, a non-profit, State Department-sponsored consortium of representatives from the various segments of the American expatriate community, exchanging security information and working closely with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in planning for civilian evacuations. His third novel, The Trouble With Patriots, grew out of this experience.
Returning to the US, Tony entered freelance writing fulltime, publishing widely in both print and online news sources as well as national magazines. His 20-week series on drug trafficking in southwest Tennessee won the Tennessee Press Association's Public Service Award in 2000 for the Savannah/Hardin County Courier.
Always going where the story is, Tony sailed aboard the USS Tortuga (LSD-46) from Norfolk, VA to the Horn of Africa during its 2002-2003 deployment in preparation for the War with Iraq. He stood the bridge of the American warship, serving as an unofficial Arab linguist, during the ship's transits through the Straits of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the Bab al Mendab Straits off the coast of Yemen. After living and working with the men and women of the Tortuga and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he published an account of his experiences in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
His eclectic tastes are demonstrated by the diverse magazines and publications that have printed his articles and stories: Insight on the News at the Washington Times, Accuracy in Media, Cvil War Times Illustrated, Appalachian Heritage, The Christian Reader, Cats Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Buffalo Spree, and Archaeology among many others. Frequently, he has collaborated with Charles C. Thompson II, a former producer at CBS' 60 Minutes and a founding producer of ABC's 20/20. Their work on Tennessee political and law enforcement corruption has been lauded across the nation. Many of their articles have been picked up and reprinted by Free Republic and The Progressive Review. Tony's articles on the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and Saudi Arabia have been reprinted or reported on by organizations as varied as the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Spanish television.
In 2003, Tony made the decision to return to his roots, historical mysteries. His efforts have not gone unrewarded. An active member of Mystery Writers of America and the Appalachian Writer's Association, Tony is the author of three novels, two historical mysteries and a contemporary satire, The Trouble With Patriots, set in the Middle East and released in 2002 by Bridge Works Press. It has now been optioned for film. His first novel, Murder on the Twelfth Night, was nominated for the Tennessee Volunteer Book Award. A scholar as well as a novelist, he is a member of the Robert Penn Warren Circle and has published criticism on Warren's early novel Night Rider.
With the critically-acclaimed release of Tony's first Dark Ages mystery, The Killing Way, from Tor/Forge, he is now under contract for three more volumes in this series. The first, The Killing Way, set against the murky
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
November 26, 2023
The first in a series of Dark Ages mysteries, The Killing Way is set in Lord Arthur’s castle on the eve of his being elected King. If internal squabbles among the gathered Celtic nobility and the threat of Saxon encroachment aren’t enough to unsettle the camp, the discovery of a serving girl’s mutilated body raises tempers to boiling point. Arthur calls on a trusted former comrade in arms, Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, to solve the riddle of the murder before his aged mentor, Merlin, is wrongly condemned for the crime.
Malgwyn is our narrator, a bitter, alcoholic, one-armed scribe who loves and hates Arthur in equal measure. The killing touches a raw nerve in Malgwyn, for the murder victim is the younger sister of his wife, herself slain by the Saxons some years previously. And as is to be expected in such tales, the detective finds himself in a race against time, for if he does not wrap up the mystery within a couple of days the warrior lords will not only lynch Merlin but lose faith in Arthur.
Interesting enough story, though it did tend to drag at times, and sadly I didn’t feel emotionally involved in the characters.
Malgwyn is our narrator, a bitter, alcoholic, one-armed scribe who loves and hates Arthur in equal measure. The killing touches a raw nerve in Malgwyn, for the murder victim is the younger sister of his wife, herself slain by the Saxons some years previously. And as is to be expected in such tales, the detective finds himself in a race against time, for if he does not wrap up the mystery within a couple of days the warrior lords will not only lynch Merlin but lose faith in Arthur.
Interesting enough story, though it did tend to drag at times, and sadly I didn’t feel emotionally involved in the characters.
January 7, 2026
Not a believer in the myth of King Arthur? Read this book. It just might change your mind. Here is an author who does a brilliant job of stripping down the myth of King Arthur. Remove all of the mystic and what are you left with? A British man who has adopted Roman ways and struggles to maintain order between old ways and new beliefs. Even if you aren't a fan of the Arthur mythology, this book is worth reading for Malgwyn.
August 13, 2011
http://www.rantingdragon.com/the-kill...
The Killing Way by Tony Hays is marked “an Arthurian mystery” on the front cover, a brilliant concept that immediately drew my attention. More of a historical mystery than a fantasy — though with Druidic magic still at the forefront of everyone’s minds — The Killing Way begins the story of Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, Arthur’s most trusted friend. Malgwyn reluctantly becomes embroiled in a murder mystery involving all of Arthur’s court and a dangerous plot to overthrow the king.
Well researched and original
Tony Hays clearly knows his stuff; the Author’s Note at the end of the book offers a clear explanation of all Hays’ choices concerning the historical context. In the book proper, hardly a paragraph goes by where some new Roman, British or Saxon habit isn’t introduced, but Hays could have provided these historical tidbits more naturally. Malgwyn’s first-person narration frequently pauses in the middle of conversation to give the reader an explanation of one thing or another, but many of those explanations were unnecessary given the helpful context. I wonder whether Hays fell prey to the “Look at all the research I’ve done!” form of over-sharing that is common to fantasy and historical fiction writers alike.
That said, Hays’s vision of Arthur is unique and refreshing. There is no Camelot, only a grim, wartorn Britannia on the brink of collapse. The vicious murder of a servant girl casts a critical light on the hypocrisy of knighthood, and, for that matter, the knights themselves are cruel and far from perfect. Mixing murder mysteries and Arthurian romance is an unusual choice, but The Killing Way shows that it can be done.
Familiar characters and some great new ones
Later additions to the Arthurian myth such as Lancelot and Galahad aren’t found in The Killing Way, but Hays made the happy decision to include Guinevere, Merlin, Kay and a host of others you’ll recognize if you’re familiar with the legend. By the time the story starts, Merlin is a forgetful old man whose magic, if he ever had any, seems pretty well vanished. Guinevere is a beautiful nun whose relationship with Arthur has shamed her in the face of everyone at court and prevents Arthur from ever marrying her. Kay is a lovable knight whose personal connection to the murder at the novel’s heart makes The Killing Way more than an impersonal mystery, but an important and emotional journey to find closure.
The best character of all, of course, is Malgwyn himself, and you won’t find him in any traditional Arthurian lore. His wife butchered by the Saxons, his arm lopped off in battle afterwards, Malgwyn is a bitter man soaked in alcohol whose most fervent wish is that Arthur had just let him die on the field instead of bringing him to safety. Malgwyn is not a perfect character, though, and in a few scenes he’s downright annoying. His worst character trait is his headlong descent into damp sentimentality any time he thinks on his daughter, and his few attempts at sarcastic humor leave a lot wanting. But Malgwyn is the grim and realistic foil to Arthur’s idealism and self-righteousness, and I look forward to seeing how the men’s relationship develops.
Stiff, unnatural prose
Unfortunately, The Killing Way has a serious flaw: unwieldy, pompous prose and dialogue. The novel’s blurb says that Malgwyn “looks more like a CSI investigator than a scholarly Brother Cadfael,” but Malgwyn’s narration isn’t nearly as fast-paced, funny, or human as a CSI show — and for those of you who’ve seen CSI, you know that’s a pretty damning criticism of the book. Hays has only to pick up any high fantasy novel to see that fiction set in the Dark Ages need not adopt the same regal formality of the time period. And if one does choose to use regal formality and pseudo-medieval sentence phrasing, it had better be downright beautiful — but Hays fails on that score, too.
And what about the mystery?
For a book that calls itself an “Arthurian mystery,” the mystery side of things is only so-so. It’s clear from the start that the culprit is one of Arthur’s political enemies, and it doesn’t seem to matter which one of those enemies it is. The uncomplicated mystery didn’t bother me too much, though, since I found the real story was Malgwyn’s slow redemption and growing relationship with his family.
Why should you read this book?
Do you love Arthurian legend? Then you’ve got to read this book. Even though the writing is stiff, the concept and characters are still worth sinking your teeth into — if only to see whether you’ll want to continue the series. But if you don’t share my love for the Matter of Britain, I think there are better ways to spend your time.
The Killing Way by Tony Hays is marked “an Arthurian mystery” on the front cover, a brilliant concept that immediately drew my attention. More of a historical mystery than a fantasy — though with Druidic magic still at the forefront of everyone’s minds — The Killing Way begins the story of Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, Arthur’s most trusted friend. Malgwyn reluctantly becomes embroiled in a murder mystery involving all of Arthur’s court and a dangerous plot to overthrow the king.
Well researched and original
Tony Hays clearly knows his stuff; the Author’s Note at the end of the book offers a clear explanation of all Hays’ choices concerning the historical context. In the book proper, hardly a paragraph goes by where some new Roman, British or Saxon habit isn’t introduced, but Hays could have provided these historical tidbits more naturally. Malgwyn’s first-person narration frequently pauses in the middle of conversation to give the reader an explanation of one thing or another, but many of those explanations were unnecessary given the helpful context. I wonder whether Hays fell prey to the “Look at all the research I’ve done!” form of over-sharing that is common to fantasy and historical fiction writers alike.
That said, Hays’s vision of Arthur is unique and refreshing. There is no Camelot, only a grim, wartorn Britannia on the brink of collapse. The vicious murder of a servant girl casts a critical light on the hypocrisy of knighthood, and, for that matter, the knights themselves are cruel and far from perfect. Mixing murder mysteries and Arthurian romance is an unusual choice, but The Killing Way shows that it can be done.
Familiar characters and some great new ones
Later additions to the Arthurian myth such as Lancelot and Galahad aren’t found in The Killing Way, but Hays made the happy decision to include Guinevere, Merlin, Kay and a host of others you’ll recognize if you’re familiar with the legend. By the time the story starts, Merlin is a forgetful old man whose magic, if he ever had any, seems pretty well vanished. Guinevere is a beautiful nun whose relationship with Arthur has shamed her in the face of everyone at court and prevents Arthur from ever marrying her. Kay is a lovable knight whose personal connection to the murder at the novel’s heart makes The Killing Way more than an impersonal mystery, but an important and emotional journey to find closure.
The best character of all, of course, is Malgwyn himself, and you won’t find him in any traditional Arthurian lore. His wife butchered by the Saxons, his arm lopped off in battle afterwards, Malgwyn is a bitter man soaked in alcohol whose most fervent wish is that Arthur had just let him die on the field instead of bringing him to safety. Malgwyn is not a perfect character, though, and in a few scenes he’s downright annoying. His worst character trait is his headlong descent into damp sentimentality any time he thinks on his daughter, and his few attempts at sarcastic humor leave a lot wanting. But Malgwyn is the grim and realistic foil to Arthur’s idealism and self-righteousness, and I look forward to seeing how the men’s relationship develops.
Stiff, unnatural prose
Unfortunately, The Killing Way has a serious flaw: unwieldy, pompous prose and dialogue. The novel’s blurb says that Malgwyn “looks more like a CSI investigator than a scholarly Brother Cadfael,” but Malgwyn’s narration isn’t nearly as fast-paced, funny, or human as a CSI show — and for those of you who’ve seen CSI, you know that’s a pretty damning criticism of the book. Hays has only to pick up any high fantasy novel to see that fiction set in the Dark Ages need not adopt the same regal formality of the time period. And if one does choose to use regal formality and pseudo-medieval sentence phrasing, it had better be downright beautiful — but Hays fails on that score, too.
And what about the mystery?
For a book that calls itself an “Arthurian mystery,” the mystery side of things is only so-so. It’s clear from the start that the culprit is one of Arthur’s political enemies, and it doesn’t seem to matter which one of those enemies it is. The uncomplicated mystery didn’t bother me too much, though, since I found the real story was Malgwyn’s slow redemption and growing relationship with his family.
Why should you read this book?
Do you love Arthurian legend? Then you’ve got to read this book. Even though the writing is stiff, the concept and characters are still worth sinking your teeth into — if only to see whether you’ll want to continue the series. But if you don’t share my love for the Matter of Britain, I think there are better ways to spend your time.
January 8, 2011
Now I've read a handful of historical mysteries, I'm starting to see trends -- the interest in the physical things surrounding the stories: how this was built or by whom, what purpose this serves, etc. I'm really not so interested in that: I know how castles are built, and often by whom, or at least what particular purpose they've served, and I am far more interested in reading about people.
Fortunately, to some extent, I can say that Tony Hays delivers both. He invents the central character, the narrator, Malgwyn, in a way that reminded me a lot of Bernard Cornwell's Derfel in The Winter King et al. A one-armed ex-warrior-cum-scribe, he's bitter toward Arthur for saving his life, still angry at the Saxons who caused his wife's death, and feels himself unworthy of being with his daughter, who he leaves with his brother to be raised by him. Woven around the murder mystery and political plot is his slow realisation that his life isn't over, that he has a family to take care of, and that killing Saxons doesn't satisfy his hatred and pain anymore. This is all reasonably well done, and despite being one-armed, Malgwyn is a capable warrior and, when not drunk, he is a clever man.
Which is, of course, why Arthur saved his life, and why Arthur turns to him when a murder is blamed on someone close to him. Arthur is about to take the throne -- or, as it's framed here, succeed the last Rigotamos, the head chieftain of all the Brythonic tribes -- and he needs to find out the truth of the murder, and fast, as other chieftains attempt to use it against him. The portrayal of Arthur is a familiar one, closer to the Arthur of Geoffrey's Historia or Wace and Layamon's Bruts than to the Arthur of French romance. He's capable, good in war, fair, and a Christian man, with Roman pretensions. Hand in hand with this goes the fact that figures like Lancelot and Galahad are not present.
More unusually, Gawain is not present either, and no relationship to Arthur is stressed. He's referenced a couple of times, but never appears. One of the main figures in the story, other than Malgwyn and Arthur, is Kay, who is treated very well here: he is noble and good-hearted, loyal to his lord, although supposedly he has a temper (which isn't really displayed much). I really enjoyed the portrayal of Kay, who -- like Arthur -- isn't touched by any of the French tradition. That's really what prompted me to give it four stars, despite not being really overwhelmed with the rest of it, which I found to be reasonably standard fare for a historical mystery story.
If you're fond of Tristan, you won't really enjoy his portrayal here. He's allied with traitors, and a coward, and the sort of man who mistreats women. It's an interesting way to choose to portray him, though.
Ultimately, it's easy to read, and kind of interesting to see which characters Tony Hays uses and what he does with them. I'll read the sequel, and likely anything else he writes for this series, but it hasn't even really approached my favourite Arthurian stories.
Fortunately, to some extent, I can say that Tony Hays delivers both. He invents the central character, the narrator, Malgwyn, in a way that reminded me a lot of Bernard Cornwell's Derfel in The Winter King et al. A one-armed ex-warrior-cum-scribe, he's bitter toward Arthur for saving his life, still angry at the Saxons who caused his wife's death, and feels himself unworthy of being with his daughter, who he leaves with his brother to be raised by him. Woven around the murder mystery and political plot is his slow realisation that his life isn't over, that he has a family to take care of, and that killing Saxons doesn't satisfy his hatred and pain anymore. This is all reasonably well done, and despite being one-armed, Malgwyn is a capable warrior and, when not drunk, he is a clever man.
Which is, of course, why Arthur saved his life, and why Arthur turns to him when a murder is blamed on someone close to him. Arthur is about to take the throne -- or, as it's framed here, succeed the last Rigotamos, the head chieftain of all the Brythonic tribes -- and he needs to find out the truth of the murder, and fast, as other chieftains attempt to use it against him. The portrayal of Arthur is a familiar one, closer to the Arthur of Geoffrey's Historia or Wace and Layamon's Bruts than to the Arthur of French romance. He's capable, good in war, fair, and a Christian man, with Roman pretensions. Hand in hand with this goes the fact that figures like Lancelot and Galahad are not present.
More unusually, Gawain is not present either, and no relationship to Arthur is stressed. He's referenced a couple of times, but never appears. One of the main figures in the story, other than Malgwyn and Arthur, is Kay, who is treated very well here: he is noble and good-hearted, loyal to his lord, although supposedly he has a temper (which isn't really displayed much). I really enjoyed the portrayal of Kay, who -- like Arthur -- isn't touched by any of the French tradition. That's really what prompted me to give it four stars, despite not being really overwhelmed with the rest of it, which I found to be reasonably standard fare for a historical mystery story.
If you're fond of Tristan, you won't really enjoy his portrayal here. He's allied with traitors, and a coward, and the sort of man who mistreats women. It's an interesting way to choose to portray him, though.
Ultimately, it's easy to read, and kind of interesting to see which characters Tony Hays uses and what he does with them. I'll read the sequel, and likely anything else he writes for this series, but it hasn't even really approached my favourite Arthurian stories.
June 13, 2012
A reread in preparation for my dissertation. I remembered Tony Hays' betrayal of Kay -- very human, noble and capable, without any influence from the later traditions. He isn't much of a seneschal figure here, but given that Arthur is an active king and not set dressing, it makes sense that Kay (always so closely linked to him) is active and capable too.
Overall, it's an interesting enough story and easy to read: it kept my attention despite being a reread, and it's full of interesting characters and interesting interpretations of characters. Some things bothered me (like the simile "nagged at me like a wife" -- thanks, yes, all wives are horrible nags, obviously) but for the most part it all fit in with the setting and the narrator.
I'm glad there's a personal thread throughout this -- Kay's love for Eleonore, Malgwyn's love for his wife and concern for his brother's family, Malgwyn's personal development from self-pitying drunk to functional member of society. The Arthuriana is all very well, but it wasn't enough to give the story life.
Overall, it's an interesting enough story and easy to read: it kept my attention despite being a reread, and it's full of interesting characters and interesting interpretations of characters. Some things bothered me (like the simile "nagged at me like a wife" -- thanks, yes, all wives are horrible nags, obviously) but for the most part it all fit in with the setting and the narrator.
I'm glad there's a personal thread throughout this -- Kay's love for Eleonore, Malgwyn's love for his wife and concern for his brother's family, Malgwyn's personal development from self-pitying drunk to functional member of society. The Arthuriana is all very well, but it wasn't enough to give the story life.
May 2, 2010
This Arthurian mystery is told from the perspective of “Mad Malgwyn,” a former soldier who became a drunken disgrace after he lost his wife and after Lord Arthur saved him on the battlefield. Malgwyn hated Arthur for saving his life after his arm was severed, believing death is preferable to life as a one-armed man. Despite his downfall, he is chosen to investigate the murder of a servant girl, using his 6th century forensic knowledge. Of course, nothing is quite as it seems, and the murder of a lowly servant seems to point to a much more complex political plot.
Although I liked this book, I wanted and expected to like it more than I did. Quite a few characters were introduced early on, and I had to get used to the names and keep them straight, but that didn't take long. The mysteries to be solved did not engage me as much as I would have liked and the story occasionally moved a bit slowly for my taste. While Malgywn often spoke of his hatred for Authur, the emotions didn't seem to have real depth, and I would have appreciated some of the other characters to have a little more depth as well. Still it was a pleasant read and I would have given it a higher rating if not for one thing that grated on my nerves. The protagonist lost half an arm in battle. To mention that when it is important to the story is fine, but it was repeated so often it became tiresome and predictable.
The two maps at the beginning of the book helped me trace some of the action. There is a “Glossary and Gazetteer” at the back of the book, but most of the terms were explained as they were used so it was nice to have but not entirely necessary. The author's notes at the end of the book were quite interesting.
(Edit: I failed to mention that the author included details about the day-to-day life of the period, including the importance of good teeth and the personal hygiene that was somewhat spotty. I apreciated those details.)
Although I liked this book, I wanted and expected to like it more than I did. Quite a few characters were introduced early on, and I had to get used to the names and keep them straight, but that didn't take long. The mysteries to be solved did not engage me as much as I would have liked and the story occasionally moved a bit slowly for my taste. While Malgywn often spoke of his hatred for Authur, the emotions didn't seem to have real depth, and I would have appreciated some of the other characters to have a little more depth as well. Still it was a pleasant read and I would have given it a higher rating if not for one thing that grated on my nerves. The protagonist lost half an arm in battle. To mention that when it is important to the story is fine, but it was repeated so often it became tiresome and predictable.
The two maps at the beginning of the book helped me trace some of the action. There is a “Glossary and Gazetteer” at the back of the book, but most of the terms were explained as they were used so it was nice to have but not entirely necessary. The author's notes at the end of the book were quite interesting.
(Edit: I failed to mention that the author included details about the day-to-day life of the period, including the importance of good teeth and the personal hygiene that was somewhat spotty. I apreciated those details.)
August 17, 2014
Rather than being the Arthurian epic of battle, intrigue and bloodshed that I was expecting, it feels a lot more like a standard fare modern murder mystery pattern but dressed up in a Dark Ages costume.
A slightly irritating routine also becomes apparent that the author attempted to cover up this relatively simple mechanism by trying to make the dialogue more wordy but more sounding pretentious than poetic, like a script you'd expect to hear at a Renaissance Fair play rather than an articulate spell-weaving novel.
Don't get me wrong, there is undeniable promise here for the author's abilities, the plot development and other essential vehicles are entirely enjoyable and credible. It is just that those aforementioned problems - the thin veil of a Dark Ages costume and the irritating approach to trying to sound more wordy than it needs to - that lets the book down the most.
Two out of five stars seems harsh but that is based purely on their annotations for each star rating. This could have been so much better if it wasn't for the annoyingly pretentious dialogue.
A slightly irritating routine also becomes apparent that the author attempted to cover up this relatively simple mechanism by trying to make the dialogue more wordy but more sounding pretentious than poetic, like a script you'd expect to hear at a Renaissance Fair play rather than an articulate spell-weaving novel.
Don't get me wrong, there is undeniable promise here for the author's abilities, the plot development and other essential vehicles are entirely enjoyable and credible. It is just that those aforementioned problems - the thin veil of a Dark Ages costume and the irritating approach to trying to sound more wordy than it needs to - that lets the book down the most.
Two out of five stars seems harsh but that is based purely on their annotations for each star rating. This could have been so much better if it wasn't for the annoyingly pretentious dialogue.
November 10, 2011
It is the time of Arthur, but this is not his storied epic. Arthur is a young and powerful warrior who some would say stands on the brink of legend. Britain's leaders have come to elect a new supreme king, and Arthur is favored. But when 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. Arthur turns to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a man whose knowledge of battle and keen insight into how the human mind works have helped Arthur to the brink of kingship. Malgwyn is also the man who hates Arthur most in the world. After the death of Malgwyn's wife at Saxon hands, he became Mad Malgwyn, killer of Saxons and right-hand lieutenant to the warrior Arthur. Right hand, that is, until a Saxon cut his sword arm off and left him to die on the battlefield. Arthur rescued him. Now a one-armed scribe and a heavy drinker, Malgwyn rejects the half-life that his liege gave him. But loyalty is sometimes stronger than loathing...and Malgwyn is pulled toward a puzzle that he can't ignore.
Reading as many books as I do each month one of the fundamental requests I have from an author is that the work of fiction is entertaining, flows well and has a story that is strong enough to hold my imagination and concentration until the very end. For the most part The Killing Way by Anthony Hays succeeded in keeping me glued to the book, reading it over two very busy days, and once I’d made my way through the initial pages – struggling to come to terms with numerous characters and language – I settled into a rhythm and found myself warming to the narrator and protagonist Mad Malgwyn.
I know very little about the Arthurian legend, save for what I’ve seen in the films but then they were never made to be anything other than entertaining! One thing I was surprised with was the portrayal of Merlin – a mad old man – and first appearances weren’t positive for me at least. Although a close friend to Lord Arthur he didn’t strike me as the wizard I’ve come to know and love. However, and this is where the author does well with his storytelling, my perceptions of Merlin changed as the story progressed. He wasn’t as central a character as I expected when I began reading the book but this may come in further adventures for I certainly see mileage in Malgwyn’s detection skills.
Full review on my blog
Reading as many books as I do each month one of the fundamental requests I have from an author is that the work of fiction is entertaining, flows well and has a story that is strong enough to hold my imagination and concentration until the very end. For the most part The Killing Way by Anthony Hays succeeded in keeping me glued to the book, reading it over two very busy days, and once I’d made my way through the initial pages – struggling to come to terms with numerous characters and language – I settled into a rhythm and found myself warming to the narrator and protagonist Mad Malgwyn.
I know very little about the Arthurian legend, save for what I’ve seen in the films but then they were never made to be anything other than entertaining! One thing I was surprised with was the portrayal of Merlin – a mad old man – and first appearances weren’t positive for me at least. Although a close friend to Lord Arthur he didn’t strike me as the wizard I’ve come to know and love. However, and this is where the author does well with his storytelling, my perceptions of Merlin changed as the story progressed. He wasn’t as central a character as I expected when I began reading the book but this may come in further adventures for I certainly see mileage in Malgwyn’s detection skills.
Full review on my blog
July 20, 2009
This was an exceptionally well written book, and I blew through it pretty quickly. It was definitely an interesting concept, a story billed as "An Arthurian Mystery". I have to admit that with the rather dull cover artwork (library edition), I would have given this a pass if it had not mentioned the "Arthurian mystery" bit on it.
Also, I have to be perfectly candid about one thing. This book felt like the author took most of the characters and background from the various Arthur books that attempt to portray the character as a Roman, or someone who was raised during a time of Roman occupation. These, he mixed only slightly with a few other characters more familiar from Sir Malory's work. Kay, Mordred, Bedevere, Tristan, and a few others put in appearances (aside from Arthur), then we're back to the unknown or unfamiliar sounding characters who haven't ever been in any Arthurian book I've read (including the main character Malgwyn).
Having said that, I'm aware that different authors tend to make up new characters to fit into an established mythos when writing their Arthur stories, but this one just felt a bit odd. These familiarly named characters running around, and it felt very much like the author had thrown them in just to garner the "Arthurian" aspect. Really, this story could have been written about ANY medieval ruler and his court, and it would have held up.
All in all, it's not a bad story, although the ending was a bit contrived. It's not a book that I would purchase, having read it. But if you are able to find it at your local library I would recommend checking it out.
Also, I have to be perfectly candid about one thing. This book felt like the author took most of the characters and background from the various Arthur books that attempt to portray the character as a Roman, or someone who was raised during a time of Roman occupation. These, he mixed only slightly with a few other characters more familiar from Sir Malory's work. Kay, Mordred, Bedevere, Tristan, and a few others put in appearances (aside from Arthur), then we're back to the unknown or unfamiliar sounding characters who haven't ever been in any Arthurian book I've read (including the main character Malgwyn).
Having said that, I'm aware that different authors tend to make up new characters to fit into an established mythos when writing their Arthur stories, but this one just felt a bit odd. These familiarly named characters running around, and it felt very much like the author had thrown them in just to garner the "Arthurian" aspect. Really, this story could have been written about ANY medieval ruler and his court, and it would have held up.
All in all, it's not a bad story, although the ending was a bit contrived. It's not a book that I would purchase, having read it. But if you are able to find it at your local library I would recommend checking it out.
September 26, 2025
Did not like this story. Supposedly King Arthur, but came over more like Ling Alfred. A see through plot that was evident within a few pages. The author kept inserting single words of an older style, trying to evoke more of the period. It didn't work. Not much more to say. Give it a miss. 1 star, although I should have thrown it down before the end.
February 14, 2013
Sorry, this book didn't stand out in any way, shape or form, for me. I give it a general review of 'meh'.
Told from the viewpoint of Malgwyn, who once was a soldier in Arthur's army, but since the loss of an arm in battle, is now a self pitying drunk. Maidens are killed in the village, and Malgwyn gets to the bottom of the mystery of how they died by the end of the book.
The story itself is good enough, but I was much annoyed by the dialogue throughout. Too many 'Twas's, 'Tis's, Aye's and other affectations that are meant to make the dialogue seem British and ancient. Also, I was unable to find the motivations for some of the surrounding characters doing what they did.
I read it very quickly and maybe I should have taken more time. I will try the second book in the series though The Divine Sacrifice - just so I don't write this author off completely.
Told from the viewpoint of Malgwyn, who once was a soldier in Arthur's army, but since the loss of an arm in battle, is now a self pitying drunk. Maidens are killed in the village, and Malgwyn gets to the bottom of the mystery of how they died by the end of the book.
The story itself is good enough, but I was much annoyed by the dialogue throughout. Too many 'Twas's, 'Tis's, Aye's and other affectations that are meant to make the dialogue seem British and ancient. Also, I was unable to find the motivations for some of the surrounding characters doing what they did.
I read it very quickly and maybe I should have taken more time. I will try the second book in the series though The Divine Sacrifice - just so I don't write this author off completely.
November 23, 2009
For some reason I found this book very soothing despite it being a murder mystery. I felt comfortable with "Mad Malgwyn", the protagonist and I felt in some way included in his adventure and was happy to keep coming back into his world. The story is set in the court of Arthur just prior to his election as high king of the tribes uniting against the invading Saxons. There are only the germs of the familiar Arthurian story here. This is more rooted in possible history than in legend. The perps were fairly obvious from the start but I didn't care. I enjoyed the ride and will come back for more if the author continues the series.
April 29, 2012
An author to watch. It's a good concept to have murder mysteries set in Arthur's time, and the 'damaged' hero is memorable. I found this one a bit first-novel-ish (I'm not completely certain it was his first novel, but there were places where it was thin). I'll probably pick up a couple more books in and then want to read back!
June 15, 2012
There wasn't anything particularly wrong with this book. It just dragged on and on and on. I couldn't get into it. The writing was fine, the characters were decent...I guess that's really what was wrong. Everything was just mediocre. Nothing wrong, just nothing good either.
October 30, 2018
I enjoyed this gritty, historically-plausible version of a Dark Ages Arthur and his court. These "knights of the round table" aren't concerned with abstract quests for mystical damozels or holy grails; they're dealing with the politics, military threats, and everyday life of a precarious federation of quarrelsome petty kingdoms, barely holding together under the leadership of an elected Rigotamos, or military warlord, against the threat of Saxon invaders, the tensions of competing religions, and the bickering of their own disunited, ambitious leaders. Hays closely follows the conclusions of historian Geoffrey Ashe, portraying Arthur as a Romanized Briton trying to preserve peace and order in a violent and chaotic age. The discipline and unity once imposed by Rome have disappeared with its legions, and both present and future are murky.
In this dangerous world, on the eve of a critical political meeting which will determine the fate of Arthur and the federation of Celtic tribes he seeks to defend, a young woman of the court is murdered. Not just murdered, but butchered in a manner that suggests occult practices, her body left publicly displayed in a way calculated to undermine Arthur's authority and shatter the fragile alliance he seeks to command.
Such a crime clearly demands an investigator, but Arthur puts to that task a strange choice: a dissipated, drunken, crippled ex-soldier called Mad Malgwyn. Who, incidentally, hates Arthur for saving his life when he'd rather have died. But Arthur, it seems, may actually know what he's doing. For Mad Malgwyn was once Smiling Malgwyn, famed for his singleminded campaign of revenge against the Saxons who killed his wife. And the murdered girl was also family to him.
I found the mystery part of the plot only moderately compelling, but I was fascinated by the sense of being immersed in a believable version of the chaotic Dark Ages in which a Roman-influenced Celtic warlord, trying to unite a collection of squabbling tribes and kingdoms against an ever-growing threat, could have provided the seed that later developed into the Arthurian legends we know. (There are a number of easter-eggs for the attentive reader -- casual comments from our narrator, Malgwyn, that reveal the possible sources of later legend and lore.) It will be interesting to see how Malgwyn and the other men and women of this Arthur's precarious realm develop in later stories.
In this dangerous world, on the eve of a critical political meeting which will determine the fate of Arthur and the federation of Celtic tribes he seeks to defend, a young woman of the court is murdered. Not just murdered, but butchered in a manner that suggests occult practices, her body left publicly displayed in a way calculated to undermine Arthur's authority and shatter the fragile alliance he seeks to command.
Such a crime clearly demands an investigator, but Arthur puts to that task a strange choice: a dissipated, drunken, crippled ex-soldier called Mad Malgwyn. Who, incidentally, hates Arthur for saving his life when he'd rather have died. But Arthur, it seems, may actually know what he's doing. For Mad Malgwyn was once Smiling Malgwyn, famed for his singleminded campaign of revenge against the Saxons who killed his wife. And the murdered girl was also family to him.
I found the mystery part of the plot only moderately compelling, but I was fascinated by the sense of being immersed in a believable version of the chaotic Dark Ages in which a Roman-influenced Celtic warlord, trying to unite a collection of squabbling tribes and kingdoms against an ever-growing threat, could have provided the seed that later developed into the Arthurian legends we know. (There are a number of easter-eggs for the attentive reader -- casual comments from our narrator, Malgwyn, that reveal the possible sources of later legend and lore.) It will be interesting to see how Malgwyn and the other men and women of this Arthur's precarious realm develop in later stories.
November 7, 2020
I got onto this series through Peter Tremayne, author of the superb Sister Fidelma mysteries. Looking up his latest publication via the Fantastic Fiction website, at the bottom I found this title recommended, and sent for it through my library.
I found it very enjoyable. I am a big fan of the Merlin books by Mary Stewart, which describes the Merlin and Arthur myths as though they were "real" history. This book puts me in mind of them, although Hays has changed some of the character relationships--Guinevere as a nun?
I liked that he created a whole new character, Malgwyn, as his central character rather than taking a known character to be the detective--Kay? Merlin? Arthur himself? This way you don't have to worry about the "detective-ness" colliding with what's known--or believed.
Malgwyn has a solid background set up, and it's interesting to watch him react to the world around him. He has a good deal of knowledge, plus a strongly logical mind. The killings themselves are rather harrowing, yet not too very graphic. Weaving the detection process into the situation of electing Arthur to the position of Rigotamos--or High King as we would think of it--is very well done. We all know that Arthur will be king, yet in this story there's the possibility that it will not happen in the course of this book. The resolution is sensible, with a very exciting climax.
I'm already reading the third book, and looking forward to the others.
I found it very enjoyable. I am a big fan of the Merlin books by Mary Stewart, which describes the Merlin and Arthur myths as though they were "real" history. This book puts me in mind of them, although Hays has changed some of the character relationships--Guinevere as a nun?
I liked that he created a whole new character, Malgwyn, as his central character rather than taking a known character to be the detective--Kay? Merlin? Arthur himself? This way you don't have to worry about the "detective-ness" colliding with what's known--or believed.
Malgwyn has a solid background set up, and it's interesting to watch him react to the world around him. He has a good deal of knowledge, plus a strongly logical mind. The killings themselves are rather harrowing, yet not too very graphic. Weaving the detection process into the situation of electing Arthur to the position of Rigotamos--or High King as we would think of it--is very well done. We all know that Arthur will be king, yet in this story there's the possibility that it will not happen in the course of this book. The resolution is sensible, with a very exciting climax.
I'm already reading the third book, and looking forward to the others.
April 27, 2025
Excellent!! Arthurian April book 5!!
An extremely well reaserched Arthurian mystery thriller! Think CSI with a little House M.D and Line of Duty mixed in! i for one love a good gripping British thriller, so I was all in by page one!
Their are so many Arthurian Easter eggs in here it is fantastic!! if you're a fan of the Roman British Arthur or love the vibe of King Arthur 2004, this is a book you will love!
The sword in the stone, Merlin, Mordred, Tristan, Guinevere, and even Gildas make an appearance in the coolest ways!
An extremely well reaserched Arthurian mystery thriller! Think CSI with a little House M.D and Line of Duty mixed in! i for one love a good gripping British thriller, so I was all in by page one!
Their are so many Arthurian Easter eggs in here it is fantastic!! if you're a fan of the Roman British Arthur or love the vibe of King Arthur 2004, this is a book you will love!
The sword in the stone, Merlin, Mordred, Tristan, Guinevere, and even Gildas make an appearance in the coolest ways!
September 23, 2020
An intriguing concept -- Arthurian murder mystery! -- that I'm sad to say falls a little flat in its execution. The mystery itself was pretty rote, like it's following a noir checklist, and the writing often feels stilted and awkward, like the author was trying for an old-fashioned feel to the text. I also thought that the women characters were treated as afterthoughts, depicted only as victims or servants/caretakers to the men.
May 19, 2017
Well written and very enjoyable. Uses a murder mystery to draw the environment of Arthur becoming King of the Britons and illustrate the intrigue that might have surrounded such an event. The author draws on a great deal of the historic possibilities that might have provided for the real Arthur (if such a person did exist) and at the same time, writes a compelling and entertaining tale.
December 11, 2019
This is by far one of the best books because it held interest from point one. It left you on edge to see what will happen next. The best part is the murder scene because it is the starting point of the mystery and brings you to think back and actually ponder who the killer was. I suggest this book to someone that likes a big mystery and a good plot twist.
August 7, 2017
Andrew, Central circulation staff, August 2017, 3 stars:
An interesting look at Ancient England during the time of Arthur, Guinevere, Kay, Bedevere, and Merlin. When murder is committed to cover up a rebellious conspiracy, only one man may be able uncover the truth before it's too late.
An interesting look at Ancient England during the time of Arthur, Guinevere, Kay, Bedevere, and Merlin. When murder is committed to cover up a rebellious conspiracy, only one man may be able uncover the truth before it's too late.
October 19, 2017
Well written story. It was engaging and fast paced with interesting characters.
November 3, 2018
Story was fun. Just not very well written.
July 19, 2020
An okay mystery involving Arthur and his entourage.
January 17, 2021
Interesting story, quick read - great fiction set in a real time and place. Enjoyed the mystery and sleuthing. Raw, bloody and real.
July 10, 2021
A race-to-the-crossing ending. Wish I'd read this before #2 in the series.
January 19, 2023
A good read with a lot of historical research undertaken. The murder mystery will keep you coming back, but isn't a 'read in one night' type.
August 20, 2024
I found the writing choppy and the combination of the mystery and the politics uneven. It was fine, but nothing special.
November 6, 2010
There's lots of risk in mixing different types of stories. Take Tony Hays' The Killing Way, for example. It's a murder mystery (a complicated one at that), and it's a story about King Arthur. Each is a different type of tale, and there's lots of excellent books that take on one or the other without the extra complications.
To attempt both in a single book is ambitious, to say the least. To do both and make it work is quite an achievement.
Hays does make it work though, and surprisingly well. The mystery aspect is established quickly, as a young girl is discovered butchered in the street. Someone is already named as a prime suspect when Malgwyn, an injured, embittered veteran of the Saxon wars, arrives and quickly sees that not all is as it seems. His investigation will lead him into the shadowy corners of royalty and through danger he didn't seek.
The Arthurian aspect also takes root quickly, but it may not be the Arthur you're thinking of. Malgwyn's life was saved by Arthur, who is not yet a "King" (or "Rigatamos," as the book follows the likely historical trail of Arthur), and it is Arthur who charges Malgwyn with finding the answers to the riddle. He has a particular stake in the truth, as the girl's body was found in front of the home of his main advisor, Merlin, and Merlin's dagger was found near the body. As the story unfolds we also meet Kay, Mordred, Guinevere, and several other notable Arthurian figures.
I enjoyed both aspects of the story, and Hays did a really excellent job blending them. He takes the historical tack on Arthur, leaving the more fanciful notes (Lancelot, Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, etc.) behind and giving us a look at what Britain in the Dark Ages, after Roman occupation had ended, might have looked like. If there was an Arthur, Hays does a good job of capturing who he might have been.
There are a few points where The Killing Way falters a little. It's a short book and fairly easy to follow, and I found myself a little frustrated with the frequent recaps of the story so far. Hays did a good enough job keeping the facts organized that we didn't need the reminders of just who was suspected and why.
But even with this in mind, The Killing Way is a compelling and enjoyable read, whether you're an Arthurian buff or fan of a good mystery - or, like me, both. Hays' take on the age of Arthur is refreshing and vibrant, and the book ends up feeling like an new chapter in a very old story. It reminded me of what I like best in Arthurian fiction - it works best not when it rehashes everything we've already heard, but when it uses a familiar framework to explore a new story.
To attempt both in a single book is ambitious, to say the least. To do both and make it work is quite an achievement.
Hays does make it work though, and surprisingly well. The mystery aspect is established quickly, as a young girl is discovered butchered in the street. Someone is already named as a prime suspect when Malgwyn, an injured, embittered veteran of the Saxon wars, arrives and quickly sees that not all is as it seems. His investigation will lead him into the shadowy corners of royalty and through danger he didn't seek.
The Arthurian aspect also takes root quickly, but it may not be the Arthur you're thinking of. Malgwyn's life was saved by Arthur, who is not yet a "King" (or "Rigatamos," as the book follows the likely historical trail of Arthur), and it is Arthur who charges Malgwyn with finding the answers to the riddle. He has a particular stake in the truth, as the girl's body was found in front of the home of his main advisor, Merlin, and Merlin's dagger was found near the body. As the story unfolds we also meet Kay, Mordred, Guinevere, and several other notable Arthurian figures.
I enjoyed both aspects of the story, and Hays did a really excellent job blending them. He takes the historical tack on Arthur, leaving the more fanciful notes (Lancelot, Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, etc.) behind and giving us a look at what Britain in the Dark Ages, after Roman occupation had ended, might have looked like. If there was an Arthur, Hays does a good job of capturing who he might have been.
There are a few points where The Killing Way falters a little. It's a short book and fairly easy to follow, and I found myself a little frustrated with the frequent recaps of the story so far. Hays did a good enough job keeping the facts organized that we didn't need the reminders of just who was suspected and why.
But even with this in mind, The Killing Way is a compelling and enjoyable read, whether you're an Arthurian buff or fan of a good mystery - or, like me, both. Hays' take on the age of Arthur is refreshing and vibrant, and the book ends up feeling like an new chapter in a very old story. It reminded me of what I like best in Arthurian fiction - it works best not when it rehashes everything we've already heard, but when it uses a familiar framework to explore a new story.
October 3, 2011
This book interested me to start with just because I like Arthurian books (The Once and Future King and The Mists of Avalon) and I like mystery's set in ancient times (Marcus Didius Falco, Sister Fidelma et.al). My love of all things Arthurian is also what bothered me most about the book too. This book takes on the characters but not the story line as we "know" it. Which certainly worked for me in "Mists" but the author here has no desire to take what we "know" and twist it or turn it to reinterpret the story, rather he just takes the characters places them in a new setting and writes a mystery. In the beginning of the book I found myself annoyed and pulled out of the story every time a traditional character was introduced into the story in a role or setting that was so unlike their traditional role. But I enjoyed the story and got into the characters as the story developed. The story is really more about Malgwyn who is the man Arthur turns to after a young woman is brutally murdered, her body found outside Merlin's dwelling. Merlin is one of Arthur'd advisers and if he is guilty of this crime it will mean that Arthur is unlikely to be elected king by the leaders that have gathered to replace Ambros, who is stepping down from that role. Arthur ask's Malgwyn to look into the murder. Malgwyn is an interesting character one who accepts the task reluctantly partially because he's hated Arthur for years, ever since Arthur saved his life. They'd been close once as they each battled the Saxons, Arthur as general, Malgwyn as one of his leaders. Arthur battles the Saxon's to protect his people, Malgwyn's reason is much more personal. Malgwyn's wife was butchered by the Saxons. So when Malgwyn's arm is severed during his last battle, he blames Arthur for saving his life, a life he feels has no more meaning since he's now unable to kill Saxons.
But eventually he learns to find meaning in life working for Arthur as both an adviser and as someone who solves problems and mysteries for Arthur.
But eventually he learns to find meaning in life working for Arthur as both an adviser and as someone who solves problems and mysteries for Arthur.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews