The Excalibur Murders
J.M.C. Blair
Berkley, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780425222539
Arthur is the High King of the Britons but Camelot is not the place of myth and legend. For instance Merlin is not a wizard but instead a scientist, scholar and doctor. Queen Guenevere hates Arthur so mush so she cuckolds him with Lancelot in her own castle at Corfe on her own estate.. Arthur is thrilled that Percival has found the “magical” Stone of Bran and his vassal King Mark of Cornwell has sent him a silversmith to create the proper case to contain the artifact.
Someone kills the squires Borolet and Ganelin leaving their bodies so mangled their own mother wouldn’t recognize them. Whoever did it made a big mistake because they were no ordinary squires, but were Arthur’s illegitimate sons and heirs. Merlin vows to find the killer and bring him to justice. There many suspects including Arthur’s half sister Morganna la Fey who covets her half-brother’s power; his wife who wants him dead; and his rival King Mark who wants too usurp him. All plot to overthrow Arthur; but it is Pellanore the King who ruled Camelot before may not be as crazy as he seems and is Arthur’s choice as the killer even though Merlin doesn’t agree with him and keeps on sleuthing
This obviously is a different take on Camelot as it is a country filled with intrigue, double crossing, betrayals, and ambitious people who believe they are more deserving than their liege to rule (sounds like the Neocon version of the Republican Party). It is a more realistic place populated with individuals who seem genuine and not the archetype goodness fantasy of the myths. Though somewhat diverting because the audience waits for the legend to begin; using Camelot as a backdrop, J.M.C. Blair provides a great historical mystery.
Harriet Klausner
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