cover image Fatal Feast: A Merlin Mystery

Fatal Feast: A Merlin Mystery

Jay Ruud. Five Star Publishing, $25.95 (298p) ISBN 978-1-4328-2987-2

Scholar Ruud (Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature) makes his fiction debut with this promising first in an Arthurian mystery series, though as he notes at the end, “I have set this story not in the sixth century, the time of the historical Arthur’s career, but rather in the High Middle Ages... when the legendary Arthur flourished.” After Sir Patrise is poisoned at the queen’s table, Guinevere is accused of treason and murder. King Arthur is bound by duty to remain neutral but sends Guinevere’s young page, Gildas, to find Merlin and persuade him to discover Patrise’s real killer. Gildas and Merlin, who have never met before, are soon working together to save the queen before her trial by combat. Given the many names to remember, a list of characters would have been helpful, but that won’t stop enthralled readers from looking forward to the sequel. (Jan.)