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The Idylls of the Queen [Mass Market Paperback]

Phyllis Ann Karr (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Product details

  • Mass Market Paperback
  • Publisher: Berkley Pub Group; First Printing edition (Sep 1985)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0441358489
  • ISBN-13: 978-0441358489
  • Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.7 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 710,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An Arthurian mystery -- a must read! 11 Dec 2000
By laurell@orc.ru
Format:Paperback
As a long-time fan of Arthurian legends, there is little to surprise me, but this book certainly managed to. Just the very idea of treating a known, worn-out, taken-for-granted story as a mystery is exquisite. Treating icons of popular legend as real people makes the book a complete and wonderful success.

The story begins when a knight at the royal table dies of eating a poisoned apple. Who could responsible -- the Queen who is the party's host, the tormented sons of Lot, or an unknown malefactor? In a chess-like puzzle, the mystery is slowly revealed, and I certainly am not going to spoil it for you!

A must-read for anyone -- fantasy lover or mystery buff, or just a thoughtful reader.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 4.8 out of 5 stars  6 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars THE IDYLLS OF THE QUEEN 1 July 2002
By K. Jump - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Phyllis Ann Karr has done all Arthurian fans a big favor by writing this book. "The Idylls of the Queen" is basically a murder mystery set in Camelot, with all the familiar knights and ladies as suspects when Sir Patrise is inexplicably murdered at a small dinner hosted by Queen Guenevere. Sir Mador accuses the Queen of the murder, and a race against time ensues to discover the truth. The usual knightly quest becomes a hunt for the killer--whoever that may be. Along the way Karr treats us to some very unique interpretations of the Arthurian cast, including Sir Gareth, Sir Bors, Sir Gawaine (more like the title character of "Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight") Morgan le Fay, and Sir Lancelot himself. Told in the first person by Sir Kay, King Arthur's foster brother and seneschal, usually noted by other writers solely for his comedic boorishness or ignored entirely, the novel clearly demonstrates that there is a lot more to Kay than he's usually given credit for--as was the case in the earliest Arthurain legends, where the sarcastic boor of later years is replaced by a loyal, courtly knight. Karr's version of Kay is still a fountainhead of caustic wit, but even so he's likeable and clearly indispensible to the well-being of Camelot.

A fast, suspenseful novel that should stand up to multiple readings, "The Idylls of the Queen" is an ingenious work that should please all fans of Arthurian literature.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Grab a comfy chair and enjoy this. 5 Aug 2001
By Kelly (Fantasy Literature) - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
*Idylls of the Queen* is so much more than a good murder mystery. It is a good murder mystery, but unlike an ordinary mystery, you can reread it, even knowing whodunit, without any of the fun being spoiled. The mystery is sort of a backdrop to the real show--which is yet another new take on the personalities of Arthurian legend, and a different look at chivalric ideals.

The narrator is the oft-maligned Sir Kay, the grouchy but well-meaning seneschal of Arthur's court. He's not a bad guy. He *is* a sarcastic curmudgeon, but that's because he's seen so many self-serving buffoons win glory and adulation while his own hard work goes unnoticed. He is also secretly in love with the Queen. Kay shares an uneasy friendship with a wonderfully written, morbid, fatalistic, and somehow sympathetic Sir Mordred. Together they set out to clear Guenevere's name of the murder charges, meeting fascinating characters right and left. Morgan and Iblis are especially engaging, and Karr puts some deep words into their mouths. Morgan's defense of her mixed Christian and pagan ways cuts right to the heart of things, and Iblis's observation that justice is different for women than for men, is shocking just because it is so true of the times.

If you're an Arthurian buff, read this book. It's a quick read, and a great way to spend a lazy afternoon or two.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED THIS BOOK! 15 Dec 2000
By Amber B Shields - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I absolutely could not put it down! And extended story of Guenevere's dinner party where Sir Patrise dies of poison, it is written in the style of a murder mystery narrated by Sir Kay, in which he and Mordred are the primary characters. Throughout the entire book they try to find out who the real murderer is in order to get Gwen off the hook, and as they do this they retell traditional legendary events, looking for "motive" within them. It's great--very creative and suspensful. I read it twice, and the second time I couldn't remember who the murderer was, and I was still guessing at the very end! Also, I love the way Karr presents Mordred.
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