When a stranger murders her husband on the doorstep of their home, Marianne Newton escapes out of the bathroom window pausing only to grab a sacking-wrapped package from the cupboard.

As she runs to find help she is hit by a passing car. Lying dying on the street she is helped by Gideon Smith. Knowing that she is about to die she gives the package to Smith with the words "take it from me, a gift freely given and freely accepted. Take it and keep it close to you and never give it up".

Later, when he is finally alone, Gideon unwraps the parcel and finds an ornately decorated sword with a curious script running the length of the blade. Soon he finds himself pursued by some strange violent men intent on taking the sword from him.

When Gideon take a copy of the sword-script for translation the results are surprising and raise a whole new series of questions.

Torsten Neubauer is an Interpol detective from Berlin who has been temporarily seconded to Scotland Yard. His first case is the apparent hit-and-run death of a beautiful woman. When he starts to ask detailed questions during the investigation the authorities try to "clip his wings". Only sergeant Jessica Margaret supports his enquiries and shares his desire for the truth.

This is a classic Arthurian fantasy story with interesting Tolkein links. The story is written from the perspective of various groups of characters: Gideon Smith and his race to find the truth about the sword and Torsten and Jessica and their investigation into the murder of the Newtons.

The book is split into six parts each covering a period of several weeks. Within the parts the chapters are written chronologically in an almost diary format. As a fan of this writing style (first encountered when reading Dracula and Les Liaisons Dangereuse) I find it extremely easy to read as it gives the story a feeling of momentum.

The characters are vivid and convincing. In particular Torsten Neubauer is extremely well written. For once it is nice to encounter a character that has a past unrelated to the main theme of the novel. In the case of Heart Neubauer is not only investigating a murder he is also being threatened by the Russian Mafia for his involvement in a case he was involved in before coming to London.

All in all I found this a wonderful story with rich characterisations and a compelling storyline. In fact the only criticism I could possibly make relates not to the actual story but to the book cover. Within the novel the sword is quite clearly described. However it bears little resemblance to the image on the front cover. A minor point I admit but it would have been nice for the illustrator to reflect Morden's description.

Thoroughly enjoyable – a must for any fans of Arthurian legend.