Synopses & Reviews
In the sixteenth century, as it is now, the Burren, on the western seaboard of Ireland, was a land of gray stone forts, fields of rich green grass, and swirling mountain terraces. It was also home to an independent kingdom that lived peacefully by the ancient Brehon laws of their forebears.
On the first eve of May, 1509, hundreds of people from the Burren climbed the gouged-out limestone terraces of Mullaghmore Mountain to celebrate the great May Day festival, lighting a bonfire and singing and dancing through the night, then returning through the gray dawn to the safety of their homes. But one man did not come back down the steeply spiralling path. His body lay exposed to the ravens and wolves on the bare, lonely mountain for two nights . . . and no one spoke of him, or told what they had seen.
And when Mara, a woman appointed by King Turlough Don OBrien to be judge and lawgiver to the stony kingdom, came to investigate, she was met with a wall of silence . . .
Review
“Sister Fidelma would be delighted with her sleuthing ‘descendant---a new female Brehon named Mara. Mara solves her cases under the ancient Irish laws in sixteenth-century Munster, nine centuries after Fidelma held legal sway there. Well researched and written.” ---Peter Tremayne, author of The Sister Fidelma Mysteries
“An excellent historical novel with a most original leading character. Cora Harrison has wonderfully recreated the Celtic culture of Ireland in its mysterious twilight at the end of the Middle Ages. A true Celtic feast with a most sympathetic and believable leading character, Mara, a judge, who enters the mysterious world of her country to bring a just solution to a compelling mystery.” ---P. C. Doherty, author of The Assassin of Isis
“A lovely, balanced blend of historical detail and good storytelling. This book is appealing in every way: a likeable protagonist, a clever mystery, and a richly textured rendering of sixteenth-century Ireland with its fascinating legal system.” ---Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of The Mercy Seller
Review
“Enchanting. . . . The old-fashioned appeal of Harrisons prose opens up a new world while harkening back to the way writers like Ellis Peters fashioned their historical mysteries.” —The Sun (Baltimore)
“This is something different in the historical mystery line, and it works very well. The Lady Judge is definitely a series to watch.”—The Globe & Mail (UK)
“A lovely, balanced blend of historical detail and good storytelling. This book is appealing in every way.” —Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of The Mercy Seller
“Sister Fidelma would be delighted with her sleuthing ‘descendant—a new female Brehon named Mara. Well researched and written.” —Peter Tremayne, author of The Sister Fidelma Mysteries
“An excellent historical novel with a most original leading character. A true Celtic feast.” —P. C. Doherty, author of The Assassins of Isis
Synopsis
Five hundred years ago, the western seaboard of Ireland was home to an independent kingdom that lived peacefully by the ancient Celtic laws of their forebears. On the first eve of a festive celebration, all the people of the land headed up Mullaghmore Mountain to light a bonfire. But one man—assistant to Mara, the Kings appointed judge and lawgiver—did not return.
For two days he lay in the mountains being picked clean by ravens. And yet no one spoke of him or told what they had seen. Who killed him? Why? When Mara comes seeking answers to these questions, she discovers that more than just her own life may be in danger.
About the Author
Cora Harrison taught primary-school children for twenty-five years before moving to Kilfenora, County Clare, to live on a small farm where there used to be an Iron Age fort. She has published twenty-five childrens historical novels. This is her first novel for adults.