Sting of Justice
Cora Harrison
Minotaur, Nov 24 2009, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312372699
In the Kingdom of Burren in western Ireland in the year 1509, the land is rich with minerals especially silver washing out of the mountain and free for anyone who sees it. That is until Sorley Skerrett the avaricious silversmith bought the land and opened a silver mine. Over the decades that mine became a festering sore spot on the once pristine mountainside. Now affluent and influential, he is petty and spiteful with many angry enemies who want to spit on his grave.
While sitting in a room in the church he attended, someone crashes a hive through the window to the floor. Allergic to the venom, Sorley dies immediately. Mara the Brehon of the Burren rules it murder and she starts an investigation. She finds many suspects as the victim was universally detested by those he destroyed with his unethical business ventures. Perhaps those who hate him more are those who had the misfortune of being in his personal life like his ex wife. Everyone had the opportunity as Mara finds she has a lot of work ahead to sift through this case.
Although almost a millennia in the past, fans of Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma Ancient Irish mysteries will want to read this terrific medieval whodunit as the legal system has evolved from the seventh century to the sixteenth. Mara is terrific as the only LADY JUDGE in Ireland looking into A SECRET AND UNLAWFUL KILLING again. The support cast is three dimensional as they bring time and place alive. The official inquiry is well done as Mara slowly works her way to the killer. Cora Harrison provides another strong historical murder investigation as this series is one of the sub-genre’s best.
Harriet Klausner
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query cora harrison. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query cora harrison. Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Monday, October 1, 2007
My Lady Judge-Cora Harrison
My Lady Judge
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
My Lady Judge-Cora Harrison
My Lady Judge
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, September 1, 2008
A Secret and Unlawful Killing-Cora Harrison
A Secret and Unlawful Killing
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 031237268X
In 1509 everyone in the Burren region of Ireland looks forward to the Michelmas Fair until Steward Ragnall MacNamara raises the annual tribute. Even before his avaricious spin, the pompous nasty Stewart was an unpopular individual with many wanting him dead. Someone however decides to do the deed beating MacNamara to death in a churchyard.
The only LADY JUDGE in Ireland Brehon Mara leads the investigation into the homicide and the murder of another unlikable chap, Ragnall’s enemy Aengus the miller. However as she expected seemingly everyone residing in the Burren had a motive to kill the odious Steward and disliked the Miller. The case seems to be going nowhere, but the Brehon continues her inquiries knowing the people need resolution.
The key to this excellent sixteenth century legal investigative thriller is the insight into Irish law during that era. The cast is strong with key players developed enough to enhance the exciting plot. Especially fully developed is the heroine whose intelligence and courage enables her to break through the gender barrier; in fact men somewhat fear her. However, the tidbits cleverly interwoven into the Brehon’s inquiries so that they may seem odd today make for a fine refreshing historical tale.
Harriet Klausner
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 031237268X
In 1509 everyone in the Burren region of Ireland looks forward to the Michelmas Fair until Steward Ragnall MacNamara raises the annual tribute. Even before his avaricious spin, the pompous nasty Stewart was an unpopular individual with many wanting him dead. Someone however decides to do the deed beating MacNamara to death in a churchyard.
The only LADY JUDGE in Ireland Brehon Mara leads the investigation into the homicide and the murder of another unlikable chap, Ragnall’s enemy Aengus the miller. However as she expected seemingly everyone residing in the Burren had a motive to kill the odious Steward and disliked the Miller. The case seems to be going nowhere, but the Brehon continues her inquiries knowing the people need resolution.
The key to this excellent sixteenth century legal investigative thriller is the insight into Irish law during that era. The cast is strong with key players developed enough to enhance the exciting plot. Especially fully developed is the heroine whose intelligence and courage enables her to break through the gender barrier; in fact men somewhat fear her. However, the tidbits cleverly interwoven into the Brehon’s inquiries so that they may seem odd today make for a fine refreshing historical tale.
Harriet Klausner
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