Further complicating the situation is the possible suicide/probable murder that week of another member of the same clan. Mara is forced to use all her ingenuity, wisdom, and knowledge of clan interactions—as well as her redoubtable people skills—to untangle the web of facts, lies, and legal ramifications that surround the two deaths.

Ms. Harrison deftly combines her knowledge of the period and of ancient Irish law and practice to provide an authentic look and feel for her story. She builds her characters slowly and believably, and insinuates Gaelic terms in such a way that they can be understood in context.

If you read historical mysteries for insight into another place and time, Ms. Harrison's book delivers a window into a little-known era, and is worth the reading, both for its clever plotting and its artful portrayal of Irish life and law.

I loved your review. I want to share my excitement of discovering this very humane and different system of laws, working very well in Ireland, at a time when English law would condemn a man to death for stealing a loaf of bread.