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A Secret And Unlawful Killing (2008)

by Cora Harrison(Favorite Author)

3.93 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

031237268X (ISBN13: 9780312372682)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Minotaur Books

series

Burren Mysteries

review 1: I'm not sure which is more appealing, the Brehon laws or the Brehon herself, my lady judge Mara. These books make 16th-century Ireland an appealing place, especially for women. Women enjoyed more freedom and status than at any other time or place. The murder mystery is incidental to the setting and characters IMHO. This is a reread, and picking up on details I missed the first time through add to the enjoyment. Mara is a delight.
review 2: I found the first hundred pages or so of this novel difficult. There were a lot of medieval Irish words, there was a lot of discussion about Irish kin and political systems. But, the last two hundred pages I read in one continuous sitting. I've read a lot of historical fiction about the worlds of the Tutors, but never anythin... moreg about Ireland. Learning about how different that world was was a great experience. I also enjoyed the characters--a female judge/law teacher and her small hoard of young students, the king and leaders of three kinship groups, the servants and farmers and craftsmen. She brought these communities to life and also wrote an interesting mystery with several twists. Some may see the ending as a little too wrapped up, but I appreciated it. less

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