An unexpected visitor has arrived at the feast being held in Cashel.
Since he bears a message and is a religieux, he is welcomed. But
surprisingly he stabs King Colgu and the Chief Brehon, killing the
latter. As he stabs, he hollers, "Remember Liamuin!" Fortunately a
guard kills the assassin before he can do further damage. Will Colgu
survive? What is the role of his sister, Fidelma, now? As she begins
her examination of the dead man things are found to not as the seem to
be. What was the significance of what he hollered out?
The following morning Fidelma and Eadulf begin their search for
evidence. Gorman, a soldier, takes them to his mother's home, where a
horse has been left in her paddock unbeknownst to her. In a nearby hut,
they find a young woman and the saddle and saddlebag for the horse.
Could the young woman be the assassin's accomplice? It turns out that
Liamuin is her mother, but she is missing.
The council agrees that Fidelma and Eadulf must travel into the land of
the Ui Fidgente to further the investigation into the assassination
attempt. The soldier, Gorman will travel with them to provide security.
Unfortunately, Gorman is unable to provide security when a band of
brigands rob the of their valuables and forms of identification. This
may prove to be a problem when they get to the abbey.
At the abbey, a potential witness dies, and when Eadulf examines him, he
discovers that the death is suspicious. He suggests that the group
leave and further their investigation elsewhere. At their next stop,
Fidelma is struck on the head while going to check on a churchman. Have
they stumbled upon a conspiracy of revolt?
Slowly Fidelma pieces the picture of the puzzle together. Can she do it
before more deaths occur? Is her own safety in jeopardy, or does her
position protect her?
Author Peter Tremayne has written another excellent mystery set in
medieval times in Ireland. Well worth the read for fans of historical
legal fiction.
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