Books › Microbial ecology
Microbial ecology
First published 1981 · 694 pages
A windswept, atmospheric historical mystery where ancient Irish law meets rugged coastal secrets.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like standing on a rugged Irish cliffside, wrapped in a thick cloak against the biting Atlantic wind. It is a deeply atmospheric and steady-paced historical mystery that immerses you in a world where ancient superstitions clash with pragmatic justice. The narrative balances the eerie dread of local legends with the sharp, observant intellect of a seasoned legal mind. As the investigation unfolds, the mood shifts from a haunting coastal chill to a gripping, suspenseful race against time, especially when innocent lives are threatened by the labyrinthine caves. It will thoroughly delight readers who crave historical whodunits featuring fiercely intelligent female sleuths, rich cultural details, and a setting so vivid it becomes a character in its own right.
- Mood
- windswept
- eerie
- ancient
- coastal
- Tone
- atmospheric
- observant
- pragmatic
- suspenseful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- justice vs. superstition · community secrets · ancient traditions · maternal anxiety
- The writing
- Descriptive and evocative, grounding the reader deeply in the rugged Irish landscape and historical legal traditions.
- The arc
- Moves from eerie, superstitious dread to a grounded, suspenseful pursuit of truth, culminating in a tense rescue.
- Who it's for
- Fans of historical mysteries who love strong, intelligent female sleuths and atmospheric, remote settings.
Content notes
- murder
- strangulation
- child in peril
About the book
"When a woman's body is discovered, strangled and bound with rope to the stone torso of Fâar Breige, the ancient stone god which stands sentinel above the haunted caves and ancient fortifications of the Atlantic cliffs, the locals believe it was the god who killed her. In life, Clodagh O'Lochlainn had been a disgrace to her clan, tormenting her former priestly lover, jeering at her husband, robbing her relatives: but could she really have been slaughtered by a vengeful god, as the local population believes? Abandoning preparations for the celebration of her fiftieth birthday, Mara, Brehon of the Burren, with the assistance of Fachtnan and her scholars, takes up the task of solving the murder. Ignoring the ancient legends, she concentrates instead on bringing a mortal killer to justice. But it's only when Fachtnan's small daughter is lost in the labyrinth of passages among the caves that the horrifying truth begins to emerge." --
Description from Open Library.
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