AD 673.
Sister Fidelma and her husband Eadulf are journeying back from the Kingdom of the East Angles to Cashel when a violent storm wrecks their ship on the Isles of Sulis. Seeking shelter, they discover that Lowarn, the ruler of the islands, has been poisoned in an assassination attempt, but who is the culprit? And what are their motives? Lowarn's sister, Sirona, begs Fidelma to investigate the case, while Eadulf uses his medical skills to tend to the dying king.
Embroiled in a dark world of murder, suspicion and intolerance, Fidelma and Eadulf must discover if the islands are truly cursed by the Goddess Sulis, as the locals believe, or if warring monarchs from foreign lands are responsible for the islands' fate . . .
Praise for the Sister Fidelma mysteries:
'The background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative' The Times
'A challenging and unusual but deeply satisfying and enjoyable historical thriller' Booklist
'Tremayne expertly incorporates historical and legal details of the time into the suspenseful plot. This impressive volume bodes well for future series entries' Publishers Weekly
Read MoreA challenging and unusual but deeply satisfying and enjoyable historical thriller - BooklistThe background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative - The TimesTremayne expertly incorporates historical and legal details of the time into the suspenseful plot. This impressive volume bodes well for future series entries - Publishers WeeklyTremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation, a woman of wit and courage who would stand out in any era, but brings a special sparkle to the wild beauty of medieval IrelandThis is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about - Belfast TelegraphThe detail of the books is fascinating, giving us a vivid picture of everyday life at this time...the most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland - Irish ExaminerOne of the best cases for the complex, enchanting Fidelma - Kirkus Reviews