My Lady Judge

First of a new historical series set in early 16th century Ireland, featuring Mara, Brehon (judge and lawyer) of the Burren, a somewhat isolated area of western Ireland. When one of Mara's assistants at the law school she runs, Colman, is found stabbed to death the morning after the Beltaine celebration on the mountain, it is up to her to investigate. Before too long, she realizes that she was not the only person who didn't much like her unpleasant assistant--he was blackmailing numerous people, and thus the suspect list keeps growing longer the more Mara looks into things. It was interesting to read this book, given that one of my favorite historical series is Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series, featuring another Brehon but taking place nine centuries earlier. Much of the same laws were retained, and many of the Gaelic words were familiar from reading that series. There are some similarities between Mara and Fidelma, but many differences as well. This author does a wonderful job of setting the scene, giving a real sense of place with wonderful descriptive writing. Mara's character becomes quite well drawn and defined by the end of the book, and she's a character that I definitely want to go back and visit, along with the secondary characters she's introduced us to. I quite enjoyed this, and subsequent books may even be better once I get over the comparison to Tremayne's books.

This is an excellent who done it, with a very interesting historical Irish setting. The old Irish laws are interesting and constructive.Well written.

In "My Lady Judge," Cora Harrison introduces Mara O'Davoren, Brehon of the Kingdom of the Burren, in sixteenth-century Ireland. In addition to her usual duties as judge, Mara runs a law school on her premises, and, as the story opens, one of her students is murdered. This story is fairly slow-paced and meanders a bit, so readers who prefer a fast-moving plot might not find it enjoyable. World-building is one of the high points of Harrison's writing. I found the insights into the history and culture of Ireland fascinating, even to small details of clothes, houses and food. Mara is a fun heroine, very smart, a touch vain, a bit arrogant, but with the ability to recognize her faults and laugh at herself. The supporting characters are also strong, believable and interesting. I look forward to reading additional items in this series.

MY LADY JUDGE (Hist. Mys-Mara-Ireland-1509) - VG Harrison, Cora - 1st in series Macmillan, 2007, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9781405091909 First Sentence: It was the, as it is now, a land of grey stone. The people of Burren, Ireland climbed Mullaghmore Mountain to celebrate May Day. After the celebrations, one person doesn't return. Mara is the Brehon or judge and lawgiver who had been appointed by King Turlough. Mara's assistant, Colman, has been murdered and Mara must uncover the killer. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Brehon law or the fact that, as opposed to English law, it gave women equal right to men in terms of marriage, owning property and having professions. That knowledge, alone, made this worth the reading. But I also found it a good mystery with bit of a romance. Dialogue is not the author's greatest strength but was involved enough in the story I could forgive the author that shortcoming. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I bought this book because I enjoy anything about Ireland. I was very glad I read this and look forward to other book in this series. (I hope it will be a series!) The main character's wisdom and approach to the law and solving mysteries reminded me of Precious Ramotswe in "The No 1 Ladies' Detective" series by Alexander McCall Smith. I have visited the Burren in Ireland and could picture the setting of this book, which added to my enjoyment.