Condemned to Death

Burren Mysteries #12

by Cora Harrison

When Mara, Brehon of the Burren, is summoned to the sandy beach of Fanore, on the western fringe of the kingdom of the Burren, she sees a sight that she has never witnessed before during her thirty years as law-enforcer and investigating a dead man lying in a boat with no oars. Immediately her scholars jump to the conclusion that the man has been found guilty of kin-murder. The Brehon sentence for this worst of all crimes is that the murderer be towed out to sea and left to the mercy of wind and waves and the ultimate judgement of Almighty God. But Mara notices something odd about the body, something which arouses her suspicions. And something familiar about the boat in which he lies. Soon she has embarked on a full-scale murder investigation. And gradually suspicion dawns that someone near and dear to her is involved in the murder.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Mystery Thriller, Irish Literature

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Cora Harrison worked as a headteacher before she decided to write her first novel. She has since published twenty-six children's novels. My Lady Judge was her first book in a Celtic historical crime series for adults that introduces Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Cora lives on a farm near the Burren in the west of Ireland.

Reviews

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: The body of the man in the boat with no oars had been washed up on to the orange sands of the beach of Fanore.

As Brehon of the Burren and the one who dispenses justice, Mara knows of the punishment for kin-murder, but never seen someone who has been set to sea in a boat without either sail or oars. Now just such a boat had turned up. No one in the small fishing community admits to knowing who the victim is, but Mara, with the help of her law students, doesn’t believe them, or that he washed ashore from another location.

Each chapter heading introduces readers to an element of Brehon Law. It is not only fascinating, but almost makes one long for such a practical system. Additionally, within the story, it is interesting how Mara considers that a change is needed to the Brehon laws in order to reflect the changing times.

Harrison paints wonderfully descriptive pictures giving us a strong sense of place. She is also very good at using weather and, in this case, the sea, as an additional character in the story. There is also a very good reminder as to how brief is life and how “Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord.” However, don’t mistake this for a book with a religious subtext, but more one of the cost of man’s greed. Still, she does make reference of the shift from the old faith to the “new,” “The priests were trying to call the first of February St. Brigid’s Day, but on the Burren it was still known as Imbolc and was one of the four great festivals in the Celtic calendar.

Harrison’s style does become a bit repetitive in the details giving one the feeling she believes she is afraid readers might forget something previously told to them. There is also an issue of flow and pacing as the story seems rather to meander along until the final quarter of the story when it becomes exciting and intense. It would be nice where there a bit more consistency throughout.

“Condemned to Death” contains very vivid characters and a lesson in humility and priorities brought to bear in a devastating climax.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH (Hist Mys-Mara-Ireland-16th Century) – Good
Harrison, Cora – 12th book in series
Severn House / First World Publication – Feb 2015

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part 12 of the wonderful Burren series and it brings Brehon Mara and her now seven scholars, Slevin, Domhnall, Cormac, Art, Finbar and the two newcomers the MacMahon twins Cael and Cian, to the western fringe of the Kingdom of the Burren.
The mystery is set in the 16th Century, according to my reckoning probably in the year AD 1521 following "Verdict of the Court" although that's not quit clear, but the book has been very well researched historically with Brehon Law extracts at the head of each chapter.
The storytelling is really excellent while the tale itself is intriguing and delightful.
When a dead body lies in a boat with no oars on a beach of the Kingdom of the Burren the scholars come to the conclusion that this person has been found quilty of kin-murder.
But as Mara, Brehon of the Burren, starts to investigate, she notices something odd about the body and about the boat that seems familiar to her.
And so while investigating this mystery Mara and her scholars will have to turn every stone to discover the truth about this gruesome death.
This is a fine little mystery that in my honest opinion should be "Honoured to Succeed"!

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I'd enjoyed the Sister Fidelma books by Peter Tremayne set much earlier in Irish history, and was very glad to discover another series I enjoyed.

Even though this is book 12 I was able to enjoy it without reservation or confusion - and much appreciation for the real students who began their legal studies at the age of just 5 years old.

Mara's intertwined roles as Brehon, teacher and parent guide her investigations with her scholars, giving her alternate views and allowing her to draw on their strengths, but also provide confusion - they're not yet trained investigators, after all.

The ending was unexpected, and yet true to the characters and situation. I empathized with Mara's difficulties, and was amazed at how she was able to connect the various pieces while still remaining a very human character, with personal flaws and issues of her own.

[Laine Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in a matter of days. As usual I was surprised until the end and was continuing to guess who the murderer could be. I missed the clues all along, but the end is just so tragic. It hits too close to home and made me bitterly sad.
I was glad at least in this book, Harrison acknowledges what happened to her previous set of scholars, Moylan, Aidan, Shane and especially Hugh, who was always my favorite. Though the fate of her sole female scholar Fiona is still unclear. I hope to learn her fate in the next couple of books. I love this series and I'll be terribly sad when it will end.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a very good story with Mara the judge and queen of Burren regarding a mysterious death on the coast of Galway Bay. Intriguing characters, suspicious characters, make it a hard murder to solve and ends in tragedy and sadness.

[Susan Pola Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

RETURNING CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Mara: Brehon of the Burren, wife of King Turlough Donn O'Brien. Mara has been Brehon for over 25 years.

Domhnall: 16 years old and her most intelligent student. Domhnall is her grandson by her daughter, Sorcha and son-in-law Oisin. His examination results were outstanding. At time, Domhnall seems to read his grandmother's mind.

Slevin: 15 years old and also an excellent student. Slevin is BFFs with Domhnall. He scored excellent on his exams as well.

Finbar: 14 years old and son of a Brehon from another kingdom. Finbar is not scholastic, but artistic. He failed his exams. This is the second failure and he would not be able to sit for them again. His future is uncertain.

Cormac: 11 years old and her son by King Turlough. Cormac is bright, but doesn't work at his potential. He's a spoiled brat. His exam results were average. His mother despairs of him and his future.

Art: 12 eyars old and Cormac's BFF and foster brother. His results were okay.

The MacMahon twins:

Cael: the girl at twelve is highly intelligent and at times rivals Domhnall as the best student in the school. She also did outstanding in her exams.

Cian: Cael's twin and bright but not as bright as his sister. He did okay in his exams.

Nuala: Mara's goddaughter, daughter of her late bff and talented and brilliant physician. She is married to Fachtan.

Fachtan: Former student of Mara's and how is a teacher at her school.

Ardal O'Lochlainn: Chieftain of the O'Lochlainns, neighbor and friend to Mara. He is also the uncle of Nuala. His tanist might be his young son. This boy was born out of traditional English law wedlock, but Ardal has acknowledged him.

Mara, Brehon of the kingdom of the Burren, is pondering over her students examination results, when she is interrupted by her 16 year old grandson and student, Domhnall announcing that a body and boat have washed up on the shore of Fanore Bay. The body is laid out as though he was convicted of Brehon law's worst crime: that of kin-slaying. The condemned is left in a boat without oars and pushed out to sea and abandoned to the winds, left in God's hands.

Something about the body bothers Mara and the crowd seems too eager to judge this a kin-slaying and not from the area. Unfortunately, Domhnall seems to recognise the body as a silver/goldsmith from Galway. She instruct a student to send for Nuala, a gifted physician.
While waiting for Nuala to arrive and rule on cause of death, Mara tries to find out if the boat was the same one she saw 3 days before on the dunes. Only Slevin an intelligent student confirms that a boat was there. He also states that Domhnall remembers one too, but he was sent for Nuala.

Mara is troubled by her other students' silence in the matter. Slevin shows her how the boat was dragged into the river and hence the sea and shore. She knows now a murder was committed.

Mara in conference with Slevin and Domhnall explains her reasoning behind her surety that this was murder. Domhnall, the discrete, finally is sure that the body is one Niall Martin, Galway goldsmith.

Nuala confirms the death was not Fingal, kin-slaying. The corpse had eaten a substantial meal before he was killed. The manner of killing was a sharp blow to the head about 3 days ago.

To confirm Domhnall's identification of the victim, she sends both him and Slevin to Galway for Domhnall's father, Oisin. Oisin is married to her daughter, Sorcha, and is an extremely successful wine importer in Galway. Mara and Oisin have a nice talk, confirming the identity of the body.

In an effort to find a motive Mara visits Ardal O'Lochlainn, chieftain of the O'Lochlainns, uncle to Nuala and friend of hers. Ardal does. Niall Martin, goldsmith, was looking for ancient Irish golden treasure at Fanore, which means the slope of the gold."

More searching for the source of the golden jewellery, motive and student teaching. Mara finds a ring but not source of treasure. She plans on Galway trip to speak with the mayor about the victim and a possible future for Finbar who failed his exams a second time. Finbar has a beautiful script and draws.

Mara assigns her students to interview the villagers. One pair of them are Setenta and Cliona, her son, Cormac's foster parents and parents to Art, a student of hers. She's afraid that they might be involved.

The students are or seem to have sided with the villagers concerning the body, with the exception of Domhnall, Slevin and perhaps Cael, the only girl pupil. Mara announces that she's going to Galway and will take Finbar. She leaves Domhnall in charge. Mara and Galway's mayor, Valentine Blake, talk about Finbar's future and Niall Martin's estate, death .

Upon her return, Mara and her scholars ask more questions about the murdered merchant. The result is more answers that prompts ever further questions. It seems that Fernandez O'Connell organised the blank and silent treatment that was first met and perhaps even the staging of the body.

Cael finds the dead man's clothes after Domhnall and Slevin found his purple cloak.

This was a sad accident. Finbar found gold, the merchant tried to take it. A struggle ensued. Death occurred. Art, Cormac and Cian covered up crime after Cormac judges it to be an accident. Mara blames self for not giving Finbar hope. Finbar gives self to sea during storm. His body washes up on beach next day.



The above are my impressions as I read the novel.

This novel, like all Ms. Harrison's Mara of the Burren works is very enjoyable. Especially to Sister Fidelma fans. What I most enjoyed, next to the feminist slant and equality women have under Brehon law, was that I didn't figure out who killed the victim. I was sure it was a villager and not poor Finbar.

Another enjoyable and logical portion is that Ms. Harrison is letting her protagonist age. She is not keeping Mara frozen in time, so to speak.

One of the things I would like to see in the upcoming books is Cormac not being such a brat and maturing. He's too much of a little prince and he isn't his father's tanist.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 16th century, Brehon Mara visits a small fishing community where a dead man in a boat washes up on the beach. Was this murder? She and her scholars - Slevin, Domhnall, Cormac, Art, Finbar, Cael and Cian investigate the man's death. The scholars interview the close lipped community but discover little. Mara suspects murder but needs to be sure. When her belief is confirmed, the group must discover who would kill the man and why.

As the tale develops, the reader discovers that the dead man was searching for something on the beaches but no one acknowleges this fact. Finally, it appears that occasionally gold artifacts are found on the shores by one individual or another. And, since the man is a dealer in such artifacts he may be searching for buried treasure. His visits have become more frequent in the past few months indicating that he wants to gather whatever might be left.

A secondary plot finds Mara trying to decide what to do with Finbar who has failed twice and must be released from the school. The problem for this artistic fifteen-year-old is that his father vows to disown him if he doesn't succeed. Mara finds a place for the young man if only his father will agree to this solution.

The book ends with a surprising conclusion to Finbar's plight and discovery of the killer. I liked this quick read very much.

[Groucho42 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm getting tired of these. The subplots of Cormac, the spoiled son of the king and the brehon detracts from everything else. This one's a bout a dead gold trader found in a fishing village. It would have been good f the focus on Mara being a terrible mother by allowing her son to have no discipline wasn't such a pain in the nether orifice. Only two left before the author shows she's also too tired of the series, so I might as well try to finish it.

[Joann]

This author & book series was recommended to me.
I chose this particular book as it was available through my local library.
Initially, I found it difficult to get into the book with the Gaelic towns, kingdoms and character names, but I was drawn into the story and process of uncovering the clues to explain the crime.

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a surprise ending for me in this one, I didn't see the solution coming which is pretty unusual, normally I figure it out. Lots of red herrings in this one too!

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, both for its depictions of Gaelic life and the little excerpts from the law-texts which begin each chapter, but what a difficult ending!

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mara has gained much experience in her twenty-five year service as Brehon - judge and investigating magistrate - of the Irish kingdom of Burren. She has never, however, come across the sight of the results of the punishment for fingal (kin-slaying). The body of a man is found lying in the bottom of a boat wearing very little clothing and apparently judged guilty of his crime by God. With no food, water, or oars this sentence of being cast adrift on the sea can only lead to one result. Mara, though, feels that something isn't quite right with what she is seeing. She is determined to use her seven law students to solve the question of whether this death was fingal or murder.

I believe this is story number twelve in this series so the characters have been long established. I have read some of the other books, but not nearly all of them. Mara doesn't come to the seaside village of Fanore very often and she has to chide herself for losing touch with the hardworking fishermen and farmers who live along this rugged coast. Cora Harrison always does such a wonderful job of placing me right in the time period of these novels, the sixteenth century. This novel focused on her use of the death of this man so that Mara can teach her students the practical investigative skills they will need if they are successful in going on to become lawyers. They also must learn the many laws which pertain to the situations they find swirling around this death; if there was gold treasure found, who does it belong to? Were the people of the community involved in the death and if so, what penalty will need to be assessed, if any? All of this carried out by a woman whose word was considered as binding and had to be obeyed as if the instructions had been spoken by the king. These novels are always an interesting learning experience to see how advanced the culture was regarding the appreciation of the capabilities of women.

Because there was so much interaction between Mara and her students (two of whom are related to her) it felt as if this novel progressed at a rather slow pace. I do understand why that was necessary and I willingly confess that I had no idea at all what the resolution of this case would be. So, ultimately, if you are willing to stick with the story and not want to rush through to a conclusion I think you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Netgalley review not yet released for publication although the preorder link has posted. I adore the Burren mysteries and have read every single one but this one was surprising in its ending.

Mara, Brehon of the Burren is remorseful at the conclusion and I was startled and not a little bit sad. This: "When Mara, Brehon of the Burren, is summoned to the sandy beach of Fanore, on the western fringe of the kingdom of the Burren, she sees a sight that she has never witnessed before during her thirty years as law-enforcer and investigating magistrate..and gradually suspicion dawns that someone near and dear to her is involved in the murder". Hmmm, my Irish premonition or as my greats called it "the Sight" makes me think that the series will have changes.

Going to Cora Harrison's author page I find I was correct but I will keep it to myself. Suffice to say that this wonderful and truly historically correct in every way series will be continuing. I checked all these places out recently in Ireland. Spent part of a day at Bunratty Castle Verdict of the Court was set and chattered on about Turlough.

It is imperative that you start this series if you like Irish, Medieval or Historical Mysteries, or just a great read.

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mara, Brehon of the Burren - a judge and examining magistrate in sixteenth century Ireland is summoned to a beach where a man lies dead in a boat without oars. She and her law students are puzzled by this death which appears at first to be perhaps a tragic accident. But on closer examination Mara is sure that foul play is at work somewhere. The nearby villagers clearly know more than they are willing to tell and precisely who has been round and told them not to say anything?

This is an interesting and intriguing mystery with a background which reminded me of Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries though set nearly a thousand years later than that series. Mara herself is an interesting character and clearly shows that in some civilisations and eras women could become powerful and were given the same educational opportunities as men.

If you want to read mystery stories set before forensic science had started to develop when investigators had to rely on keen observation and a knowledge of human nature then this series might be one for you. I think the series need to be read in order as I found it a little difficult to keep the characters straight in my mind. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.

[Val Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series as a general rule. Some books more than others, but they all tell a compelling story, provide insight into a culture I know little about, and they characters are interesting, complex and behave in believable ways. This book I like until the last chapter. I was surprised by the ending and didn't like it. I did not see it coming, and looking back I can see a few threads that would have led me to unmask the murderer, but that wasn't my problem with this book. I don't like the underlying premise that must be present to support the conclusion. I just don't believe the characters would have acted as they did-- out of form!

Because this book deals with the murder of a man down on the sea shore, I learned more about the fishing and sea-related industries, and some of the Brehon Laws pertaining to the seas. Mara was 'off her game' in this book and seemed out of sorts with her usual self, as it turns out everyone was. So while I liked it, I can't give it 5 stars.

[Chris Demer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of several books by this author featuring Mara, Brehon (judge) in a small kingdom in the west of Ireland in the 16th century. It was my first and it took a while to get a handle of the characters and their customs. However, I persisted and found the book to be a well written murder mystery.
A man is found dead, floating in an old boat near a fishing community. Was he a perpetrator of murder set adrift as per the law? Or was he a victim? And if so, why was he killed and by whom?
The man was a gold merchant from Galway and may have been in the area to find gold from an ancient hoard that had periodically given up gold artifacts. The story evolves, including investigations by Mara and her students of the law. The locals are not giving anything away and ultimately, the killer ...condemns himself to death.

A good read about a new setting and characters.

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am conflicted - an excellent story, with again the evocative descriptions of landscape and culture bringing the reader right into the place and period. But the conclusion, which I can't say too much about without giving it away, disappointed me in a fundamental way. The perpetrator of the crime in question, and those who tried to cover it up to me reveal a fundamental distrust of the Brehon (the judge) and a disrespect of the Law that it is hard to believe in those characters. The ones who try to cover up the crime are never shown to face the consequences of their actions, which are dire, and result in another death. The lead character rightly questions some of her own actions, but we don't get any resolution of her balancing that with the betrayal by people she should have been able to trust (no matter what their age)....

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't foresee who the murderer was and the ending was tragic. There were several likeable new characters in the story; Harrison can invent distinct personalities. We do meet again with some old favorites. Another good aspect of her writing is that she can present characters of different ages well, without stereotyping. And the chapter introductory references to Brehon law are, as usual, fascinating. Another book in this excellent series.

[Brittany Wouters · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was slow, boring, she repeated basically everything, the plot was good but for her writing skills, which have sadly gone downhill of late, and worst of all...she told, she didn't show.
Oh, and the ending really sucked. It wasn't a mystery which made a lot of sense- too much coincidence, not enough...substance. Tenuous at best, horrific at worst, I'm sorry, I have to give up on this series. It's clearly gone on too long!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the others in this series. The protagonist spent a lot of time being self righteous about her job as brehon of her community as opposed to solving the problems she faced. This plot was weaker than the others and the end supremely unsatisfactory. Hope the next one is back to her usual standards.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her books are hard for me to get into. They are set in a long ago period in Ireland and I don't even attempt to read the words and phrases of that period. However, the plot is excellent and the writing is good; and I always put one down being glad that I read it, so I will read all at my library. I must warn you that this one has a sad ending.

[Marylu Hartsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well-told tale

A story of Ireland in the 16th century told with amazing sensitivity. This is a good author, weaving a story using well-researched elements of Gaelic law and culture

[Jill Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book in the series. But surely we're almost at the end of the Irish system of justice by now, and the English will take over shortly.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Cora Harrison never disappoints me with her wonderful characters and story lines. I only wish she could write them faster. Thank you Ms. Harrison for many wonderful written words...

[Susan Pober · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series, but I suppose they all can't be captivating. This one was a bit of a struggle; slow moving & just not up to par.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mara, Brehon of the Burren, solves another Medieval murder mystery.

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The books are reliably excellent with great character development, storylines, interesting information on ancient Irish law, and the conclusion of this one... wow.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooray for comfort reads. Quick and engaging with favorite characters.

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 12 in Harrison's ongoing series about Mara, Brehon (judge) of the three kingdoms. Set in 16th-century Ireland, this tale of a female judge tells of her efforts to solve a murder mystery. Complicating her efforts are the closed ranks of the coastal fisherman. In spite if their lack of cooperation, Mara solves the mystery. Unfortunately, she is too late to save the guilty party.

Another satisfying novel by Cora Harrison, this historical mystery provides much fact about 16th-century Ireland, including information about a dietary delicacy called samphire. My favorite restaurant in town served a garnish they called sea beans. Looking a lot like asparagus, this delicious form of sea weed was a big hit. Turns out it was samphire under another name. I hope to encounter it again.