Cora Harrison

Cora Harrison

Mullaghmore mountain on the Burren, County Clare, Ireland

Writ in Stone, the fourth Burren mystery

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The Burren Mysteries

With her superb attention to detail, Cora Harrison brings medieval Ireland into vivid life, being equally skilful at portraying the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Mara is up there with the great fictional detectives.   - Historical Novel Society, Editors' Choice Titles for August 2009

Ellis Peters and Peter Tremayne fans who have yet to discover Harrison will be overjoyed. - Publishers Weekly starred review

 

The Sting of Justice

Reviews of Sting of Justice, the third Burren mystery

In its Editors' Choice Titles for August 2009, the Historical Novel Society wrote:

With her superb attention to detail, Cora Harrison brings medieval Ireland into vivid life, being equally skilful at portraying the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Her research appears impeccable and is always included using a lightness of touch.

Mara is up there with the great fictional detectives.

Her formidable intellect is beautifully balanced by her humanity and ability to empathise even with those she dislikes.

She is a creation to be proud of and one assured a long stay on my bookshelves.  - Historical Novel Society, Editors' Choice Titles for August 2009

Other reviews:

Ellis Peters and Peter Tremayne fans who have yet to discover Harrison will be overjoyed. - Publishers Weekly starred review

A more clear-headed, sound Judge you couldn’t wish for and a wonderfully appealing character.

[Cora Harrison] has created a memorable cast and an alluring perception of Ireland – and she is also exceptionally talented at crafting a intriguing whodunit. - The Truth About Books.com

Mara is simply a fabulous protagonist - The Bookbag

A whodunit with a proper mystery to unravel - MyShelf.Com

Agatha Christie in 16th century Ireland - MyShelf.Com

Fans of Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma Ancient Irish mysteries will want to read this terrific medieval whodunit... this series is one of the sub-genre’s best - Genre Go Round Reviews

Read full reviews

 


Reviews of My Lady Judge, the first Burren mystery

"Enchanting historical mystery" - Baltimore Sun, USA

Cora Harrison's My Lady Judge, the first Burren mystery"This is a terrific read" - American Booksellers Association

"Enthralling murder mystery with a strong historical basis" - Editors' Choice, Historical Novel Society

"This is a terrific debut of a historical series that promises something completely different" - Globe and Mail review, Canada

"She's on to a winner" - Evening Herald, Ireland

"The setting, plot and characters are beautifully crafted" - Kingston Observer, Massachusetts, USA

"I relished reading the Sister Fidelma Mysteries, written by Peter Tremayne. But I believe My Lady Judge is a more intriguing and better written book. Tremayne says: “Sister Fidelma would be delighted with her sleuthing ‘descendant.’” - Irish American News

Cora Harrison writes

See all reviews...

Order 'My Lady Judge' from Pan Macmillan (opens in new window)


Artwork from 'My Lady Judge', 'Michaelmas Tribute' and 'Sting of Justice' copyright Pan Macmillan

 

The Burren on the western seaboard of Ireland was then, in the year of 1509, as it is now, a land of stony fields and swirling mountain terraces...

"This richly conceived and authentically detailed series of historical whodunits..." - Booklist

"... well-drawn characters, a tantalizing mystery and an intriguing look at the surprisingly complex and liberal laws of 1509 Ireland." - Kirkus reviews

"Mara is wonderfully depicted... The historical and geographic setting is so well written you feel a part of the time." - New Mystery Magazine

"You’ll enjoy this mystery and learn much about our Irish heritage." - Irish American News

"Outstanding" - Publishers Weekly

"a wonderfully appealing character ...an alluring perception of Ireland – [Cora Harrison is] exceptionally talented at crafting an intriguing whodunit." - The Truth About Books.com


Eye of the Law, the fifth Burren mysteryCora Harrison's fifth Burren mystery, Eye of the Law, is out now

Review

Order a copy today:

Amazon UK £14.99

Amazon US $19.11

 


Reviews of Writ in Stone, the fourth Burren mystery

Writ in Stone, the fourth Burren mystery"Christmas, 1510; the Burren, West coast of Ireland.

 Mara, Brehon (investigating judge) of the Burren, has accepted the offer of marriage made by King Turlough Donn O'Brien, ruler of that tiny kingdom of stony land and terraced mountains on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

The marriage is planned to take place at the Cistercian Abbey on Christmas Day. But, on the eve of the marriage festivities, a man kneeling in prayer beside the tomb of an ancestor in the abbey church is violently battered to death...

"A very clever whodunit, set in a landscape which is beautifully evoked... My heart was literally in my mouth... Cora Harrison has once more excelled" - The Bookbag

"Outstanding... artfully combining an insightful and sympathetic detective with a fair-play puzzle..." - Publishers weekly

"The fact that the story takes place in Christmas time makes this book very suitable as a Christmas gift, either to yourself or to someone else!" - I Love Galway


Reviews of Michaelmas Tribute, the second Burren mystery

Cora Harrison's Michaelmas Tribute, the second Burren mysteryPublished by Pan Macmillan, May 2008

"Once again, Cora Harrison brings 16th century Ireland beautifully to life and her Brehon detective, Mara, is a fantastic protagonist – an absolute one-off and yet refreshingly real." - Historical Novel Society, Editors' choice titles

The USA publication is called 'A secret and unlawful killing' The USA cover of the second Burren Mystery,  published as "A Secret and Unlawful Killing" in the USA.

"You’ll enjoy this mystery and learn much about our Irish heritage." - Irish American News

"Harrison's captivating second mystery... makes for compelling reading." - Publishers Weekly (PW, USA)

Read more reviews of Michaelmas Tribute ('A Secret and Unlawful Killing' in the USA)

Photo album of the Burren

A stone age 'Dolmen' on the Burren, County Clare, IrelandBy the mid-western Atlantic seaboard is one of the most magical places in Ireland.

It is called The Burren and geologists, botanists, nature lovers, mountain climbers and cave explorers come from all over the world to see this place.

Cora Harrison's next novel: 'My Lady Judge', which will be published by Pan-Macmillan in early 2007 for an adult audience, is inspired by:

Stone paving on the Burrenthe wonderful bare limestone pavements and the tiny rare wild flowers that flourish in the cracks of those pavements;

Mullaghmore mountain on the Burrenthe spiralling terraced mountains; the remains of tombs and forts and tower houses, ruined churches,  slender round towers;

Cahermacnaghten law schooland above all by the ancient walls of Cahermacnaghten law school (pictured left) where, right up to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Brehon laws were taught and were used to keep the peace in the community which had lived on the Burren for thousands of years..

 

Click here to see the photo album

 

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