The Shapeshifter's Lair

August 1, 2020
Fans of ancient history, myths, and swashbuckling adventures are likely to enjoy this tale set in seventh-century Ireland. When Princess Gelg�is of Osraige is kidnapped on her way to visit the Abbey of Blessed C�emgen in the distant country of Laigin, her fianc�, King Colg�, sends his sister, Fidelma, to investigate. Fidelma, a trained d�laigh?advocate of the law?is concerned about venturing into Laigin, which has long been an enemy of Osraige. When she arrives, she realizes she will need help to avoid offending the locals and being attacked by enemy Laiginese. She decides to visit powerful and fearsome local ruler Dicuil D�na, Lord of the Cuala. He agrees to support and protect Fidelma, but only if she investigates the theft of precious gold and silver from Dicuil D�na's mines. Undaunted by the two formidable tasks, Fidelma uses her intelligence, legal knowledge, intuition, and tenacity to link the princess' kidnapping and the thefts from the mines. With liberal sprinklings of ancient Irish dialect (always explained), this is a challenging and unusual but deeply satisfying and enjoyable historical thriller.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)