Sixth-century Ireland was a place of magic when Druids still roamed the land and every well had healing powers. Sister Deirdre, who is both a trained bard raised by her Druid grandmother and a nun at the Monastery of Holy Brigid in Kildare, is tasked with finding the saint's bones after they are stolen from the monastery's chapel. Set a little more than a century or so before Peter Tremayne's series featuring Sister Fidelma, Freeman's (St. Patrick of Ireland) first novel has a strong atmosphere and absorbing, well-drawn characters. For the most part accurate in his portrayal of everyday medieval life, the author, who holds a PhD in classics and Celtic studies, has woven a compelling plot that touches on some of the struggles faced by the early Catholic Church in Ireland. Deirdre's story as a young woman torn between the pagan and Christian worlds is very intriguing, and this reviewer would love to see where it goes if there are future installments. VERDICT Fans of Tremayne's "Sister Fidelma" series will want to give this a try. It may also be of interest to those who like series set in Roman and pre-Roman Britain, such as those by Kelli Stanley or Ruth Downie.-Pamela O'Sullivan, Coll.
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