I’m happy to announce that I’m beginning a new historical mystery series this year starting with “Murder on Bealtaine Eve (Dumnonia Mysteries 1)“. It’s set in the 5th century in the south of England in a place that, at the time, was known as Dumnonia. A Celtic tribe lived there for centuries in the Dark Ages, with Saxons arriving and taking control of areas all around them. While some of the characters are based on real historical people, I’ve created the main character, Morvoren, who is the priestess of the Dumnonii. She investigates crimes with the reluctant help of a Christian deacon who is visiting in the first book. You can read the description for “Murder on Bealtaine Eve” below.
When blood is spilt during a sacred ceremony will it cause ruin for her tribe?
In fifth century England in the Dark Ages Morvoren is the priestess of Dumnonia, serving the goddess who protects them. She is confident of her place as one of the most important people in the tribe, with the respect of the king and love of her people. At least, that’s what she thinks.
The inexplicable murder of a Saxon guest throws all her assumptions about her life into confusion and makes her fear retribution from her goddess. Forced to work with Uxio, a young Christian deacon who hates her religion, she must solve the crime or lose her home and her freedom.
Uxio is ordered to work with Morvoren by his bishop, but this tribe brings back far too many memories of a past he has tried to forget. Morvoren’s uncanny ability to see more than he wants to reveal puts them at odds and a second murder adds to the tension between them. With the possibility of war between the Dumnonii and the Saxons looming over them, they struggle to hunt down an elusive killer.
This unique historical mystery series is set against the backdrop of Celtic beliefs and one tribe’s struggle to survive in the changing land of Britannia.