The Crow Goddess

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1978. First Edition . Hard Back. Very Good/Good. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2. 337 Pages. Includes Glossary, Pronunciation Guide, and Historical Notes. Dust jacket price $11.95 is unclipped. a 1 inch tear at and creases at bottom of front flap. First 14 pages at bottom have 1-1/4 inch corner creases and a lightly bumped board corner. Sequel to A Shadow Of Gulls and is also a separate novel. The first section, The Soldier, is in 117 AD and the rest of the book about 121 AD. Finney writes historical mysteries as P. F. Chisholm. Lugh the harper and ex-king of Connaught must return to Ireland to attempt to save his friend Cuchaulain and face the wrath of Maeve Queen of Connaught. On the way he becomes entangled in Rome's plot to invade Ireland. Torn by conflicting loyalties, to his Roman allies and his own half-Roman heritage, as well as to his old friend and hero Cuchulain, Lugh is drawn into another cycle of battle, love and betrayal, aided once again by the mysterious sidhe-folk, who are hidden yet everywhere. Celts, Romans and the vengeful Crow Goddess engage in bitter strife that make the second century perceptibly blood brother to our own. Finney's solidly researched historical background, her imaginative use of Irish legend, and the humour, pathos and poetry of her swift story make this concluding volume of Lugh's narrative an experience as memorable as the first. Finney was barely out of her teens at the time she wrote this book.