Winter, 670 AD. King Colgú has invited the leading nobles and chieftains of
his kingdom to a feast day. Fidelma and her companion Eadulf are finally
home for an extended stay, and have promised their son, Alchú, that they'll
be able to spend some time together after months of being on the road,
investigating crimes. Fidelma and Eadulf are enjoying the feast when it is
interrupted by the entrance of a religieux, who claims he has an important
message for the King. He approaches the throne and shouts 'Remember
Liamuin!' and then stabs King Colgú. The assassin is slain, but does enough
damage to take out Colgú's bodyguard, and to put the king himself on the
verge of death. As King Colgú lies in recovery, Fidelma, Eadulf, and
bodyguard Gormán are tasked with discovering who is behind the
assassination attempt, and who Liamuin is. They must journey into the
territory of their arch-enemies, the UÃ Fidgente, to uncover the secrets in the
Abbey of Mungairit, and then venture into the threatening mountain territory
ruled by a godless tyrant. Danger and violence are their constant companions
until the final devastating revelation. Atonement of Blood is a mystery of
Ancient Ireland from Peter Tremayne.