Something Red by Douglas Nicholas

A historical fantasy which blends mythology with the early days of the Norman invasion of England? Sign me up? I can’t remember where I heard about this book – perhaps on one of those Goodreads “Best Of” lists – but wherever it was, you have my thanks, as this was an enjoyable read.

The story tells of a travelling Irish healer, Molly, her top dude and protector Jack, Molly’s grandaughter Nemain (a hint mayhaps?) and somewhat gormless apprentice Hob, who tells most of the tale. The plot revolves around the travels of the foursome as they do their traditional rounds. On their normal route, they find a trail of corpses, ripped to shreds no less. They seek to track down the creature and kill it, but the weather and other factors conspire to stop them. 

This is a murder slaughter mystery, so part of the fun is finding out who it is. The characters are well-rounded with some quality backstories to add some depth to the seeming stereotypes I mentioned earlier, especially Hob, who may lack cool skills, but he makes up for it with courage and effort. The final quarter or so, in a keep where Normans have essentially taken over, is terrific. This is the first book in a trilogy, and while it certainly could be read as a standalone, I will definitely endeavour to read more in the future.