First book by this author - excellent story line. The research that went into this time period shows and Sister Fidelma is brilliant without ever stepping over the line of the period
Donna E. (impossible) reviewed Valley of the Shadow (Sister Fidelma, Bk 6) on + 3352 more book reviews
Another interesting historical mystery featuring Sister Fidelma - with lots of dead bodies.
Tremayne continues to confound with twisted plots and multiple murders. Fidelma is sent by her brother King Colgu to negotiate the establishment of a Christian church in a remote mountain enclave resistant to the new faith. On the way there with her companion Brother Eadulf, they come upon what appears to be the pagan ritual murder of 33 unfortunate victims. Fidelma is determined to investigate and fulfill her task before returning to her brother but only encounters more mysteries to puzzle her. Things take a turn for the worse and the stakes are raised when she finds another dead body and is herself accused of murder.
I think this is the book where Sister Fidelma begins to evolve somewhat. There was more action adventure to the mystery. This book to me seemed to read faster.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Valley of the Shadow (Sister Fidelma, Bk 6) on + 1438 more book reviews
Sixth in the wonderful Sister Fidelma medieval mystery series, Fidelma and her friend, Eadulf, are sent to an isolated mountain pagan kingdom, Gleann Geis, by Fidelma's brother, King Colgu of Muman. The pagan king, Laisre, requested someone from the Catholic Church to his kingdom, because he wants to negotiate the first Catholic church and school in the area.
The friends face several challenges as Fidelma tries to complete the requested negotiations. They discover that Laisre appears to be the only one who wants them there because people of the community are afraid that the New Faith is dangerous to their way of life. To complicate matters more, she meets a cleric from the North who believes he has authority over the whole island. The mystery deepens buy they find few clues to the reason for the deaths and who might have committed the atrocity.
When she finds herself under suspicion Fidelma must rely on the limited legal knowledge of Eadulf who surprisingly does a brilliant job of defending her. Eventually, is a plot against Ireland is uncovered. As for the church and the school, the two decide after lengthy discussion and contemplation that the kingdom is not ready for the Christian religion. Efforts to establish a church and school must be postponed to a later time.
The friends face several challenges as Fidelma tries to complete the requested negotiations. They discover that Laisre appears to be the only one who wants them there because people of the community are afraid that the New Faith is dangerous to their way of life. To complicate matters more, she meets a cleric from the North who believes he has authority over the whole island. The mystery deepens buy they find few clues to the reason for the deaths and who might have committed the atrocity.
When she finds herself under suspicion Fidelma must rely on the limited legal knowledge of Eadulf who surprisingly does a brilliant job of defending her. Eventually, is a plot against Ireland is uncovered. As for the church and the school, the two decide after lengthy discussion and contemplation that the kingdom is not ready for the Christian religion. Efforts to establish a church and school must be postponed to a later time.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
A very good mystery with a somewhat surprise ending when the evil doer is revealed. However, shortly before the end, you are offered a good hint as to who the evil doer is, if you pay attention. And finally Brother Eadulf gets to do more than look on and make mistakes. Although getting drunk wasn't one of his better ideas.
This book was givin to me by a friend and I liked it.
Sister Fidelma, on a mission to her brother the king of Muman, finds the bodies of 33 slaughtered men, all covered in scars from an ancient pagan ritual. As an advocate of the Brehon law courts, Fidelma must learn who or what is behind the shocking massacre before it threatens the peace of her brother's kingdom.
