Sister Fidelma
1 primary work • 32 total works
Book 24
Super-sleuth Sister Fidelma faces personal danger as proceeds through the valley of the shadow in the stunning sixth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne.
PRAISE FOR VALLEY OF THE SHADOW: 'Tremayne's discriminating sense of history distinguishing ever-finer conflicts... creates an equally complex mystery for history-mad readers with eyes as sharp as Fidelma's' Kirkus Review
Sister Fidelma has been sent by her brother, king of Cashel, to Laisre, chieftain of Gleann Geis - the 'forbidden valley' - to negotiate permission to build a Christian church and school in his territory, replacing the pagan Druidic sanctuaries. Laisre is known to be hostile to the new religion, and Fidelma knows her mission will be no easy task.
Entering Gleann Geis with the Saxon Brother Eadulf, she comes across the naked, slain bodies of thirty-three young men, positioned in a sunwise circle. Each body bears the marks of stabbing and garrotting; every skull has been smashed. Who is reponsible for such evil, if not the heathen Laisre?
What readers are saying about VALLEY OF THE SHADOW:
'A brilliantly twisting tale of human failings and their defeat by the truth'
'An excellent story, full of atmosphere'
'A tale with many twists and turns that captivated me from the first page. I could not put it down'
Shroud for the Archbishop (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 2)
by Peter Tremayne
Set in a Rome riven by religious and political conflicts, SHROUD FOR THE ARCHBISHOP is the second compelling novel in Peter Tremayne's gripping Celtic mystery series.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre' Booklist
Wighard, archbishop designate of Canterbury, has been discovered garrotted in his chambers in the Lateran Palace in Rome in the autumn of AD 664. The solution to this terrible crime appears simple as the palace guards have arrested Brother Ronan Ragallach, as he fled from Wighard's chamber.
Although the Irish monk denies responsibility, Bishop Gelasius is convinced the crime is political and that Wighard was slain in pique at the triumph of the pro-Roman Anglo-Saxon clergy in their debate with the pro-Columba Irish clergy at Whitby. There is also a matter of missing treasure: the goodwill gifts Wighad had brought with him to Rome and the priceless chalices sent for the Holy Father Vitalian's blessings have all been stolen.
Bishop Gelasius realises that Wighard's murder could lead to war between the Saxon and Irish kingdoms if Ronan is accused without independent evidence. So he invites Sister Fidelma of Kildare and Brother Eadulf to investigate. But more deaths must follow before Fidelma is finally able to put together the strange jigsaw in this tale of evil and vengeance.
What readers are saying about SHROUD FOR THE ARCHBISHOP:
'A fascinating insight into the politics of the early Catholic Church'
'As with his other novels, Peter Tremayne manages to combine a superbly tense mystery, with historical accuracy, making the novels both entertaining and educational'
'Gripping from start to finish'
Sister Fidelma follows a trail that is as suspenseful as it is tortuous in the riveting third novel in Peter Tremayne's unputdownable series.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation' Morgan Llywelyn, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
In the mid-7th Century AD, the Venerable Dacán, a much respected and beloved scholar of the Celtic Church, has been found murdered while on a visit to a remote abbey in the Irish Kingdom of Muman. When Dacán's foul death is used by a neighbouring kingdom to demand reparation from Muman, bloody war seems imminent. Summoned by Muman's dying king to investigate, Sister Fidelma is asked to solve the mystery of the brutal killing and by doing so to prevent the inevitable war breaking out between the two opposing kingdoms. She sets out for the remote abbey with a warrior named Cass - and very little time. But there are more sinister forces at work behind Dacán's death than just political intrigue...
What readers are saying about SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN:
'Great storyline and great insight into the role of women'
'An excellent mystery in this brilliant series'
'Sister Fidelma is pushed hard to expose the guilty, halt a conspiracy and stop a war. Prepare for a real twist!'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the eighth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE MONK WHO VANISHED, VALLEY OF THE SHADOW and many more.
PRAISE FOR ACT OF MERCY: 'Wonderfully evocative' The Times
When Sister Fidelma sets out on a pilgrimage in the autumn of AD 666, her main preoccupation is to reflect on her commitment to the religious life and her relationship with the Saxon monk, Eadulf, whom she has left behind. Complications arise during the first night on the ship when one of the pilgrims is apparently washed overboard. The discovery of a blood-stained robe raises the question of murder and Fidelma finds herself having to focus all her abilities on solving the mystery. Death dogs the tiny band of pilgrims in the close confines of the ship, but is not until the Holy Shrine is almost reached that the amazing truth is uncovered...
What readers are saying about ACT OF MERCY:
'I never tire of reading about the escapades of this very self-opinionated young woman and her interactions with some very strange characters! Another great read!'
'So many twists I could not put it down! Pilgrims and pirates - Fidelma has trouble finding the truth'
'An intriguing glimpse of Fidelma's interior life and past'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in THE LEPER'S BELL the fourteenth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of BADGER'S MOON, THE HAUNTED ABBOT and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'The background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative' The Times, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
A servant has been murdered and the baby in her charge abducted. Fidelma of Cashel has solved even more horrendous crimes in her career as an advocate of the ancient Brehon Courts of Ireland. But this case is different. For both Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf of Saxmund's Ham, the case is unique because of the personal emotions involved. The baby who has been abducted is their own son.
What is the motive for their crime? Could someone seeking vengeance on Fidelma and Eadulf have done the deed? They have made a lot of enemies in their pursuit of justice.
Fidelma and Eadulf, ignoring protests that they are too emotionally involved to undertake the investigation, set out on an increasingly desperate mission to save their son...
What readers are saying about THE LEPER'S BELL:
'Colourful, imaginative, humorous and intriguing... as with all of his books in the Sister Fidelma series'
'The most heart-breaking of perils for Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf and so many mysteries to resolve! Excellent in every way'
'Another first-class Sister Fidelma mystery'
Sister Fidelma returns in BLOODMOON, the twenty-ninth Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of PENANCE OF THE DAMNED and NIGHT OF THE LIGHTBRINGER. If you love Ellis Peters, you'll be gripped by BLOODMOON and the Sister Fidelma series.
Ireland. AD 671. Sister Fidelma has a mission, and she is sworn by oath to reveal her purpose to no other. The secret investigation leads Fidelma and her companions to the abbey of Finnbarr to question the abbot. But before they have a chance to speak to him, the abbot is found murdered - and the young girl suspected of the crime has fled the scene.
Despite their protests, Fidelma's cohorts agree to accompany her in pursuit of the girl for answers. But as vicious rumours spread, accusing Fidelma's family, the Eóghanacht Kings of Cashel, of conspiring to assassinate the High King and abduct his wife, Sister Fidelma's life is placed in mortal danger.
Unable to tell the truth of her quest to anyone, including her husband Eadulf, Fidelma's time is running out - and now she has no choice but to face the challenge, and her enemies, alone.
Sister Fidelma must find the link that connects the mysterious crimes in MASTER OF SOULS, Peter Tremayne's brilliant sixteenth novel in the ever-popular Sister Fidelma mystery series.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre' Booklist
On a storm-driven night, wreckers drive a ship onto rocks off the coast of Ireland. An Abbess leading a pilgrimage is killed and the young religieuse with her abducted. An ageing scholar is murdered in the Abbey of Ard Fhearta. Do these events have a connection?
Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf go to Ard Fhearta to examine the mystery. But the abbey stands in the territory of the Uí Fidgente, enemies of Fidelma and her brother, the King of Cashel, and danger threatens Fidelma and Eadulf from the moment of their arrival.
What is the link that connects the crimes? Who is the mysterious `master of souls' spreading death and corruption across the land? Has Uaman the Leper, Lord of the Passes, returned from the dead?
What readers are saying about MASTER OF SOULS:
'Absolutely gripping from start to finish. Could not put it down'
'MASTER OF SOULS gives us more insight into the customs of ancient Ireland, as well as an interesting mystery to unravel'
'Peter Tremayne writes some of the best historical mysteries due in part to his heroine, a woman living in an enlightened country when the rest of Europe is going through the dark ages'
When a local Abbess is murdered, Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf are called to investigate.
An Anglo-Saxon deputation arrives in Cashel to debate the new religious rules from Rome with an Irish delegation. The Abbot of Imleach leads the Irish delegation who are hostile to the new rules, and among the Anglo-Saxon delegation is Brother Eadulf's own younger brother, Egric. There is also an observer appointed from Rome - the Venerable Favorinus.
The debate is bad tempered and acrimonious, and local Abbess Dar Óma has to step in as a mediator between the two sides. But that evening her body is discovered, she has been bludgeoned to death.
The animosity between the two sides is heightened as the Chief Brehon Aillín accuses young Egric of murder. The Venerable Favorinus counter claims that the murderer is Brother Madagan, who is steward to Abbot of Imleach. Suspicions and tempers run high.
With the war of words threatening to spill over into bloodshed, Fidelma is compelled to resolve the mystery as she is sure there is something more sinister behind the murder than religious differences.
Whispers of the Dead (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 15)
by Peter Tremayne
WHISPERS OF THE DEAD is a sumptuously rich feast of fifteeen short mystery tales, featuring the brilliant and beguiling Sister Fidelma, the seventh-century sleuth of the Celtic Church.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly, 'Definitely an Ellis Peter competitor
Sister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of crime fiction's most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted religieuse captured the hearts of many readers as she successfully tackled the most baffling of crimes in her other role as advocate of the law courts of Ireland, using the ancient Brehon Law system.
This collection contains an astonishing range of crimes and misdemeanours and seamlessly blends historical detail, character and story into mysteries that will confound and surprise.
WHISPERS OF THE DEAD is the second collection of these stories to be published in the UK. With its breath-taking range of settings and crimes, it is guaranteed to entertain and intrigue - and is an anthology that no lover of Celtic culture or historical crime should be without.
What readers are saying about WHISPERS OF THE DEAD:
'Beautifully written with style and wit'
'An excellent collection - I had a hard time putting it down'
'The Sister Fidelma novels are taking on almost cult proportions and are becoming ever more popular with each offering from the author, whose obvious knowledge of the times and subjects shine out like a beacon on the shore'
THE SISTER FIDELMA 20th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION brings together the stunning first three novels in the widely acclaimed Sister Fieldma series. Escape into the evocative world of seventh-century Ireland and the time of the Celts, and join Sister Fidelma on the suspenseful trail of three murder mysteries.
ABSOLUTION BY MURDER: It's 664AD and the tension between the Celtic and Roman Churches is at boiling point. There are whispers of assassinations and a string of gruesome deaths. When Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered, Sister Fidelma is called in to investigate. With the threat of a civil war just around the corner, can the mysteries be solved in time?
SHROUD FOR THE ARCHBISHOP: The archbishop designate of Canterbury is found garrotted in Rome's Lateran Palace. With Brother Ronan Ragallach spotted fleeing the scene of the crime, the person responsible appears to have been found. There are rumours, though, that the crime is political and precious treasure has been stolen. It is up to Sister Fidelma to determine whether Brother Ronan is innocent, and prevent a perilous war between the Saxon and Irish kingdoms.
SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN: The Venerable Dacán, beloved scholar of the Celtic Church, is brutally slain on his visit to the Irish Kingdom of Muman. When a neighbouring kingdom demands reparation for Dacán's foul death, bloody war seems imminent. There are sinister forces at work and Sister Fidelma is summoned by Muman's dying king to investigate. Can she solve the mystery and prevent further turmoil?
Sister Fidelma returns in the twenty-first 7th-century Irish mystery, THE CHALICE OF BLOOD by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE DOVE OF DEATH and THE COUNCIL OF THE CURSED. If you love Ellis Peters you will be gripped by this novel.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'The background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative' The Times, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
Ireland AD 670. When an eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lios Mór, fear spreads among his brethren; his door was secured from the inside, with no other means of exit. How did the murderer escape? And what was the content of the manuscripts apparently stolen from the scholar's room?
Abbot Iarnla insists on sending for Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf to investigate the killing. But even before they reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. As the mystery deepens, Fidelma and Eadulf must also wrestle with problems of their own, which threaten to separate them for ever...
What readers are saying about THE CHALICE OF BLOOD:
'Excellent historical content as well as the usual intriguing mystery'
'Tremayne continues to satisfy Sister Fidelma mavens'
'Kept me guessing right up until the end. A great read'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in SMOKE IN THE WIND, the eleventh perplexing historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of SMOKE IN THE WIND, OUR LADY OF DARKNESS and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative' The Times, 'Sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world ambassador for ancient Irish culture' Irish Post
Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf are on their way to visit the new Archbishop of Canterbury, when their ship is blown off course and they land on the coast of the Welsh kingdom of Dyfed. They are given hospitality by King Gwlyddien and Abbot Tryffin of the Abbey of Dewi Sant, and are asked if they would help to solve the mystery of how the entire monastic community of the Abbey, including the King's eldest son, could vanish into thin air. It's not long before the trail leads to deaths and treachery in high places and Fidelma and Eadulf are faced with a sinister and baffling puzzle.
What readers are saying about SMOKE IN THE WIND:
'Absolutely brilliant. Each one gets better than the one before'
'The twists and turns keep me wanting to know what happened. An excellent story, well written'
'An amazing tale that I could hardly put down!'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the twentieth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE COUNCIL OF THE CURSED, DANCING WITH DEMONS and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation' Morgan Llywelyn, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
AD 670. An Irish merchant ship is attacked by a pirate vessel off the coast of the Breton peninsular. Murchad, the captain, and a prince from the kingdom of Muman, are killed in cold blood after they have surrendered. Among the other passengers who manage to escape the slaughter are Sister Fidelma of Cashel and her faithful companion, Brother Eadulf. The prince was Fidelma's cousin and she is determined to bring the killers to justice...
What readers are saying about THE DOVE OF DEATH:
'Sister Fidelma makes ancient Ireland come alive'
'Yet another sure-fire winner in this long-running Irish series'
'Once again Peter Tremayne weaves a brilliant murder mystery in another story from ancient Ireland that keeps you spell bound until the very end'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in THE HAUNTED ABBOT, the twelfth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of SMOKE IN THE WIND, OUR LADY OF DARKNESS and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor' Evening Standard, 'This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about' Belfast Telegraph
As they are preparing to return to Ireland, Fidelma and Brother Eadulf receive a mysterious summons. Eadulf's childhood friend, Brother Botulf, has requested their presence at Aldred's Abbey at midnight on the old pagan feast of Yule. Fidelma and Eadulf battle against the harsh winter storms to arrive in time, only to find they are too late. Botulf is dead - killed by an unknown hand. As they struggle to comprehend this staggering news, it soon becomes clear that the murder of this young monk is not the only trouble facing the abbey. The abbey is haunted by the ghost of a young woman - a woman some say bears a startling likeness to the Abbot Cild's dead wife. But can Fidelma and Eadulf discover the truth before they themselves fall victim to the danger which pervades the abbey walls?
What readers are saying about THE HAUNTED ABBOT:
'Another amazing and twisted story from the British Isles in 7th century. A brilliantly put together plot, a complex mystery and a thoroughly enjoyable read'
'Outstanding'
'Full of intrigue and mystery and as usual Sister Fidelma is my hero. Very thrilling'
Peter Tremayne, highly acclaimed author of The Devil's Seal and Atonement of Blood, returns with The Second Death, a gripping new Celtic mystery featuring super-sleuth Sister Fidelma.
Ireland, AD 671. The Great Fair of Bealtain is almost upon the fortress of Cashel, and a line of painted wagons carries entertainers to mark the occasion. But preparations take a deathly turn when one carriage is set alight, and two corpses are found, lying poisoned, within.
As Sister Fidelma and her companion, Eadulf, investigate, they are plunged into the menacing marshlands of Osraige - where the bloody origin of the Abbey of Cainnech is wreaking his revenge.
Fidelma and Eadulf must face untold mortal danger before they can untangle the evil that strikes at the very heart of the kingdom.
'Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation' Morgan Llywelyn
Sister Fidelma is thrown into a sinister mystery full of intrigue, danger and violence in Peter Tremayne's fourth Celtic mystery.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor' Evening Standard, 'This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about' Belfast Telegraph
A headless female corpse is found in the drinking well of a remote abbey in south-west Ireland. One hand clasps a crucifix; tied to the other arm is a pagan death symbol...
A merchant ship is encountered under full sail on the high seas off the Irish coast. But the crew and cargo have vanished - as if by sorcery...
Whose is the body in the well? Where is the crew of the vessel? Are these bizarre events connected? And if so, who is responsible?
The year is AD 666, and Sister Fidelma of Kildare, advocate of the Brehon law courts, must follow a trail of clues and investigate a host of enigmatic suspects to unravel the puzzle.
What readers are saying about THE SUBTLE SERPENT:
'An excellent story to keep you riveted, with marvellous insight into the life and times of old Ireland'
'As always, a gripping yarn, told with plenty of period detail. Tremayne is a master of his art'
'Full of suspense, intrigue and information'
Dancing with Demons (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 18)
by Dancing With Demons and Peter Tremayne
Sister Fidelma must investigate the murder of the High King himself and by doing so risk civil war, in Peter Tremayne's brilliant eighteenth novel in the ever-popular series.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation' Morgan Llywelyn, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
When Sechnussach, High King of Ireland, is found dead in his bedchamber with his throat cut, all clues seem to suggest an all-too-obvious prime suspect. Dubh Duin, the chieftain of the clan Cinél Cairpre, was found with the murder weapon in his hand when the High King's guards entered the royal chamber, before taking his own life. The Chief Brehon of Ireland asks Sister Fidelma to investigate and find out what possible motives could have driven Dubh Duin to assassinate the High King. Her investigations reveals an intricate web of conspiracy and deception that threatens to unbalance the five kingdoms and send them spiralling into a violent and bloody civil war and religious conflict...
What readers are saying about DANCING WITH DEMONS:
'[Peter Tremayne] manages to weave such a great mystery with such complex little twists. I love all the Sister Fidelma mysteries'
'Adventurous all the way. Five stars'
'The characters are original, the settings are imaginative and true-to-life and the intricate plots form enough threads to keep you guessing at every turn'
Irish super-sleuth Sister Fidelma is faced with a challenging and disturbing case to investigate in THE SPIDER'S WEB, Peter Tremayne's fifth unputdownable Celtic mystery.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'The background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative' The Times, 'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing' Publishers Weekly
Ebert is not a man to make enemies. He is a chieftain with a reputation for kindliness and generosity. Yet, one night, his household is aroused by a scream from his chamber. The servants burst in to find Móen, a young man to whom Eber had extended his protection, crouched over the bloody body of the chieftain. Móen's clothes are drenched in Eber's blood and he is clutching a bloodstained knife in his hand.
There seems no doubt of culpability, but why did Móen kill the gentle and courteous Eber? The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Móen himself cannot tell them - for he is deaf, dumb and blind...
Sister Fidelma, advocate of the ancient Irish law courts, is compelled to begin an investigation of the killing in order to present an argument on Móen's behalf before he is condemned. Assisted by Brother Eadulf, Fidelma finds that the path to truth twists and turns with the sinister forces of primitive passions and subtle ambitions - and leads inexorably to a final, stunning denouement.
What readers are saying about THE SPIDER'S WEB:
'Another great read, full of interesting insight into the times, the prejudices and superstitions, whilst playing out the complex details of the plot'
'Peter Tremayne has woven a very clever story with as many paths as the web of a spider. Beautiful'
'The Sister Fidelma mysteries are absolutely the best'