Sister Fidelma
1 primary work • 32 total works
Sister Fidelma returns in this brand-new 7th-century Irish mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE DEVIL'S SEAL and THE SECOND DEATH.
Ireland, AD 671. King Colgú of Cashel is shocked to learn that his loyal Chief Bishop and advisor has been murdered in the old enemy fortress of the Uí Fidgente. When word reaches Cashel that the culprit will be executed under new law, a larger conflict threatens.
Dispatched to investigate, Sister Fidelma and her companion Eadulf discover that the man facing punishment is Gormán - commander of the King's bodyguard. But Fidelma cannot believe Gormán would carry out such an act - and yet he was found locked in a chamber with the body, weapon in hand. The evidence is stacked against him.
If they are to save Gormán and keep the peace between the kingdoms, Fidelma and Eadulf must find the true culprit. As the threat of war looms, the date of execution draws ever closer...
Night of the Lightbringer (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 28)
by Peter Tremayne
Sister Fidelma returns in a brand new Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE SECOND DEATH and PENANCE OF THE DAMNED.
Ireland, AD 671. On the eve of the pagan feast of Samhain, Brother Edulf and the warrior, Aidan, discover a man murdered in an unlit pyre in the heart of Cashel. He has been dressed in the robes of a religieux and killed by the ritualistic 'three deaths'.
When a strange woman known as Brancheó appears in a raven-feather cloak foretelling of ancient gods returning to exact revenge upon the mortal world, she is quickly branded a suspect.
But in their search for the killer, Sister Fidelma and Eadulf will soon discover a darker shadow looming over the fortress. For their investigation is linked to a book stolen from the Papal Secret Archives which could destroy the New Faith in the Five Kingdoms...and Fidelma herself will come up against mortal danger before the case is unravelled.
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in THE MONK WHO VANISHED, the seventh historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of VALLEY OF THE SHADOW, THE SPIDER'S WEB 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
The Abbey of Imleach, in the south-west Irish kingdom of Muman, now rivals Armagh as the centre of the faith in Ireland. For the founder of the abbey was none other than St Ailbe, the man who brought Christianity to Muman, converted its king and baptised him at Cashel in AD448.
But now, calamity has struck the community of the abbey. Not only has an elderly monk suddenly disappeared, but the holy relics of St Ailbe have also vanished. These sacred relics are not just the concern of the abbey's community but are a priceless icon and political symbol of the entire kingdom. So who would have dared to take them?
Sister Fidelma, together with Saxon Brother Eadulf, are asked to investigate. It seems there is more to the disappearances than meets the eye; much more. Fidelma gradually uncovers a sinister conspiracy, in which the participants will stop at nothing - even murder - to achieve their aims ...
What readers are saying about THE MONK WHO VANISHED:
'An excellent mystery, high intrigue aimed at the heart of the kingdom'
'Another superb story from Peter Tremayne. One of his best as the secrecy and mystery surrounding the murders that occur makes this story truly lifelike'
'Five stars - the series continues to delight and entertain'
ABSOLUTION BY MURDER is the brilliant and evocative first novel in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series, bringing 7th-century Ireland vividly to life.
PRAISE FOR ABSOLUTION BY MURDER: 'In the simultaneously sharp-tongued and full womanly figure of Sister Fidelma, Tremayne has created a heroine whom many readers will willingly follow. Even Brother Cadfael might have tolerated her' Kirkus Reviews
As the leading churchmen and women gather at the Synod of Whitby in 664AD to debate the rival merits of the Celtic and Roman Churches, tempers begin to fray. Conspirators plot an assassination, while mysterious, violent death stalks the shadowy cloisters of the Abbey of St Hilda. When the Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered suspicion inevitably rests on the Roman faction.
Attending the Synod is Fidelma, of the community of St Brigid of Kildare. As an advocate of the Brehon Court, she is called on to investigate the murder with Brother Eadulf, of the Roman faction. However, the two are so unlike that their partnership is described as that of a wolf and a fox - but which is which?
More gruesome deaths follow and the friction among the clerics could end in civil war. Can the solution to the mysteries avert such a conflict?
What readers are saying about ABSOLUTION OF MURDER:
'Superb storytelling from a usually neglected era. Read this and you will certainly want to read the rest of this excellent series'
'I was transported back in time; Peter Tremayne brought the location and characters to life'
'The story moves forward with Fidelma weaving her way through to the end with skill and intelligence. Well worth reading'
A Prayer for the Damned (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 17)
by Peter Tremayne
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the seventeenth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of MASTER OF SOULS, WHISPERS OF THE DEAD and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Rich helpings of evil and tension with lively and varied characters' Historical Novels Review, 'The most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland' Irish Examiner
February, AD 668, and Cashel is full of distinguished visitors. Under the old Irish custom, Fidelma of Cashel and Eadulf of Seaxmund's Ham, having been joined together for a year and a day, are to be married. But on the eve of the ceremony, the pious Abbot Ultán is found murdered in his chamber. Worse still - one of the most distinguished guests, the King of Connacht, is seen fleeing from the scene and charged with the murder. He demands his right to appoint Fidelma in his defence. Fidelma soon discovers that Abbot Ultán is not the pious man he was thought to be - indeed, many of the guests have cause to hate him. It is a long weekend of suspicion, fear and more death before Fidelma and Eadulf are able to reveal the truth behind Ultán's murder.
What readers are saying about A PRAYER FOR THE DAMNED:
'Tremayne is unparalleled. Five stars'
'The twists and turns kept me intrigued throughout this excellent book'
'Keeps you guessing right till the end. Very well written'
Sister Fidelma returns in another gripping Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE SUBTLE SERPENT, SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN 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
Ireland, AD 670. When the body of a murdered young noble is discovered not far from Cashel, the King calls upon Sister Fildema and her companion Eadulf to investigate. The only clue to the noble's identity is an emblem originating from the nearby kingdom of Laign. Could the murder be somehow related to the violence erupting in the west of the kingdom?
The turmoil is led by a fanatical figure claiming to have been summoned by 'the seventh angel' to remove the 'impure of faith' from the land, and Fidelma and Eadulf soon find themselves struggling with a tangled skein of murder and intrigue. What is the mystery that connects the dead noble, a murdered alcoholic priest, and a menacing abbot who has built his abbey into a military fortress?
When Sister Fidelma herself becomes the victim of abduction, it is up to Eadulf to find and save her from imminent death, so that the mystery can be solved...
What readers are saying about THE SEVENTH TRUMPET:
'Deserves seven stars. Authentic, well written and expertly plotted'
'This story dishes up betrayal and love in equal volumes. The series just gets better and better'
'Amazing mixture of crime thriller and fascinating history of Ancient Ireland. Beautifully written'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the twenty-fourth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE SEVENTH TRUMPET, THE SUBTLE SERPENT and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about' Belfast Telegraph, 'The Background detail is brilliantly defined... wonderfully evocative' The Times
Winter, 670 AD. King Colgú has invited the leading nobles and chieftains of his kingdom to a feast day. The gathering is interrupted by a religieux claiming that he has an important message for the King. Suddenly, the man, shouting 'Remember Liamuin!' stabs King Colgú. The assassin is slain but Colgú is on the verge of death.
Who is Liamuin? It is a female name? Who is behind the assassination attempt? Colgú's lawyer sister, Fidelma of Cashel, and her companion, Brother Eadulf are charged with solving the mystery. They must journey into the territory of their arch-enemies, the Uí Fidgente, uncover the evil secrets in the dark, brooding Abbey of Mungairit, and venture into the threatening mountain fastness ruled by a godless tyrant. Danger and violence are their constant companions until the final devastating revelation . . .
What readers are saying about ATONEMENT OF BLOOD:
'Lots of action and plenty of twists, turns and red-herrings'
'Beautifully written - beautifully realised scenes from a past that dare not be forgotten'
'Another excellent mystery with so much historical background and colour'
The Council of the Cursed (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 19)
by Peter Tremayne
While investigating the savage murder of a religious magnate, Sister Fidelma uncovers a dark world of slavery and abuse within the abbey walls, in Peter Tremayne's thrilling nineteenth mystery, THE COUNCIL OF THE CURSED.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Rich helpings of evil and tension with lively and varied characters' Historical Novel Review, 'The masterly storytelling from an author hwo breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about' Belfast Telegraph
It is AD 670, and Bishop Leodegar has called the church leaders together for an emergency meeting. But a fierce row breaks out and the assembly descends into chaos. Later that evening one of the delegates is discovered murdered, his skull brutally smashed. Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, unwittingly find themselves in the middle of a shocking murder investigation involving the most powerful religious leaders in the land. The disappearance of women and children and rumours of a slave trade indicate malevolent forces at work. To catch those responsible, Fidelma and Eadulf must challenge these fearsome individuals and in doing so, risk their own lives...
What readers are saying about THE COUNCIL OF THE CURSED:
'Interesting history intertwined in the plot, with many twist and turns'
'Well plotted with plenty of tension. Excellent read - don't miss this book'
'How Peter Tremayne manages to keep producing entertaining, unique stories is simply amazing. Fresh and interesting right up to the end'
HEMLOCK AT VESPERS is Peter Tremayne's anthology of Celtic mysteries featuring the ever-popular 7th-century super-sleuth Sister Fidelma.
PRAISE FOR HEMLOCK AT VESPERS:
'This collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma Acolytes' Publisher's Weekly
'A treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans' Booklist
'A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploting both Fidelma's strengths and vulnerabilities' Kirkus Reviews
Sister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of the decade's most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted and astonishingly wise 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.
The overwhelming response to these stories launched Fidelma as the heroine of a bestselling series of Celtic crime novels. But it also created a demand for further short stories.
HEMLOCK AT VESPERS is the first collection of these stories ever to be published. With its breathtaking 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 HEMLOCK AT VESPERS:
'Intriguing, entertaining and informative'
'Brilliant. These books get better and better'
'There are echoes in the story that still reverberate today'
Peter Tremayne, highly acclaimed author of HEMLOCK AT VESPERSand ACT OF MERCY, presents OUR LADY OF DARKNESS, the tenth gripping Celtic mystery featuring super-sleuth Sister Fidelma.
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
Arriving home from a pilgrim voyage, Sister Fidelma hears that her faithful Saxon companion, Brother Eadulf, is under sentence of death for murder. She hastens to the capital of Laigin, where he is being held, determined to appeal against the sentence. The crime took place at the abbey of Fearna where Fidelma clashes with the sinister Abbess Fainder. The evidence against Eadulf seems overwhelming - can he actually be guilty? Will Fidelma's emotional involvement blind her in her desperate search for the truth?
What readers are saying about OUR LADY OF DARKNESS:
'Fascinating insight into seventh century Ireland, combining intrigue and excitement in equal measure'
'Kept me on tender-hooks and could not go to bed until I finished it!'
'An excellent mystery and informs you about the society contemporary to the protagonist'
Super sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in BADGER'S MOON, the thirteenth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author THE HAUNTED ABBOT, SMOKE IN THE WIND and many more.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Rich helpings of evil and tension with lively and varied characters' Historical Novels Review, 'The detail of the books is fascinating, giving us a vivid picture of everyday life at this time' Irish Examiner
A series of horrific murders has brought terror to the Kingdom of Muman. The victims, all young girls, were slaughtered with unspeakable violence on the nights of three consecutive full moons.
Suspicion falls on three dark strangers from the distant land of Aksum (Ethiopia), who are guests at the Abbey of Finbarr. A panic-stricken mob attacks the abbey, leaving the religious in fear for their lives. Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are called in to restore order and find the killer, but it soon becomes clear that the three mysterious strangers are hiding a dark secret. And what about the ageing Laig, a hermit-like apothecary, who is known to have instructed all three victims about the magic and power of the moon; what sinister truths are hidden in his dark woodland dwelling?
As Fidelma struggles to repair her faltering relationship with Eadulf, can she uncover the truth before the killer strikes again on the next night of the full moon?
What readers are saying about BADGER'S MOON:
'Another exciting whodunit from the master of historic intrigue'
'Fast-paced and suspenseful, this Sister Fidelma mystery is a real page-turner'
'Complex and multi-layered - one of the best in the series so far'
Filled with murder and conspiracy, BEHOLD A PALE HORSE is the brilliant twenty-second novel in the gripping Sister Fidelma series by the internationally bestselling author Peter Tremayne.
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
AD 664: Sister Fidelma finds herself in the seaport of Genua, en route from Rome back to her native Cashel. Her old teacher, Brother Ruadán, lies dying in the abbey of Bobium - an isolated abbey in a disturbed country where even the Christians are in bloody conflict with one another and the worship of the pagan gods often prevails. Fidelma is determined to see Brother Ruadán before he dies. But from the moment she enters the beautiful valley of the Trebbia, there is danger on every side.
Her dying teacher's last words send her off on her most dangerous adventure where murder follows murder and a vicious civil war threatens before an extraordinary conspiracy is revealed. And from the start, Fidelma is on her own...
What readers are saying about BEHOLD A PALE HORSE:
'Buy it, light the fire and resign yourself that once you start, you won't be able to set it down'
'Tremayne is one of those very few historical mystery writers who can perplex and bewilder. He weaves the twisty plots into a complex historical narrative'
'7th century hopes and fears brought to life in the 21st century. Another world comes alive'