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jamei's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
roshk99's review against another edition
4.0
Tremayne's complex plots are always enjoyable and the expert unraveling by Fidelma leaves the reader satisfied and enthralled
martydah's review
5.0
I read the first two Sister Fidelma mysteries a few years ago and am glad to pick it up again. If you haven't read these books, Sister Fidelma is indeed a nun in 7th century Ireland, but the Irish Catholic church is quite independent of Rome. Fidelma is allowed to marry and, as a sister of a chieftan, serve as a judge and investigator for Muman (Munster). In this particular case, she travels further southward to assist her cousin Becc, chieftan of the Cinal na Aeda, in unraveling the mystery around the murder of three young women during the so-called "Badger's Moon."
The local people blame the visiting monks from Greece who are under the protection of hospitality at the Abbey Finnbarr. Fidelma discovers that one of them is guilty of transgressing on that hospitality at the behest of Becc's tanist Accobran, but is not guilty of the girls' murders. That crime has been committed by one who is accused by the first victim's father, a fact that Fidelma and her companion (husband) Brother Eadulf do not recognize until much later.
Through all of this, Fidelma and Eadulf are struggling with their own mystery: why is Fidelma unhappy when confined to their home in Cashel with their new baby son Alchu? Eadulf wants answers, but this is a puzzle Fidelma may not be able solve to the satisfaction of either.
The author, Peter Tremayne, is a scholar of Celtic history and always provides a very good overview of the historical circumstances in which Fidelma and Eadulf work. He also provides a pronunciation key to the names of the people and places. This is an incredibly readable and satisfying series for anyone who loves historical mysteries.
The local people blame the visiting monks from Greece who are under the protection of hospitality at the Abbey Finnbarr. Fidelma discovers that one of them is guilty of transgressing on that hospitality at the behest of Becc's tanist Accobran, but is not guilty of the girls' murders. That crime has been committed by one who is accused by the first victim's father, a fact that Fidelma and her companion (husband) Brother Eadulf do not recognize until much later.
Through all of this, Fidelma and Eadulf are struggling with their own mystery: why is Fidelma unhappy when confined to their home in Cashel with their new baby son Alchu? Eadulf wants answers, but this is a puzzle Fidelma may not be able solve to the satisfaction of either.
The author, Peter Tremayne, is a scholar of Celtic history and always provides a very good overview of the historical circumstances in which Fidelma and Eadulf work. He also provides a pronunciation key to the names of the people and places. This is an incredibly readable and satisfying series for anyone who loves historical mysteries.
amanda31's review
3.0
An enjoyable book, good mystery (I can never figure out whodunit though). Its a place and period of time I'm not familiar with and I found that fascinating. The main characters seemed a bit flat, but maybe because I'm missing some background? I've read that you should be able to read these stand alone, but I'm not convinced. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go back and start at the beginning of the series!
jenniedee's review against another edition
2.0
Dry, boring, repetitive (how many times can you say that Eadulf isn't a great horseman?), and also... boring. I enjoyed many other books in this series years ago, but now I can't tell if I just had bad taste or if this one is that much worse.
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