Absolution by Murder (A Sister Fidelma Mystery: A Celtic Mystery)

The author Peter Tremayne obviously has a great knowledge of Ireland in the 7th century and also on Irish Law. His Sister Fidelma book are attracting what can only be described as a cult following, but they are of interest to anyone who likes historical novels or mysteries. This series of books are set in Ireland in the 7th century, a time when there was total equality for women. The lead character is the beguiling Sister Fidelma. She is a brilliant scholar, a leading authority on Irish law and the sister of a king.

Sister Fidelma is attending an ecclesiastical conclave at Whitby in the year 664. While she is there a major proponent of the Celtic way of religion is murdered. Fidelma a fellow follower of the Celtic way is asked to investigate. She is paired with the ideological opposite, Brother Eadulf on the Roman side. Eadulf is shrewd well educated and smitten with the sister.

In an age before celibacy had become a part of religious life, intellectual and physical sparks fly between the two clerics and when two monks are also killed the plot thickens . . .

Fascinating and Compelling (11/12 people found this helpful)

This book is one of the most addictive I've read. Peter Tremayne's knowledge of the Celtic world has allowed him to create a set of characters which are extremely vivid and life-like. By mixing in historical characters such as King Oswy of Northumbria, and by setting it during the Synod of Whitby, his story becomes even more realistic. The plot is as exciting as it is historically detailed. In 664 AD at the Synod of Whitby reprentatives of the Roman and Celtic churches met to decide if the North of England should follow the rule of Rome or Columba (the Celtic church). Before the debate starts the main speaker of the Celtic church is murderd. Suspicion falls on the Roman faction, but is it that simeple? Fidelma thinks not. Another murder follows and it looks like it's been solved, but then another murder is committed and Fidelma must finally confront the killer in true 'Agatha Christie drawing-room' style. I could tell you the whole plot, but I won't - GO BUY THIS BOOK!! Highly recommended. Keep up the good work Mr Tremayne.

Real flavour of the times (5/6 people found this helpful)

Tremayne is undoubtedly brave in setting such a well-trodden genre as the detective novel in a period which we know so little about, but his huge breadth of knowledge on 7th century Britain and of the Celts means that, whilst reading Absolution by Murder, the first Sister Fidelma novel, one never gets the feeling that these events could not have happened. Without boring the reader, Tremayne paints a detailed and thoroughly convincing canvas of a North British monastery community.

Sister Fidelma is a worthwhile detective, and, whilst occasionally her effasiveness becomes tedious, her character is full of zest and is likeable. Brother Eadulf, the Saxon monk, plays his role of the less-clever-than-the-main-sleuth sidekick well, and (which is a change) he is usually on the same level as Fidelma, finding some stuff out for himself. His character is also well-rounded and lively. The entire cast of characters in this widely-populated novel are almost without exception uniquely-characterised - Tremayne seems to take great pleasure in creating such odd misfits of characters, out of whom we must select the murderer!

The plot of Absolution by Murder is exciting, and the added suspense of a deadline set by the King for Sister Fidelma to unravel the foul murder at hand is well-used. Twists and misdirections abound, the author knows precisely what to do, and how to make the reader believe he or she knows the outcome, before sprining the climactic revelation in a rather anachronistic "Now I'm sure you're all wondering why I brought you all here tonight" gathering at the end.

Well-written and detailed, Ansolution by Murder is a good, light novel which will appeal to both fans of detective fiction and of historical novels. Sister Fidelma will go far.

Superb storytelling from a usually neglected era ! (1/1 people found this helpful)

In Sister Fidelma Peter Tremayne has created a serious rival for Cadfael's crown ! As one would expect from the pen-name of one of Britain's foremost scholars of the Celtic period, the setting and period details are simply breathtaking in their accuracy and vividness. In the first full-length novel featuring Fidelma, the plot concerns the pivitol Synod of Whitby and the ongoing debate between the Celtic and Roman branches of Christianity, with dark murder and mayhem stalking the synod attendees. It is particularly refreshing to see a fully rounded character in Fidelma, not simply a cypher for the resolution for the mystery. Read this and you will certainly want to read the rest of the excellent series.

In 664 AD,Sr.Fidelma and Br.Eadulf must investigate a murder (1/1 people found this helpful)

In 664 AD,a synod is held at Whitby.At stake is the fate of the Christian church in Britain;whether the Celtic church will be allowed,or only the Roman rite.Sister Fidelma is an Irish nun of the Celtic church and also an advocate of the Brehon courts who is asked to investigate the murder of one of the delegates,an Irish Abbess and Fidelma's kinswoman.Br.Eadulf,a,saxon monk,is called on to assist in solving the mystery.Amid political intrigue,mounting relious factionalism,and the added complication of the plague,they must tread an increasingly dangerous path. Sr.Fidelma is an easy addictoin to acquire.Mr. Tremayne effortlessly imparts a great deal of history,making his book informative as well as pleasurable.It is salutory to be reminded in our secular age that religion can matter enough to some that they will kill or die for it.

Absolution by Murder (A Sister Fidelma Mystery: A Celtic Mystery)

Peter Tremayne

Reader Reviews:

Murder in the 7th century (5/8 people found this helpful)

Fascinating and Compelling (11/12 people found this helpful)

Real flavour of the times (5/6 people found this helpful)

Superb storytelling from a usually neglected era ! (1/1 people found this helpful)

In 664 AD,Sr.Fidelma and Br.Eadulf must investigate a murder (1/1 people found this helpful)

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