Revenge of the Stormbringer

Sister Fidelma #34

by Peter Tremayne

Sister Fidelma returns in REVENGE OF THE STORMBRINGER, the thirty-fourth Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of DEATH OF A HERETIC, THE HOUSE OF DEATH, and THE SHAPESHIFTER'S LAIR. If you love Ellis Peters, you'll be gripped by REVENGE OF THE STORMBRINGER and the Sister Fidelma series.

Summer, AD 672. Princess Gelgéis has arrived in Cashel with her personal bodyguard, a troop of female warriors called the Daughters of the Storm. When one of them is found slain next to the sleeping chamber of the newly married king and queen and, a short time later, the stewardess of the royal house is poisoned, questions are raised as to everyone's safety . . .

Fidelma and Eadulf must first explain the 'locked room' mystery of how the attack took place in King Colgu's specially built secure apartment. Then they must interrogate the growing list of suspects - even Enda, the commander of the household guard, who had formed a romantic attachment to the murdered attendant, cannot be ignored . . .

As the fair being held to celebrate the king and queen's wedding approaches, tensions mount and Fidelma must work quickly to expose a ruthless killer before it is too late . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2023

About the author

Peter Berresford Ellis (born 10 March 1943) is a historian, literary biographer, and novelist who has published over 90 books to date either under his own name or his pseudonyms Peter Tremayne and Peter MacAlan. He has also published 95 short stories. His non-fiction books, articles and academic papers have made him acknowledged as an authority on Celtic history and culture. As Peter Tremayne, he is the author of the international bestselling Sister Fidelma mystery series. His work has appeared in 25 languages.

Reviews

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. I have read every book in this series, and always looked for the next one. I just couldn't get into this book. Really disappointed.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was interesting but the writing is really going downhill. There are lots of typos and inconsistencies. Fidelma was never a very warm character but she is becoming more unlikable with each book. I really hope the next book (#35) ends the series.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein Buch, das mehr ist als ein Roman. Die historischen Details sind zahlreich und aufgrund der Informationsmenge und der gälischen Sprache manchmal verwirrend. Mir hat es aber sehr gut gefallen, ich musste mich nur mehr konzentrieren als sonst! Besonders interessant fand ich den sozialen Status der Frauen in diesen frühen Tagen im Gegensatz zu dem, was das Christentum ihnen aufzuerlegen begann ...
Ich habe eine digital Kopie dieses Romans von NetGalley bekommen, und freiwillig habe ich eine ehrliche Rezension geschrieben.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

#34 of the series, and still captivating. In this book Fidelma and Eadulf are close to home when someone is killed right outside Fidelma’s brother’s bedchamber where King Colgu and his new wife are sleeping. The chamber was supposedly inaccessible so Fidelma amd Eadulf are tasked to solve a locked-room mystery. Before they can really begin, another body is found in an adjacent room. Fidelma and Eadulf are under the gun to solve this mystery that may be closer to home than they thought. The book did go into detail about historic land disagreements and about royal primogeniture in historical Ireland. For those who know Peter Tremayne’s historical knowledge, this will not be new to you. I love this series because of Tremayne’s impeccable recounting of true historical facts wound round a complex and captivating mystery. I listened to this one on audiobook, and the narrator’s Irish accent made this book more immersive for me.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of this series; and am always left wondering how women had enjoyed such equality, opportunity, and respect in the seventh-century, only to have it taken away by small-minded oppressors. That was in ancient Ireland, but in modern-day America it is still happening.

The series combines intriguing mysteries and historical research with memorable characters. Fidelma's brilliant analytical mind sets her apart from what readers are accustomed to with regards to a literary female detective. She can be haughty, irritating, and single-minded but strong women such as Fidelma have no choice if they are to be successful. Her courage, determination and leadership are greatly misjudged.

My one complaint is that this very nicely constructed publication contains so many errors. Are books sent directly to printers without attention from a copy editor? If that is a cost cutting measure then the price should be lowered.

[Kyle Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a locked room mystery with the death of two women and the attempted assassination of Fidelma’s brother King Colgu. New people are introduced to be part of the King’s fortress. The laws of the five Irish kingdoms and the conflict with the new faith and laws of Rome are present. The author’s note at the end explains the loss of women’s rights over the years in Ireland, the beginning of which is included in the story.

[Ana Elena Romero · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say this about a novel in this saga of which I am a great fan, but I was bored out of my mind.
The plot is simple and the development is tremendously boring. Absolutely nothing happens and the few situations in which there could have been something more intriguing (like Eadulf's discomfort) come to nothing.
It seems as if Tremayne is running out of ideas.
The setting is still fantastic, but the plot just doesn't work.

[Shay Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Well written, vivid depictions that put the reader realistically on the cusp of recorded history where human life is transitioning in new ways. based on a 7th century document that helped me understand why a society would alter its ways from full participation in all things to vastly limiting participation and options for women. Thanks for this.

[Dračice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by the number of typos this time, as well as by some vocabular, that seemed too modern for this series. As for the plot, it was captivating from the beginning until the end, even on page 300 and sth I still didn't know who the culprit was. But once again the ending was quite sad, I was hoping for something more hopeful... though it was hardly to be given the initial murders.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few of these, ( hadn't realised he'd written so many). Referred back to events in previous books which I hadn't read but gave enough detail to understand. Might have been annoying if I had read them.

[CathyMW · Rating 2 out of 5]

This moved sooooo slow. I just wanted to skip to the end. I got this as an e-book from the library and noticed a lot of typos.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am dreading that I am nearing the end of the series.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eventful Irish historical adventure is the 34th volume of the amazing "Sister Fidelma" mystery series.

At the beginning of the book you'll find a phrase from Deuteronomy 32:41, followed by a list of Principal Characters, a well-drawn map of Fidelma's Muman (Munster) in the 7th Century, and an Author's Note with some very useful explanations.

At the end of the book you'll notice an Historical Afterword, where some important historical details are very well defined by the author.

Storytelling is absolutely wonderful, all characters are very believable and lifelike in their dealings with life, faith and death, and the atmosphere and surroundings of Cashel in 7th Century, Ireland, are once again superbly described.

This story takes place in Cashel and township in August AD672, and it starts off with the murder of Cera, who's a member of Princess Gelgéis's Elite Warriors, the Daughters of the Storm, within King Colgu's secret apartment, and this murder is followed by the poisoning of mother figure, Dar Luga, who's Stewardess of King Colgu.

For Fidelma and Eadulf the task to find out who's the culprit behind these murders and the reason why, while the death of Cera will hit Enda, who's Head of King Colgu's Elite Bodyguard, the Nasc Niadh, very hard, so much so that his grief for his beloved Cera will have an unfortunate sad end for our beloved Enda, while also women's rights are an important issue in this mystery of murder and mayhem.

What is to follow is a thrilling and masterful mystery, with a great build-up towards a superbly worked-out plot and end result, in which the culprit will revealed by Fidelma, as always, in her own particular fashion.

Very much recommended, for this is a wonderful addition to this sublime series, and that's why I like this episode: "A Captivating Revenge"!

[Sunsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wer historische Kriminalromane liebt, der kommt an der Reihe um Schwester Fidelma von Peter Tremayne nicht vorbei. Er ist Experte auf diesem Gebiet und schreibt seit vielen Jahren an dieser Reihe. Inzwischen sind bereits 35 Bücher um die Schwester eines irischen Königs des 7. JH, deren Ehemann Eadulf und die Ermittlungen in Mordfällen der beiden erschienen.

Nebenbei entwickeln sich auch immer die Protagonisten weiter, der gemeinsame Sohn wird älter, und in diesem Band wird herausgestrichen, dass es keine Kleinigkeit ist, seine Heimat und die Muttersprache aufzugeben und in einem anderen Land, einer fremden Kultur und mit einer alles andere als leichten Sprache zu leben. Eadulf fühlt sich oft ausgegrenzt, obwohl er Teil der königlichen Familie ist.

Die Covergestaltung ist einzigartig und hat unbedingten Wiedererkennungswert. Sie hat Elemente aus Schriften des frühen Mittelalters und ist wundervoll gestaltet. Ich besitze einige Taschenbücher, die sich einfach wunderbar in meiner Bibliothek machen, aber auch beim digitalen Lesen bewundere ich immer wieder das schön gestaltete Cover. Mit dem Tolino Vision Color ist dies nun auch farblich möglich.

Peter Tremayne schreibt nicht nur in einer gehobenen Sprache, er steigert auch die Spannung und lässt uns Leser miträtseln, wer hier wohl der oder die Täter war(en). Auch die deutsche Übersetzung ist sehr gut gelungen und das Korrektorat hat hervorragende Leistung erbracht, denn mir sind keinerlei Fehler aufgefallen.

Durch die Lektüre der Fidelma-Bücher erfahren wir viel über die Historie Irlands und werden zudem noch sehr gut unterhalten. Für mich ist diese Reihe inzwischen ein unbedingtes MUSS, sobald ein neuer Band erscheint.

Für Band 35 gebe ich 94/100 bzw. 09/10 Punkte.

https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2024...

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge of the Stormbringer has Fidelma and Eadulf looking into the murder of a woman warrior serving Colgu's new wife and Colgu's steward. The chief brehon and religious official are away. There is a new priest, who wants to follow the rules of Rome and forget Irish law and tradition. The mystery has twists and turns. Suspects that seem unlikely. Will Fidelma be able to solve the mystery and expose not only the murderer but the purpose behind all of it. Peter Tremayne has written the 34 th book of the series and it is just as good as all the others.

[Bobbie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

King Colgu and his new bride Gelgeis are sleeping in their chamber in a secure addition added onto the castle when one of Gelgeis' personal bodyguards is found murdered next door, and Fidelma and Eadulf must investigate what appears to be a locked room mystery, figuring out not only who done it, but how it was done and who the intended target was as well.

The clue, readers, is in the title: revenge.

[Carol Lerch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

The story was good as usual. I was not pleased by the typos in the book. Too many tend to distract and possibly indicate haste to publish.

[Elizabeth Scheller Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of Peter Tremayne's books!