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Sister Fidelma #6
Valley of the Shadow
Sister Fidelma must entreat the chieftain of a Druid clan to allow the construction of a Christian church and school in the region. On their way, she and Brother Eadulf find the slaughtered bodies of 33 young men — arranged ritualistically. It quickly becomes obvious that there's more intrigue than she was lead to expect.
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 13, 1998
About the author
Peter Tremayne
230 books493 followersPeter 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 25, 2017
”It is something one is taught when one studies the ancient law. Intolerance is made up of the shells of lies. No natural disaster has cost as many human lives as man’s intolerance towards the beliefs of his fellow men.”
It is the year 666 A.D. and after being awarded one of the highest honours of the kingdom of Cashel by her brother (and King) Colgú, Fidelma is sent to a negotiation council in Gleann Geis, which means ‘The Forbidden Valley’. Brother Eadulf accompanies her and as they near their destination a devastation greets them – a ritualized murder and laying-out of 33 young men.
During the Council meeting, there is a fascinating ecclesiastical debate between a Brother of the Faith and the Druid and Brehon Morgal, who is advisor to the Chieftain. Fidelma senses an underlying delay tactic at play during the Council and when she packs up and leaves, the Chieftain himself comes after her and asks her to return – with no more delays.
Then a murder occurs within the Ráth itself, and Sister Fidelma gets caught up in it to the degree she is accused of the murder. With Sister Fidelma incarcerated, it is up to Brother Eadulf to find a way to argue for her release on her own recognizance so she can help to discover who the real murderer is.
Once again, there are multiple plots and sub-plots in this novel, and they are so skillfully interlaced that it was difficult to put this book down. I love learning more about ancient Ireland, its customs, its Brehon laws, and how effective they were to both protect people from their worst instincts and appropriately punish those who break the laws.
As we discover, however, there is nothing like a greed for power and intolerance of other people’s beliefs and basic rights for causing major conflicts and damage. We can learn a lot from history, and Peter Tremayne is not only an historian and exceptionally articulate instructor, his writing makes it all come alive.
Highly recommended to all who are interested in the parallels – and cautions – that history can offer, as well as any who enjoy a fast-paced and fascinating mystery with generous helpings of human nature folded in.
It is the year 666 A.D. and after being awarded one of the highest honours of the kingdom of Cashel by her brother (and King) Colgú, Fidelma is sent to a negotiation council in Gleann Geis, which means ‘The Forbidden Valley’. Brother Eadulf accompanies her and as they near their destination a devastation greets them – a ritualized murder and laying-out of 33 young men.
During the Council meeting, there is a fascinating ecclesiastical debate between a Brother of the Faith and the Druid and Brehon Morgal, who is advisor to the Chieftain. Fidelma senses an underlying delay tactic at play during the Council and when she packs up and leaves, the Chieftain himself comes after her and asks her to return – with no more delays.
Then a murder occurs within the Ráth itself, and Sister Fidelma gets caught up in it to the degree she is accused of the murder. With Sister Fidelma incarcerated, it is up to Brother Eadulf to find a way to argue for her release on her own recognizance so she can help to discover who the real murderer is.
Once again, there are multiple plots and sub-plots in this novel, and they are so skillfully interlaced that it was difficult to put this book down. I love learning more about ancient Ireland, its customs, its Brehon laws, and how effective they were to both protect people from their worst instincts and appropriately punish those who break the laws.
As we discover, however, there is nothing like a greed for power and intolerance of other people’s beliefs and basic rights for causing major conflicts and damage. We can learn a lot from history, and Peter Tremayne is not only an historian and exceptionally articulate instructor, his writing makes it all come alive.
Highly recommended to all who are interested in the parallels – and cautions – that history can offer, as well as any who enjoy a fast-paced and fascinating mystery with generous helpings of human nature folded in.
January 26, 2022
Read this book in 2008, and its the 7th volume, chronologically wise, of the brilliant "Sister Fidelma" series.
In this tale Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are sent by King Colgú of Muman to Laisre, the chieftain of Gleann Geis, "the forbidden valley", where they will negotiate permission to a Christian church and school in his territory, and thus replacing Druidic sanctuaries.
In this remote part of Seventh Century Ireland pagan religion still holds power over Christianity, and also within Laisre's clan there are more who are fiercely holding to the old religion.
While arriving in Gleann Geis, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf will encounter a gruesome sight, being thriry-three young men, slain and curiously placed in a sun-wise circle.
They have all been stabbed and garrotted, and every skull has been mashed in, and in this environment Sister and Brother Eadulf must begin their investigations.
What is to follow is an intriguing and astonishing Irish mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are taken into a world where their own lives are also in danger, and with a lot of determination and personal luck, they will be able to untangle the threads of this evil and finally reveal the culprit behind all this mayhem and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Valley Of The Shadow Mystery"!
In this tale Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are sent by King Colgú of Muman to Laisre, the chieftain of Gleann Geis, "the forbidden valley", where they will negotiate permission to a Christian church and school in his territory, and thus replacing Druidic sanctuaries.
In this remote part of Seventh Century Ireland pagan religion still holds power over Christianity, and also within Laisre's clan there are more who are fiercely holding to the old religion.
While arriving in Gleann Geis, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf will encounter a gruesome sight, being thriry-three young men, slain and curiously placed in a sun-wise circle.
They have all been stabbed and garrotted, and every skull has been mashed in, and in this environment Sister and Brother Eadulf must begin their investigations.
What is to follow is an intriguing and astonishing Irish mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are taken into a world where their own lives are also in danger, and with a lot of determination and personal luck, they will be able to untangle the threads of this evil and finally reveal the culprit behind all this mayhem and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Valley Of The Shadow Mystery"!
August 16, 2024
Zuster Fidelma en broeder Eadulf reizen naar een uithoek van Ierland, waar het heidense Keltische geloof nog de bovenhand heeft, om te gaan onderhandelen over de bouw van een christelijke kerk en school. Maar als ze de vallei binnenrijden, doen ze een gruwelijke ontdekking: 33 jonge mannen zijn ritueel vermoord en neergelegd in een cirkel. Fidelma wil dit verder onderzoeken, maar wil eerst verder rijden naar Gleann Geis, om daar de onderhandelingen te beginnen met stamhoofd Laisre.
Het duurt niet lang of er gebeuren nog meer nare dingen en moorden, en Fidelma ontdekt dat iedereen in de vallei wel iets te verbergen heeft. Uiteindelijk stuit ze op een complot om het koninkrijk van haar broer Colgu, die koning is van Cashel, aan te vallen. Het is nu aan haar en broeder Eadulf om alle puzzelstukjes in elkaar te passen de de schuldige(n) aan te wijzen.
Een boek dat ik graag las.
Het duurt niet lang of er gebeuren nog meer nare dingen en moorden, en Fidelma ontdekt dat iedereen in de vallei wel iets te verbergen heeft. Uiteindelijk stuit ze op een complot om het koninkrijk van haar broer Colgu, die koning is van Cashel, aan te vallen. Het is nu aan haar en broeder Eadulf om alle puzzelstukjes in elkaar te passen de de schuldige(n) aan te wijzen.
Een boek dat ik graag las.
October 18, 2015
The things people say below about Fidelma are on the mark. She's unbelievably haughty, judgmentsl, and self-centered. It's a mystery why Eadulf has feelings for her. And in this installment it's a bit of a mystery why she has feelings for him since Tremayne completely butchers Eadulf's character and makes him a total incompetent idiot in this book. I like Eadulf and found myself angry on his behalf. I don't really understand why I keep reading this series when I dislike the main character so much, and yet I do. My parents got hooked after a trip to Ireland. Would I keep reading the series if they didnt keep passing them along? I think I would since I'm interested in early Christianity and early Ireland and the traces of paganism one finds in these novels. But I've been wondering about Tremayne's scholarship since I've been dojng sone reading about Ogham lately and it does not jive with the author's use of it. Nonetheless, there is another one on my nightstand and I've developed a strange curiousity to see how long I will continue to read Fidelma books when Fidelma herself irritates me so.
May 7, 2013
Quick, ladies, name three male authors who can write convincingly from a woman's viewpoint. Gentlemen, feel free to vote all you wish, but your votes won't be counted for this unofficial poll.
Stumped? Me, too. And Peter Tremayne with his emotionless, sexless Sister Fidelma certainly doesn't deserve a place on the list. In fact, the viewpoint in Valley of the Shadow wanders erratically between the Irish nun, her besotted Saxon priest sidekick, secondary characters and even the random goat on the hillside, making it nigh unto impossible to develop a bond with any of them. Except, maybe, the goat.
In A.D. 666 -- pun intended, no doubt -- Fidelma travels to the secluded Gleann Geis at her brother the king's bequest to negotiate the establishment of a Christian church in this notorious Druidic and vigorously anti-Christian stronghold. Near the end of the journey, she and her companion discover the grisly remains of 33 monks, slaughtered identically and arranged in a circle like points on a sundial. The whys and wherefores of this ritualistic murder, interpreted as a particularly nasty "Christian, go home" statement, consume Fidelma's energies for the remainder of the book.
Never mind the fact that the deeply spiritual Celts embraced Christianity because its evangelists, like Patrick and Columba, cleverly assimilated the tenets of older religions rather than coming into conflict with them. Never mind the fact that, by the 7th century, Druidic philosophy lived only in folk memory, as in the phrase "knock on wood" and the practice of kissing under mistletoe. Despite heavy reliance upon these common misconceptions, Valley of the Shadow promises an exciting setup but delivers a frightfully boring resolution.
Sorry, Fidelma fans, but any novel wherein the major plot point in the first half of the book is the sidekick's hangover holds no interest for me. By the time anything serious befalls Our Heroes (about two-thirds of the way into the story) I ceased to care about their fates. I do give Tremayne a point for not falling into the "all Christians are evil, all non-Christians are good" trap, or its converse -- although this book does contain a few irritating religious caricatures.
In case you simply must rush out and buy this one to complete your set, I won't divulge any spoilers. But I do strongly advise that you save your hard-won cash and wait for the inevitable paperback release.
(Originally published in Crescent Blues. Reprinted with permission.)
Stumped? Me, too. And Peter Tremayne with his emotionless, sexless Sister Fidelma certainly doesn't deserve a place on the list. In fact, the viewpoint in Valley of the Shadow wanders erratically between the Irish nun, her besotted Saxon priest sidekick, secondary characters and even the random goat on the hillside, making it nigh unto impossible to develop a bond with any of them. Except, maybe, the goat.
In A.D. 666 -- pun intended, no doubt -- Fidelma travels to the secluded Gleann Geis at her brother the king's bequest to negotiate the establishment of a Christian church in this notorious Druidic and vigorously anti-Christian stronghold. Near the end of the journey, she and her companion discover the grisly remains of 33 monks, slaughtered identically and arranged in a circle like points on a sundial. The whys and wherefores of this ritualistic murder, interpreted as a particularly nasty "Christian, go home" statement, consume Fidelma's energies for the remainder of the book.
Never mind the fact that the deeply spiritual Celts embraced Christianity because its evangelists, like Patrick and Columba, cleverly assimilated the tenets of older religions rather than coming into conflict with them. Never mind the fact that, by the 7th century, Druidic philosophy lived only in folk memory, as in the phrase "knock on wood" and the practice of kissing under mistletoe. Despite heavy reliance upon these common misconceptions, Valley of the Shadow promises an exciting setup but delivers a frightfully boring resolution.
Sorry, Fidelma fans, but any novel wherein the major plot point in the first half of the book is the sidekick's hangover holds no interest for me. By the time anything serious befalls Our Heroes (about two-thirds of the way into the story) I ceased to care about their fates. I do give Tremayne a point for not falling into the "all Christians are evil, all non-Christians are good" trap, or its converse -- although this book does contain a few irritating religious caricatures.
In case you simply must rush out and buy this one to complete your set, I won't divulge any spoilers. But I do strongly advise that you save your hard-won cash and wait for the inevitable paperback release.
(Originally published in Crescent Blues. Reprinted with permission.)
July 3, 2016
The best of the series so far, in my opinion, with Sister Fi the prime suspect in the murder. It does get rather grim as she is far from home and surrounded by most unfriendly people, except, of course, for her hero, Brother Eadulf! I am really enjoying the development of their relationship. Love this series!
April 7, 2026
This book is the sixth volume in the mystery series about Sister Fidelma (formerly of Kildare), set in the seventh century in what is now Great Britian. She is red-headed, brooks no fools, and is also an anruth, the second highest rank in the Irish legal system, so she is both a dálaigh (an advocate in the courts of the Five Kingdoms of Éireann), and Celtic religieuse. In these books she sets her skills to uncovering the truth when there are mystery and murder.
The book begins with a young religieuse man being chased and captured. We then move to the Court of Cashel, where Sister Fidelma is asked by her brother Colgú, the King of Muman, one of the four Provincial kings, to go to Laisre, the chieftain of the Gleann Geis in the western Cruacha Dubha mountains. Laisre, who is a follower of the old gods and goddesses, has asked for a religieuse to come from Cashel to negotiate the placing of a Christian church and school in his area for the benefit of his Christian people. Colgú gives his sister the white rowan rod, the symbol of her official embassy power, and the chain of the Niadh Nase, the symbol of her powers at the Court of Cashel. Brother Eadulf, of the Saxons, has not yet returned to the Archbishop of Canterbury, so is free to go with her, so the pair head off on their embassy. When they enter the isolated valley, they discover thirty-three young men dead, in such a way that it appears to be a pagan rite. Once in Gleann Geis, they find that the situation is not just a simple embassy task, but a morass of intrigue and, ultimately murder and conspiracy against Cashel, which naturally Sister Fidelma is bound to investigate (along with the mass murder she already discovered).
This was another very good mystery tale, with many red herrings and such, and I very much enjoyed this book.
The book begins with a young religieuse man being chased and captured. We then move to the Court of Cashel, where Sister Fidelma is asked by her brother Colgú, the King of Muman, one of the four Provincial kings, to go to Laisre, the chieftain of the Gleann Geis in the western Cruacha Dubha mountains. Laisre, who is a follower of the old gods and goddesses, has asked for a religieuse to come from Cashel to negotiate the placing of a Christian church and school in his area for the benefit of his Christian people. Colgú gives his sister the white rowan rod, the symbol of her official embassy power, and the chain of the Niadh Nase, the symbol of her powers at the Court of Cashel. Brother Eadulf, of the Saxons, has not yet returned to the Archbishop of Canterbury, so is free to go with her, so the pair head off on their embassy. When they enter the isolated valley, they discover thirty-three young men dead, in such a way that it appears to be a pagan rite. Once in Gleann Geis, they find that the situation is not just a simple embassy task, but a morass of intrigue and, ultimately murder and conspiracy against Cashel, which naturally Sister Fidelma is bound to investigate (along with the mass murder she already discovered).
This was another very good mystery tale, with many red herrings and such, and I very much enjoyed this book.
August 15, 2025
Un roman policier dans l'Irlande médiévale, religion et royauté.
La première moitié de l'histoire était fastidieuse. Dans la longueur et des détails, j'ai perdu l'intérêt. J'ai mis de côté le livre et l'ai réouvert plusieurs mois plus tard. J'avais alors oublié les noms des personnages pour bien contextualiser leur progression dans l'histoire. Étrangement, j'ai tout de même été captivée par cette deuxième moitié de l'histoire.
Cette fin de lecture me donne envie de retrouver la première enquête de la détective (''Soeur Fidelma'') afin de vérifier si, lu dans le bon ordre, du sens m'apparaîtrait dans les détails.
**Une page du livre mentionne un site internet pour les fan de Soeur Fidelma. J'ai fait une recherche rapide et en effet, il semble y avoir une ''société'' de fans qui sortirait trois publications par an sur les enquêtes de Soeur Fidelma. Surprenant !
La première moitié de l'histoire était fastidieuse. Dans la longueur et des détails, j'ai perdu l'intérêt. J'ai mis de côté le livre et l'ai réouvert plusieurs mois plus tard. J'avais alors oublié les noms des personnages pour bien contextualiser leur progression dans l'histoire. Étrangement, j'ai tout de même été captivée par cette deuxième moitié de l'histoire.
Cette fin de lecture me donne envie de retrouver la première enquête de la détective (''Soeur Fidelma'') afin de vérifier si, lu dans le bon ordre, du sens m'apparaîtrait dans les détails.
**Une page du livre mentionne un site internet pour les fan de Soeur Fidelma. J'ai fait une recherche rapide et en effet, il semble y avoir une ''société'' de fans qui sortirait trois publications par an sur les enquêtes de Soeur Fidelma. Surprenant !
March 22, 2020
3.5
The plot is based on greed and religious conflict, including much more history than I needed to know. If I had tried to keep track of all the names (mentioned but not 'on stage'), I would have had to make a cheat sheet. Fortunately, it was possible just to be aware that there was political maneuvering without needing to remember the off-stage players. (Someone familiar with the history of Ireland would appreciate the details.)
p 165: We are born to doubt. Those who know nothing, doubt nothing.
The plot is based on greed and religious conflict, including much more history than I needed to know. If I had tried to keep track of all the names (mentioned but not 'on stage'), I would have had to make a cheat sheet. Fortunately, it was possible just to be aware that there was political maneuvering without needing to remember the off-stage players. (Someone familiar with the history of Ireland would appreciate the details.)
p 165: We are born to doubt. Those who know nothing, doubt nothing.
February 17, 2019
It started slow and then finished with a bang. Eadulf was a bit of an idiot in this book, but I will be grabbing book 7
December 3, 2015
Fidelma is a little too smart and her companion (to whom everything needs to be explained for the benefit of the reader), Eadulf, a little too stupid - except when he needs to be really, really smart for the plot. So what we have here is Ms. Sherlock and Brother Watson of 7th century Ireland. It was a bit daunting to start with several pages to put the reader up on history and Irish religion and society, plus a cast of characters (with names that were hard for me to follow), and a map. As it went on, though, it was only the names that still threw me. To remember Eadulf, I had to think of Hitler and make the spelling go wonky. Sechnassuch looks so much like sassenach to me that I stumble over it each time I see it. Maybe some pronunciation hints would be helpful as well. Fidelma is about the easiest one to remember.
There's also a lot of Latin, "cleverly" translated usually by the person who heard it, and a lot of Old Irish (that has a long name that I've abandoned for the crossword puzzle word, Erse). Despite all the work one must do reading, it is a satisfying mystery. And if Fidelma calls everyone into the room for the Big Explanation, she can be forgiven because she's a dálaigh and she's pretty much conducting a court case.
Although not required to be celibate at this point in history and especially in Ireland, if there is any sexual tension between Fidelma and Eadulf, it's not showing, although Fidelma's brother suspects and there have been at least 6 books before this, so who knows what's going on. Eadulf, as his Germanic name suggests, is a Saxon but has lived and studied in Ireland for quite a while. He is embarrassed by the attentions of the 14 year old Esnad, who is hot to trot. His reluctance is based on her age and probably a dislike of her forwardness and Fidelma seems amused. There seems to be plenty of sex going on around them - and slapping when unwanted advances are made - but nothing going on between Fidelma and Eadulf. Also, all the sex seems to be happening "offstage" so only descriptions of murder scenes are icky.
Fidelma's brother, Colgu, sends her to negotiate with an old religion clan to build a Christian church in their area. On the way, Fidelma and Eadulf come across what appears to be a ritual slaying. At the clan's castle, there is an unexpected priest from another domain, and when he is killed, Fidelma is blamed. The whole negotiation thing is going downhill fast. Can Fidelma solve the mysteries if she's locked up? Heh!
Lots and lots of historic detail for those of us who love to wallow in that.
There's also a lot of Latin, "cleverly" translated usually by the person who heard it, and a lot of Old Irish (that has a long name that I've abandoned for the crossword puzzle word, Erse). Despite all the work one must do reading, it is a satisfying mystery. And if Fidelma calls everyone into the room for the Big Explanation, she can be forgiven because she's a dálaigh and she's pretty much conducting a court case.
Although not required to be celibate at this point in history and especially in Ireland, if there is any sexual tension between Fidelma and Eadulf, it's not showing, although Fidelma's brother suspects and there have been at least 6 books before this, so who knows what's going on. Eadulf, as his Germanic name suggests, is a Saxon but has lived and studied in Ireland for quite a while. He is embarrassed by the attentions of the 14 year old Esnad, who is hot to trot. His reluctance is based on her age and probably a dislike of her forwardness and Fidelma seems amused. There seems to be plenty of sex going on around them - and slapping when unwanted advances are made - but nothing going on between Fidelma and Eadulf. Also, all the sex seems to be happening "offstage" so only descriptions of murder scenes are icky.
Fidelma's brother, Colgu, sends her to negotiate with an old religion clan to build a Christian church in their area. On the way, Fidelma and Eadulf come across what appears to be a ritual slaying. At the clan's castle, there is an unexpected priest from another domain, and when he is killed, Fidelma is blamed. The whole negotiation thing is going downhill fast. Can Fidelma solve the mysteries if she's locked up? Heh!
Lots and lots of historic detail for those of us who love to wallow in that.
April 2, 2021
Sixth in the wonderful Sister Fidelma medieval mystery series, Fidelma and her friend, Eadulf, are sent to an isolated mountain pagan kingdom, Gleann Geis, by Fidelma's brother, King Colgu of Muman. The pagan king, Laisre, requested someone from the Catholic Church to his kingdom, because he wants to negotiate the first Catholic church and school in the area.
The friends face several challenges as Fidelma tries to complete the requested negotiations. They discover that Laisre appears to be the only one who wants them there because people of the community are afraid that the New Faith is dangerous to their way of life. To complicate matters more, she meets a cleric from the North who believes he has authority over the whole island. The mystery deepens buy they find few clues to the reason for the deaths and who might have committed the atrocity.
When she finds herself under suspicion Fidelma must rely on the limited legal knowledge of Eadulf who surprisingly does a brilliant job of defending her. Eventually, is a plot against Ireland is uncovered. As for the church and the school, the two decide after lengthy discussion and contemplation that the kingdom is not ready for the Christian religion. Efforts to establish a church and school must be postponed to a later time.
The friends face several challenges as Fidelma tries to complete the requested negotiations. They discover that Laisre appears to be the only one who wants them there because people of the community are afraid that the New Faith is dangerous to their way of life. To complicate matters more, she meets a cleric from the North who believes he has authority over the whole island. The mystery deepens buy they find few clues to the reason for the deaths and who might have committed the atrocity.
When she finds herself under suspicion Fidelma must rely on the limited legal knowledge of Eadulf who surprisingly does a brilliant job of defending her. Eventually, is a plot against Ireland is uncovered. As for the church and the school, the two decide after lengthy discussion and contemplation that the kingdom is not ready for the Christian religion. Efforts to establish a church and school must be postponed to a later time.
February 24, 2011
Sixth in the Sister Fidelma medieval mystery series, Fidelma and Eadulf are sent to an isolated mountain kingdom, Gleann Geis, which is subject to Fidelma's brother, King Colgu. The pagan king of Gleann Geis, Laisre, has suddenly requested a representative from the Catholic Church be sent to his kingdom to negotiate the first Catholic church and school. Luckily for Colgu, he sends Fidelma which only begins the unraveling of a plot against Ireland.
A fascinating mystery of plot and counterplot set in mid-7th century Ireland with a backdrop of pagan versus Christian argument using the brilliant and incisive mind of Sister Fidelma who suddenly finds her life depending upon Brother Eadulf's legal wits to get her out of a deadly jam.
Tremayne had me going back and forth between the obvious and the hidden-in-plain sight with my only objection being how Fidelma could possibly have missed seeing Cruinn's relationship with one of the characters. Great story if you love a twisty political mystery.
A fascinating mystery of plot and counterplot set in mid-7th century Ireland with a backdrop of pagan versus Christian argument using the brilliant and incisive mind of Sister Fidelma who suddenly finds her life depending upon Brother Eadulf's legal wits to get her out of a deadly jam.
Tremayne had me going back and forth between the obvious and the hidden-in-plain sight with my only objection being how Fidelma could possibly have missed seeing Cruinn's relationship with one of the characters. Great story if you love a twisty political mystery.
December 26, 2013
Un'altra inchiesta di sorella Fidelma 'particolare'.
La particolarità che ho riscontrato in questo
capitolo è il fatto che stavolta fratello Eadulf ha avuto un ruolo rilevante per il 50% del libro.
Per più della metà del libro Fidelma era KO a causa di una febbre violenta che l'ha costretta a
letto in stato catatonico, per ben due giorni interi Eadulf ha girato intorno alle foreste, aquitrini, vallate innevate
da solo a seguire le tracce di un delitto che lo coinvolgeva direttamente.
Come succede in tutti i libri, solo quando sorella Fidelma ritorna in forma la matassa ingrovigliata
comincia a dipanarsi fino al suo epilogo scontato.
Eadulf mi sembra il dottor Watson e Fidelma Holmes solo in un periodo storico le cui usanze, leggi e credenze religiose
non sono molto conosciute ecco dove si trova il fascino di questo giallo medievale, le cui prove non sono
impronte digitali, esami di DNA, ma un'accurata riproduzione degli eventi.
Per chi piace il genere lo consiglio.
La particolarità che ho riscontrato in questo
capitolo è il fatto che stavolta fratello Eadulf ha avuto un ruolo rilevante per il 50% del libro.
Per più della metà del libro Fidelma era KO a causa di una febbre violenta che l'ha costretta a
letto in stato catatonico, per ben due giorni interi Eadulf ha girato intorno alle foreste, aquitrini, vallate innevate
da solo a seguire le tracce di un delitto che lo coinvolgeva direttamente.
Come succede in tutti i libri, solo quando sorella Fidelma ritorna in forma la matassa ingrovigliata
comincia a dipanarsi fino al suo epilogo scontato.
Eadulf mi sembra il dottor Watson e Fidelma Holmes solo in un periodo storico le cui usanze, leggi e credenze religiose
non sono molto conosciute ecco dove si trova il fascino di questo giallo medievale, le cui prove non sono
impronte digitali, esami di DNA, ma un'accurata riproduzione degli eventi.
Per chi piace il genere lo consiglio.
February 27, 2015
A pagan stronghold in a valley area in Mumar has requested that a representative come and discuss building a church in the area. Fidelma is appointed by her brother to be both his and the church's negotiator. Eadulf comes along to 'see more of the kingdom'. On the way a group of 33 men are killed and placed ritualistically. Fidelma thinks it is meant to scare her off. The chieftain seems the only one who wants to see her as the pagan community seems to find those of the New Faith dangerous to their way of life. Another cleric is there sent from the North where Bishop of Armagh thinks he is in authority over the whole island not just his see. Tempers flare and Fidelma thinks that something more sinister is afoot. Of course it was. I as usual figured out a few of the pieces but never quite got the last piece to slip in place. Great story and nice character growth
March 28, 2015
Another winning mystery from Peter Tremayne -- a tale of ancient Ireland and the adventures of Sister Fidelma, a religieuse but also a dalaigh, a cross between a lawyer and a police investigator. She travels to Gleann Geis as an emissary of her brother, the king of Muman, to discuss the construction of a Christian church in a land that clings to the ancient gods.
Before entering the valley, Fidelma and Brother Eadulf come across the ritual killing of 33 young men -- it is the first of several challenges for the two. Fidelma tries to stay the course in her negotiations but is also concerned about the reason why and who caused the deaths. But the mysteries only build upon themselves and create an intriguing and exciting read from start to finish.
Tremens' characters are rich in depth and believable in a mystery that is complex but clear in the telling. This is masterful storytelling.
Before entering the valley, Fidelma and Brother Eadulf come across the ritual killing of 33 young men -- it is the first of several challenges for the two. Fidelma tries to stay the course in her negotiations but is also concerned about the reason why and who caused the deaths. But the mysteries only build upon themselves and create an intriguing and exciting read from start to finish.
Tremens' characters are rich in depth and believable in a mystery that is complex but clear in the telling. This is masterful storytelling.
February 20, 2018
This is one I chose years ago based purely on its title and front cover. In this case, which happens not as much as one might think, such a random selection did not pay off. Valley of the Shadow takes an interesting concept - the negotiation for a Christian church in a pagan part of ancient Ireland - and squanders it with one-dimensional characters, a hackneyed attempt at detective fiction whereby the faultless protagonist allows no participation from the reader, laughable dialogue and often very weak prose. There were times when I found myself beginning to be interested, but it almost never succeeded. All in all, the book was easy enough to get through, but I shan't care much whether I remember it or forget the whole thing entirely.
September 6, 2012
A celtic mystery set in Ireland in AD 666 - Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf travel to a remote valley where the inhabitants still follow the ancient Druidic ways. They come to negotiate for permission to build a Christian church and school.Near the entrance to the valley they encounter a horrific scene - the slain bodies of 33 young men, placed in a sun-wise circle. It is Fidelma's responsibility to uncover the truth behind the gruesome murders. I enjoy the historical depth of these ancient stories as much as the murder mystery aspect. The role of women in these ancient times is interesting - I look forward to reading more in this series.
June 18, 2013
This the 6th in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series. All of the books in this series are mysteries that take place in the 7th century Ireland. So far, they have been fun reads. I love the main characters Sister Fidelma and Eadulf. Peter Tremayne brings ancient Ireland to life and I haven't, so far, been able to figure out the "who dunnit" until Sister Fidelma solves the mystery although all of the clues are there. Mystery and History how can you beat that. Would recommend a sister Fidelma mystery.
June 26, 2019
Always pleasant to read the stories about the Celtic nun, Fidelma. This time she gets accused of murder herself and is it the Saxon Eadulf who's her defense lawyer. Always interesting are the titbits of information about Irelands laws and customs at that time. By the way if Fidelma's brand of christianity would have spread, the world would have been a much better place than it is now. But as we see in these books power, greed and jealousy corrupted those in power and those wanting to be in power then as well as now.
June 2, 2018
Will Brother Eadulf become the advocate that Sister Fidelma needs?
Will Brother Eadulf become a sacrifice?
Read on dear readers to find out these and other answers.
You will not be surprised for the motive but the culprit might as it did me.
Will Brother Eadulf become a sacrifice?
Read on dear readers to find out these and other answers.
You will not be surprised for the motive but the culprit might as it did me.
March 2, 2010
Another in this series that I am enjoying. The setting of Ancient Ireland appeals to me as do the characters. All in all, very engaging reads......
February 14, 2016
Fascinating historical setting, but I could not get into the characters or plot at all.
March 15, 2017
One of the best of the series. A real nail biter.
http://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/2014...
http://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/2014...
August 8, 2018
Excellent, and deliciously twisted! Never what it seems.
April 29, 2021
10/10 ✨✨✨ Fidelma es mi ídolo ✨😍
September 17, 2018
The sixth of Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma mysteries, The Valley of Shadow, finds Fidelma on her way to the remote western mountains of Cruacha Dubha, the homeland of Laisre, chieftain of Gleann Geis. Laisre and his lands remain pagan, but he has recently sent to King Colgu of Muman, Flidelma’s brother, saying he is willing to enter negotiations to allow a priest to come to his chiefdom, to build a church and a school. Colgu has appointed Fidelma as his emissary, thinking her best suited to speak on behalf of both himself and the church, as a princess of Muman, a religieuse, and a dalaigh. Brother Eadulf accompanies her.
But as they approach the mountains, Fidelma and Eadulf are met with a horrific sight. Thirty-three young men, all monks or priests by their tonsures, ritually killed and left by the road into Gleann Geis. Is it a warning? A threat? Despite the danger, Fidelma is determined to carry out her mission, but now she has another task as well - to find out who is responsible for the murder of her brothers in Christ.
This time, Fidelma finds herself in the midst of not only a negotiation over a request that no one but the chieftain appears to want, but an investigation into a horrific mass murder, and a complex plot against her brother’s throne. A solid mystery, with many twists and turns, it’s also an interesting look at Irish temporal and religious political conflicts in the early years of Christianity in Ireland.
But as they approach the mountains, Fidelma and Eadulf are met with a horrific sight. Thirty-three young men, all monks or priests by their tonsures, ritually killed and left by the road into Gleann Geis. Is it a warning? A threat? Despite the danger, Fidelma is determined to carry out her mission, but now she has another task as well - to find out who is responsible for the murder of her brothers in Christ.
This time, Fidelma finds herself in the midst of not only a negotiation over a request that no one but the chieftain appears to want, but an investigation into a horrific mass murder, and a complex plot against her brother’s throne. A solid mystery, with many twists and turns, it’s also an interesting look at Irish temporal and religious political conflicts in the early years of Christianity in Ireland.
November 28, 2022
There is much improved character development for both Fidelma and Eadulf here (in contrast to The Subtle Serpent (Book #4)). Still, there are some issues of editing. The same EXACT sentence is used to describe a woman on two occasions: “face was slightly rounded, almost heart-shaped and not unattractive.” (P.4, then again on 33-34). If not for the big reveal at the end, this might be dismissed as just poor editing, but in light of the conclusion, it is even more aggravating.
Also tiresome is Eadulf’s hangover. The less said about that the better.
While I realize there is an attempt to make each book readable without the series chronology, there are far too many mentions of Fidelma’s status as a dálaigh qualified to the level of anruth, and all that entails. It becomes tiresome over the course of a single book.
Still, the mystery here is bold and complex. The twists and turns wind their way to the edge of our frustration, yet we continue to turn the page in the hopes that it will all make sense when our sleuth unravels the Celtic knot. There is a worthwhile subtext as well, regarding religion, that is as relevant to our current times as it was in 7th-century Ireland. Fans of Fidelma will enjoy the deep shadows and dark secrets, and can swiftly move past the bits of repetition.
Also tiresome is Eadulf’s hangover. The less said about that the better.
While I realize there is an attempt to make each book readable without the series chronology, there are far too many mentions of Fidelma’s status as a dálaigh qualified to the level of anruth, and all that entails. It becomes tiresome over the course of a single book.
Still, the mystery here is bold and complex. The twists and turns wind their way to the edge of our frustration, yet we continue to turn the page in the hopes that it will all make sense when our sleuth unravels the Celtic knot. There is a worthwhile subtext as well, regarding religion, that is as relevant to our current times as it was in 7th-century Ireland. Fans of Fidelma will enjoy the deep shadows and dark secrets, and can swiftly move past the bits of repetition.
May 24, 2021
This cozy mystery series reminds me of old Agatha Christie mysteries where 90% is given, but you don’t see the whole 100% solution until Fidelma gathers all the players I one spot and gives a monologue explanation. Yet, because the setting is so ancient—and for me unexplored, I find these mysteries far from stereotypic.
Ancient Ireland holds claim to more sophistication than I knew. The history depicted in the series (in precise detail, I must add) continues to draw me into the intrigue, and Fidelma’s strength of character and unyielding, almost conceited confidence keeps me wondering what’s to like about her. Fortunately, her ability to temper Roman Catholic fanaticism with her dedication to societal law and ancient tradition appeals to my modern sensibilities about religious tolerance and redeems her otherwise overbearing characteristics.
This is the sixth book. I have not figured out “who done it” in any of the six. So, I’m moving forward to delve into the next mystery and enjoy being lead on another very novel merry chase through 7th Century Ireland to solve another mystery with Fidelma and her side kick Eadulf.
Ancient Ireland holds claim to more sophistication than I knew. The history depicted in the series (in precise detail, I must add) continues to draw me into the intrigue, and Fidelma’s strength of character and unyielding, almost conceited confidence keeps me wondering what’s to like about her. Fortunately, her ability to temper Roman Catholic fanaticism with her dedication to societal law and ancient tradition appeals to my modern sensibilities about religious tolerance and redeems her otherwise overbearing characteristics.
This is the sixth book. I have not figured out “who done it” in any of the six. So, I’m moving forward to delve into the next mystery and enjoy being lead on another very novel merry chase through 7th Century Ireland to solve another mystery with Fidelma and her side kick Eadulf.
September 19, 2021
I may have said this before but for sure now... this is my favorite Sister Fidelma book that I have read thus far. I absolutely loved it. I loved the theological discussions between pagans and Christians. I loved the descriptions of the valley of five hundred people living secluded and mostly pagan with a few Christians who had married into the valley.
Favorite quotations:
"cave quid, dicis, quando et cui" (beware what you say, when and to whom)
"There are many paths to come to the same objective. We can be absolutely certain only about those things that we do not properly comprehend. To have a path through life made certain is the aspiration of most people in this unclear and uncertain existence. But certainty is often an illusion. We are born in doubt. Those who know nothing, doubt nothing."
-Sister Fidelma to the local Druid Priest
"Intolerance is made up of the shells of lies. No natural disaster has cost as many human lives as man's intolerance towards the beliefs of his fellow man."
Favorite quotations:
"cave quid, dicis, quando et cui" (beware what you say, when and to whom)
"There are many paths to come to the same objective. We can be absolutely certain only about those things that we do not properly comprehend. To have a path through life made certain is the aspiration of most people in this unclear and uncertain existence. But certainty is often an illusion. We are born in doubt. Those who know nothing, doubt nothing."
-Sister Fidelma to the local Druid Priest
"Intolerance is made up of the shells of lies. No natural disaster has cost as many human lives as man's intolerance towards the beliefs of his fellow man."
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