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Sister Fidelma #33
Death of a Heretic
Sister Fidelma returns in DEATH OF A HERETIC, the thirty-third Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE HOUSE OF DEATH, THE SHAPESHIFTER'S LAIR and BLOOD IN EDEN. If you love Ellis Peters, you'll be gripped by DEATH OF A HERETIC and the Sister Fidelma series.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
37 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Peter Tremayne
206 books474 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 45 reviews
August 29, 2022
Yes, I have read all 33 books of this series and remain a fan. (I was also inspired to take a month-long journey to visit "Fidelma" sites in Ireland.) I am considerably older, however, and I did struggle a bit with the size of the font in the physical book, a loan from my library. I think I was the lucky first person to borrow it, though...nice bonus!
AD672
I will say there is more than one death in this book, and it takes the efforts of Fidelma, her husband Eadulf and Enda, chief warrior of Fidelma's brother the king. It is an interesting setting, the abbey at Imleach where a population of students, both male and female, are studying. They arrive shortly after a major loss. A visiting dignitary dies in a suspicious fire. Of course they will begin investigations immediately as there are international concerns to protect reputations, etc. This Abbey of Imleach was visited in an earlier book, The Monk who Vanished.
As usual, there is plenty to savor in the history included in this book and our favorite heroine, Sister Fidelma, provides another dazzling solution to murders uncovered.
AD672
I will say there is more than one death in this book, and it takes the efforts of Fidelma, her husband Eadulf and Enda, chief warrior of Fidelma's brother the king. It is an interesting setting, the abbey at Imleach where a population of students, both male and female, are studying. They arrive shortly after a major loss. A visiting dignitary dies in a suspicious fire. Of course they will begin investigations immediately as there are international concerns to protect reputations, etc. This Abbey of Imleach was visited in an earlier book, The Monk who Vanished.
As usual, there is plenty to savor in the history included in this book and our favorite heroine, Sister Fidelma, provides another dazzling solution to murders uncovered.
December 12, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this opportunity to review Death of a Heretic. All opinions and comments are my own.
First, let’s get this out of the way: Death of a Heretic, the latest book in the long-running Sister Fidelma series by Peter Tremayne, is all about the history of the early Christian church and its travails of learning in “this island.” That’s it, plain and simple. Oh, yes, we have a dead Burgundian bishop. And yes, he’s been murdered. But before that’s resolved, readers will be “treated” to a long exposition of how the divisions behind the teachings of the early Christian scholars Augustine and Pelagius, among others, shaped the Catholic Church as we know it now. How does this figure into the death of Bishop Brodulf of Luxovium, who also happens to be a prince of the Court of the Franks? That’s what Fidelma needs to find out.
Fidelma and her husband and assistant Eadulf begin their murder investigation; the bishop was not a welcome visitor, alienating all and sundry at the abbey of Imleach, the “premier abbey of the kingdom.” But what was he really there for? To just stir up trouble among the “heretics,” as he considers the inhabitants? Or is there another reason, a political reason, as it were? Because he was definitely busy searching the abbey records, and not just for more fuel for his theological debates.
There are plenty of suspects. Nobody liked the guy. Fidelma and Eadulf are busily engaged in doing their usual due diligence (she is a very senior brehon, similar to our judges) when one of their chief suspects is found dead. It’s made to look like a suicide, but Fidelma knows better. And knows that it would have taken two people to do this deed. Garb, the dead man was the abbey’s leading student. She learns that he has recently been questioning his learning, indeed, questioning his faith. Was he killed because of this?
And on and on we go -- taking way too long to get to a resolution (remember I said the history of the church in the island thing). Finally -- time becomes of the essence (and not a moment too soon, in my opinion). The Chief Brehon is arriving, here to find out what is being done in the case. She determines to have her legal court on the morrow, when all will be revealed.
The dáil convenes. Peter Tremayne does know how to tell a tale, there is no doubt of that; did I mention the third murder? Did you, perhaps, have an idea that Fidelma may have cottoned on to that? She dispenses with that crime -- “an accident made into a crime for profit” -- and moves on to what we’ve all been waiting for. The first case, the bishop’s murder, has its roots in the past. The second she determines to be more personal, and perhaps, more unthinkable. In any event, Fidelma exposes the murderers of both men, and can leave it to the Chief Brehon to work out the question of punishment.
Be prepared in Death of a Heretic for a lot of explanation about the great differences in opinion that rent the church in these early days, especially about the teachings of Augustine, who espouses that the destiny of humans was preordained, and Pelagius, who believed it was not. That’s the CliffsNotes way of explaining it, but this book gives you the longer version, believe me.
First, let’s get this out of the way: Death of a Heretic, the latest book in the long-running Sister Fidelma series by Peter Tremayne, is all about the history of the early Christian church and its travails of learning in “this island.” That’s it, plain and simple. Oh, yes, we have a dead Burgundian bishop. And yes, he’s been murdered. But before that’s resolved, readers will be “treated” to a long exposition of how the divisions behind the teachings of the early Christian scholars Augustine and Pelagius, among others, shaped the Catholic Church as we know it now. How does this figure into the death of Bishop Brodulf of Luxovium, who also happens to be a prince of the Court of the Franks? That’s what Fidelma needs to find out.
Fidelma and her husband and assistant Eadulf begin their murder investigation; the bishop was not a welcome visitor, alienating all and sundry at the abbey of Imleach, the “premier abbey of the kingdom.” But what was he really there for? To just stir up trouble among the “heretics,” as he considers the inhabitants? Or is there another reason, a political reason, as it were? Because he was definitely busy searching the abbey records, and not just for more fuel for his theological debates.
There are plenty of suspects. Nobody liked the guy. Fidelma and Eadulf are busily engaged in doing their usual due diligence (she is a very senior brehon, similar to our judges) when one of their chief suspects is found dead. It’s made to look like a suicide, but Fidelma knows better. And knows that it would have taken two people to do this deed. Garb, the dead man was the abbey’s leading student. She learns that he has recently been questioning his learning, indeed, questioning his faith. Was he killed because of this?
And on and on we go -- taking way too long to get to a resolution (remember I said the history of the church in the island thing). Finally -- time becomes of the essence (and not a moment too soon, in my opinion). The Chief Brehon is arriving, here to find out what is being done in the case. She determines to have her legal court on the morrow, when all will be revealed.
The dáil convenes. Peter Tremayne does know how to tell a tale, there is no doubt of that; did I mention the third murder? Did you, perhaps, have an idea that Fidelma may have cottoned on to that? She dispenses with that crime -- “an accident made into a crime for profit” -- and moves on to what we’ve all been waiting for. The first case, the bishop’s murder, has its roots in the past. The second she determines to be more personal, and perhaps, more unthinkable. In any event, Fidelma exposes the murderers of both men, and can leave it to the Chief Brehon to work out the question of punishment.
Be prepared in Death of a Heretic for a lot of explanation about the great differences in opinion that rent the church in these early days, especially about the teachings of Augustine, who espouses that the destiny of humans was preordained, and Pelagius, who believed it was not. That’s the CliffsNotes way of explaining it, but this book gives you the longer version, believe me.
August 1, 2022
Irish law vs Roman ways!
I found this story totally fascinating. I have always been drawn to the old laws of Ireland. To see the accepted tales of St Patrick’s turned on its head, to realize the way Christianity has been influenced down through the ages, is inspiring.
This seventh century story has us in Ireland with a murder—and the solving of.
Into this mess comes Sister Fidelma of Cashel. A visit from the Frankish dignitary, Bishop Brodulf, results in disaster. The Bishop is dead, killed in a fire, and a building master has disappeared. Although this is adequately explained.
The “law is based on compensation for the victim and rehabilitation for the perpetrator.” But Fidelma and her husband Brother Eardulf of Seaxmund’s Ham, are unsure as to whether this case invokes this law or one that transcends this. After all the Bishop we are told “came here with the explicit authority of the Frankish king, Clotaire.” If the latter is the case, if “there is a whisper of a fault, then Clotaire would lose no time in demanding compensation.”
“The task of the abbey is to make sure that everything has been done that could have been done to save Bishop Brodulf from perishing in the flames. Otherwise, it might lead to a dispute involving the two kingdoms that could escalate into war.”
So much rides on a clear head and clear questions. The judgement will come, given by Fidelma, a dálaigh, investigating the death in the abbey of a visitor.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
I found this story totally fascinating. I have always been drawn to the old laws of Ireland. To see the accepted tales of St Patrick’s turned on its head, to realize the way Christianity has been influenced down through the ages, is inspiring.
This seventh century story has us in Ireland with a murder—and the solving of.
Into this mess comes Sister Fidelma of Cashel. A visit from the Frankish dignitary, Bishop Brodulf, results in disaster. The Bishop is dead, killed in a fire, and a building master has disappeared. Although this is adequately explained.
The “law is based on compensation for the victim and rehabilitation for the perpetrator.” But Fidelma and her husband Brother Eardulf of Seaxmund’s Ham, are unsure as to whether this case invokes this law or one that transcends this. After all the Bishop we are told “came here with the explicit authority of the Frankish king, Clotaire.” If the latter is the case, if “there is a whisper of a fault, then Clotaire would lose no time in demanding compensation.”
“The task of the abbey is to make sure that everything has been done that could have been done to save Bishop Brodulf from perishing in the flames. Otherwise, it might lead to a dispute involving the two kingdoms that could escalate into war.”
So much rides on a clear head and clear questions. The judgement will come, given by Fidelma, a dálaigh, investigating the death in the abbey of a visitor.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
August 12, 2022
The plot is ok but the story is marred by inconsistencies and sloppy writing.
July 25, 2022
Two beloved characters in this long running series of Sister Fidelma advocate of the Ancient Irish Breton Court and Brother Eadulf investigate to see about a fire at the Abbey of Muman. This will lead to murder of a visiting Bishop who had strict religious beliefs from Rome. There are plenty of suspicious characters from the Master Builder Sitae part of the Abbey’s renovation to the Prioress Suanach. Fidelma is very much a strong female character who learnings of the Law stand her in good stead when she listens, notices and uses all her wits to present her findings. The description of Ancient Ireland with all its factions and religious politics are well presented and leave you well embedded in this enthralling story.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2022
After thirty-three books, Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma series is strong as ever. In fact, “Death of a Heretic” may be one of its boldest and most original volumes. Like many of Tremayne’s plots, this one involves murder in a religious community and, as its characters and complications multiply, the book feels both challenging and familiar.
As always, the author addresses theological issues at a level that makes readers of the series self-selecting: you don’t come these books expecting fluff. But I think “Death of a Heretic” presses beyond its own conventions by offering a conclusion that is subtly and disturbingly different. It worked for me and I believe it will for most admirers of Tremayne’s fiction.
As always, the author addresses theological issues at a level that makes readers of the series self-selecting: you don’t come these books expecting fluff. But I think “Death of a Heretic” presses beyond its own conventions by offering a conclusion that is subtly and disturbingly different. It worked for me and I believe it will for most admirers of Tremayne’s fiction.
November 13, 2022
This is the first book by this author I've read, so I was unfamiliar with the characters who recur.
There is obviously a very thorough knowledge of the period and setting, which should have delighted but sadly just got rammed in with endless explanation and clunky dialogue to deliver it.
Little characterisation, no insight into motives setting or context.
No real feeling of a voice or narrative, a fairly basic plot as a vehicle for all this academic knowledge.
Honestly some sentences just stopped me in my tracks as I couldn't believe they would get past an editor.
But this has its market and supplies a need so good on him for sticking with it.
There is obviously a very thorough knowledge of the period and setting, which should have delighted but sadly just got rammed in with endless explanation and clunky dialogue to deliver it.
Little characterisation, no insight into motives setting or context.
No real feeling of a voice or narrative, a fairly basic plot as a vehicle for all this academic knowledge.
Honestly some sentences just stopped me in my tracks as I couldn't believe they would get past an editor.
But this has its market and supplies a need so good on him for sticking with it.
August 23, 2022
The basic story was good, but no real action as in the previous books in this series,
June 19, 2024
A friend recommended this crime novel to me, saying that it had an interesting discussion about the argument between Augustine an Pelagius on “original sin.” Augustine argued for humanity’s fallen condition, and Pelagius contended that human beings were basically good. Some of this disagreement is contained in this one of Peter Tremayne’s popular Sister Fidelma books, about a 7th century Irish legal scholar who solves mysteries. I had never heard of Sister Fidelma or Peter Tremayne, a distinguished Irish historian as well as a fiction writer; I decided to read the novel to see if interested me.
But the controversy is only mentioned briefly in the context of various early church councils that are described as meetings where old men sat around and decided which doctrines were to be officially followed and which were to be labeled as heretical. The church was not as organized in those early centuries as now, and many of the “heretical” factions just continued to follow their own beliefs. Such was the practice, it is implied, in Ireland of the 600’s where this crime mystery takes place.
Sister Fidelma is a kind of 7th century detective, although she is not called that of course. She is technically a legal adviser who is called to the Abbey of Muman to investigate the mysterious death of Bishop Brodulf who has been sent from the kingdom of Burgundia to investigate why the church in this western kingdom was not following the decision of the various church councils. One question, for example, was why certain practices, men and women gathered together as equals in meetings, were being tolerated,
The Bishop was not only arrogant, but intellectually ill-equipped to engage the local scholars in doctrinal debates. As a result, he was thoroughly disliked, and after he mysteriously burned to death in a fire, an investigation was called for.
Sister Fidelma, formerly a type of nun, but now a lay person, along with her husband, Eadulf, a prototype of Sherlock Holmes’ Watson, begins to gather evidence by questioning everyone in the Abbey, including stone workers who are there to erect new buildings. In the course of her questioning, more evidence is uncovered that that the fire was deliberate, meaning that Brodulf was murdered. Then, two more equally mysterious deaths occur, both of which are finally determined to be murders.
All of this is explained in a type of courtroom presided over by Fidelma. As for the death of the “heretic” he was a young monk who was intensely drawn by his speculative nature to investigate unorthodox ideas, including those included in the non-canonical gospels of Thomas, Mary, and Judas. He is caught up in the monastery murders and while not a central figure as such, his unconventional views got him enmeshed in the violence of an attempted cover up.
I’m not a fan of crime fiction, but as far as I could see, the suspense built up in solving the murders, in a monastery of all places, is handled well. What’s more impressive, though, is the creation of a lost world of the 7th century with Tremaynes�� description of a both day to day life and the intrigues and rivalries of political life which are as complex as anything in modem times.
But the controversy is only mentioned briefly in the context of various early church councils that are described as meetings where old men sat around and decided which doctrines were to be officially followed and which were to be labeled as heretical. The church was not as organized in those early centuries as now, and many of the “heretical” factions just continued to follow their own beliefs. Such was the practice, it is implied, in Ireland of the 600’s where this crime mystery takes place.
Sister Fidelma is a kind of 7th century detective, although she is not called that of course. She is technically a legal adviser who is called to the Abbey of Muman to investigate the mysterious death of Bishop Brodulf who has been sent from the kingdom of Burgundia to investigate why the church in this western kingdom was not following the decision of the various church councils. One question, for example, was why certain practices, men and women gathered together as equals in meetings, were being tolerated,
The Bishop was not only arrogant, but intellectually ill-equipped to engage the local scholars in doctrinal debates. As a result, he was thoroughly disliked, and after he mysteriously burned to death in a fire, an investigation was called for.
Sister Fidelma, formerly a type of nun, but now a lay person, along with her husband, Eadulf, a prototype of Sherlock Holmes’ Watson, begins to gather evidence by questioning everyone in the Abbey, including stone workers who are there to erect new buildings. In the course of her questioning, more evidence is uncovered that that the fire was deliberate, meaning that Brodulf was murdered. Then, two more equally mysterious deaths occur, both of which are finally determined to be murders.
All of this is explained in a type of courtroom presided over by Fidelma. As for the death of the “heretic” he was a young monk who was intensely drawn by his speculative nature to investigate unorthodox ideas, including those included in the non-canonical gospels of Thomas, Mary, and Judas. He is caught up in the monastery murders and while not a central figure as such, his unconventional views got him enmeshed in the violence of an attempted cover up.
I’m not a fan of crime fiction, but as far as I could see, the suspense built up in solving the murders, in a monastery of all places, is handled well. What’s more impressive, though, is the creation of a lost world of the 7th century with Tremaynes�� description of a both day to day life and the intrigues and rivalries of political life which are as complex as anything in modem times.
June 1, 2023
This wonderful book is the 33rd volume of the excellent "Sister Fidelma" mystery series.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a phrase from 2Peter2:1, followed by a list of Principal Characters and a well-drawn map of Fidelma's world in 7th Century Muman (Munster) in Ireland, and lastly there's a superbly documented Author's Note, where the historical and religious details, which will play a significant part in this story, are wonderfully explained by the author.
Storytelling is once again absolutely superb, all figures in this great tale are very lifelike and believable in their dealings with life and faith, and the circumstances and surroundings of 7th Century Ireland are brilliantly described throughout.
This story takes place in May, AD672, and is mainly situated in and around the Abbey of Imleach (Imleach Iubhair), plus, please pay attention, an epilogue that will take place three years later.
In this Abbey of Imleach, Fidelma, her companion Eadulf, and the Commander of the warriors of the Golden Collar and also the élite bodyguard to the King of Muman, Enda, will learn of the accidental death of a certain Bishop Brotulf from Burgundia, who has come to the Abbey to learn from the Irish how they observe the Cristian Faith in comparison to his beliefs, and that death will become a murder.
Not long after this death, young Garb, Master Student at the Abbey is found hanged, but confirmed by Eadulf and Fidelma that he was strangled first to disguise that fact, and this religious death seems at first connected to the first but will turn out exactly the opposite, while not long after that Fidelma will discover also the death of Master Carpenter, Cui Coille, but all three strands will lead to three separate cases.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery, where the build-up of the cases is great, the investigations and revelations towards a solution very exciting, until the resulting plots of these three deaths will be revealed in a fascinating manner by Fidelma, and her convincing statements and stratagems are brought to us by the author in a most astonishing fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another sublime addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "Another Top-Class Fidelma Mystery"!
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a phrase from 2Peter2:1, followed by a list of Principal Characters and a well-drawn map of Fidelma's world in 7th Century Muman (Munster) in Ireland, and lastly there's a superbly documented Author's Note, where the historical and religious details, which will play a significant part in this story, are wonderfully explained by the author.
Storytelling is once again absolutely superb, all figures in this great tale are very lifelike and believable in their dealings with life and faith, and the circumstances and surroundings of 7th Century Ireland are brilliantly described throughout.
This story takes place in May, AD672, and is mainly situated in and around the Abbey of Imleach (Imleach Iubhair), plus, please pay attention, an epilogue that will take place three years later.
In this Abbey of Imleach, Fidelma, her companion Eadulf, and the Commander of the warriors of the Golden Collar and also the élite bodyguard to the King of Muman, Enda, will learn of the accidental death of a certain Bishop Brotulf from Burgundia, who has come to the Abbey to learn from the Irish how they observe the Cristian Faith in comparison to his beliefs, and that death will become a murder.
Not long after this death, young Garb, Master Student at the Abbey is found hanged, but confirmed by Eadulf and Fidelma that he was strangled first to disguise that fact, and this religious death seems at first connected to the first but will turn out exactly the opposite, while not long after that Fidelma will discover also the death of Master Carpenter, Cui Coille, but all three strands will lead to three separate cases.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery, where the build-up of the cases is great, the investigations and revelations towards a solution very exciting, until the resulting plots of these three deaths will be revealed in a fascinating manner by Fidelma, and her convincing statements and stratagems are brought to us by the author in a most astonishing fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another sublime addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "Another Top-Class Fidelma Mystery"!
March 5, 2024
A mon grand regret, je n'ai pu aller au bout de cette lecture et je vous explique pourquoi.
J’ai découvert Peter Tremayne et son héroïne Sœur Fidelma il y a plus de 15 ans maintenant grâce à un ami qui me l’avait conseillé, car il savait que j’aimais les romans policiers et les romans historiques. Peter Tremayne associe les deux avec beaucoup d’aisance.
J’en ai donc lu beaucoup et acheté certains pour les avoir dans ma bibliothèque.
Et puis le temps a passé, j’ai lu d’autres choses, car je ne trouvais pas d’autres livres cet auteur dans ma bibliothèque municipale. Mais, il y a quelques semaines, ce roman était en tête de gondole de ma bibliothèque et je me suis dit que c’était le moment de retrouver Sœur Fidelma, Eadulf et Edna et l’atmosphère si particulière des romans de Peter Tremayne. J’étais très enthousiaste à l’idée de me replonger dans celle-ci.
Mais l’enthousiasme n’a pas duré. Je ne suis pas allée au-delà du quart du roman et ce n’est pas dans mes habitudes. Mais je me suis tellement ennuyée : c’est long, poussif, clairement pas intéressant. Rien ne se passe pendant tout ce temps, à part la découverte d’un corps calciné après un incendie dans un vieux bâtiment de l’Abbaye d’Imleach Iubhair. Comme Fidelma et ses compagnons ne sont pas loin, ils vont enquêter. Mais il y a tellement de descriptions sur les travaux entrepris dans l’Abbaye et sur la politique du moment que je n’arrivais pas à rentrer dans ma lecture. J’ai donc décidé d’arrêter ce qui m’arrive rarement et d’autant moins quand il s’agit d’un auteur que je connais et que j’apprécie.
Alors je ne sais pas trop ce qui c’est passé. Est-ce que l’auteur a changé sa façon d’écrire ? Est-ce que c’est moi qui n’apprécie plus ces longues suites de descriptions ? Est-ce que ce n’était pas le bon moment pour que je me replonge dans cette ambiance si particulière ?
Je n’ai pas de réponses, mais je suis déçue et frustrée de ne pas être allée au bout et de ne pas avoir eu le bonheur de retrouver cet auteur.
J’ai découvert Peter Tremayne et son héroïne Sœur Fidelma il y a plus de 15 ans maintenant grâce à un ami qui me l’avait conseillé, car il savait que j’aimais les romans policiers et les romans historiques. Peter Tremayne associe les deux avec beaucoup d’aisance.
J’en ai donc lu beaucoup et acheté certains pour les avoir dans ma bibliothèque.
Et puis le temps a passé, j’ai lu d’autres choses, car je ne trouvais pas d’autres livres cet auteur dans ma bibliothèque municipale. Mais, il y a quelques semaines, ce roman était en tête de gondole de ma bibliothèque et je me suis dit que c’était le moment de retrouver Sœur Fidelma, Eadulf et Edna et l’atmosphère si particulière des romans de Peter Tremayne. J’étais très enthousiaste à l’idée de me replonger dans celle-ci.
Mais l’enthousiasme n’a pas duré. Je ne suis pas allée au-delà du quart du roman et ce n’est pas dans mes habitudes. Mais je me suis tellement ennuyée : c’est long, poussif, clairement pas intéressant. Rien ne se passe pendant tout ce temps, à part la découverte d’un corps calciné après un incendie dans un vieux bâtiment de l’Abbaye d’Imleach Iubhair. Comme Fidelma et ses compagnons ne sont pas loin, ils vont enquêter. Mais il y a tellement de descriptions sur les travaux entrepris dans l’Abbaye et sur la politique du moment que je n’arrivais pas à rentrer dans ma lecture. J’ai donc décidé d’arrêter ce qui m’arrive rarement et d’autant moins quand il s’agit d’un auteur que je connais et que j’apprécie.
Alors je ne sais pas trop ce qui c’est passé. Est-ce que l’auteur a changé sa façon d’écrire ? Est-ce que c’est moi qui n’apprécie plus ces longues suites de descriptions ? Est-ce que ce n’était pas le bon moment pour que je me replonge dans cette ambiance si particulière ?
Je n’ai pas de réponses, mais je suis déçue et frustrée de ne pas être allée au bout et de ne pas avoir eu le bonheur de retrouver cet auteur.
July 31, 2022
I have read and enjoyed most of this delightful and different series about Sister Fidelma, a 6th century Irish legal scholar, who solves a mystery in each book. Sister Fidelma is a likeable, clever character who always solves the crimes with clarity and precision, and the descriptions of ancient Ireland are well-researched, and fascinating. I especially like the intricacies of the Celtic legal system, and the ancient theology.
In this story, Fidelma and her husband Eadulf are staying at the Abbey of Imleach Lubha, where they have to solve the mystery surrounding Bishop Brodulf's death. Bishop Brudolf was there to see how the Venerable Breas taught his students, and to study the different theologies. He was also of noble Burgundian birth, and a close cousin of the Burgundian King. Fidelma has to find out who murdered him, and why. Could it be anything to do with his dislike of the Abbey's following of the teachings of Pelagius, and their dislike of the Roman theology? Sister Fidelma has to walk through a minefield of intrigue, scandal and romances, as she puts her case together.
This tale moves at a slow pace, and it is not an exciting story - more of a cosy mystery. However, I didn't mind that, and I enjoyed the theological arguments, and church history.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
In this story, Fidelma and her husband Eadulf are staying at the Abbey of Imleach Lubha, where they have to solve the mystery surrounding Bishop Brodulf's death. Bishop Brudolf was there to see how the Venerable Breas taught his students, and to study the different theologies. He was also of noble Burgundian birth, and a close cousin of the Burgundian King. Fidelma has to find out who murdered him, and why. Could it be anything to do with his dislike of the Abbey's following of the teachings of Pelagius, and their dislike of the Roman theology? Sister Fidelma has to walk through a minefield of intrigue, scandal and romances, as she puts her case together.
This tale moves at a slow pace, and it is not an exciting story - more of a cosy mystery. However, I didn't mind that, and I enjoyed the theological arguments, and church history.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
This is the 33 book in this long- running 1st century series and is complex as usual. The year is AD 672 and the setting is Ireland. For those familiar with this series, Fidelma and Eadulf are asked to investigate the death of a foreign bishop who was staying in the guesthouse at the Abbey of Muman. Fidelma and Eadulf find themselves in the middle of a mass construction project which makes their investigation more difficult with the addition of all these potential suspects at the abbey. She also finds out that the dead bishop did not die in the fire, but had been stabbed and the fire was lit to cover up the crime. Fidelma and Eadulf find many secrets at this venerable abbey. With lots of Irish religious and judicial history penned by Peter Tremayne, who is a renowned Irish scholar in his own right, our two sleuths uncover a hornet’s nest of secrets, chicanery and political intrigue. Fidelma and Eadulf discover that things are much more complicated than they first thought. These are insightful books that are filled with wonderful history facts of Ireland during the time at the beginning of the Christian faith taking hold in the British Isles. Fidelma and Eadulf, and indeed all the characters, are realistically portrayed, and the mysteries are complex and difficult—perfect for a history buff like me.
November 14, 2024
Dans ce tome, Fidelma, son époux Frère Eadulf, et leur gardien et ami Enda se rendent à l'Abbaye d'Imleach, où une catastrophe vient de se produire. Alors que des travaux d'une nouvelle hôtellerie sont en cours, la précédente, ancienne et en bois, prend feu. Un évêque burgonde, cousin du roi franc Clotaire III, trouve la mort dans l'incendie. le décès d'un visiteur de prestige nécessitant des explications diplomatiques, Fidelma va mener l'enquête pour comprendre les causes de ce qui se révèle très vite être un meurtre.
Dans une ambiance particulière d'une abbaye où de jeunes étudiants fougueux tentent de défendre une vision différente de la religion chrétienne, guidé par un vieux moine érudit adepte des traditions anciennes, Fidelma va devoir démêler le vrai du faux.
Encore un tome plutôt intéressant, où l'enquête, difficile de prime abord, va permettre à l'auteur d'évoquer une nouvelle fois les controverses qui animent l'église catholique irlandaise de l'époque. L'héroïne, toujours animée d'une fougue et d'une talent déductif hors pair; nous conduit dans les méandres d'une enquête où religion, héritage burgonde et complot s'entremêlent.
Dans une ambiance particulière d'une abbaye où de jeunes étudiants fougueux tentent de défendre une vision différente de la religion chrétienne, guidé par un vieux moine érudit adepte des traditions anciennes, Fidelma va devoir démêler le vrai du faux.
Encore un tome plutôt intéressant, où l'enquête, difficile de prime abord, va permettre à l'auteur d'évoquer une nouvelle fois les controverses qui animent l'église catholique irlandaise de l'époque. L'héroïne, toujours animée d'une fougue et d'une talent déductif hors pair; nous conduit dans les méandres d'une enquête où religion, héritage burgonde et complot s'entremêlent.
November 24, 2024
Meh. I was slogging through Steven Pinker’s semi-academic tome, “The Better Angels of our Nature,” and picked this up as a quick, light, counterweight.
It just wasn’t what I needed. With the exception of Sister Ingund, I found the characters bland and uninteresting. Even Fidelma, the star of the show, appeared bland when she was not short-tempered or needlessly critical.
So: boring characters that take forever to reach conclusions. I can accept a slow pace when the characters are fun to be with, or the setting is fascinating, or the prose style is beautiful. None of these applied.
And I did not get the murderers’ motivations. Well, in most cases. One victim, Garb, is murdered because —WHAT??? — his teacher is disappointed that he has lost faith in the church. This is a motivation to kill someone? I can get the accomplice’s motivation, simple greed compounded with envy. But to murder someone — a student in his questioning, exploratory period — because you disagree with the (probably transient) state of his beliefs?
There are people I will never understand.
It just wasn’t what I needed. With the exception of Sister Ingund, I found the characters bland and uninteresting. Even Fidelma, the star of the show, appeared bland when she was not short-tempered or needlessly critical.
So: boring characters that take forever to reach conclusions. I can accept a slow pace when the characters are fun to be with, or the setting is fascinating, or the prose style is beautiful. None of these applied.
And I did not get the murderers’ motivations. Well, in most cases. One victim, Garb, is murdered because —WHAT??? — his teacher is disappointed that he has lost faith in the church. This is a motivation to kill someone? I can get the accomplice’s motivation, simple greed compounded with envy. But to murder someone — a student in his questioning, exploratory period — because you disagree with the (probably transient) state of his beliefs?
There are people I will never understand.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2023
Fidelma and Eadulf are on their way home with Enda, they stopped for food and were told there was a death at the Abbey of Imleach. Since it was a foreign bishop they head to the Abbey. As it is quickly revealed the bishop was murdered and his wooden guest house was burned to conceal the murder. Fidelma takes on the investigation. The Abbey is in the middle of rebuilding, so there are builders on the site. They are told that the bishop apparently took manuscripts from the library and had left manuscripts in disorder. One of the students is missing. Answers bring more questions and lines of inquiry. AS to be expected the solution comes to Fidelma as the pieces fall into place for her. Death of a Heretichas discussions of the conflict in the relatively early church. This is Peter Tremayne's 33rd Sister Fidelma.
July 28, 2025
🎉🥳🎉 Yay!! I am absolutely thrilled that the wonderful Sister Fidelma series is being published in audiobook form. I love the reader's Irish accent and am wildly impressed that she knows how to pronounce the words. The delivery is a bit slow and flat for me. I am reading at 1.2 speed. But that may be a good thing. As I go along, I'm finding that I don't have an ear for the Irish words, names, and places. So going a bit slower might help with that as I get my ear tuned to the sound of the Irish words. But I have been wanting these books in audiobook form for years. So thank you to whoever made that decision.
As always, the book was well written. There was something about it that didn't hang together quite right. It seemed that we were about halfway through the book, and all of a sudden they held the legal proceedings and conclusions were drawn as facts, but there was not much explanation about where the information came from. And then the book was over. To be honest, it was a bit jolting
As always, the book was well written. There was something about it that didn't hang together quite right. It seemed that we were about halfway through the book, and all of a sudden they held the legal proceedings and conclusions were drawn as facts, but there was not much explanation about where the information came from. And then the book was over. To be honest, it was a bit jolting
March 18, 2024
First known death, a haughty bishop that came from the land of the Franks. He perished in a fire, but was already dead, someone stabbed him in his heart and set his chambers ablaze trying to pass his demise as an accident. He had come to the abbey of Imleach to try to vehemently impose his religious beliefs, those aligned with Rome. But he had a secret agenda. The second death was a leading student in the abbey, who distinguished himself by cleverly rebuking the foreign bishop's ideas in gatherings and public debates. He was found hanged in an empty house, but surely it was not a suicide. The third death was an accident, but someone tried to pretend it didn't happen. So a very intricate mystery in which deceit keeps cropping up at every turn.
May 21, 2024
It's not a bad mystery. But oh, the writing is terrible. The constant usage of an Irish term followed by its English equivalent was irritating me within a couple of pages. It makes the dialogue, already clunky, almost unmanageable. Has the man never heard of a glossary? I can't judge the Irish, only having modern Scottish Gaelic, but the Latin. Oh dear. Almost every piece of Latin that's not a direct quotation (and some which are) is wrong, sometimes hilariously so. Is it so difficult to source someone who knows Latin?
With a good editor who could pick up the clunkiness and the laziness and correct the Latin, this might be worth four stars.
With a good editor who could pick up the clunkiness and the laziness and correct the Latin, this might be worth four stars.
August 2, 2022
Sister Fidelma's mysteries are always a travel in a remote and not well know age and in the Celtic Christianity.
I think I learn a lot and always had fun.
The well researched and vivid historical background, the fleshed out and interesting characters, the solid mystery that kept me guessing: I loved this things and I found this one of the best in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I think I learn a lot and always had fun.
The well researched and vivid historical background, the fleshed out and interesting characters, the solid mystery that kept me guessing: I loved this things and I found this one of the best in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 8, 2024
Murders with the twist
Again set in religious community, the book offers a glimpse to both secular and religious life in old Ireland
Tremayne excels in interweaving religious disputes with human vices and passions
And true criminal plots, not that easy to unravel
Good reading👍
As a side note, often, I wonder how little we know about our roots and let the "collective decisions of old men made centuries ago" guide our life...
Again set in religious community, the book offers a glimpse to both secular and religious life in old Ireland
Tremayne excels in interweaving religious disputes with human vices and passions
And true criminal plots, not that easy to unravel
Good reading👍
As a side note, often, I wonder how little we know about our roots and let the "collective decisions of old men made centuries ago" guide our life...
November 2, 2024
I’m as fascinated by what Irish culture was like in the period as I am by the solution of the mysteries in this series.
The cultural viewpoint that victims are compensated by the perpetrator and rehabilitation of the perpetrator over mere punishment is an amazing concept. All the more astounding that it effectively preceded Christianity and was subsumed by cultural shifts as varying foreign invaders descended on the island.
The cultural viewpoint that victims are compensated by the perpetrator and rehabilitation of the perpetrator over mere punishment is an amazing concept. All the more astounding that it effectively preceded Christianity and was subsumed by cultural shifts as varying foreign invaders descended on the island.
October 6, 2025
This is the only volume in the series for which the library owns the audiobook version, so I listened to half and read half, like a grownup readalong so I could understand some of the pronunciations. I don't know if the end of the mystery was particularly satisfying, but it was a fun experience to listen to it.
November 26, 2025
Audio book is great, though you may have to fight thru the opening details and Irish accent and references to get 'into the swing' .. I restarted twice. Not quite finished yet, but halfway through, it is informative, interesting, and the suspense building is quite good... looking forward to see how it unravels further and resolves!
December 29, 2025
As always, I learned a lot about Ireland in the 7th century, this time about the many strands of Christianity that were vying for dominance, as well as the influence of Irish missionaries in the land of the Franks. The multiple mysteries in this volume, and the step-by-step way Fidelma untangles them made for an enjoyable step back in time.
July 22, 2022
Good.
Not by any means the best of the series.
No urgency or pressure. Just a leisurely unravelling of three over tangled stories. Even the early (but expected) appearance of the senior Brehon fails to energise this book.
Not by any means the best of the series.
No urgency or pressure. Just a leisurely unravelling of three over tangled stories. Even the early (but expected) appearance of the senior Brehon fails to energise this book.
October 4, 2022
New novel of this fantastic saga in which again Lady Fidelma is immersed in a murder investigation.
As in previous novels, she mixes religious and political issues in the plot, making the novel attractive not only as a police thriller but also as a means to learn more about medieval Ireland.
As in previous novels, she mixes religious and political issues in the plot, making the novel attractive not only as a police thriller but also as a means to learn more about medieval Ireland.
February 26, 2023
Twists and false clues fill this tale
The author carefully constructs clues leading in one direction and then flips the game board.
Be prepared to suspect the wrong person (s) throughout the story.
The author carefully constructs clues leading in one direction and then flips the game board.
Be prepared to suspect the wrong person (s) throughout the story.
February 28, 2023
Another great book in the Fidelma of Cashel series! I was very pleased to 'see' the conflicts between the different sects with Rome trying to rule with an iron hand. I applaud Mr Tremayne bringing out what is lost when one sect destroys writings that it doesn't agree with.
September 17, 2025
Excellent Mystery
There are many twists and turns in this intriguing story. The history is fascinating and Fidelma's unraveling of the events brings about a fulfilling conclusion to this adventure into faith, history, power, and love.
There are many twists and turns in this intriguing story. The history is fascinating and Fidelma's unraveling of the events brings about a fulfilling conclusion to this adventure into faith, history, power, and love.
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