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Sister Fidelma #12
The Haunted Abbot
When Fidelma of Cashel and her companion, Brother Eadulf, arrive at an abbey in East Anglia at the invitation of one of Eadulf's childhood friends, they discover the friend dead and the abbey haunted by the ghost of a young woman who closely resembles the abbot's dead wife. Reprint.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
46 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Peter Tremayne
206 books471 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 65 reviews
May 25, 2019
In the last novel, while Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are on their way to Canterbury where Brother Eadulf had messages to deliver to the Archbishop, their ship was caught in a storm and they ended up in what is now Wales. There, they solved a mystery before continuing onward.
In this novel, they are about to embark on a trip to Eadulf’s home of Seaxmund’s Ham in the land of the South Folk (modern Saxmundham, Suffolk) in the kingdom of the East Angles (East Anglia) in what was to become England. It is December, AD 666 and they are essentially traveling in hostile territory. East Anglia and the kingdom of the East Saxons (Essex) to the south had only been converted to Christianity a few decades before.
Many of the population of this time were uneducated and warlike people, so during the course of many skirmishes and battles for supremacy, pockets of the old pagan culture surfaced and found a new battle to fight: killing off and/or driving out any Christians they could find. These were uneasy times and the borderlands were often taken back and forth by the various warring factions. Plots and conspiracies were thick and a constant force that added to the population’s hardships.
When Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf arrive in the land of the South Folk, it is during one of the worst winters of recent memory. Brother Eadulf’s boyhood friend, Botulf, had sent a message to Brother Eadulf at Canterbury, asking him to arrive at the monastery where he served as Steward on a specific date and prior to midnight. However, Aldred’s Abbey is a ‘closed’ house – one where women are not allowed at all. The travelers also discover a tragedy when they arrive a few hours before midnight: Brother Botulf has been murdered.
And so begins this intriguing story of conspiracy, hatred, outlaws, in-laws, murder, and ghosts. Ghosts? Sister Fidelma believes that all mysteries on earth are only waiting for logic to resolve them, but back in his homeland, surrounded by the language and customs of his native peoples, Brother Eadulf confronts a challenge: belief in his faith? Or, belief in the ghouls and vengeance of the gods of his childhood?
As always, I found this story fascinating. My heart was always near my throat as Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf have no authority in this geography they find themselves in. Not only is the weather hostile, but so, too, are the various factions of people they become involved with – including those who are supposedly of their own faith.
Once again, the action is non-stop as the story moves from one faction of people to another. Meanwhile, Peter Tremayne cleverly stirs in generous helpings of historical fact to blend this fictional novel into a stunning finished dish at the end. I loved it, and look forward to next month’s offering more than ever.
In this novel, they are about to embark on a trip to Eadulf’s home of Seaxmund’s Ham in the land of the South Folk (modern Saxmundham, Suffolk) in the kingdom of the East Angles (East Anglia) in what was to become England. It is December, AD 666 and they are essentially traveling in hostile territory. East Anglia and the kingdom of the East Saxons (Essex) to the south had only been converted to Christianity a few decades before.
Many of the population of this time were uneducated and warlike people, so during the course of many skirmishes and battles for supremacy, pockets of the old pagan culture surfaced and found a new battle to fight: killing off and/or driving out any Christians they could find. These were uneasy times and the borderlands were often taken back and forth by the various warring factions. Plots and conspiracies were thick and a constant force that added to the population’s hardships.
When Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf arrive in the land of the South Folk, it is during one of the worst winters of recent memory. Brother Eadulf’s boyhood friend, Botulf, had sent a message to Brother Eadulf at Canterbury, asking him to arrive at the monastery where he served as Steward on a specific date and prior to midnight. However, Aldred’s Abbey is a ‘closed’ house – one where women are not allowed at all. The travelers also discover a tragedy when they arrive a few hours before midnight: Brother Botulf has been murdered.
And so begins this intriguing story of conspiracy, hatred, outlaws, in-laws, murder, and ghosts. Ghosts? Sister Fidelma believes that all mysteries on earth are only waiting for logic to resolve them, but back in his homeland, surrounded by the language and customs of his native peoples, Brother Eadulf confronts a challenge: belief in his faith? Or, belief in the ghouls and vengeance of the gods of his childhood?
As always, I found this story fascinating. My heart was always near my throat as Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf have no authority in this geography they find themselves in. Not only is the weather hostile, but so, too, are the various factions of people they become involved with – including those who are supposedly of their own faith.
Once again, the action is non-stop as the story moves from one faction of people to another. Meanwhile, Peter Tremayne cleverly stirs in generous helpings of historical fact to blend this fictional novel into a stunning finished dish at the end. I loved it, and look forward to next month’s offering more than ever.
January 28, 2022
Read this book in 2009, and its the 13th volume, chronologically, of the wonderful "Sister Fidelma" series.
In this tale Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, after having conducted their business with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, and ready to return home to Ireland, they receive an urgent message from Eadulf's childhood friend Brother Botulf to attend him at Aldred's Abbey at midnight on ghe old pagan feast of Yule.
When Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf get there, they will find Brother Botulf dead, brutally killed by an unknown hand.
Not only this murder is not the only danger they will have to face, there's also the ghost of the Abbot's dead wife, that seems to haunt the place with its sinister shadow.
Her skill as Brehon, lawyer of the Irish Court, when sifting all the evidence will come to full fruition with Brother Eadulf by her side, and together they will solve this case before more murders will follow .
What is to follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf excel in their partnership as investigators of the murder of Brother Butolf, and after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, Sister Fidelma will be able to reveal the culprit behind this terrible murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Haunted Abbot!
In this tale Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, after having conducted their business with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, and ready to return home to Ireland, they receive an urgent message from Eadulf's childhood friend Brother Botulf to attend him at Aldred's Abbey at midnight on ghe old pagan feast of Yule.
When Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf get there, they will find Brother Botulf dead, brutally killed by an unknown hand.
Not only this murder is not the only danger they will have to face, there's also the ghost of the Abbot's dead wife, that seems to haunt the place with its sinister shadow.
Her skill as Brehon, lawyer of the Irish Court, when sifting all the evidence will come to full fruition with Brother Eadulf by her side, and together they will solve this case before more murders will follow .
What is to follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf excel in their partnership as investigators of the murder of Brother Butolf, and after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, Sister Fidelma will be able to reveal the culprit behind this terrible murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Haunted Abbot!
January 13, 2012
I've read four of the Sister Fidelma mysteries now. I don't read serial novels very much, and when i do I like to be able to read them out of order. I read this one after the first one because it was the "Christmas" offering in the series. No. 11 in the series, it turned out to be spookier, grittier, and more "into" tho common folk of Sister Fidelma's era (7th century Britain) than was the first entry. Perhaps the winter atmosphere made it so, but it was much more effective, I felt.
The "Christmas" attitude was tempered by the fact that it was also the season of the Celtic pagan "Yuletide" and the reader truly felt the grimness of winter in this bleak story. Also, Sister Fidelma and her companion, the monk/doctor Eadulf, were this time sidetracked and snowbound in what might be a haunted monastary where a spooky murder has been committed. Not exactly your usual Christmas fare. .
Written by Peter Beresford Ellis, under a pseudonym, a scholar of Celtic historical culture, these novels have a realism that pervades the text, even within the fantastic circumstances.
I'll probably take a long break before reading any others of the series, but the fact that I read four, pretty much in a row, speaks to how well I thought of this set of mysteries.
The "Christmas" attitude was tempered by the fact that it was also the season of the Celtic pagan "Yuletide" and the reader truly felt the grimness of winter in this bleak story. Also, Sister Fidelma and her companion, the monk/doctor Eadulf, were this time sidetracked and snowbound in what might be a haunted monastary where a spooky murder has been committed. Not exactly your usual Christmas fare. .
Written by Peter Beresford Ellis, under a pseudonym, a scholar of Celtic historical culture, these novels have a realism that pervades the text, even within the fantastic circumstances.
I'll probably take a long break before reading any others of the series, but the fact that I read four, pretty much in a row, speaks to how well I thought of this set of mysteries.
August 30, 2011
How can anyone not like Sister Fidelma?!
July 17, 2012
I am just addicted to this series!
December 18, 2013
A terrific story with incredible historical accuracy. As good as the story was, the writing was even better. Tremayne has become one of my favorite authors of all-time.
July 11, 2021
As per my usual reviews, I don't summarize the story since nearly all the earlier reviewers do a good job of that. What you get from me is my opinion. In this case, since I've been reading all the Fidelman mysteries in order, it was nice to see her now-husband Eadulf taking the lead while she is ill. But a big disappointment to me was that the author didn't give us the marriage proposal and acceptance, nor the wedding, which occurred between this book and the previous one in the series. A little flashback during this story would have been appreciated.
But the mystery was excellent, and the Abbot was indeed haunted, although not in the supernatural way. The misogyny and prejudice against women in 7th century Britain was described well, and an important comparison/contrast to Fidelma's acceptance in Ireland. No spoilers, but the ending was very nice.
But the mystery was excellent, and the Abbot was indeed haunted, although not in the supernatural way. The misogyny and prejudice against women in 7th century Britain was described well, and an important comparison/contrast to Fidelma's acceptance in Ireland. No spoilers, but the ending was very nice.
April 30, 2021
Fidelma and Eadulf are traveling through the land of the South Folk, to visit Seaxmund's Ham, his birth place.
In this country Fidelma has no standing, the Saxons having no respect for a female judge, the Roman Church, likewise, dismissing Celtic Christianity, and her Irish royal kin being disregarded as distant and weak.
So it is up to Eadulf to investigate the evil that lurks in Aldred's Abbey.
In this country Fidelma has no standing, the Saxons having no respect for a female judge, the Roman Church, likewise, dismissing Celtic Christianity, and her Irish royal kin being disregarded as distant and weak.
So it is up to Eadulf to investigate the evil that lurks in Aldred's Abbey.
November 4, 2015
In 666 AD, Sister Fidelma is in what will become Great Britain with her Saxon husband Brother Eudolf'. They travel to Aldred's Abbey to meet Eudolf's childhood friend, Brother Botulf, who begged them to come to the abby for a midnight meeting. They travel in a blinding snowstorm and arrive to find Brother Botulf murdered. Fidelma becomes ill and the Abbot Cild doesn't want a female in residence. When Cild sees the ghost of his dead wife, he locks up Fidelma because he thinks she's a witch. When she recovers, she has to escape in order to be able to prove her innocense and to bring the guilty party to justice. This is an excellent, exciting story that I could not put down. I highly recommend it and will read the rest of this series.
October 2, 2010
Always of interest, another chronicle in the life of Sister Fidelma. She is back with her friend, and together they are in Saxon England visiting his homeland. There it doesn't go well. Sister Fidelam is very sick, Eadwulf discovers that the friend he had meant to visit has died just that morning, and then Sister Fidelma is accused of witchcraft. The story is full of who is fighting against whom, but it all makes sense. Typically the books are set in Ireland during the 600's, so it was a real treat to read a book set in England. It was amazing to read by comparison how much more advanced the Irish society was. Lots less violence. Much more equality.
September 23, 2011
Sister Fidelma does it again. Even after a brief illness, she puts together the clues and testimonies Brother Eadulf has collected and makes sense of the chaos. Another great mystery by Tremayne, and this Signet paperback includes a pronunciation guide to the Old Irish language used in names in these books. Also includes a historical note regarding the theme of this story.
These are very educational mystery novels and give insight to the great system of laws the Irish had while the rest of Europe languished in ignorance and warfare.
These are very educational mystery novels and give insight to the great system of laws the Irish had while the rest of Europe languished in ignorance and warfare.
April 14, 2015
Our duo have gone to Canterbury since we left them and are now off to visit Eadulf's homeland planning to stop and see his old friend who sent a mysterious note at a nearby abbey. Upon arrival they find that friend murdered. Fidelma has taken ill from a storm and being in Saxon lands her gender does her no favors. Consequently, Eadulf takes the lead for much of the story which was a nice change. The abbot is a nasty man with a dead wife who appears to be haunting him. Outlaws are in the woods. As usual all is right in the end.
February 23, 2017
Me reconozco fan incondicional de Sor Fidelma y su compañero Eadulf.
Me parece una saga sumamente interesante, bien ambientada en la que la resolución de los misterios que se presentan se basan en la deducción lógica de los hechos previamente expuestos.
En esta nueva novela se mezclan fenómenos supuestamente paranormales que resolverá Sor Fidelma ayudada, como no, por su compañero.
Ficción histórica y thriller policíaco, hacen de esta saga todo referente.
Me parece una saga sumamente interesante, bien ambientada en la que la resolución de los misterios que se presentan se basan en la deducción lógica de los hechos previamente expuestos.
En esta nueva novela se mezclan fenómenos supuestamente paranormales que resolverá Sor Fidelma ayudada, como no, por su compañero.
Ficción histórica y thriller policíaco, hacen de esta saga todo referente.
March 3, 2007
(my copy of this is the UK edition from 2002) I am a HUGE fan of Peter Tremayne and Sister Fidelma. I'm a total Fidelma nerd who went to Ireland just to see locations from the books! These are A-1, better than the best, "don't talk to me while I'm reading them" books! I even go so far as to order the books from the UK so I can get them a year in advance.
October 8, 2014
I read this latest Fidelma mystery in less than 9 hours. As usual, Tremayne's series grabs me from the first page of the introduction right through to the end. As with the Owen Archer series by Candace Robb, where I gained significant insight into Medieval England & Wales, I am learning more and more about Ancient Ireland, the early British Isles and the beginnings of the Catholic Church.
July 15, 2018
The leader of the community of religious community is truly mad.
Now it all depends as to what you consider 'mad'.
I could answer this with the answer however what happens to Sister Fedlima is not good with the exception of wondering if her 'wanderings' with her companion is truly questionable.
That is the only heads up that I will give out.
READ!
Now it all depends as to what you consider 'mad'.
I could answer this with the answer however what happens to Sister Fedlima is not good with the exception of wondering if her 'wanderings' with her companion is truly questionable.
That is the only heads up that I will give out.
READ!
June 5, 2014
Das zweite Buch meiner Urlaubslektüre stammt wieder aus meinem SuB. In fast einem Rutsch weg gelesen und für sehr gut befunden (09/10 Punkte).
Meine Rezension könnt ihr hier nachlesen: http://sunsys-blog.blogspot.de/2014/0... .
Meine Rezension könnt ihr hier nachlesen: http://sunsys-blog.blogspot.de/2014/0... .
September 10, 2018
Well written and engaging installment in the series. Sister Fidelma is ill with a fever during much of the first half of the book so Brother Eadulf has to take the lead in the investigation of the murder of his childhood friend. Fidelma is back and in full form by the end of the book.
February 3, 2010
This was very interesting. I'd like to pick up some of the earlier books in the series sometime to read.
August 16, 2011
An enjoyable easy read
May 18, 2012
Fidelma is smart both as an advocate and a detective.
September 2, 2012
Saxon England. Eadulf's home
May 16, 2014
As usual with this series, lots of fun - a "Cadfael" genre which I enjoy
November 2, 2014
I have to admit that I wasn't sure I was
going to like this book.
I really felt that I was there, seeing
the hardships that Eadulf and Sister Fidelma
had to endure.
going to like this book.
I really felt that I was there, seeing
the hardships that Eadulf and Sister Fidelma
had to endure.
March 17, 2016
Very entertaining, original and well written.
November 18, 2024
Okay so, in some ways I like this book more than any of the others so far. Eadulf is finally given a major part and doesn’t just seem like the sad clueless Watson to Fidelma’s Sherlock. For the majority of the novel, he leads the action, investigating and making decisions, protecting Fidelma and deciding who can be trusted. The novel is told from his point of view and it is fitting since he is in his own land. But in the last quarter of the book suddenly it is Fidelma who takes over and brings everything to a close and Eadulf is unceremoniously cast back into the role of annoying sidekick who is given “the look” when he jumps in early.
When I started reading this series I loved the character of strong, decisive Fidelma who always makes the decisions and is never wrong. But as time progresses, the author has made me come more and more to resent her pride, her treatment of Eadulf and most of all, her lack of weakness. In this novel, it is as though Peter Tremayne is so in love with Fidelma that he can’t let Eadulf properly have the spotlight and his to wrench it back to her, thus, I think, messing up the whole thing he started in giving the spotlight to Eadulf in the first place.
Finally, can it be said… Peter Tremayne sucks at love scenes. There is more passion and description given to a minor character’s forbidden liaison than to the romance development of the two main characters. Come on, now.
When I started reading this series I loved the character of strong, decisive Fidelma who always makes the decisions and is never wrong. But as time progresses, the author has made me come more and more to resent her pride, her treatment of Eadulf and most of all, her lack of weakness. In this novel, it is as though Peter Tremayne is so in love with Fidelma that he can’t let Eadulf properly have the spotlight and his to wrench it back to her, thus, I think, messing up the whole thing he started in giving the spotlight to Eadulf in the first place.
Finally, can it be said… Peter Tremayne sucks at love scenes. There is more passion and description given to a minor character’s forbidden liaison than to the romance development of the two main characters. Come on, now.
October 2, 2021
Peter Tremayne’s construction of 7th century Britain and Ireland remains an engaging site for a murder mystery and here is enterprising Irish nun and lawyer, Sister Fidelma, finds herself in the austere word of a Rome aligned monastery in Suffolk. She and her companion, Brother Eadulf have been called back to Eadulf’s home region by an old friend, only to find death and mayhem. There’s plenty of geopolitical skulduggery, woodland bandits, threats of invasion, theological wrangling and a seemingly murderous swamp all within a half day’s walk
Fidelma, our hero, is confined to her sickbed for over half the book leaving Eadulf to explore and investigate, yet as is so often the case the side-kick can only get so far, while much of the case turns on small details and subtle associations. One of the satisfying aspects of Tremayne’s procedurals is that he does not rely on any sense of mystical insight on Fidelma’s part – nun she may be but she is also a lawyer and advocate so driven by detail, inconsistency and evidential factors – so there may be big issues in the cases, but they turn on the people Tremayne builds into his characters and therefore avoids anything too surprising in the end – even if it turns out not quite as expected.
All very satisfying and undemanding – as a good Sunday afternoon murder mystery should be.
Fidelma, our hero, is confined to her sickbed for over half the book leaving Eadulf to explore and investigate, yet as is so often the case the side-kick can only get so far, while much of the case turns on small details and subtle associations. One of the satisfying aspects of Tremayne’s procedurals is that he does not rely on any sense of mystical insight on Fidelma’s part – nun she may be but she is also a lawyer and advocate so driven by detail, inconsistency and evidential factors – so there may be big issues in the cases, but they turn on the people Tremayne builds into his characters and therefore avoids anything too surprising in the end – even if it turns out not quite as expected.
All very satisfying and undemanding – as a good Sunday afternoon murder mystery should be.
April 29, 2019
3 1/2 stars it would have been more but Eadulf spends most of the book whining and angry that things aren't going his way. These books work best with as little Eadulf as possible and with as much Fidelma as possible.
My people have a saying: let those who think war is a solution go to war. A war only makes the victor brutal and the vanquished vengeful.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 22)
There is an old proverb. “Let not your tongue cut your throat.”
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 91)
Falsehood often goes farther than truth when dealing with a liar, and such a lie will eventually pass away while only the truth remains.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 108)
Indeed, much is accomplished by drinking here for drink unlocks secrets, it confirms our hopes, lifts burdens from anxious minds, teaches us new arts and urges the timorous into battle. For a bad night, there is always the soft mattress of mead, and many a friend and many a lover have met over a jug.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 215)
Our fate is written more by coincidence than by careful planning.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 295)
https://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/201...
My people have a saying: let those who think war is a solution go to war. A war only makes the victor brutal and the vanquished vengeful.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 22)
There is an old proverb. “Let not your tongue cut your throat.”
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 91)
Falsehood often goes farther than truth when dealing with a liar, and such a lie will eventually pass away while only the truth remains.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 108)
Indeed, much is accomplished by drinking here for drink unlocks secrets, it confirms our hopes, lifts burdens from anxious minds, teaches us new arts and urges the timorous into battle. For a bad night, there is always the soft mattress of mead, and many a friend and many a lover have met over a jug.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 215)
Our fate is written more by coincidence than by careful planning.
-Peter Tremayne (The Haunted Abbot p 295)
https://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/201...
March 15, 2025
One of the things I like so much about this series is that Fidelma is respected and treated well, despite being a woman. I missed that in this book, but enjoyed watching Eadulf take center stage in questioning people, collecting clues and fitting them together to almost solve the mysteries involved in the story. I say almost because, in the end, it was Fidelma who put it all together - but Eadulf did most of the legwork that allowed her to reach her conclusions.
As customary with the books in this series, in addition to the mysteries presented here, we are given a history lesson, but not in a heavy-handed way. Trying to keep up with which factions were fighting and why was a bit confusing at times, and the unusual (to me) character names sometimes complicated things even more, but I was still able to focus on one person as my primary suspect. Although I didn't have the motive exactly right, I *was correct about that character.
The next several books from this series are in my audiobook library, and I'm eager to listen to the next one. The last scene of this book makes it hard to wait to see what happens next!
As customary with the books in this series, in addition to the mysteries presented here, we are given a history lesson, but not in a heavy-handed way. Trying to keep up with which factions were fighting and why was a bit confusing at times, and the unusual (to me) character names sometimes complicated things even more, but I was still able to focus on one person as my primary suspect. Although I didn't have the motive exactly right, I *was correct about that character.
The next several books from this series are in my audiobook library, and I'm eager to listen to the next one. The last scene of this book makes it hard to wait to see what happens next!
September 10, 2023
For anyone not reading the series in order, there is a mild spoiler below.
Fidelma, now Eadulf's ben cahrrthach, accompanies him to his Saxon homelands to Aldred's Abbey, where Eadulf has received an urgent summons from his old friend Brother Botulf. While warned that the abbey is home to great evil, they journey through perilous weather to arrive at the abbey only to find Botfulf dead and the abbot in charge to be a tyrannical misogynist.
The first half might be more aptly called a "Brother Eadulf" mystery than a Sister Fildema mystery, and some may find that more pleasing than others. Sadly, given than readers have waited eleven prior installments for Fidelma and Eadulf to be more than companions, this book does little to develop their relationship (one might argue until the very last sentence of the book). In what is probably the most chaste representation of a couple I've ever encountered, the final page seems almost to say: "I'll get to them in the next installment, promise!". I guess I will find out.
There's a supernatural tinge here, which of course faithful Fidelma readers will know always holds some other explanation. The characterization is a bit more complex across the board than in some of the other books. Allies can't be trusted, there are several folks who aren't quite antagonists, but neither are they allies, and as always there are mistaken identities. Aldhere, an outlaw, has a rich backstory that provides him with a certain depth and nuance of character. Women get very little airtime (partially due to the setting of Abbot Cild's vehemently male-only abbey), save for a peasant girl named Lioba, the Abbot's wife (in memoriam), and Bertha, the "woman" of Aldhere.
What is most refreshing in this particular book is that we get more sense of Anglo-Saxon history in the Heptarchy: the kingdom of Mercia, vs. East Anglia, etc. Much is made of the different systems of justice, not just between Christian and pagan, but more specifically between that of Eireann and Saxon. As I cannot speak to authority on either culture, I will simply say that there is a clear implication as to which is more enlightened (which will not come as a surprise).
The story benefits from a few different locations--the abbey, outside the abbey, and the farmhouse of 'Mad' Mul. There are some labyrinthine passages--both actual and metaphorical--that help keep the narrative alive. The arrival of Sigeric, high steward to Ealdwulf, King of East Anglia, provides a bit of a jumpstart just as things start to lag a bit, as does a murder just before the end of the book.
Fidelma, now Eadulf's ben cahrrthach, accompanies him to his Saxon homelands to Aldred's Abbey, where Eadulf has received an urgent summons from his old friend Brother Botulf. While warned that the abbey is home to great evil, they journey through perilous weather to arrive at the abbey only to find Botfulf dead and the abbot in charge to be a tyrannical misogynist.
The first half might be more aptly called a "Brother Eadulf" mystery than a Sister Fildema mystery, and some may find that more pleasing than others. Sadly, given than readers have waited eleven prior installments for Fidelma and Eadulf to be more than companions, this book does little to develop their relationship (one might argue until the very last sentence of the book). In what is probably the most chaste representation of a couple I've ever encountered, the final page seems almost to say: "I'll get to them in the next installment, promise!". I guess I will find out.
There's a supernatural tinge here, which of course faithful Fidelma readers will know always holds some other explanation. The characterization is a bit more complex across the board than in some of the other books. Allies can't be trusted, there are several folks who aren't quite antagonists, but neither are they allies, and as always there are mistaken identities. Aldhere, an outlaw, has a rich backstory that provides him with a certain depth and nuance of character. Women get very little airtime (partially due to the setting of Abbot Cild's vehemently male-only abbey), save for a peasant girl named Lioba, the Abbot's wife (in memoriam), and Bertha, the "woman" of Aldhere.
What is most refreshing in this particular book is that we get more sense of Anglo-Saxon history in the Heptarchy: the kingdom of Mercia, vs. East Anglia, etc. Much is made of the different systems of justice, not just between Christian and pagan, but more specifically between that of Eireann and Saxon. As I cannot speak to authority on either culture, I will simply say that there is a clear implication as to which is more enlightened (which will not come as a surprise).
The story benefits from a few different locations--the abbey, outside the abbey, and the farmhouse of 'Mad' Mul. There are some labyrinthine passages--both actual and metaphorical--that help keep the narrative alive. The arrival of Sigeric, high steward to Ealdwulf, King of East Anglia, provides a bit of a jumpstart just as things start to lag a bit, as does a murder just before the end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews