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Sister Deirdre #2
Sacrifice
Someone is killing the nuns of Ireland.
The grisly discovery of an elderly sister of Saint Brigid’s monastery strangled, bled dry, and thrown into a bog is just the beginning. Soon a beautiful young nun is found decapitated and hung from a barren tree. It doesn’t take long before the members of the struggling monastic community of Kildare realize that not only are the nuns being hunted by a serial killer, but the murderer is preforming the gruesome slayings in the manner of the ancient druid sacrifices.
Set in the turmoil of sixth-century Ireland, where ruthless tribal kings wage constant war for survival and the powerful religious order of the druids is threatened by the newly-arrived Christian church, the desperate task of finding the killer falls to Sister Deirdre, a young women torn between the world of the monastery and her own druidic heritage. Unless Deirdre can find the killer before the cycle of sacrifices is complete, more of her friends will die, the monastery will face destruction, and the whole of Ireland may be plunged into civil war.
The grisly discovery of an elderly sister of Saint Brigid’s monastery strangled, bled dry, and thrown into a bog is just the beginning. Soon a beautiful young nun is found decapitated and hung from a barren tree. It doesn’t take long before the members of the struggling monastic community of Kildare realize that not only are the nuns being hunted by a serial killer, but the murderer is preforming the gruesome slayings in the manner of the ancient druid sacrifices.
Set in the turmoil of sixth-century Ireland, where ruthless tribal kings wage constant war for survival and the powerful religious order of the druids is threatened by the newly-arrived Christian church, the desperate task of finding the killer falls to Sister Deirdre, a young women torn between the world of the monastery and her own druidic heritage. Unless Deirdre can find the killer before the cycle of sacrifices is complete, more of her friends will die, the monastery will face destruction, and the whole of Ireland may be plunged into civil war.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2015
2 people are currently reading
1124 people want to read
About the author
Philip Freeman
80 books523 followersI teach Classics and Celtic studies at Luther College in the beautiful little town of Decorah, Iowa. I did my doctoral work at Harvard and taught at Boston University and Washington University in St. Louis before coming to Luther to help run the Classics department. I love teaching and see my writing as an extension of my work in the classroom. I hope you enjoy the books as much as I enjoyed writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 12, 2015
Medieval Ireland, the Druids and the Christians, this is what drew me to this series. Sister Deidre is a Druid bard, well respected and she is also a nun at the Monastery in Kildare. Christianity is gaining a small foothold ever since the monastery was founded by Brigid, but most are still Druids. The murder of some of the sisters in the old way of Druid sacrifices may start a war between clans and Sister Deidre is called on to find out who is the killer.
I actually liked the first in series much better, but I do love reading about the older religions and how Ireland was ruled and separated into clans. The storyline was good but not as well written, and there seemed to be some outlandish occurrences that just seemed awkward. Still it was an okay read for the history and I didn't guess the murderer so there was that.
I actually liked the first in series much better, but I do love reading about the older religions and how Ireland was ruled and separated into clans. The storyline was good but not as well written, and there seemed to be some outlandish occurrences that just seemed awkward. Still it was an okay read for the history and I didn't guess the murderer so there was that.
November 10, 2015
Let me start off by saying that I liked this, I really did. So if I liked it, then why didn't I give it five stars?
What kept me from giving this five stars was Deirdre, and the writing, in that order.
Deirdre, while a great narrator and a likeable protagonist, was kind of bland to be honest. I didn't get much of a personality from her to be honest with you, there was nothing about her character that really stood out. She was just kind of there, telling the story but that was about it. I didn't connect to her in any way.
And my main problem with the writing was the pattern. It went from three pages of dialogue to three pages of info dump. That was pretty much how the story was told. There was nothing about the characters were doing while they were talking, no facial expressions, all I pictured was just two people sitting and talking for an extended period of time without fidgeting or doing anything.
The thing with info dumps is that it gives you too much to remember all at once so you end up forgetting all of it, it's what I've seen a lot of people do when they first start writing fanfiction. It wasn't that the information was boring but I would've remembered more about the characters and every person that died if all the information concerning those characters wasn't dumped on me all at once. I remembered absolutely nothing about anyone besides their names.
My favourite character, personally was Sister Anna, she was such a strong character, she didn't bullshit from anyone, she had built a life for herself, and she's not ashamed of her past. I would've loved to have read more about her, I wished she'd played a bigger role throughout the story.
I liked the details about druids and druid teachings though, I found them very interesting, and this is the first story I've ever read involving druids to be honest. I liked how the story paid attention to how hard it was to balance both druids and Christians at the same time and the tension that the two groups faced.
The story does deal with some sensitive topics such as rape so if you can't handle that then I wouldn't suggest reading it, but I appreciated the fact that it didn't romanticise the topic. But all in all, it was a pretty solid story.
What kept me from giving this five stars was Deirdre, and the writing, in that order.
Deirdre, while a great narrator and a likeable protagonist, was kind of bland to be honest. I didn't get much of a personality from her to be honest with you, there was nothing about her character that really stood out. She was just kind of there, telling the story but that was about it. I didn't connect to her in any way.
And my main problem with the writing was the pattern. It went from three pages of dialogue to three pages of info dump. That was pretty much how the story was told. There was nothing about the characters were doing while they were talking, no facial expressions, all I pictured was just two people sitting and talking for an extended period of time without fidgeting or doing anything.
The thing with info dumps is that it gives you too much to remember all at once so you end up forgetting all of it, it's what I've seen a lot of people do when they first start writing fanfiction. It wasn't that the information was boring but I would've remembered more about the characters and every person that died if all the information concerning those characters wasn't dumped on me all at once. I remembered absolutely nothing about anyone besides their names.
My favourite character, personally was Sister Anna, she was such a strong character, she didn't bullshit from anyone, she had built a life for herself, and she's not ashamed of her past. I would've loved to have read more about her, I wished she'd played a bigger role throughout the story.
I liked the details about druids and druid teachings though, I found them very interesting, and this is the first story I've ever read involving druids to be honest. I liked how the story paid attention to how hard it was to balance both druids and Christians at the same time and the tension that the two groups faced.
The story does deal with some sensitive topics such as rape so if you can't handle that then I wouldn't suggest reading it, but I appreciated the fact that it didn't romanticise the topic. But all in all, it was a pretty solid story.
December 17, 2015
See my review of the first in this series (Saint Brigid's Bones). I went ahead and read the second book though disappointed in the first, and again found it to be simplistic and shallow. Too bad, really, because I love the genre and have read most of the fiction books published...always hoping to find yet another series to lap up.
August 27, 2017
The nuns of Saint Brigid's monastery are being murdered in Druid style sacrifices.Sister Deirdre is expelled from the monastery and charged by both Sister Anne and the king to find the killer so that he can be brought to justice and prevent additional deaths. Fans of the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters will enjoy the book which was a free review copy through Goodreads.com.
March 28, 2016
Sacrifice, by Philip Freeman is the second installment in the Sister Deirdre Celtic Adventure series. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this particular story because I really felt the first, although a decent book didn’t have enough “adventure” to be called an adventure. The first book introduces us to the intrepid nun and gives us an idea of her personality, her background, and even her passions, but gives us little in the area of fast pace and suspense. Sacrifice really changes that and I was very pleased with the pacing, the twists and turns and how the story was laid out and the characters further developed.
Sacrifice is a title that tells it all. Nuns of St. Brigid are being sacrificed in the old druid fashion and Sister Deirdre is assigned the task of finding out who is responsible before war breaks out. Her king and her superior at the convent both charge her with this task and she takes off like a shot to prove that she can be trusted with such a task and also to stop further bloodshed. With these two considerations before her, she begins her quest.
Day after day, more lives are lost and she has little time to figure things out before the Christians of Ireland take up arms against the Druids. Her own family is caught in the crossfire and Deirdre must work quickly. It was this pace and underlying fears felt by our heroine that kept me interested through the entire story. Was it a Druid responsible or someone else? Could it all be happening from within the Christian community itself? These are all questions she has to sift through to solve the mystery. It was that last, final twist that left me gaping at the open pages of my book with wide, disbelieving eyes. Well done, Mr. Freeman!
I think any lover of history and mystery will really enjoy Sacrifice as much as I did. If you want to be held in thrall by a story with great plot twists, well-drawn out characters and well researched history, then this is the book for you. Philip Freeman brings ancient Ireland to life!
Sacrifice is a title that tells it all. Nuns of St. Brigid are being sacrificed in the old druid fashion and Sister Deirdre is assigned the task of finding out who is responsible before war breaks out. Her king and her superior at the convent both charge her with this task and she takes off like a shot to prove that she can be trusted with such a task and also to stop further bloodshed. With these two considerations before her, she begins her quest.
Day after day, more lives are lost and she has little time to figure things out before the Christians of Ireland take up arms against the Druids. Her own family is caught in the crossfire and Deirdre must work quickly. It was this pace and underlying fears felt by our heroine that kept me interested through the entire story. Was it a Druid responsible or someone else? Could it all be happening from within the Christian community itself? These are all questions she has to sift through to solve the mystery. It was that last, final twist that left me gaping at the open pages of my book with wide, disbelieving eyes. Well done, Mr. Freeman!
I think any lover of history and mystery will really enjoy Sacrifice as much as I did. If you want to be held in thrall by a story with great plot twists, well-drawn out characters and well researched history, then this is the book for you. Philip Freeman brings ancient Ireland to life!
June 30, 2016
I thought this was a very interesting book, I really enjoyed reading reading this book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I thought the characters and plot were very well written. And of course after I get on Goodreads I find out that this is a second book in a series. I found this copy at my public library. Now I will have to find the first book.
June 17, 2015
I love reading about druids and old Irish tales. Wish it were longer.
September 7, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
In my review of the previous novel, I was hesitating about reading the second novel in the series. Well, I did...and I'm feeling a little better about this one than the previous novel. This one centers more on the conflict rather than Deidre's seemingly modern morals for being stuck in the 500s-600s CE. Is there much other character building? No, other than one character who was shrouded in mystery last novel. Is the mystery compelling? Yes, moreso than the last one. Pacing also improved, but occasionally Dr. Freeman got lost in the details to promote historical accuracy, which stalled the story for brief moments (i.e., hearing about the soldiers' helmets and attire smack dab in the middle of an important plot point narrative).
In conclusion, it's better than the previous novel, but not something you'd want to tell every single one of your friends about. 3.5/5 Stars
In my review of the previous novel, I was hesitating about reading the second novel in the series. Well, I did...and I'm feeling a little better about this one than the previous novel. This one centers more on the conflict rather than Deidre's seemingly modern morals for being stuck in the 500s-600s CE. Is there much other character building? No, other than one character who was shrouded in mystery last novel. Is the mystery compelling? Yes, moreso than the last one. Pacing also improved, but occasionally Dr. Freeman got lost in the details to promote historical accuracy, which stalled the story for brief moments (i.e., hearing about the soldiers' helmets and attire smack dab in the middle of an important plot point narrative).
In conclusion, it's better than the previous novel, but not something you'd want to tell every single one of your friends about. 3.5/5 Stars
February 28, 2021
This was my second grab-bag-bookclub book. Fascinating historical milieu (it's set in 500 AD Ireland) and really good detail (the author is a scholar of the period), particularly re: the clashes between Druids and Christians as Christianity slowly subsumed the pre-existing culture/traditions of the island. But wow is it boring. The structure of the mystery should have been good but it's all told, not shown, and Deirdre, the main character, doesn't react emotionally to anything (including ). The murders also come on the heels of one another too quickly, so there's no opportunity for the tension to build. I did like the end.
September 24, 2017
I won Sacrifice: A Celtic Adventure by Philip Freeman from Goodreads.
Readers are quickly engrossed in the characters and the mystery in Philip Freeman's second book in the Sister Brigid series, Sacrifice. Brigid races to stop a brutal killer who is murdering nuns associated with the monastery in a Druidic ritualistic way. Brigid also endeavors to stop a war as tensions grow between Christians and Druids, and among the various clans.
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy immersing themselves into the Celtic world and mystery lovers will appreciate the well-plotted whodunit. Can Brigid stop the killings? Or will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
Readers are quickly engrossed in the characters and the mystery in Philip Freeman's second book in the Sister Brigid series, Sacrifice. Brigid races to stop a brutal killer who is murdering nuns associated with the monastery in a Druidic ritualistic way. Brigid also endeavors to stop a war as tensions grow between Christians and Druids, and among the various clans.
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy immersing themselves into the Celtic world and mystery lovers will appreciate the well-plotted whodunit. Can Brigid stop the killings? Or will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
October 27, 2020
As with the first book in this series, this is a very gentle mystery. If possible the historical setting has an even lighter influence here, though the conflict between druids and Christians is front and centre. However the very light touch in regards to setting the historical scene means the unhistorical language and concepts are less jarring.
Deidre and her skills are also toned down - though still at times painfully perfect (although she's not the sharpest knife in the chest).
The writing overall still feels very juvenile, but the less it takes itself seriously, the more bearable it is.
Deidre and her skills are also toned down - though still at times painfully perfect (although she's not the sharpest knife in the chest).
The writing overall still feels very juvenile, but the less it takes itself seriously, the more bearable it is.
January 13, 2019
Someone is killing the nuns of St Brigid and in a manner used by the Druids once but no longer. Ireland in a time when there are people who had actually spoken with Patrick and Brigid; and there were still Druids walking the land Sister Deidre is charged with finding the murderer. But the Abbas Sister Anna expels Deirdre. The king wishes her to continue. The Druids are the most likely suspects but could it have be it is the western clans? Sister Deirdre has a difficult task ahead of her in Sacrifice. Philip Freeman writes in a time before the British or the Vikings, the misty past.
January 22, 2021
Another interesting plot from Philip Freeman. This is the second mystery in the Celtic Adventure Series. The primary character (heroine) Deirdre is a druid bard and converted Christian, a nun, within St. Brigid's monastic order. Deirdre has the gift of getting into trouble and irritating others in charge.
The story moves along quickly and is well researched regarding the time period.
The story moves along quickly and is well researched regarding the time period.
June 17, 2018
I wish I had known that this is book #2!
Now I need to find out what the title of book one is!
Shock, wondering what is next and how it will end!
I think that I have found a new author!
This is a GREAT who done it.
Now I need to find out what the title of book one is!
Shock, wondering what is next and how it will end!
I think that I have found a new author!
This is a GREAT who done it.
February 11, 2023
Life in ancient Ireland, told through beautifully technicolour words that
remind you of the brutality of humanity in descriptive reality and the dangers of religious beliefs.
Thoroughly enjoyable middle book of this 3 book series, thank you Philip Freeman,
much appreciated. :-)
remind you of the brutality of humanity in descriptive reality and the dangers of religious beliefs.
Thoroughly enjoyable middle book of this 3 book series, thank you Philip Freeman,
much appreciated. :-)
November 11, 2016
I enjoyed this the second book in the series, but it was a pretty short book. I did however learn quite a bit about Druids. It was interesting.
February 5, 2018
I enjoy the historical aspects of Freeman's series but this book was a little too graphic and too hard to believe.
August 2, 2018
I’m enjoying this genre atm. Ancient Ireland, religion, Druids, murder and mystery.
July 30, 2019
Difficult to relate to this ancient time. Interesting,though.
August 14, 2019
Even Better Than The First
Enthralling mystery that keeps you in suspense right up until the end, and even more suspenseful than the first in the series.
Enthralling mystery that keeps you in suspense right up until the end, and even more suspenseful than the first in the series.
August 19, 2019
I find the celt mysteries fascinating. This was a bit bloody, but imagine that is what it was like.
October 13, 2020
Mystery set in 500's Ireland.
September 15, 2015
Sister Deirdre is back on the detecting job when a serial killer begins stalking the nuns of Saint Brigid's Monastery in this second of Philip Freeman's enjoyable sixth century Celtic adventure series.
Deirdre, a nun who also retains her status as a Druidic bard, and her grandmother, a respected Druid seer, soon determine the grisly murders are ritual sacrifices, which points the finger of guilt at one of their own. Such sacrifices haven't been performed by the local Druids for centuries and the manner in which they are done defiles the religion.
When Deirdre declines to reveal Druidic secrets Sister Anna, the abbess, expels her from the monastery. Because of her unique position with insight into both worlds, King Dunlaing charges Deirdre with the task of finding the murderer whose actions pose a risk not only to relations between the Christians and Druids but also to the peace of the kingdom.
The assignment tests Deirdre's image of herself and her faith and before she can track down the killer there will be more deaths. She, her family and friends will face imminent danger and, finally, the heroine will be forced to offer herself as "sacrifice" to prevent all-out war between the eastern and western clans of the kingdom.
Once more Freeman has penned a gripping, fast-paced novel sure to transport the reader to another time and world.
Deirdre, a nun who also retains her status as a Druidic bard, and her grandmother, a respected Druid seer, soon determine the grisly murders are ritual sacrifices, which points the finger of guilt at one of their own. Such sacrifices haven't been performed by the local Druids for centuries and the manner in which they are done defiles the religion.
When Deirdre declines to reveal Druidic secrets Sister Anna, the abbess, expels her from the monastery. Because of her unique position with insight into both worlds, King Dunlaing charges Deirdre with the task of finding the murderer whose actions pose a risk not only to relations between the Christians and Druids but also to the peace of the kingdom.
The assignment tests Deirdre's image of herself and her faith and before she can track down the killer there will be more deaths. She, her family and friends will face imminent danger and, finally, the heroine will be forced to offer herself as "sacrifice" to prevent all-out war between the eastern and western clans of the kingdom.
Once more Freeman has penned a gripping, fast-paced novel sure to transport the reader to another time and world.
June 24, 2016
I was on the fence about this book. I enjoyed the setting, but there wasn't enough of it. It wasn't one of those mysteries that feel like they immerse you in a time and place. That might be because Deirdre felt like a bit of a blank slate, she didn't come alive as a character enough to bring the whole time to life.
I know it is unfair, since they are set in different countries 500 years apart - but any historical mystery that has a member of a Catholic religious order solving crime in the British isles will inevitably be compared to Ellis Peters' Brother Cadafel books, and unfortunately Peters does a better job of making characters feel real and interesting.
The hint of detail about druid practices in Ireland were interesting, but very thin (Understandably so, since we don't really know that much) and more of that kind of detail would have made the book more engaging.
I received this book as a part of Goodreads First Reads program.
I know it is unfair, since they are set in different countries 500 years apart - but any historical mystery that has a member of a Catholic religious order solving crime in the British isles will inevitably be compared to Ellis Peters' Brother Cadafel books, and unfortunately Peters does a better job of making characters feel real and interesting.
The hint of detail about druid practices in Ireland were interesting, but very thin (Understandably so, since we don't really know that much) and more of that kind of detail would have made the book more engaging.
I received this book as a part of Goodreads First Reads program.
May 13, 2016
I did not read the first book of this series. I thought that Sacrifice was the first book . It was a very good story. I was surprised by who was the killer. That was great cause I usually figure that out half way through the book. Not this time! I really loved the main character! she was strong, determined and brave. I love her personality.
I will definitely read the first one. I hope that Freeman continues the series. I see a lot of potential in this wonderful character. She can have all kinds of great adventures.
I will definitely read the first one. I hope that Freeman continues the series. I see a lot of potential in this wonderful character. She can have all kinds of great adventures.
September 9, 2015
This book has all of the qualities I look for in an historical mystery--my fave genre. A strong main character, strong sense of place, accurate historical detail, a compelling plot. A somewhat distant viewpoint with Dierdre, bard, druid and nun, and a bit of coincidence in the plotting are the only elements that kept this from 5 stars--a good read and one I can recommend
November 8, 2016
This is a well-paced story with engaging characters that revolves around the more arcane aspects of Celtic Druidry. For a short time early Christianity in Ireland was in peaceful co-existence with the indigenous Druidic culture, and "Sacrifice" provides a realistic glimpse into that amazing world.
December 29, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but I had to skip large sections of this book because the descriptions of the human sacrifices became too much for me. I will probably read future books in this series, but after I check out some reviews to see if there's any gore in those.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2016
Interesting story, but I wanted a lot more scene setting. The book is pretty bare bones plot so you can't really lose yourself in it. Really different idea to set the book in just post-Roman Ireland--I hadn't seen that before and that was what piqued my interest.
November 9, 2015
Nice, short little historical fiction/mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews