An Ensuing Evil and Others: Fourteen Historical Mysteries

by Peter Tremayne

Peter Tremayne is one of the best loved writers of historical mysteries, his novels and stories published in over a dozen countries around the world. An Ensuing Evil collects for the first time fourteen of his historical mysteries ranging in time and place from 7th-century Ireland (featuring his best known sleuth, Fidelma of Cashel) and 8th-century Scotland (featuring the real-life Macbeth) to the recent history of Victorian England and beyond. These fourteen tales of murder, mayhem and mystery each display Tremayne's usual mix of compelling historical detail about the time period and a baffling puzzle that will delight and confound his ever-growning legion of fans.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Ireland, Anthologies

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2005

About the author

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

Reviews

[Morgan Dhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Termayne is, as I understand, best known for his series of historical mysteries featuring Irish nun Sister Fidelma, which I have recently begun reading. However, he has written mysteries set in other eras, including the more-or-less modern one, and some of his shorter offerings are collected in Ensuing Evil and Others: Fourteen Historical Mysteries.

It's quite an interesting range, from a murder mystery set in the castle of the historical MacBeth and his lady Gruoch, to a modern locked-room mystery set in an airplane in flight. In between we visit the theatre district of Shakespeare's England, the well-known occupants of 221B Baker Street, a battleship during the Napoleonic Wars, the London of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, and India under the British Raj, plus a bonus Sister Fidelma story. An enjoyable read.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Tremayne is known for his wildly popular Sister Fidelma series, set in seventh-century Ireland. He is really Peter Berresford Ellis, a well-known Celtic historian, so I believe what I read of Celtic history in his Sister Fidelma series, which I love. An Ensuing Evil and Others has short stories set in many periods of history. I particularly enjoyed the five stories furthering the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. And, of course, I enjoyed the one Sister Fidelma story he included. I have not often read short story collections, but I keep trying. It's nice to do a quick read and have it be a finished story, but I find that I like my mysteries to be more interesting, compelling, exciting, intriguing than what seems to be able to develop in a few pages as opposed to the novel form.

[Alison C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Tremayne is best known as the author of the Sister Fidelma series (and also as excellent Celtic historian Peter Berresford Ellis); I’ve read some Sister Fidelma tales, mostly in short story form, so was interested to pick up this collection of 14 stories, all but one of which are *not* set in 7th Century Ireland. Instead, here we have a story set in 8th Century Scotland, concerning the historical MacBeth; several stories set in Elizabethan England (featuring a detective called Hardy Drew - yes, referring to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew); and stories featuring the Napoleonic Wars, Dickens, Sherlock Holmes (5 of these!), the British Raj in India, a locked-room mystery on an airplane and, finally, a Sister Fidelma story not previously collected. All but the last were previously published in various anthologies and magazines, but I appreciated that they are all here, in one place. Mr. Tremayne/Ellis’s historical knowledge goes far beyond Fidelma’s time, and I would love to read more about his various characters in these tales. A very pleasant way to spend an evening or three; recommended.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this collection probably gets a 3.5 from me.

As with any set of short stories, some are better than others. On the plus side, I would say that most of them draw the reader in pretty quickly - there were none that I started and didn't finish. He writes in clear prose and the action is easy to follow. The set up is usually good. And he clearly has a deep knowledge of the varied historical settings, which adds color to all of the stories.
On the negative side of the ledger, I'd say that for the most part the resolution of the mysteries doesn't match the set up (which is a common complaint for whodunnits). And sometimes - in particular the Holmes stories - he gets a little carried away with the historical color. He is clearly very knowledgeable on the Irish home rule issue of the 19th century, and the Holmes mysteries seem to be more about Irish history than Homes or mysteries.
My favorites were the MacBeth one, the Revenge of the Gunner's Daughter, and the Sister Fidelma one.

[Dragonmommy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this. I love history, Shakespeare, and mystery. I'm guessing this author's strengths are in longer stories, because the short stories in this book are predictable and repetitive. I read 6 of the stories, hoping they would get better... I skipped to the more modern story hoping it would be more surprising. Not so much.
He has some great ideas, but tries to execute them too quickly. The joy I find in mystery writing is lost in the brevity of these stories.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 20th book by Peter Tremayne so it is obvious that I am a fan of his writing. I am following the Sister Fidelma series and loving it. This book of stories is not part of that series although there is a story about her. I think these short stories are OK, but I don't like them nearly as much as the other books I've read.

[Ana Elena Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro es un compendio de pequeños relatos policiacos con ambientación histórica. No termina de convencerme ni la ambientación ni los personajes. Estoy demasiado acostumbrada al entorno narrativo de Sister Fidelma y quizá por ese motivo no termina de convencerme.
El último relato de este libro es The Spiteful Shadow, la novela 25.5 de la saga sister Fidelma.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting variety of short stories, including one Sister Fidelma story, an interesting story featuring MacBeth in Scottland, a few stories set around actors in Shakespearian England, and several stories featuring a young Sherlock Holmes in Ireland. The stories vary in quality but are engaging overall. The ebook edition I read, however, contained so many typos it was a major distraction.

[Kathy Nealen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories that includes other fictional characters like Macbeth and Holmes and Watson. The last story features the author’s popular Sister Fidelma character.

[Jeanne Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteen short historical mysteries by a superb writer with an interesting imagination. I devoured this collection and totally enjoyed it.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories by the creator of the Sister Fidelma mysteries. Here he sets some of his stories during Shakespeare's times, then has several solved by Sherlock Holmes. As always, quite interesting. The format of a short story makes it perfect to keep in the car and read when you are up to several other things and need something to do while you are waiting for someone else.

[Gene Cummins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of short stories wasn't up to Tremayne's usual outstanding standards. Or perhaps I was just disappointed because it was more Sherlock Holmes and other London detectives and less of Sister Fidelma. That's what I really enjoy.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like historical fiction a lot and this book of short stories led me to buy more books by this author. I just don't like short stories that much.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one of these stories is Sister Fidelma, but I am really enjoying this book -- love the Shakespearean mysteries, Sherlock Holmes and the one with Dickens.

[Kerry]

Wasn't sure how I would like this book, but enjoyed it throughly. Never have come across this author before, but plan to read more of his books.

[Oodles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen historical mysteries...a break from his usual Sister Fidelma character, although one story is about her. Tremayne is a wonderful historical mystery writer!