Der Tote am Steinkreuz

Sister Fidelma #5

by Peter Tremayne

In the spring of 666 A.D., Sister Fidelma is summoned to the small Irish village of Araglin. An advocate of the Brehon law courts as well as a religieuse, she is to investigate the murder of the local chieftain. While traveling there with her friend Brother Eadulf, a band of brigands attacks the roadside hostel in which they are staying and attempts to burn them out. While Fidelman and Eadulf manage to beat back their attackers, this incident is only the first in a series that troubles them. When they arrive at Araglin, they find out that the chieftain was murdered in the middle of the night, and next to his body, a local deaf-mute man was found holding the bloody knife that killed him.

While everyone else seems convinced that the man's guilt is obvious, sister Fidelma is not so sure. As she investigates, she's convinced that there is something happening in the seemingly quiet town--something that everyone is trying very hard to keep from her. In what may be the most challenging and confusing situation that she has yet faced, Fidelma must somehow uncover the truth behind the chieftain's murderer and find out what is really going on beneath the quiet surface of this rural town.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Ireland, Crime

386 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Jaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this series in 2007, I was unaware that I was reading the books completely out of order. I was just reading them because I loved the stories and because they were there in the Library. However, it wasn’t long before I ran out of the books and moved on to other reads. Now, I have managed to obtain all except for #28 in the series - and this time I am reading them in order – including the 8 books I had previously read.

This one is yet another that I hadn’t read before and what a fabulous read! This series takes place in the middle of the 7th century in ancient Ireland. Sister Fidelma is a dálaigh (or advocate) of the law in the courts of the Five Kingdoms of Éireann. She is also what is referred to as a réligieuse, as is her friend, the Saxon Brother Eadulf who spends many days and months studying in the cloisters and universities that have an excellent reputation throughout Europe.

As always, the writing of these novels fascinates me. Peter Tremayne is not only an author - he is a historian, and his many talents are sprinkled liberally throughout these novels. He has a brilliant knack for conveying historical facts within a superb, complex story, most of them driven by strong plots and sub-plots. On equal footing, his insights into human nature and what drives people to do what they do are brilliant and we can experience the development of various characters throughout. This novel is no exception.

If that is not enough, his descriptive writing is also visual and cleverly woven within the story so I was largely unaware of it until I put the book down. Then – wow! Where am I? I thought I was in the mid-600’s in Éireann. But no – there are my bookshelves, my computer, my stuff - and it doesn’t look much like the ‘stuff’ surrounding me in the novel.

”Well, at least you recognize your fault,” replied Eadulf. “The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none.”

This novel has an entire area of the country filled with faulty people. There are murders being committed (two of which brought Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf to the hills and valleys of Araglin initially). There is a young man who is blind, deaf, and dumb – accused of those two murders out of fear, resentment, and maybe even convenience. One of the people murdered had looked after him since he was a baby, and was the only one who knew how to communicate with him.

There are also people who are power hungry, some who are filled with greed for material gain, and there are political intrigues afoot as well. For such a beautiful, scenic, pastoral place to be in direct opposition to the evils and corruption occurring there is a strain on anyone not directly involved.

Sister Fidelma is not a novice, however. She is smart, capable, and perceptive. ”Where shall we begin to unravel this silken web of deceit which clings to so many lives? I could start at the centre of the web. I could make a lunge for the spider waiting there. In doing so, however, I might leave the spider a path to scuttle from the centre, along some strand of the web where it may yet elude me. So I shall begin to unravel the web from the outside, slowly but surely destroying the outer strands until there is nowhere for the spider to run.”

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reda this book in 2011, and its the 6th, chronologically wise, volume of the amazing "Sister Fidelma" series.

The year is AD 666, and Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are summoned to investigate the death of the goodhearted chieftain, Ebert.

Over the body, with bloody clothes and with a knife in his hand is Móen, a young man with a little problem, for he's deaf, dumb and blind, and so can't tell Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf what happened.

Sister Fidelma, as Brehon of Muman, with the assistance of Brother Eadulf, starts to investigate this case ans soon will find out that there's more behind this murder than simply putting the blame and thus condemning this simple Móen.

What is to follow is an intriguing Irish mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf will have to use their knowledge and cunning in identifying the reasons for this murder, and after some twists and turns, Sister Fidelma will finally reveal the Spider behind this Web of deceit and death in her own stunning fashion.

Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Spider's Web!"

[Sharee Johnson]

Excellent mystery around a 7th century Irish community---where there is no straight path to the truth, only a spider web of intrigue. Sister Fidelma is a Brehon Court Advocate (Judge) and goes to learn the truth about murders in the community. This is a tremendous book for history buffs of Ireland. It explores the conflicts between the early Catholic Church in Rome and the Christian Church in Ireland, which was built on traditional laws of the Irish. Most of all, for me, some of the theological insights are wonderful, and the fact that Brehon laws considered women as equals in everything is a great delight. Might have been better if we'd have followed their laws. Looking back at the history, it appears they might have some gifts to give us in our current age. Like Justice instead of revenge or vengence; death penalty replaced by compensation to the victims and family; and other interesting ideas.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars. Yep, that means I spent more timing reading than I should have, but it's so compelling! The pacing is perfect. The characters are varied and the 'good guys,' are people I'd like. It's too bad that Gadra (the hermit and practitioner of the old faith) and Moen (the misunderstood young man who is blind and deaf) are not core characters who will appear in future stories.

The setting is appealing. Old Gadra's forest is described on p 145, where we learn that ...
So close together did the trees grow that they shut out all sight of the blue canopy of the sky and the warm spring sunshine.
I quote that line because it is not the way I envision Ireland. In the historical note, Tremayne explains that he has set this story in the "beautiful Araglin Valley" which is 12 miles from Lismore.
And,
The valley is still as attractive and relatively unspoiled today as it was in Fidelma's time. It remains undisturbed with the river rising amidst the wild and spectacular mountain scenery.

If I ever make it to Ireland, that valley will be one place I'd want to visit.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start with Fidelma as a judge, which is quite exciting, and her decision in favor of a young man who is being dispossessed of his farm by his uncle is only the beginning of a tangled case where nearly all the characters are unreliable. Some ongoing series plot stuff is nice, though Fidelma could really stand to be more human.

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying the time and place of these books. Figured this one out about halfway through and feeling pumped about noticing little clues.

[Steve Pillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best Sister Fidelma books I've read so far. One's attention and sympathy were engaged from the start by the sympathetic presentation of the young farming couple, almost cheated of their inheritance by the wicked uncle; and also of the teenage lad, deaf, blind and dumb, treated as an animal by all but one of the community to which he belonged. Needless to say, Fidelma unravels the false accusations of murder and wrongdoing that threaten to overwhelm these innocent victims. My only niggle is the ongoing one of the totally subservient role given to Fidelma's companion Eadulf the Saxon. In this book, as in others, although we're told Fidelma values him highly for his wise contributions to her investigations (and for himself, of course), one fails to detect these contributions; and in places he's treated almost with contempt. Quite unnecessary, to my mind.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series, maybe because I like hearing about the old Irish legal systm as well as the beliefs of the early Irish people and the different ideas within the Catholic church.

7/7/12 *I have revisited this review and plan to revisit the next few. I have been pondering why I read one book after the other and can barely put them down but turn around and fairly consistently rank them a 3. I know initially I was unhappy that the "bad guy" seemed obvious to me from nearly the beginning of the books and for having all the extraneous material (books 1 and 2). However, I did like book 3 more and ranked it a 4 but then I came back and ranked this a three. There is still some extraneous material but I do not recall the "bad guy" being as clear cut in this book so I am changing my rating to a 4--call it rounded up from 3.5. Three stars means I like the book but cannot recommend it. That was how I felt with books 1 and 2 but I think I'm over that now.

7/9/12 *OK, I am giving myself permission to go with my original gut feeling--3 stars.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his book The Spider's Web, Peter Tremayne continues his Sister Fidelma series set in seventh century Ireland. This series contains a great many details and insight into life at that time. Tremayne accurately describes life in a village, the belief system held and many of the prejudices of these villagers.
Fidelma is an astute sleuth and is relentless in her pursuit of the truth. She comes to life in this series. Tremayne describes her so well that you know her reactions to many situations.

While his books are bound by a formula it is one that I love and can read again and again. If you are a fan of medieval history, you will love this book.

[Mick Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een heerlijk boek voor een heerlijke zondagmiddag. Ik heb dit nieuwe Fidelma avontuur in 1 ruk uitgelezen. Zoals we nu gewend zijn is dit een historisch moordverhaal met ontzettend veel aandacht voor de wettelijke en sociale omstandigheden van het 7de eeuwse Ierland. Een mysterie dat Fidelma, met behulp van haar Saksische vriend Eadulf natuurlijk weet op te lossen. Dit keer zat het verhaal wel erg complex in elkaar en was het hele verhaal van de ontknoping onverwacht. Hopelijk blijven de verhalen deze kwaliteit behouden.

[Pat Frayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this mystery. the last half of this book was a page turner. I was certain I had figured out who the murderer was and how the book would end, but I was left guessing until the last few pages. I would strongly recommend this book to mystery lovers.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf travel to a rural community to investigate two murders. An interesting story with well crafted characters. The writing got slightly repetitive in a few places but for the most part the series as a whole continues to improve.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes you want to visit Ireland and makes you want to read all the others in the series!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but not something to make me go out and buy everything else by this author.

I found the descriptions of medieval Irish law intriguing, but the main character was a bit too perfect.

[Chiara Nontalini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un giallo ben costruito, ma gradevole, senza grandi colpi di scena; direi una lettura distensiva per un momento in cui non ho voglia di impegnarmi in cose complesse.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

For reasons I can't quite discern, the front matter (often essential for a Fidelma book) is put at the end of the Kindle edition. This was rather unfortunate as this fifth installment in the series definitely benefits from a preview of the Principal Characters. Not unfitting for the "web" Tremayne sought to create, but a headache for readers--particularly those for whom medieval Celtic names are rather foreign.

The beauty of the valley provides a fitting contrast to the evil operating within Araglin. As with several Fidelma stories, there is a character who stands accused of two murders (just two of the five in the book), and we know at the outset that Sister Fidelma will exonerate him, because that's what she does. But Tremayne starts weaving his "web" before we even get there with what, initially, seems to be an unrelated land dispute over which Fidelma is presiding. I don't want to give away spoilers, but suffice it to say that modern readers would not be surprised if the book came with a content/trigger warning if it was published today. "Evil" is a word Fidelma uses several times in the book to describe the people of Araglin (many of them anyway), and here it seems more apt than the typical Christian binary moralities. Tremayne uses this to his advantage, manipulating us into momentary solidarities and conflicts with different characters. As with other books, Fidelma's "enlightened" Christianity is on full display, particularly as it butts heads with the local Father Gormán, whose hellfire and brimstone seems to have a stranglehold on many people.

In the end, however, I had trouble keeping interest as there were just too many characters, including some that we never meet but are in fact essential to the story. At times it felt as though new characters were created to steer a path back to some sort of connection when a thread of the story started to unravel. Sister Fidelma's standard "big reveal" is a bit tedious for that reason, and I was disappointed that the accused did not have more opportunity to "speak" for himself (he is deaf, mute, and blind--but can communicate, we come to find out), and Fidelma is less-than-likeable at times in this book. In later volumes she becomes more sympathetic, but the haughty "I'm an advocate of the courts" attitude was grating at times. Eadulf, too, is still in his occasional nincompoop phase, needing Fidelma to explain the obvious or he's foaming at the mouth about his Christian beliefs.

In retrospect, having read several volumes that come after this one, it is valuable to be reading them in order now because Sister Fidelma does grow and whether or not her more "youthful folly" is intentional in these early volumes, it is a relief to know that it doesn't last for the entire series.
If you are interested in reading the series for this reason (or others), go for it. If you want a really great installment of the series to try it out--skip this one for now.

[Caleb Wiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but things bugged me.

Medieval detective novel, sounds cool.

The author is a historian so this might not be a legitimate critique, but the values of Fidelma and her order seem very modern. Not like what you’d expect in the 17th century.

Fidelma is supposed to be this genius super detective, but if she wasn’t a character in a fictional book, I don’t think she’d solved the mysteries, at least not accurately.

This is because she relies on motivation as the end all be all of detective work. She notes toward the end that everyone seemed to have reason to kill the victim. Because of this she has to look for different evidence. But motivation is the worst standard. If a bank is robbed, who is without motivation? Nobody! What a good detective would do is start trying to place people at the scene through physical evidence. Start looking in the room and finding what doesn’t belong. Once you’ve narrowed it down or identified the person it could have been based on that, then motivation can help identify just what kind of crime was committed. But instead Fidelma spends most of the book discussing motivations and not physical clues. Up till the end, when people basically just start handing her clues and telling her things that would have been ready knowledge to anyone from the start. So this whole thing is pretty amateurish “detectiving.”

Also Fidelma spends a good deal of time trying to prove characters innocence. You cannot prove what did not happen, only what did happened. This is a fallacy. And while it makes her more sympathetic, it also makes her a bad detective.

Also, she is supposed to be this genius level intellect. She debates theology a few times and her arguments are the same any 13 year old kids makes who’s spent 2 minutes reflecting. (Maybe it was just me, I guess I’m a genius) The arguments are convincing on there face, presented as there are very good responses to them and convincing, logical arguments for the opposing take. Fidelma is narrow minded in a lot of ways and only thinks of things in one way, unwilling or unable to acorns her understanding of matters (such as free will) which lead her to predetermined positions from which she will not be swayed. Lucky for her, she lives in fictional world with an author making sure everything works out because she’d “prove” the innocence of the guilty party early on, just because she didn’t like people who opposed them. And for those of you read or are going to reels this, I’m not just speaking about the main scapegoat here.

[Morgan Dhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

These days, one of my go-to authors when I’m in need if a comfort read is Peter Tremayne. His Sister Fidelma mysteries just seem to fill a special little place in my soul without being particularly demanding. I’ve been reading them in order, and am currently on the fifth of the Fidelma novels, The Spider’s Web.

In this latest case, Sister Fidelma, once again reunited with her friend and fellow jurist, the Saxon monk, Brother Eadulf, travels to a remote mountain area to investigate the murder of a local chieftain and his sister.

The case would seem to be open and shut - the accused was found beside the chieftain’s body, bloody knife in hand. But Fidelma will not allow anyone to be punished without first having his right to defend himself. But how will she ensure that, when the accused is not only physically deformed, but deaf, dumb and blind from birth?

In fact, Fidelma finds that, far from being a straightforward case, the motivations for these murders - and other strange events that occur during the course of the investigation - are complicated, and have their root in dark secrets more than twenty years old.

One of the aspects of this particular chapter that Caught my attention was the exploration of attitudes toward the disabled. The accused, Moen, is assumed by most to be little more than an animal. The local priest, a convert to the Roman church, holds his condition to be a sign of sin and the work of the devil, and has persuaded the other people living in the chief’s rath, or stronghold, to abhor him. Even Eadulf has little sympathy for one so disabled, citing Saxon customs that would have had Moen killed at birth. But as Fidelma explains the Brehon laws, disabled persons are entitled to respect and care, and to mock or harm a disabled person carried a greater penalty than to so offend an abled person. And her quest to find a way for Moen to tell his story leads to the revelation that he is in fact fully competent intellectually and has learned, thanks to a patient Druid, a way of signing using the Ogham alphabet, and is, in fact, more literate and educated than many of those around him.

A particularly satisfying read.

[Jonn'e · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Fidelma is at it again. After a while, reading these books, you start to realize there’s nothing new under the sun. Fidelma is always ready to trot out her heritage and law degree as proof of her right to investigate matters and speak as an equal with the highest chieftains in the land. Even though the author says she rarely does it, it actually occurs at least twice and every novel. I read one other review that said Fidelma is too perfect and I start to agree. She’s very opinionated, she always has to win every battle of wits, always has to know more than Eadulf, who would probably be a pretty good character if he had a book to himself, but it seems that he is always being impatiently quelled by Fidelma.

Despite all my censure, it is very nice to have a strong female lead character who knows what she’s talking about, is trained for nonviolent combat, good with a sword, and an excellent horse woman. Even if she is a bit long-winded at the end of each novel when she explains the plot and who the murder is, that’s just like Hercule Poirot; you just have to get used to her style.

What did I give this one five stars? I’m not sure, I definitely saw the ending coming. I picked up on the clues along the way, but there was just something so satisfying about seeing it coming together. I also like the characterization, and it was interesting getting to learn about ancient Ireland. I will say that I have learnt a little more about Ireland from each of the Fidelma books and while the author is often repetitive with his knowledge, it is very helpful in understanding the context, especially if it would have been your first of his books.

Enjoy the mystery. Enjoy the person of Fidelma. Enjoy the history. That’s why I read these stories.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremayne's Sr. Fidelma mysteries get better -- in writing, in mood, in characterization -- with each succeeding volume!

I also love how he brings ancient Ireland (7th century) alive, with its rugged land, breath-taking beauty, and its clash of civilizations: between Celt and Irish, the rigid Catholicism of Rome vs. the more inclusive and relaxed type in Ireland, and between the old religions and Christianity.

The old adage "Not everything is as it seems" is triply applicable to this story in which what starts out as a relatively simple matter -- Sr. Fidelma, a young woman highly trained in the law and her affable monk companion are asked to investigate the murder of a local chieftain -- rapidly escalates into long-held rivalries over land, religion, and women.

The veneer of "civilization" hangs thin at this time as old loyalties are called into question and few seem to be above suspicion.

I am finding myself really hooked on this series. Try one, you might be, too!

[Lia Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got a whole pile of these books given to me for free, so I'm slowly reading my way through them.

The background details about Irish law and medieval living are very interesting, but the characters pale on you after a while. Fidelma is too perfect for my taste, beautiful, of high birth, educated, intelligent and good at everything while her sidekick Eadulf comes across as rather stupid, admiring her for pointing out the perfectly obvious. So far I've been able to guess the murderer every time long before the characters do, which is unusual for me!

The series overall I'd rate at 3 stars so far (mainly for the solid worldbuilding), but this one only got 2 stars, because I felt that one of the supporting characters got treated very badly, being victimized for trying to make the best out of a very bad situation, instead of just staying a victim.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Fidelma has faced many challenges as an advocate of the Brehon courts, and of course in this series, she solves a lot of murders. As the book opens, she makes a decision on a case between two cousins arguing about the ownership of a piece of property.

Families make up a big part of the case Fidelma next faces: the death of a village chieftain in Araglin. The peaceful village is suddenly facing cattle robbers and murders. This is the world of the 7th century but in Ireland, women hold equal power in many ways to those of men, but that still doesn't stop the challenges that Fidelma faces from the new tania, or chieftain-elect, who is the daughter of the fallen chieftain; the widow and the local priest.

All this makes for a really interesting story well. Peter Tremayne is a strong writer and this character is a good one. The Spider's Web is a good read.

[Silvio Weitzl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historische Krimireihe mit Suchtpotential

Im vorliegenden sechsten Band ermitteln Fidelma und Eadulf gemeinsam im irischen Araglin. Dieser Fall bringt das Duo in die Festung einer abgelegenen Gemeinschaft, deren Moralvorstellungen auch für damalige Verhältnisse fragwürdig waren. Mit willkommener Religionskritik und pikanten ethischen Wortduellen würzt Schwester Fidelma ihre Ermittlungsarbeit und setzt ein Plädoyer für Toleranz, gerade auch unter Theisten. Die Engstirnigkeit der römischen Glaubensbrüder gegenüber anderen Glaubensrichtungen und der Diversität der einzelnen Menschen macht dieses Werk zeitlos und doch aktuell. Die bisher herausragendste Figur der Reihe findet man in „Gadra dem Einsiedler“. Der hohe Lerngehalt, der flüssige Schreibstil und die gute Recherche verleihen diesem Buch Spannung bis zur letzten Seite.

[James Wirrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sister Fidelma mystery series are great reads, and The Spider’s Web is no exception. In this book, Fidelma and Eadulf are called to investigate the death of a local chieftain. They uncover many local secrets, including ones that were longstanding. The book is well-paced and never lags. Tremayne is a concise writer. The mystery was complex, though in the end, I didn’t find the motive for the main murder to be very compelling. But that didn’t detract from the story. I generally like the Fidelma and Eadulf characters, although I do think that Fidelma is too much Tremayne’s “ideal woman” and so she can come across a little wooden at times. All in all though, these are very enjoyable books that provide some interesting historical background with the story.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars rounded up to 4 only because I love the series so much. Perhaps it'll return to the caliber of the prior ones in the next iteration.

The story itself and the historical research seem to be fairly airtight; my qualms are with the basic and trite language choices. And also too short!

And what happened to Eadulf? It's as though he's lost years of his development! I recall him being a little sharper in the last several books. I think his character should have been transfused into Duban, who in turn should have been a character other than Duban, since the latter was intertwined in the plot so much.

And why was the only person who outright declared they seek only truth never named? Haha. (One of the men helping take down the body from the cross.)

[Duncan Prior · Rating 5 out of 5]

The debate about Pelagius and Pope Zosimus that Fidelma has with Father Gorman in Chapter 8 is fascinating. The sort of thing that makes you react with "I did not know that" then reach for Wikipedia and search further afield. Fortunately I found a In Our Time on the debate of Pelagius and Augustine which filled in a few of the gaps.
Another enjoyable book in the series which takes you into Ireland of the late 7th Century, then in its pre history and also the wider West European politics and thought. While at the same time serving up a variety of characters, a plot which is more or less plausible, and this fantastic lead character.

[Doris Mahala · Rating 5 out of 5]

The layers of lies that must be peeled like an onion made me try to look behind doors, corners, etc. while reading and just like Brother Eadulf I was guessing just where she (Sister Fidelma) was taking him and the Brehon court.
Read to find out how families can and will lie to protect themselves and others in a small village.
I try not to give spoilers so will not go there you must read it.
Peter Tremayne has hooked me once again.
Waiting for my library to get the next 3 in the series to me.

[Yessi Robayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un buen libro, Sor Fidelma es un gran personaje, que derrocha habilidad e inteligencia, es una buena protagonista que te atrapa y te deja mucho en que pensar.

El autor definitivamente merece ser leído, detalla muy bien la época, para que sea entendible, sin tener que leerte todos los demas libros.

A su favor, que resuelve el caso de una manera magistral y muy detallada de cada suceso.

En contra, que podría llegar a profundizar en temáticas abordadas en el transcurso del libro, que lograría que este fuera llevado a otro nivel.

[Angela Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters in these books, they are quite different from the normal 'run of the mill' characters. Set in Ireland,these 7th century Celtic mysteries are solved by Sister Fidelma, an advocate of the Irish law courts, with the help of companion her Brother Eadulf. The only fault I can find with them is the use of celtic? words (a glossary would be usual) which although explained I have no idea how to pronounce.

[Pierre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the protagonist to be poorly written - she was way too perfect. She was more eloquent, smarter, more educated than everyone else around her. Her companion on the other hand was ridiculously dumb. Everything had to be explained to him - a poor effort to make Fidelma appear like a genius. You could also guess who the culprit was quite early in the plot. I kept reading, hoping for a big twist at the end. There wasn't one. First and last book I'll read from this series..