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Sister Fidelma #21
The Chalice of Blood
The brilliant new novel in the internationally renowned Sister Fidelma crime series by Peter Tremayne.
Ireland AD 670. When an eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lios M�r, fear spreads among his brethren; his door was secured from the inside, with no other means of exit. How did the murderer escape? And what was the content of the manuscripts apparently stolen from the scholar's room? Abbot Iarnla insists on sending for Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf to investigate the killing. But even before they reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. As the mystery deepens, Fidelma and Eadulf must also wrestle with problems of their own, which threaten to separate them for ever...
Ireland AD 670. When an eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lios M�r, fear spreads among his brethren; his door was secured from the inside, with no other means of exit. How did the murderer escape? And what was the content of the manuscripts apparently stolen from the scholar's room? Abbot Iarnla insists on sending for Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf to investigate the killing. But even before they reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. As the mystery deepens, Fidelma and Eadulf must also wrestle with problems of their own, which threaten to separate them for ever...
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2010
37 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Peter Tremayne
206 books472 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 82 reviews
January 30, 2022
Read this book in 2010, and its the 22nd volume, chronologically, of the superb "Sister Fidlema" series.
Back in Ireland, once more the year AD 670, and Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf are asked by Abbot Iarnla of the Abbey of Lios Mór to investigate the murder of an eminent scholar, who's found murdered in his cell with the door locked from the inside.
What is the motive behind this murder, and how did the murderer escape, and most importantly what was in the manuscripts that this scholar had in his room.
While travelling to this Abbey of Lios Mór Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are attacked and can narrowly escape this attempt on their lives, while they are having domestic problems of their own too at this moment of time.
They arrives unscathed at the Abbey and start their investigation into this murder, and while the mystery deepens they must also wrestle with problems of their own, but in the end they will succeed to conquer both aspects of their busy lives.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Irish mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, although somewhat distracted by domestic problems, will investigate to the best of their abilities, and in the end after a brillant executed plot they will be able to reveal the culprit behind this murder and bring this person to justice.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Compelling Chalice Of Blood"!
Back in Ireland, once more the year AD 670, and Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf are asked by Abbot Iarnla of the Abbey of Lios Mór to investigate the murder of an eminent scholar, who's found murdered in his cell with the door locked from the inside.
What is the motive behind this murder, and how did the murderer escape, and most importantly what was in the manuscripts that this scholar had in his room.
While travelling to this Abbey of Lios Mór Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are attacked and can narrowly escape this attempt on their lives, while they are having domestic problems of their own too at this moment of time.
They arrives unscathed at the Abbey and start their investigation into this murder, and while the mystery deepens they must also wrestle with problems of their own, but in the end they will succeed to conquer both aspects of their busy lives.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Irish mystery, in which Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, although somewhat distracted by domestic problems, will investigate to the best of their abilities, and in the end after a brillant executed plot they will be able to reveal the culprit behind this murder and bring this person to justice.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Compelling Chalice Of Blood"!
January 26, 2013
There is something about Sister Fidelma that I really don't like - she's arrogant. She uses her position as a dalaigh of the second rank the way someone would use their 2:1 as a cudgel to batter down all those lower seconds (intellectual vermin!). If that doen't work then she brings out the big guns... being sister to the king, Colgu. Her poor, long-suffering husband Eadulf gets walked on, dismissed, generally put down like a dog with a severe case of worms.
But hang on! What's this? They've split up! They've gone their own ways!! Oh... hang on, that's just an excuse to add a possible reconciliation scene. Colgu has got the two of them together to investigate the murder of a potential saint in some abbey not too far away... so nothing's changed... not even the sketch-out of the plot ... and who the villains turn out to be.
Now I know that sounds highly critical but that leaves the door open for me to say that Tremayne does a very good job of taking a well-hammered scenario and adding a few new quirks that actually make the story quite interesting, even gripping. The predictable bits act like a hook on which he can hang a few twists and turns. Sadly the villains are villainous and the goodies are - oh! There aren't that many goodies... Well it is Ireland in the Dark Ages, after all!
But hang on! What's this? They've split up! They've gone their own ways!! Oh... hang on, that's just an excuse to add a possible reconciliation scene. Colgu has got the two of them together to investigate the murder of a potential saint in some abbey not too far away... so nothing's changed... not even the sketch-out of the plot ... and who the villains turn out to be.
Now I know that sounds highly critical but that leaves the door open for me to say that Tremayne does a very good job of taking a well-hammered scenario and adding a few new quirks that actually make the story quite interesting, even gripping. The predictable bits act like a hook on which he can hang a few twists and turns. Sadly the villains are villainous and the goodies are - oh! There aren't that many goodies... Well it is Ireland in the Dark Ages, after all!
October 7, 2016
It's been awhile since I read a Sister Fidelma book so I think I enjoyed this one more than I have some of the others...there are certain things about the series that after awhile become annoying. The author's writing style is a bit formal and pedantic and he tends to way over-use and over-explain words from the ancient language. These explanations are peppered throughout the book, often even occurring as part of dialogue that would make no sense. It would be like me saying, "I would like a mug of coffee, a dark caffeine-containing beverage brewed from the ground beans of a plant from the Rubiacea family." Nobody really needs explaining what coffee is, just as no one in ancient Ireland would have needed the term dalaigh or Brehon explained. So that part gets old.
But I have to admit I have enjoyed the evolution of Sister Fidelma from a young dalaigh (it means lawyer, by the way) who is also a religieuse (nun) to later books where she becomes a wife to Brother Eadulf (a Saxon) and mother. But still officially a Sister, as this is Ireland before the rule of Rome took the church by storm and many abbeys with both male and female religieuse co habitating and even raising families were still common. So...it was an interesting time and a period of history I'm interested in. Thus, I put up with some annoyances.
But I have to admit I have enjoyed the evolution of Sister Fidelma from a young dalaigh (it means lawyer, by the way) who is also a religieuse (nun) to later books where she becomes a wife to Brother Eadulf (a Saxon) and mother. But still officially a Sister, as this is Ireland before the rule of Rome took the church by storm and many abbeys with both male and female religieuse co habitating and even raising families were still common. So...it was an interesting time and a period of history I'm interested in. Thus, I put up with some annoyances.
January 26, 2016
I found this to be a very satisfying book! The characters engaged my interest and are well-developed. The author's knowledge of ancient Ireland and the early days of Christianity contribute a great deal to the story line and educate the reader about this era and the details of its religion and government. The relationship between Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf is evolving as the story proceeds which adds an additional dimension to this fascinating story. I have read other Sister Fidelma mysteries by Peter Tremayne (the pen name of an eminent scholar of ancient Ireland and the Celts) and this book is one of the best so far. I fully intend to continue reading this series and encourage others to do so as well.
October 1, 2021
Es ist erstaunlich, wie viele Kriminalfälle der Autor um die beiden Ermittler Schwester Fidelma und ihren Ehemann Bruder Eadulf ersinnen kann. In jedem neuen Kimi geht es um einen anderen Tatbestand, eine weitere Passage aus dem irischen Rechtssystem des 7. JH, das die Schwester des Königs wie keine zweite beherrscht. Zusammen mit ihrem Ehemann kommen sie immer hinter die Schliche des Täters und können ihn in einer Gerichtsverhandlung überführen.
Auch privat entwickeln sie sich weiter. Waren sie anfangs nur Freunde, haben sie mittlerweile auch einen Sohn, und jeder hat seine Vorstellung vom Leben, die nicht immer gemeinsame Wege gehen.
Schwester Fidelma selbst, sei es, weil sie die Schwester des Königs ist oder eine wahrhaft Gelehrte, ist nicht immer eine Person, die ich mag. Ich respektiere sie, habe eine hohe Achtung vor ihr, aber sie ist kein einfacher Mensch, und schon gar nicht immer nett und freundlich. Oft sogar ist sie fast schon arrogant und setzt sich über die Wünsche selbst ihres Mannes hinweg.
Doch gefallen hat mir auch dieser Band wieder, und so kann ich ihn mit 08/10 Punkten allen Liebhabern von dickeren Büchern und einer Schwäche für die Historie Irlands ans Herz legen.
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2021...
Auch privat entwickeln sie sich weiter. Waren sie anfangs nur Freunde, haben sie mittlerweile auch einen Sohn, und jeder hat seine Vorstellung vom Leben, die nicht immer gemeinsame Wege gehen.
Schwester Fidelma selbst, sei es, weil sie die Schwester des Königs ist oder eine wahrhaft Gelehrte, ist nicht immer eine Person, die ich mag. Ich respektiere sie, habe eine hohe Achtung vor ihr, aber sie ist kein einfacher Mensch, und schon gar nicht immer nett und freundlich. Oft sogar ist sie fast schon arrogant und setzt sich über die Wünsche selbst ihres Mannes hinweg.
Doch gefallen hat mir auch dieser Band wieder, und so kann ich ihn mit 08/10 Punkten allen Liebhabern von dickeren Büchern und einer Schwäche für die Historie Irlands ans Herz legen.
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2021...
January 25, 2018
This was a good one. A fascinating teaser in the Prologue, where an Irish monk & scholar examines a tombstone in Germany (you wait throughout the story to find out what that was about!); plus a strong Dan Brown element involving a mysterious, unidentified but fundamental threat to the credibility of the 'New Faith' — which turns out to be shocking and completely believable (unlike many Dan Brown imitations!). The ongoing love story between Fidelma and Eadulf is also carried forward in a (fairly) natural way — though Tremayne is never at his best with romance and family matters. But the build up to the climax, and the final scenes themselves, are fully believable and quite gripping. Fidelma's closing exposé is masterly — and behold! Eadulf actually contributes a crucial point of law entirely off his own bat, without which the investigation would not have succeeded! So FINALLY Fidelma's fellow sleuth starts pulling his weight on the team… Satisfying!
November 24, 2018
I re-read this #21 in the Sister Fidelma series, because I read it some time ago and then decided to read the entire series in sequence.
It is not my favorite depiction of Fidelma, who manages to walk over everyone and insists on having things her way. But that makes her an excellent legal mind, so it works to a good end.
What I do like most about The Chalice of Blood is that it shows the devastation that results when books are destroyed, banned, or denied to the world for any reason. Surely the freedom of the written word is a measure of any civilization, no matter the century. This story takes us back to the 7th century, but we can bear witness to attempts to suppress that freedom now, in 2018.
Peter Tremayne has given us an exciting historical mystery novel along with some valuable lessons.
It is not my favorite depiction of Fidelma, who manages to walk over everyone and insists on having things her way. But that makes her an excellent legal mind, so it works to a good end.
What I do like most about The Chalice of Blood is that it shows the devastation that results when books are destroyed, banned, or denied to the world for any reason. Surely the freedom of the written word is a measure of any civilization, no matter the century. This story takes us back to the 7th century, but we can bear witness to attempts to suppress that freedom now, in 2018.
Peter Tremayne has given us an exciting historical mystery novel along with some valuable lessons.
July 16, 2014
Sister Fidelma wants to leave the religious life behind and devote herself to the law. Her husband and father of her child, Eadulf, desires nothing more than the quiet life of an abbey monk. When a monk in the Abbey of Lios Mor is found murdered in his locked cell and the manuscripts he was working on missing, however, the two are reunited to investigate. It does not take them long to notice something is amiss in the power structure of the abbey. The story is worth reading for its depiction of life in 7th century Ireland and particularly Rome’s struggle dominate the church in Ireland. However, I found annoying the frequent use of words in Irish followed by their English translation.
June 1, 2016
I kept getting very thrown off by the typos/grammatical errors in this book. The characters spoke repetitively, which made some parts feel very drawn out and boring. There also was just not much going on plot wise. The historical parts were the most interesting because I am not too familiar with medieval Ireland.
August 22, 2021
For a book to rate 5 stars it must do several things very well. First, it must be well-written and composed. Second, it must use our English language as an artist uses his brush and palatte. Third, it must hold my attention right up to the last page.
Having achieved all that there's still one thing I demand: it must teach me something.
I've been a dedicated reader of the Sister Fidelma mysteries since I first found them. They usually rate 4 stars (although, an occasional 3 sneaks in.)
Finding a series with so many 4 star titles - over 20 so far - was like striking gold. Like a good miner I followed the vein and, lo and behold, the mother lode, The Chalice of Blood.
This book is so special that I hesitate to mention any specifics for fear of spoiling it for another reader. Clever? An understatement. Literate? More than most. Intriguing? Page after page. Rich with esoteric knowledge? Unquestionably.
Yes, my supreme compliments to Peter Tremayne. This one will be hard to beat.
Having achieved all that there's still one thing I demand: it must teach me something.
I've been a dedicated reader of the Sister Fidelma mysteries since I first found them. They usually rate 4 stars (although, an occasional 3 sneaks in.)
Finding a series with so many 4 star titles - over 20 so far - was like striking gold. Like a good miner I followed the vein and, lo and behold, the mother lode, The Chalice of Blood.
This book is so special that I hesitate to mention any specifics for fear of spoiling it for another reader. Clever? An understatement. Literate? More than most. Intriguing? Page after page. Rich with esoteric knowledge? Unquestionably.
Yes, my supreme compliments to Peter Tremayne. This one will be hard to beat.
January 9, 2025
I have been reading this series for a few years and this one is the 21st in the series that I’ve read.
If you enjoy reading mysteries and who done its, you’ll enjoy these from medieval Ireland.
Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are summoned to investigate a killing in A.D. 670.
An eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lois Mor and fear spreads Amon his brethren. The problem is that the cell’s door was secured from the inside and there was no means by which the murderer could escape. And yet he did, taking with him several mysterious manuscripts.
Before Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. They find themselves wrestling with problems os their own—problems that threaten to separate them forever.
If you enjoy reading mysteries and who done its, you’ll enjoy these from medieval Ireland.
Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, are summoned to investigate a killing in A.D. 670.
An eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lois Mor and fear spreads Amon his brethren. The problem is that the cell’s door was secured from the inside and there was no means by which the murderer could escape. And yet he did, taking with him several mysterious manuscripts.
Before Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. They find themselves wrestling with problems os their own—problems that threaten to separate them forever.
April 30, 2018
I found parts of this really annoying. There are lots of unnecessary quotes to explain plot devices and background that are extremely unsubtle and could just be in the text. There is absolutely no acknowledgement of Fidelma’s experience as a woman, apart from the odd reference to her status as a mother. I know 7th century Ireland is meant to be liberal in this respect but is her gender really no obstacle or consequence? I have read another Tremayne book and it was enjoyable but this was historical fiction by numbers - not a patch on Ellis Peters. However, it did pick up at the end and I like that he has created a strong, female protagonist. It was worth reading to find out about Celsus - the historical note at the end was the best thing about it.
March 27, 2021
Sister Fidelma is at a crossroads, facing choices which seem to bring out the worst of her arrogance and selfishness. She and Brother Eadulf separated, perhaps permanently. She is on the brink of leaving the religious. The choices are hers to make, yet her own internal conflicts put barbs on her already sharp tongue. When a noted church scholar is murdered, her brother sends Fidelma to investigate and bring the murderer to justice-with the caveat that Brother Eadulf assist her. Together they investigate a classic locked door mystery, find conspiracy and madness and too many people with cloaked and dangerous pasts.
The clues seem more direct in this selection. The reader can get to the solutions with Sister Fidelma and before Brother Eadulf which is always satisfying.
The clues seem more direct in this selection. The reader can get to the solutions with Sister Fidelma and before Brother Eadulf which is always satisfying.
June 30, 2021
Because I know Tremayne is a scholar specializing in this time period, I find his portrayal of the spreading of Christianity particularly intriguing. My fear, of course, is that I like it because it parallels my own doubts, feelings, and criticisms about all organized religions.
This episode, in particular, calls into question the real story about Jesus Christ and his family. Before completely buying into this narrative, I have to do my own research; however, deep down I hope that this story is based in the realities surrounding translating religious texts written originally in Greek and Latin and in the realities of an historically more humane and just legal system of the ancient Irish culture.
I found this a particularly good read.
This episode, in particular, calls into question the real story about Jesus Christ and his family. Before completely buying into this narrative, I have to do my own research; however, deep down I hope that this story is based in the realities surrounding translating religious texts written originally in Greek and Latin and in the realities of an historically more humane and just legal system of the ancient Irish culture.
I found this a particularly good read.
September 23, 2025
Another easy read. Starting with one death the story grows to more more deaths - murders - one by a mother of her son, destruction of books because they weren't of the faith, and plotting to divide this lower chiefdom and gain greater control of the area.
I am seeing more of Fidelma's lack of tolerance of Eadolf when he attempts to interject with a comment or question. Something to think about as I wait the start of the next book Behold A Pale Horse (book number 22 0f 37 - #36 this fall and #37 next year).
I am seeing more of Fidelma's lack of tolerance of Eadolf when he attempts to interject with a comment or question. Something to think about as I wait the start of the next book Behold A Pale Horse (book number 22 0f 37 - #36 this fall and #37 next year).
October 28, 2018
Does Brother Eadulf have enough patient to save his marriage to Sister Fidelma?
Will Sister Fidelma discover who is killing the brothers?
Will the Brehon accept the necessary documents that help tell the story?
Where will this lead?
Who is responsible?
Horrors of horrors who would want to destroy precious, rare documents and books that have history, mythology of their ancestors?
Read if you dare!
Will Sister Fidelma discover who is killing the brothers?
Will the Brehon accept the necessary documents that help tell the story?
Where will this lead?
Who is responsible?
Horrors of horrors who would want to destroy precious, rare documents and books that have history, mythology of their ancestors?
Read if you dare!
June 27, 2018
My father-in law has difficulty reading some books because they make him angry. This would definitely be one of those books. The extent that some religious, or in this case the extent to which those who profess to be Christians, will go to prove their beliefs are pushing Fidelma away from Catholicism. Good book, glad I was able to read it without having to put it down very often.
June 2, 2017
This is not a genre I usually read or am familiar with. Found it difficult to read at the start with many Celtic words and names (index of characters was useful) but once I got into the plot I found it intriguing and it held my suspense to the last pages. A good book. May look for others by the same author
December 31, 2017
The best of the series
I have been reading the series with increasig interest. Not only is the ‘whodunit’ aspect very entertaining. the glimpse into the unique aspects of irish culture is amazing and the unfolding theological differences really give the best insight.
I have been reading the series with increasig interest. Not only is the ‘whodunit’ aspect very entertaining. the glimpse into the unique aspects of irish culture is amazing and the unfolding theological differences really give the best insight.
January 15, 2018
A badass lady in ancient Ireland solves a mysterious murder surrounded by political and religious intrigue. So much to like. I did not know this was a series prior to picking it up and still thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 30, 2018
Reconozco que esta entrega de la saga sé me ha atragantado un poco.
Con un ritmo mucho más lento y un desarrollo que parecía no llevar a ninguna parte, el misterio se descubre al final un poco precipitadamente.
Para lo que es esta saga, es de los libros más flojos.
Con un ritmo mucho más lento y un desarrollo que parecía no llevar a ninguna parte, el misterio se descubre al final un poco precipitadamente.
Para lo que es esta saga, es de los libros más flojos.
June 20, 2018
Another great Sister Fidelma mystery
The plot was quite complicated, and the resolution of the mystery was hard to figure out until the end. Recommend to those who love the time period and mysteries.
The plot was quite complicated, and the resolution of the mystery was hard to figure out until the end. Recommend to those who love the time period and mysteries.
October 24, 2019
Plus - Another good story with a twist and lots of historical detail.
Minus - This book uses the metric system which wasn't developed for a thousand years after the events in this story. This is the second Fidelma story in a row to use the same type of impersonation.
Minus - This book uses the metric system which wasn't developed for a thousand years after the events in this story. This is the second Fidelma story in a row to use the same type of impersonation.
June 3, 2021
Heretics have a way of making religion a dangerous landscape. Rome during it's push to make catholicsm the main religion of the known world created zealots that endangered many christians. This was a study in what happens when faith overrides commone sense.
November 7, 2016
Twenty-first in the Sister Fidelma medieval mystery series revolving around a nun who is a lawyer and the husband who assists her in their detecting.
My Take
The primary theme here is religious intolerance, so antithetical to what Jesus taught. The negative need to destroy anyone who believes opposite your own beliefs. To burn any books which do not conform to your thoughts.
Tremayne makes an excellent point in what he relates about Celsus, the book that is causing such a hurrah in the abbey as Celsus points out that:
One of the recurring themes that I adore in this series is the Irish culture of the seventh century when the law was fair to all, women enjoyed equality, and the Catholic Church was tolerant. Read a few of the books in this series and you too will wish for those "good old days". At least, if we could have someone like Fidelma around!
Throughout the story and in her summings up in court, Fidelma always raises interesting issues that get me salivating to do research into religious histories and philosophies. One of particular interest is the translation of adelphos thereby raising the question of Jesus' birth and his siblings.
The Story
A monk newly returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem is much changed in demeanor which excites concern amongst his brothers. Particularly from Brother Lugna, an adherent for Roman rule. Lugna is slowly pushing the abbey to a celibate and Penitential rule much to the consternation of most but Abbot Iarnla has no backing from the lord, er, lady of the land.
Lugna certainly does provide Fidelma the opportunities to put him down as he continually interferes in her investigation. Then there are the many accidents on the building site, the attacks on Eadulf and Fidelma, thefts, murders, burnings, and a hijacking all confuse the issue. But in true Fidelma fashion, she sorts it out and sums it up at the end. It always makes such sense when she brings the facts together but I'll never get ahead of this woman!
The Characters
Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf have separated in anger. Eadulf wants to retreat to an abbey community with their son while Fidelma wants to stop being a religieuse and devote herself to the law. Colgú is Fidelma's brother and the King of Muman.
Abbot Iarnla has allowed his steward, Brother Lugna, an adherent of the Novatianists, to rule everything in the abbey of Lios Mór; amazing what blackmail will corrupt. Other Brothers include Donnán the librarian; Giolla-na-Naomh, its blacksmith; Máel Eoin the brother in charge of guest rooms; Seachlann, the abbey's physician; Echen the stable keeper; and, the Venerable Bróen.
Lady Eithne of the Déisi is the ruler of the lands on which the abbey lies and her wishes must come first including Brother Lugna. It is her son, Brother Donnchad, who was murdered. Lady Eithne has commissioned the replacement of all the wooden buildings of the abbey with stone hiring Glassán as the master builder, a man with a murky past along with Saor, his assistant. Glassán's apprentice, Gúasach, has some insights.
Those involved in the more secular plots include Cumscrad, chief of the Fir Maige Féne; his son and the assistant librarian in that city, Cunán; Muirgíos, master of the hijacked barge; Eolann who is one of his crew; Brother Temnen, the librarian at Ard Mór; and, Uallachán, the chief of the Uí Liatháin. – I just love all this talk about libraries! And I'm drooling at the thought of those beautifully illuminated books and scrolls...sigh....
The Cover and Title
The cover is a lovely marbled green with vertical bands of Celtic knotwork bordering the sides. A knotwork border frames an inset picture of a colorful landscape. Stone buildings surrounded by trees on the left with a river flowing inwards and a worked marble slab bordered in more knotwork laden with one closed book and another opened to beautifully illuminated pages and a gold chalice, a scroll rolled up at its base.
The title is what it's all about the cup of knowledge, The Chalice in Blood.
My Take
The primary theme here is religious intolerance, so antithetical to what Jesus taught. The negative need to destroy anyone who believes opposite your own beliefs. To burn any books which do not conform to your thoughts.
Tremayne makes an excellent point in what he relates about Celsus, the book that is causing such a hurrah in the abbey as Celsus points out that:
"...why should Christians put themselves in such a unique relation to their creator as to make him one of them? And why should God come in men in the form of one nationality and of one distinctive faith?"The separation in effect between Fidelma and Eadulf forces both to reflect upon their own pride and their individual faults and how it affects the other. I'm anxious to know how they decide.
"...that it is more reasonable to accept that each nation, each part of the world, has its own gods, its own prophets and messengers"
One of the recurring themes that I adore in this series is the Irish culture of the seventh century when the law was fair to all, women enjoyed equality, and the Catholic Church was tolerant. Read a few of the books in this series and you too will wish for those "good old days". At least, if we could have someone like Fidelma around!
Throughout the story and in her summings up in court, Fidelma always raises interesting issues that get me salivating to do research into religious histories and philosophies. One of particular interest is the translation of adelphos thereby raising the question of Jesus' birth and his siblings.
The Story
A monk newly returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem is much changed in demeanor which excites concern amongst his brothers. Particularly from Brother Lugna, an adherent for Roman rule. Lugna is slowly pushing the abbey to a celibate and Penitential rule much to the consternation of most but Abbot Iarnla has no backing from the lord, er, lady of the land.
Lugna certainly does provide Fidelma the opportunities to put him down as he continually interferes in her investigation. Then there are the many accidents on the building site, the attacks on Eadulf and Fidelma, thefts, murders, burnings, and a hijacking all confuse the issue. But in true Fidelma fashion, she sorts it out and sums it up at the end. It always makes such sense when she brings the facts together but I'll never get ahead of this woman!
The Characters
Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf have separated in anger. Eadulf wants to retreat to an abbey community with their son while Fidelma wants to stop being a religieuse and devote herself to the law. Colgú is Fidelma's brother and the King of Muman.
Abbot Iarnla has allowed his steward, Brother Lugna, an adherent of the Novatianists, to rule everything in the abbey of Lios Mór; amazing what blackmail will corrupt. Other Brothers include Donnán the librarian; Giolla-na-Naomh, its blacksmith; Máel Eoin the brother in charge of guest rooms; Seachlann, the abbey's physician; Echen the stable keeper; and, the Venerable Bróen.
Lady Eithne of the Déisi is the ruler of the lands on which the abbey lies and her wishes must come first including Brother Lugna. It is her son, Brother Donnchad, who was murdered. Lady Eithne has commissioned the replacement of all the wooden buildings of the abbey with stone hiring Glassán as the master builder, a man with a murky past along with Saor, his assistant. Glassán's apprentice, Gúasach, has some insights.
Those involved in the more secular plots include Cumscrad, chief of the Fir Maige Féne; his son and the assistant librarian in that city, Cunán; Muirgíos, master of the hijacked barge; Eolann who is one of his crew; Brother Temnen, the librarian at Ard Mór; and, Uallachán, the chief of the Uí Liatháin. – I just love all this talk about libraries! And I'm drooling at the thought of those beautifully illuminated books and scrolls...sigh....
The Cover and Title
The cover is a lovely marbled green with vertical bands of Celtic knotwork bordering the sides. A knotwork border frames an inset picture of a colorful landscape. Stone buildings surrounded by trees on the left with a river flowing inwards and a worked marble slab bordered in more knotwork laden with one closed book and another opened to beautifully illuminated pages and a gold chalice, a scroll rolled up at its base.
The title is what it's all about the cup of knowledge, The Chalice in Blood.
August 12, 2017
Strong entry into the series. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com
November 24, 2018
Did everything that I wanted it too, without being spectacular. I liked the multiple plots intertwining, I thought that was impressive.
December 28, 2018
Another complicated and enjoyable tale in the Sister Fidelma series.
Read
July 17, 2019Not one of the more coherent and convincing in the series.
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March 1, 20201 March 2020: $2.99 on Kindle
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