Another tangled chronicle set in seventh-century Ireland featuring
Sister Fidelma of Kildare (Suffer Little Children, 1997, etc.).
Fidelma, sister of King Colg of Muman and a respected advocate of
the law courts, has been sent to the remote coastal Abbey of the
Salmon of Three Wells to investigate the case of a headless,
unidentified body of a young woman discovered in a water well.
Fidelma's journey to the Abbey, in a coastal barque sailed by
stalwart captain Ross, presents its own mystery when a foundering
merchant ship from Gaul is boarded by Ross and found to be
abandoned. Fidelma is received by arrogant Abbess Draigen and soon
becomes aware of the bitter enmity between the Abbess and her
brother Adnar, chieftain of a nearby fortress - a hatred that
extends to Adnar's close companion Brother Febal, once Draigen's
husband. Fidelma's task is complicated further when another
decapitated body - that of the Abbess's steward Sister Siomha - is
found in the clock tower. Meanwhile, Fidelma uncovers rumors of a
treasure in gold; ferrets out a brewing insurrection against her
brother the King; finds her old friend the Saxon monk Eadulf
imprisoned in a copper mine; and makes numerous and complex
discoveries that, in time, icad to the accomplishment of her
original mission. There's too much of everything here - characters,
twists of plot, ancient manuscripts, feudal and religious history,
and much, much more. Even the author's considerable storytelling
skill can't overcome the massive obstacles burdening the narrative.
A bonanza for students of the period; a heavy slog for anyone else.
(Kirkus Reviews)
Sister Fidelma is thrown into a sinister mystery full of intrigue,
danger and violence in Peter Tremayne's fourth Celtic mystery.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters
competitor' Evening Standard, 'This is masterly storytelling from
an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is
writing about' Belfast Telegraph A headless female corpse is found
in the drinking well of a remote abbey in south-west Ireland. One
hand clasps a crucifix; tied to the other arm is a pagan death
symbol... A merchant ship is encountered under full sail on the
high seas off the Irish coast. But the crew and cargo have vanished
- as if by sorcery... Whose is the body in the well? Where is the
crew of the vessel? Are these bizarre events connected? And if so,
who is responsible? The year is AD 666, and Sister Fidelma of
Kildare, advocate of the Brehon law courts, must follow a trail of
clues and investigate a host of enigmatic suspects to unravel the
puzzle. What readers are saying about THE SUBTLE SERPENT: 'An
excellent story to keep you riveted, with marvellous insight into
the life and times of old Ireland' 'As always, a gripping yarn,
told with plenty of period detail. Tremayne is a master of his art'
'Full of suspense, intrigue and information'
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