Mention monks and murder mysteries in the same breath, and Ellis
Peters' religious sleuth, Brother Cadfael, will probably spring to
mind. But there is a pretender to the mediaeval murder throne; some
years ago, Peter Tremayne launched the Irish religeuse/detective,
Sister Fidelma onto the scene with a series of highly acclaimed
novels, rich in fascinating detail about seventh century Irish
religious and legal life. Fidelma doesn't suffer fools gladly and
occasionally has an air of insufferable superiority - but despite
her exasperating condescension, not to mention her almost Holmesian
ability to read volumes into the tiniest clue, this collection of
short stories is an intriguing insight into a world far beyond our
experience. Tremayne is an authority on this particular period of
Irish history, and utilizes his wealth of knowledge to introduce
his fans to a completely different culture. Packed with details
about dowries and fines, fostering laws and trading regulations,
Whispers of the Dead is, however, peculiarly contemporary. Corporal
punishment is frowned upon; women have rights in law regarding the
possession of land and the respect due to them by their husbands;
there was apparently no glass ceiling in Fidelma's day - she is a
highly respected judge or dalaigh, and won't kowtow to anyone, man
or woman. So both devotees of detective stories, and lovers of
historical fiction, will find plenty to enjoy in this lavish
collection. Inevitably, some stories work better than others, but
for many this tantalizing taste of the mediaeval thriller, will
encourage them to search out Tremayne's full length novels, and get
to know Sister Fidelma that little bit better. (Kirkus UK)
Sister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of crime fiction's
most interesting sleuths in short form. The sharp-witted religieuse
captured the hearts of many readers as she successfully tackled the
most baffling of crimes in her other role as advocate of the law
courts of Ireland, using the ancient Brehon Law system. Whispers Of
The Dead is the second collection of these stories to be published
in the UK. With its breathtaking range of settings and crimes, it
is guaranteed to entertain and intrigue - and is an anthology that
no lover of Celtic culture or historical crime should be without.
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