R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Subtle Serpent (Sister Fidelma, Bk 4) on + 1452 more book reviews
Ancient Ireland in AD 666 is a fascinating location for the Sister Fidelma mysteries. In this novel, the fourth of a series, she is sent to the Abbey of the Salmon of Three Wells. In a peaceful setting in southwest corner of the country a murder has occurred. The Abbess Draigen has requested a dalaigh to investigate headless female body has found in one of the wells. A advocate of the Brehon law courts, Sister Fidelma is qualified to investigate.
The author often weaves two mysteries into the stories of Sister Fidelma, her friends and family. The same is true with this one for on the trip to the Abbey she finds a Gaulish merchant ship with neither crew nor cargo afloat in a bay. As she searches the ship she finds a missal that she had given her friend, Saxon monk Brother Eadulf of Seaxmund's Ham, a year earlier. Is he among the missing? And, is the abandoned ship somehow connected to the murder at the Abbey?
At the Abbey, she encounters distrust and information with no bearing on the situation. Then a second murder occurs and the mystery deepens. A strong, intelligent and independent individual dedicated to pursuing the truth and locating the murder or murderers, Sister Fidelma is determined to uncover what really happened on the ship and why the murders were committed. .What she finds during her investigation is layers of hatred and animosity, political intrigues, prejudice, and greed which she must sift to find her answers. The is an excellent tale by a talented author who obviously loves Celtic history.
The author often weaves two mysteries into the stories of Sister Fidelma, her friends and family. The same is true with this one for on the trip to the Abbey she finds a Gaulish merchant ship with neither crew nor cargo afloat in a bay. As she searches the ship she finds a missal that she had given her friend, Saxon monk Brother Eadulf of Seaxmund's Ham, a year earlier. Is he among the missing? And, is the abandoned ship somehow connected to the murder at the Abbey?
At the Abbey, she encounters distrust and information with no bearing on the situation. Then a second murder occurs and the mystery deepens. A strong, intelligent and independent individual dedicated to pursuing the truth and locating the murder or murderers, Sister Fidelma is determined to uncover what really happened on the ship and why the murders were committed. .What she finds during her investigation is layers of hatred and animosity, political intrigues, prejudice, and greed which she must sift to find her answers. The is an excellent tale by a talented author who obviously loves Celtic history.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Of the four that I read in this series, this was definitely the best. I devoured it in a little more than a day. I hope they just keep getting better.
The different sub-plots kept crossing over one, another leading me to believe one thing, when something else was true.
All was revealed at the end, during Sister Fidelma's traditional explanation of the crimes and accusation of the wicked.
The different sub-plots kept crossing over one, another leading me to believe one thing, when something else was true.
All was revealed at the end, during Sister Fidelma's traditional explanation of the crimes and accusation of the wicked.
Donna E. (impossible) reviewed The Subtle Serpent (Sister Fidelma, Bk 4) on + 3352 more book reviews
Outstanding historical series. Holds your attention from beginning to end. True to both history and the characters created for these stories.
One of Tremayne's more convoluted mysteries, this one finds Fidelma called to investigate a decapitated body found in a remote abbey. On the way, the ship she is on discovers an abandoned Gaulish merchant ship with no crew or cargo, and Fidelma finds on board the missal she gave as a present to her friend Brother Eadulf. As Fidelma investigates, another decapitated body is found in the abbey. As she follows the trail of clues it becomes apparent she might herself become a target before she untangles the knots in this clever plot of greed and intrigue. Another excellent addition to the series.
