The Chalice of Blood (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 21)

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Between and he also wrote eight adventure thrillers under the name "Peter MacAlan". This breaks down into 35 titles under his own name and 8 under the pseudonym of Peter MacAlan and 59 under the pseudonym of Peter Tremayne.

He has also broadcast on television and radio since With the unparalleled popularity of his 7th century set Sister Fidelma Mysteries, in January, , an International Sister Fidelma Society was formed in Charleston, South Carolina, with a website and producing a print magazine three times a year called The Brehon. Essays on the Historical Novels of Peter Tremayne. The volume was edited by Professor Edward J. Rielly and David Robert Wooten. As well as analytical essays, there is a biographical essay which has the full approval of the author. They had been together since the autumn of He has publicly acknowledged that she was the inspiration behind the creation of Fidelma.

Listed in chronological order of UK publication - novels and collections of short stories, as Peter Tremayne: Listed in chronological order under first world publication mainly UK but with first US publication where applicable. Some of Ellis's pamphlets have been previous listed on sites as books. But these pamphlets are: Below are covers of some of Peter Berresford Ellis's pamphlets.

As well as the Sister Fidelma series, under the pseudonym "Peter Tremayne," Ellis has written many novels and short stories, the majority inspired by Celtic myth and legend. Below are the eBook edition covers of Tremayne non-Fidelma titles. He has also published eight thriller novels as Peter MacAlan. Below are the eBook edition covers of the MacAlan titles. Overall, Ellis's works have appeared in 25 languages. His signed articles are almost too numerous to count and include several academic papers in the field of Celtic culture and history. Peter started to write the Sister Fidelma mysteries as short stories in merely to illustrate how the Brehon laws worked and how a woman could be an advocate of the law system in 7th Century Ireland.

The Chalice of Blood (Sister Fidelma, #21) by Peter Tremayne

The stories were so well received that Headline offered him an initial three-book contract to write novels featuring Sister Fidelma. These have proved extraordinarily popular and several critics have hailed Sister Fidelma as the natural successor to Brother Cadfael. This is a compliment that Peter disarmingly rejects, pointing out that Fidelma and Cadfael are poles apart. When she is annoyed by something or someone, she has very good reason for it. Did I ever enjoy this book! Within the structure of a mystery novel, it describes the history of books and their treasured status when they were so hard to come by and painstakingly produced.

The story surrounds the work of Celsus, The True Word, a book that no longer exists, except as excerpts in Origen's volume refuting Celsus' premise that Christians are ridiculous. You can tell by the subtle twinkle in Fidelma's eye that she maybe thinks that Celsus was right. This "heretical" book and so many others were systematically destroyed by the Church. The time period of The Chalice of Blood shows the 7th century transition of the Catholic church with its acceptance of local customs, to the Roman influence and extremism which completely redefined the Church.

Discourse and debate were squelched, and it is staggering the amount of wisdom and thought that has been suppressed. Books that are gone forever. I feel so fortunate to have such effortless and inexhaustible access to writers and their words. I am always very interested to find and read "banned books". I made a conscious decision to encourage my son to read whatever he wanted and when he asked to read Papillon when he was in the fourth grade, I let him and told him to come to me if he had any questions. Boy did he have questions!

Oh so that's where he hid his money! But the book may broaden the mind and make one question the politics of how things were decided and defined as the church went forward, and ponder how different things would be if another direction had been chosen. I think if you like the new pope, Pope Francis, you will probably like this book.

Sep 10, Don O'goodreader rated it it was amazing Shelves: The Chalice of Blood by Peter Tremayne is a wonderful locked-room murder mystery set in 7th century Ireland. Brother Donnchad is discovered after the abbot had to resort to calling the blacksmith to break down the door. Inside Brother Donnchad is discovered murdered, still in possession of the only key to the lock, the only lock every used in this religious community, recently made by the blacksmith just for Brother Donnchad. The investigation is lead by Fidelma of Cashel, sister of the King, leg The Chalice of Blood by Peter Tremayne is a wonderful locked-room murder mystery set in 7th century Ireland.

The investigation is lead by Fidelma of Cashel, sister of the King, legal scholar, and famous investigator and prosecutor. This is a woman who is often soft spoken and polite, though never flirtatious or deferent. When it suits her purposes, she can be regal, forceful, and demanding of absolute respect and obedience In addition to a wonderful mystery, Celtic scholar Peter Tremayne pseudonym packs the story with details of 7th Ireland: Overall and excellent mix of mystery and history, or escape and education.

Aug 01, Shirley Schwartz rated it really liked it. This is another solid entry in the Sister Fidelma series. I truly do enjoy this series, and each book is always a page-turner with many murders and various suspects and some real red herrings thrown in to confuse the issue.

So even though these books are solidly historical, they are wonderful "who-dunits" too. For those who don't know Fidelma, be prepared for a supremely intelligent and strong woman who does not suffer fools gladly. Her husband Eadulf is also a wonderful character who is very re This is another solid entry in the Sister Fidelma series.

Her husband Eadulf is also a wonderful character who is very realistic and a wonderful foil for Fidelma and her passions. Medieval Ireland never seemed so real to me until I began reading this series. When Fidelma and Eadulf are asked to look into the mysterious murder of an eminent scholar in an abbey, they uncover a plot that is beyond belief and a madness and a zealousness that leaves a path of destruction in its wake.

I truly do recommend this series, but my opinion is that it must be read as a series in order to receive a full appreciation of the magnitude of Tremayne's work. Dec 28, Alan rated it really liked it Shelves: Another good book in a series I think I've read all of. In this one Sister Fidelma decides she doesn't really want to be a sister any more, rather just focus on the law. There is also some troubles between her and her husband Brother Eadulf, which started in the last book 20 and isn't yet resolved by the end of this one.

But Fidelma's brother the Kind of Cashel has need of their skills and brings them back together Eadulf's been living in a religious community at the Abbey of Ruan most of the Another good book in a series I think I've read all of. But Fidelma's brother the Kind of Cashel has need of their skills and brings them back together Eadulf's been living in a religious community at the Abbey of Ruan most of the problems here go back to the fact that according to Irish law they are not equal partners in this marraige and in fact Fidelma has more rights and privileges then Eadulf.

This particular story line has to do with a religious scholar who is killed, it turns out that he had lost his faith and had been studying some heretical writings which have to do with disputing the immaculate conception of Christ, rather trying to prove that Mary was raped, thus disproving the Gospels. Nov 09, Steve rated it liked it. Story is set in AD in Ireland. This is book 21 in the Sister Fidelma series. I plan to add the earlier books to my to read list. I enjoy this genre of historical set mysteries. If "learning" about life in another time and place doesn't interest you then a book like this is not for you.

This is a complex story with many twists and complex characters. Tremayne goes a little far for my taste at times as he has the characters speaking in Latin not my strong suit despite 2 years of study or in Story is set in AD in Ireland. Tremayne goes a little far for my taste at times as he has the characters speaking in Latin not my strong suit despite 2 years of study or in whatever language the Irish spoke in the seventh century.

I really enjoyed the historical context of the religious life before introduction of practices like celibacy and other edits of Rome. If this all sounds too pedantic don't be put off there are several murders, attempted murders, a strong vein of religious intolerance, and a strong female main character.

Upon returning home, Fidelma and Eadulf are having a bit of a trial separation due to Fidelma's wish to withdraw from orders and Eadulf's need to be his own man. When an abbot nearby needs help with a locked room mystery death, the king sends them both in hopes of fixing the breach as well as the mystery.

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The clues were a bit hamfisted this time around and only the secondary crime remained a mystery to me. The other ding against this book is really against a trend in the series. The chronology i Upon returning home, Fidelma and Eadulf are having a bit of a trial separation due to Fidelma's wish to withdraw from orders and Eadulf's need to be his own man. The chronology is getting wrong. For instance, Eadulf says he hasnt seen her in fancy dress as princess for some time, but that is not true he did last book at the reception in town.

Just consistency details problems like he's never heard of X but really this is the fourth time he hasn't. Just making it a bit annoying to be distracted. Aug 17, Laura Edwards rated it really liked it Shelves: I liked this book. I only have one comment to make.

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If you read the reviews for the early entries of this series, a lot of readers complain that Sister Fidelma is too perfect. Now that she is exhibiting some faults, readers complain about that, too. I like her the way she is. Tough, smart, proud and a little too unbending at times. Yes, she has faults. It makes her character human and more relatable. And for the people so sympathetic to Eadulf, he has faults, too. Why would I liked this book. Why would he try to force Fidelma into giving up law, her one, true passion in life?

If he thinks he's miserable now, consider his life with Fidelma if she were forced to live like a caged bird. If the roles were reversed, you can bet no one would take such a viewpoint, that a man give up his livelihood just to please his wife. Jul 24, John Szalasny rated it really liked it Shelves: As always, the author draws on historical scholarship on this period to allow the reader to step into the past.

And its good to see, in his 19th book in the series, that there is still more to see in the world of the 7th century.

The Dove of Death (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 20)

Jan 09, Harriette rated it it was amazing. One of the better ones in the Sister Fidelma series. Berresford Ellis writing as Tremayne about the early Irish church, my favorite part of Ireland Munster in the 's - and his intriguing mystery - are to be enjoyed on many levels. It was not a pretty time and Tremayne does not romanticise it.

Fidelma is not always a likeable character here. However, I admire her. She engages superstition, fanaticism, mysoginy, cruelty, ignorance and fear with the weapons of truth, information and the Irish la One of the better ones in the Sister Fidelma series. I learn so much while following the twists and turns of the story. This scholar of ancient Ireland has written another fascinating mystery. View all 5 comments.

So after 21 books, does the formula hold up? Because the author keeps inventing great new stories. Does the writing hold up? An example is the first chapter of 'Dancing with Demons' in which the king's murder on the Hill of Tara combines brilliant imagery with savage detail like that found in a Jacobean tragedy. Fidelma is not Murder, She Wrote, although there is a slight similarity in the way both the Angela Lansbury character and Fidelma are treated with respect and listened to.

It is not Midsomer Murders where the bumbling John Nettles stumbles by accident upon the resolution. Fidelma doesn't do bumble or stumble, she just uses laser logic. If you like a good mystery, cleverly plotted and beautifully written, and have not yet discovered Fidelma, a treasure trove awaits. An added bonus is the fascinating reconstruction of 7th-Century Ireland by the author, a noted Celtic scholar under his real name, Peter Beresford Ellis. Such is the devotion of the Fidelma fans that she now has her own bi-annual festival. The third Feile Fidelma takes place in Cashel from September 10 to 12 this year and among the events planned is a rehearsed reading of a stage adaptation of the short story Invitation to a Poisoning.

Actress Caroline Lennon, who reads the Fidelma books for CD, will be reading the Fidelma role, and the heroine will once again put the bumbling males to shame.

For further details, see www. Buy 'The Chalice of Blood' from Eason. Anne Cunningham This year saw some remarkable debuts, along with some gems, from more experienced pens. From history to politics, popular science, nature, cookery and music, it's our guide to the best non-fiction of Ryan Nugent Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described a photography book depicting 24 hours in the life of a New York city cop as "not just a book, but almost a work of art".

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