From Booklist
How does a seventh-century religieuse juggle marriage, family, and a career? The answer to this compelling question is ably demonstrated by Tremayne's Sister Fidelma, advocate of the ancient law courts of Ireland and medieval crime-scene investigator. Now married to her devoted companion, Brother Eadulf--the concept and practice of celibacy was by no means universal in the Celtic Church--and the mother of a lusty infant son, Fidelma chafes a bit under the confines of domesticity. When the opportunity arises for her to travel to the village of Rath Raithlen to investigate a grisly series of murders occurring on consecutive full moons, she temporarily trades the tedious security of hearth and home for the dangerous and intellectually challenging task of exposing a homicidal maniac. Authentically detailed, this suspenseful period piece blends elements of spiritual, cultural, and economic intrigue into a superlative historical whodunit featuring a remarkably timeless heroine. Margaret Flanagan
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Book Description
In October of 667 A.D., Fidelma of Cashel - sister to the one of kings of Ireland, a religieuse of the Celtic Church, and an advocate of the Brehon courts - is struggling with her most challenging role yet, that of mother to her infant son Alchu. So it is with mixed feelings that she receives the summons from Abbot Brogan. There have been a series of shocking murders that have terrorized the villagers near the Abbey of Finbarr; three young girls have been violently slaughtered - one per month of the night of the full moon, the most recent only days before during the badger's moon, October's full moon. The villagers are angrily demanding answers from the abbey, who are housing three visitors from faraway--strangers who the villagers believe are behind the gruesome murders. As a respected Brehon, Fidelma, along with her companion Brother Eadulf, is dispatched by her brother the king to restore order to the panicked village and investigate the killings. But time is running out and Fidelma must act quickly, uncovering the complicated truth before the next full moon comes and the lunatic killer strikes again.



About the Author
Peter Tremayne is the fiction pseudonym for Peter Berresford Ellis, a prominent authority on the ancient Celts and author of numerous works of history and scholarship. As Tremayne, he is the author of twelve books featuring Sister Fidelma, most recently Whispers of the Dead. He lives in London.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In October of A.D. 667, Fidelma of Cashel - sister to one of the kings of Ireland, a religieuse of the Celtic Church, and an advocate of the Brehon courts - is struggling with her most challenging role yet, that of mother to her infant son Alchu. So it is with mixed feelings that she receives the summons from Abbot Brogan. There have been a series of shocking murders that have terrorized the villagers near the Abbey of Finbarr; three young girls have been violently slaughtered - one per month on the night of the full moon, the most recent only days before the badger's moon, October's full moon. The villagers are angrily demanding answers from the abbey, which is housing three visitors from far away - strangers who the villagers believe are behind the gruesome murders. As a respected Brehon, Fidelma, along with her companion Brother Eadulf, is dispatched by her brother the king to restore order to the panicked village and investigate the killings. But time is running out and Fidelma must act quickly, uncovering the complicated truth before the next full moon comes and the lunatic killer strikes again.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly