Dancing with Demons: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (Mysteries of Ancient Ireland) [Hardcover]

Peter Tremayne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2008 | Series: Mysteries of Ancient Ireland

"Tremayne writes so authentically about this remote time period that readers will feel they are there in every way...a delight!" -- Library Journal (starred review) on Master of Souls

 

"The action is tense and gripping...a compelling, enjoyable adventure." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer on The Monk Who Vanished

 

In the late 7th Century, the High King of Ireland is killed at night in the middle of his compound.  Who killed him is not in question - there are unimpeachable witnesses that point directly to the clan chieftain responsible. Dubh Duin is, after all, found by the High King's guards in the High King's bed chamber holding the murder weapon. But with impending civil war in the balance, the motive for the murder becomes of paramount importance.

 

The Chief Brehon of Ireland asks Fidelma of Cashel - sister to the King of Muman and a dailagh - to investigate.  What her investigations reveal is an intricate web of conspiracy and deception that threatens to unbalance the five kingdoms and send them spiralling into a violent and bloody civil war and religious conflict.  And it's up to Fidelma to not only see to justice but to private the violent fracturing of an increasingly fragile peace.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Judicial advocate Sister Fidelma takes on her most sensitive assignment yet in Tremayne's excellent 16th mystery set in seventh-century Ireland (after 2007's A Prayer for the Damned). When Sechnussach, High King of the five kingdoms of Éireann, is assassinated, the killer appears to be a kinsman, Dubh Duin, found in the king's bed chamber, dying by his own hand and still bearing the knife that apparently struck the fatal blow. Since the powers-that-be are concerned that Sechnussach's heir, Cenn Faelad, not fall under suspicion, they appoint Fidelma, as an outsider, to uncover the motive for the crime. She soon finds that a person, possibly someone close to the throne, had arranged for Duin to get past the king's guards and enter Sechnussach's chamber unchallenged. Tremayne does his usual masterful job of depicting the strain between Christianity and the Old Faith, and provides a logical, if surprising, twist toward the end. (Oct.)
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About the Author

PETER TREMAYNE is the pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis, a renowned Celtic scholar. As Tremayne, he is best known for his stories and novels featuring 7th century Irish religieuse, Fidelma of Cashel. He lives in London.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312375646
• ISBN-13: 978-0312375645
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #712,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Peter Tremayne is the fiction pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis, a renowned Celtic scholar who has written over 30 books on the Ancient Celts and the Irish. As Tremayne, he is best known for his stories and novels featuring 7th century Irish religieuse Fidelma of Cashel. He lives in London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great seventh-century Irish mystery, November 11, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing with Demons: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (Mysteries of Ancient Ireland) (Hardcover)

In 669, the High King of the five kingdoms of Eireann Sechnussach is murdered in his compound. The assassin is captured immediately as the monarch's kinsman Chieftain Dubh Duin is found in the king's bedchamber. The guards assume a murder suicide occurred though whispers abound that Dubh was so loyal he would kill himself before allowing harm to his liege; besides conspiracy theory buffs question how the assassin got the opportunity.

Concerned over rumors that could harm the ascendancy to the throne of Sechnussach`s heir Cenn Faelad, Ireland's Chief Brehon assigns Court advocate and royal sister Fidelma of Cashel to investigate. He informs her not to focus on who killed the High King but why Dubh assassinated the High King and how the opportunity arose that enabled him to get past the guards. However, Fidelma quickly realizes Duin had to have insider help, but who close to the High King and his royal guards could have arranged the assassination.

This is a great seventh-century Irish mystery that brings to life the era as much through the judicial legal system. With a superb plausible final twist to cap a fantastic historical investigative medieval thriller, fans will appreciate Fidelma's increasingly imperative she solve the entire case before the Five Kingdoms splinter into civil and religious war. Peter Tremayne is at his best in DANCING WITH DEMONS.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful again!, July 12, 2009

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing with Demons: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (Mysteries of Ancient Ireland) (Hardcover)

Peter Tremayne knows how to write a story, and the world he has created with the Sister Fidelma series is quite magnificent. The story is set in Ireland in 669 AD. Things were quite different then, and Sister Fidelma's world has been enlightening me for some years now since this is something like the 17 or 18 book. Tremayne builds his stories on true historical happenings, and he quite captures the feeling of the times. In this book the High King of the Five Kingdoms is found dead in his locked bedroom, and the assassin has put a knife through his own heart in order to avoid being caught for this treasonous act. Sister Fidelma and the faithful Eadulf are called in to determine what happened, and they uncover political and personal plots that put their lives in danger. I recommend this series highly, but it should be read in order, starting with 'Absolution by Murder'. It would be difficult to get into the era without the background that is built up in each book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Fidelma of Cashel--WAY ahead of many modern feminists!, January 23, 2010

By 

Lea A. Tilley "LT" (Merced, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dancing with Demons: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (Fidelma of Cashel) (Paperback)

Sister Fidelma is for you if you enjoy historical mysteries, and if you might enjoy reading Irish history. These folks have a long, fascinating history, and Peter Tremayne presents it effectively, while also creating a splendid detective. She's a "dalaigh"--a type of legal figure we need to today. She can be annoying at times (needs to lighten up!), but she never disappoints. I just finished rereading the series and can barely wait for the next installment. Fidelma grows some as she passes through the installments, but doesn't lose her passion for the law. The back story of the Church in Ireland versus the Church of Rome adds much to the stories. I want to be Fidelma!