Customer Reviews

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

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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

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.

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!

I have only recently discovered Peter Tremayne's mysteries with Sister Fidelma of Cashel, and have loved them all! I had so much fun putting pieces of the puzzle together (and learning about customs of the time and place). Yet the story had so many twists and turns that I was kept off balance, and the way the many ends tied up was genius.

This was another fine mystery and solution--a page turner that I read in one sitting. Anyone who likes a good mystery story will enjoy reading this book.

Helen Kraack

Like your crime in a different time? You ought to like this one. The "Dark Ages" are not usually a setting for historical mysteries but here we have seventh century Ireland. According to the book's portrayal of Irish culture, it was not so "Dark" in Ireland.

The High King of Ireland's Five Kingdoms has been assassinated in his bed, and his murderer commits suicide as guards burst into the room. The question is thus not who did it but how and why it was done. Ordinarily court officials would investigate the matter, but the dead king's heir (his brother) wants to avoid any imputation of a cover up, so he excludes both senior court officials (who might be seen as too close to him) and any member of the large and important Ui Neill clan. The dead King, an Ui Neill, was distantly related to his killer, chieftain of an Ui Neill subclan. Fidelma of Cashel, a brilliant court advocate and sister of the king of one of the Five Kingdoms, will investigate.

And there are questions aplenty, beginning with how the killer penetrated the high security of Tara, seat of the High Kings, to the very bed chamber of the King. Yet the "why" of the investigation soon proves more troublesome and difficult than the "how," and Fidelma soon suspects a conspiracy that threatens the Five Kingdoms with civil war and involves her in personal danger.

The book is smoothly written and evokes the life of the times (at least life among the ruling elites) wonderfully. The characters are well drawn and fully believable. Author Tremayne has written fifteen previous novels and two story collections featuring Fidelma. Under his real name (Peter Berresford Ellis) Tremayne is a scholar of the ancient Irish and seems to know the culture well.

I have read others of this series and always enjoy them. Author has done much research and the characters, locations and history hold true. Dense detail but very clear.

This book is a very good read. I love the midieval setting. I have read most of Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series. He is a consumate writer. I enjoy the use of the old language. He has great suprise endings.