Customer Reviews

Valley of the Shadow (Sister Fidelma Mysteries)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just when I thought I might be finding the Sister Fidelma novels a touch repetitive, I read "Valley of the Shadow" and my faith was restored. Of the first six novels of the series, I have to brand this one my favorite.

Although it carries the flavor of the previous novels, it breaks some new ground. Without ruining the suspense, I will intimate that Brother Eaudulf plays his most major role, Fidelma herself makes some wrong assumptions, and the good Sister finds herself in an unaccustomed position for a time.

And, for the traditional-spirited, the story carries the usual Celtic lore of the period, delves into the usual intrigue, and has you wondering who done it till the final pages. As I said, I've read them all, and recommend each book of the series, especially this one, to one and all.

I don't have the Sister Fidelma background, nor the Celtic background. I picked it up this book on a whim. It starts out a bit slow, but picks up steadily. I wish there would've been a pronounciation guide for all the Celtic names---they're always a phonetic challenge. As to the story---I thought it was good. I know my fellow reviewers sound pretty unimpressed, but it was a good mystery. I appreciate that it was solved with the main characters, not so much new character crap in the end, or a weird twist at the end that made it implausible. I appreciate that! As to Fidelma and her fellow christian, Eadulf, well, name me one murder slueth who isn't cold and boring? The main characters always seem to be pretty----typical....with the sidekick just a wee bit more interesting. Well, as for the plot and story, etc. Sister Fidelma stumbles upon a grisly murder. Whodunit? Follow her to the intimidating kingdom in the valley and find out....twists and turns, the suspicions, the contempt, the theology, makes for an entertaining read. I'm almost tempted to read the others in the series. Almost..... Isn't it unusual to have a mystery set in 7th century Ireland? Quit complaining and appreciate someone's writing something decent out of the "Dark Ages!"

Was it ghostwritten under Tremayne's name by someone with little knowledge of grammar and spelling, not to mention syle? Was it rushed through to make a fast buck? Was there no time or budget for a copy editor? Could this pseudonymous Celtic scholar really not know the difference between "affect" and "effect?" "Lie" and "lay?" Was someone trying to sabotage his reputation?

I am only 1/3 of the way through Valley of the Shadow, which I eagerly anticipated, having read all the preceding ones in the series. Now, I'm not sure I can stand to finish it. While the others could have used a good editor, the stories were engaging enough that I could overlook a few mistakes for the sake of a good escape.

I hope the writer and publisher heeded the critics and hired an editor for subsequent editions. I do want to continue to occasionally get caught up in Sister Fidelma's world...

The interesting subject matter, and honestly, the way the paperback looks and feels, made me pick it up at Target. I have not read any other of Tremayne's works, but I was disappointed in this one. Sister Fidelma may as well be one of the stone statues that the pagan Irish used to erect at their strongholds. Not very sympathetic, and certainly one-dimensional. Her Saxon "sidekick"(what a cliche'!) is no better, obviously trotted out to show the "typical" Church response to perceived superstition and pagan ritual. I know diehard mystery fans (which I am not)probably don't care about the nitpicky details, but if you're looking for a novel of ancient Ireland that rings with authenticity and not tedious pedantic observations of life in "Dark Age" Ireland, then run, don't walk to Morgan Llewellyn.

It's well nigh impossible not to take a liking to Sister Fidelma's exemplary character. The author obviously endowed her with his most cherished humanistic ideals. So this is a thriller with a message. Yet the genius of Peter Tremayne never bores you with his descriptions. The images of ancient Ireland are recreated before your mind's eye amidst a stream of (sometimes violent) action, as well as painstaking detective work. The plot is rather complex and needs a certain amount of concentration on the part of the reader - but I found it more than worthwhile.

The author Peter Tremayne obviously has a great knowledge of Ireland in the 7th century and also on the Irish Law of the period. His Sister Fidelma book are attracting what can only be described as a cult following, but they are of interest to anyone who likes historical novels or mysteries. This series of books are set in Ireland in the 7th century, a time when there was total equality for women. The lead character is the beguiling Sister Fidelma. She is a brilliant scholar, a leading authority on Irish law and the sister of a king. This is also a period in history when celibacy was not yet a part of religious life.

Sister Fidelma is on a mission for her brother the king. She has been sent to Gleann Geis, the forbidden valley to meet there with the chieftain Laisre. Her mission to to negotiate with the chieftain for permission to build a Christian church and school to replace the Druid sanctuaries. Laisre's people are know to be hostile to the new religion and Fidelma knows that she will have her work cut out to convince the chief and his people of the good that will come of it . . .

Written in the style of a Bulwar Litton Contest winner with the grammatical knowlege of a five year old! No, Mr. Tremayne, between you and I, is not correct english. The passive voice may add a few words(never use one word, if two or three will do)and pad your wallet and the flimsy plot but it does nothing for the reader. History C-, Style and Grammar F.