Valley of the Shadow (Sister Fidelma Mysteries) (Paperback)

by Peter Tremayne (Author) "Hunters were coming..." (more)
Key Phrases: hostel keeper, feasting hall, provincial kings, Brother Solin, Gleann Geis, Brother Dianach (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, her Saxon monk sidekick, are on their way to Gleann Geis, a remote pagan community in southwest Ireland, when they run across a horrible massacre: 33 young men have been ritually killed, their bodies laid out in a pattern peculiar to the ancient Druid faith. (As her fans know from the five novels in this well-researched series, most recently The Spider's Web, religious and political tensions simmer in seventh-century Ireland, though with its sophisticated legal system and fair treatment of women, it is one of Dark Age Europe's more civilized societies.) At Gleann Geis, the pair stumble on another murder, for which Sister Fidelma is arrested. The meek Eadulf has an easier time mounting a clever defense of his mentor than he does fending off the advances of the local chieftain's precocious 14-year-old niece. Released from confinement, Sister Fidelma is free to make full use of her sharp analytical powers to figure out who is behind the massacre and the seemingly unrelated murder of which she was unjustly accused. She does not disappoint. At the climax, the religieuse explains all, untangling a complex web of intrigue that moves from one surprising revelation to the next. While adept at plotting, Tremayne has an annoying habit of overusing adverbs. A door opens "boisterously," a mouth droops "pessimistically," while characters smile "thinly," "wanly," "warmly," "gravely," "grimly," "apologetically" and "maliciously." In the future one hopes that the author--or his editor--will put as much faith in plain verbs as Sister Fidelma does in her God. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Seventh-centruy Irish princess Fidelma (The Spider's Web), late of the sisterhood at Kldare, negotiates witha pagan worrror-chieftain on the behalf of her king/brother. Hidden Valley, however, she and companion Brother Eadulf discover 33 ritually slaughtered young men laid out in a circle. Since her object is to establish a Christian church and school in the area, Fidelma vows to investigate the crime. Firmly set in a wild, dangerous time but featuring well bred and educated protagonists, this historical teaches as it entertains. Recommended.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Signet (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451203305
• ISBN-13: 978-0451203304
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,353 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great storyteller-makes the past come alive, February 17, 2000

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Valley of the Shadow: A Celtic Mystery (Celtic Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In 666 AD, Chieftain Laisre rules over Gleann Geis, an isolated valley where the people revere Druid Priests. Over the years, many of the villagers married outsiders, which has allowed Christianity to gain a foothold in the area. The Christians demand their own church and school, which forces Laisre to ask his liege, the King of Mumar to negotiate with the Church. The King sends his emissaries, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf to Gleann Geis.

However, a few miles from the village, the traveling duo comes across the grim sight of thirty-three dead men laid out according to a pagan death ritual. Sister Fidelma, an advocate of the Ireland law courts, wants to know who executed these people. The villagers swear they know nothing about the abomination. They want the Sister to begin negotiation instead of starting her own investigation. However, Sister Fidelma quickly concludes that an evil lurks in the valley, but before she can prove her charges, another murder occurs. The evidence points towards Sister Fidelma. To clear her name and stop a potential bloody battle from turning a happy valley into the valley of death, Sister Fidelma begins to search for the malfeasance that covets power at all cost to others.

VALLEY OF THE SHADOW is a work rich in Irish myths that allows the audience to catch the beauty of seventh century Ireland. The charcaters are well drawn, seem genuine, and make the era appear before the audience,s eyes. The fast moving plot provides a wonderfully designed mystery interwoven inside a meticulously researched history that brings insight into the past. Sub-genre fans will fully enjoy this tale and the other works of artist Peter Tremayne

Harriet Klausner

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Fidelma so far. . ., December 5, 2001

By	Joe Jacco (Sarasota, FL USA) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignorance is bliss, August 24, 2001

By	A. Y. Smittle (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!"