The Council of the Cursed: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland

I've read every book in this series and I highly recommend each and every one.

This novel is actually set in France in a period where where the Burgunds were under the control of the Franks. The mystery is set at a religious council. I enjoy historical novels and the background atmosphere. In this novel, we dip into Franks and Gauls and Bretons, Britains, Angles and Irish/Celt cultures, all with Roman influence.

Once again another great Sister Fidelma mystery. Unfortunately, it ressembles "Our Lady of Darkeness" in several ways though the author twists and turns things around to keep the reader guessing. The setting of Autun, France was an added plus for someone who has visited the city and read about its history.

In 670 AD, Bishop Leodegar of Autun calls for a council to discuss different positions taken by the various Christian churches. For instance his community enforces a celibacy direction, which has led to outraged monks having to send their upset wives and children to reside at Domus Femini under the control of vicious martinet Abbess Autofleda. The Celtic Church sends Fidelma of Cashel and her husband Brother Eadulf to France as their representatives. The night that the Celtic delegation arrives, someone bashes in the head of Hibernian Abbot Dabhoc; also with him are two unconscious clerics, who upon being revived insist they know nothing. Fidelma's instigative fame has crossed the Channel and she has the support of the papal delegation so an unhappy Leodegar agrees to this woman making inquiries. As she uncovers clues, Fidelma finds several possible suspects that run the gamut of the church as each had motive and opportunity but also believes something more powerful is the actual motive; while her host demands she finish yesterday; proclaiming women should not be delegates or sleuths. With obvious timeliness in terms of the issue of celibacy and a woman's role in the church both wrapped inside a powerful complex whodunit, the COUNCIL OF THE CURSED is a terrific Dark Ages mystery. Fidelma is at her best as she rejects pressure brought by either a killer wanting to remain concealed or by her being a female. The story line is fast-paced as Peter Tremayne moves his champion from Ancient Ireland to France in a fabulous entry. Harriet Klausner

For those of you who are trying to find a different historical series to fall in love with since the Brother Cadfael series, take a look at Peter Tremayne. Tremayne is an historian and an expert on the era that he writes on. (670A.D.) and in Ancient Ireland, and his Sister Fidelma series is a winner. This is something like the 18 book in the series, so if you haven't read any of these books yet, start at number one (Absolution by Murder), and begin a wonderful journey to an enchanted time. In this book Sister Fidelma and her husband Brother Eadulf are in Burgundy where there is a Catholic Church conference. Strange things are happening in the city of Autun. People are dying and women and children are going missing. Fidelma and Eadulf are tasked with getting to the bottom of it. These books are truly wonderful, and I cannot say that enough. I am also truly fortunate because I live in Canada. I get these books a full year earlier than their American release date.