Dancing with Demons: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland

Who could tire of Sister Fidelma, daughter and sister of Irish kings, herself an advocate in law, and traveling investigator and judge. Fidelma is strong and stubborn, by now a married woman with a small son, and she lives in 7th century Ireland. She is a fine sleuth, and following her adventures and experiences we experience the place Ireland was then. It was egalitarian, woman and men equal under the law. It was civilized; literacy was common, people bathed every day, too, and hospitality was extended to travelers. There were roads and libraries and poems and songs. And there was the law, which is Fidelma's special expertise, and we learn a lot about the so-called Dark Ages, which were anything but dark in the Celtic world. Instead, they were times of learning and enlightenment. Peter Tremayne is the pseudonym of the noted Celtic historian Peter Beresford Ellis -- he brings his knowledge passionately into the Sister Fidelma stories. We're learning history and culture without any effort. Great read!

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!

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 Fidelmas 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.

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.

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