Act of Mercy (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 8): A page-turning Celtic mystery filled with chilling twists

Act of Mercy by Peter Tremayne About the series: May be spoilers! Sorry! The Sister Fidelma mysteries are set mainly in Ireland during the mid-seventh century AD. Sister Fidelma is not simply a religieuse, a former member of the community of St Brigid of Kildare. She is also a qualified dalaigh, or advocate of the ancient law courts of Ireland. She is also a Princess, Colgù mac Faίlbre Flaind - King of Muman (Munster) being Fidelma's older brother. She solves mysteries with the help of Brother Eadulf, a Saxon from Seaxmund’s Ham, whom she later marries. They have a son, Alchú. About the author: Peter Tremayne is a pseudonym for Peter Berresford Ellis, a recognized historian and expert on Celtic Studies. He also is an expert on the early Irish Catholic Church and the laws of ancient Ireland. A conflicted Sister Fidelma joins a group that is on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James, in Iberia, modern-day Spain. The conflict arises from her feelings for Brother Eadulf, and whether it is wise to pursue them. Before she can board the ship, a body is discovered in an inn where the Pilgrims had stayed the night before. Originally there were to be six Brothers and six Sisters in the Pilgrimage party. However, one has be said to back out of the party and never left St. Declan’s Abbey. The other didn’t make it aboard ship, and is suspected to have missed the boat. It is her body that the Innkeeper discovered. On shipboard an unpleasant surprise awaits her in the person of Brother Cian, a former warrior and her first love. Cian had deserted her after she gave herself to him. Cian professes to still care for her and wants to renew their relationship. To complicate matters, there is a murder aboard The Barnacle Goose. Sister Muirgel, who had been suffering from seasickness, has disappeared in the night. Cian suggests she fell overboard in the night attempting to ease her illness by going on deck. But the cabin boy finds her torn and bloody robe under her bunk, and reports that she had locked her door the night before. And so begins the weaving of a mystery. As Sister Fidelma gathers the various threads, she is faced with something that may have grim results. If she does not solve the mystery before the ship arrives at its destination, the murderer may vanish into the solace of unfamiliar territory and literally get away with murder! As usual, Peter Tremayne inserts history, religion, and mystery into a tale that is well worth the reading. Another five stars out of five stars for this book and the continuing series! Quoth the Raven…

修道女フィデルマシリーズがお気に入りです。この作品はまだ日本語訳が出ていないので、英語で楽しんでいます。

I have no specific comment to make. The book was sent to me in the condition I expected. The inquiries made by Sister Fidelma are always very fascinating and the 7th century AD is very interesting to get immersed in. Very enthralling book and very fascinating characters.

サンティアゴ・デ・コンポステラへの巡礼の旅に向かうフィデルマ。 船に乗り合わせた巡礼者の中に、１０年前彼女を捨てたキアンの姿が。 かつて上王の騎士の一人だった彼がなぜ修道僧に？ 動揺するフィデルマの心を映すように、船はひどい嵐に見舞われる。 その嵐の中、一人の修道女が姿を消した。 船のどこにも見つからないということは、嵐の海に落ちたとしか 考えられない。船酔いに苦しんで、錯乱して海に飛び込んだのか？ しかし、その修道女の部屋から血のついた僧衣が見つかり、 フィデルマは密かに殺人事件として調査を始める。 １０年前、キアンのために学業を捨てようとさえしたフィデルマ。 今も美男子で女性にもてるらしいキアンだったが、 シリーズ屈指の嫌な男で性格悪し。 あまりにもいやな奴なので、謎解きよりもそっちが気になってしまい、 星３つに留めます。

Great series. Enjoy all his books.