The Council of the Cursed (Sister Fidelma 18)

While investigating the savage murder of a religious magnate, Sister Fidelma uncovers a dark world of slavery and abuse within the abbey walls, in Peter Tremayne's thrilling new mystery. It is AD 670, and Bishop Leodegar has called the church leaders together for an emergency meeting. But a fierce row breaks out and the assembly descends into chaos. Later that evening one of the delegates is discovered murdered, his skull brutally smashed. Sister Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf, unwittingly find themselves in the middle of a shocking murder investigation involving the most powerful religious leaders in the land. The disappearance of women and children and rumours of a slave trade indicate malevolent forces at work. To catch those responsible, Fidelma and Eadulf must challenge these fearsome individuals and in doing so, risk their own lives... From Publishers Weekly Sister Fidelma encounters a raft of political, religious and cultural conundrums in Tremayne's engrossing 18th full-length novel to feature the seventh-century Celtic advocate (after 2008's Dancing with Demons ). Accompanied by her companion, Eadulf, Fidelma journeys to the French city of Autun to serve as aide and adviser to Abbot S?gdae at a conference of church leaders. Before they arrive, one delegate is murdered and suspicion falls equally on two others who are bitter enemies. Bishop Leodegar charges Fidelma, because of her reputation as a sleuth, with determining which of the two is guilty of murder. Tremayne's seamless blend of church history (e.g., Pope Vitalian's efforts to impose Rome's authority over disparate western churches) and political squabbles (e.g., among Britons, Angles and Saxons) provide meaty background. Fidelma's ability to best opponents, whether in argument, strategy or audacity, makes her a heroine for any age. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "Tremayne's seamless blend of church history ... and political squabbles ... provide meaty background. Fidelma's ability to best opponents, whether in argument, strategy or audacity, makes her a heroine for any age." -- Publishers Weekly "One of Fidelma’s best." -- Kirkus Reviews "No one can make the seventh century come so alive as the pseudonymous Tremayne.... His entire series is great for book discussions, and devotees of medieval historicals will enjoy." -- Library Journal Kindle Collection : mystery

in 670 A.d. Fidelma Of Cashel Is Asked To Act As An Advisor To The Irish Delegation To A Church Council Hostile To The Celtic Church. In An Abbey In Burgundy, Bishop Leodegar Of Autun Has Assembled Church Leaders From All Over Western Europe—an Assembly Which Soon Descends Into Chaos. That Night, One Of The Delegates Is Found Murdered, His Skull Crushed And Fidelma And Her Companion, Brother Eadulf, Are Suddenly In The Midst Of A Murder Investigation Involving Some Of The Most Power Religious Leaders. Between The Autocratic Bishop Leodegar And The Malignant Abbess, Mother Audofleda, A Web Of Sinister Intrigue Soon Spreads. The Theft Of A Priceless Reliquary Box, The Disap Pear Ance Of Women And Children And Rumours Of A Slave Trade Make This One Of The Most Sinister And Deadly Puzzles That Fidelma And Eadulf Have Ever Faced.

publishers Weekly

sister Fidelma Encounters A Raft Of Political, Religious And Cultural Conundrums In Tremayne's Engrossing 18th Full-length Novel To Feature The Seventh-century Celtic Advocate (after 2008's Dancing With Demons). Accompanied By Her Companion, Eadulf, Fidelma Journeys To The French City Of Autun To Serve As Aide And Adviser To Abbot Ségdae At A Conference Of Church Leaders. Before They Arrive, One Delegate Is Murdered And Suspicion Falls Equally On Two Others Who Are Bitter Enemies. Bishop Leodegar Charges Fidelma, Because Of Her Reputation As A Sleuth, With Determining Which Of The Two Is Guilty Of Murder. Tremayne's Seamless Blend Of Church History (e.g., Pope Vitalian's Efforts To Impose Rome's Authority Over Disparate Western Churches) And Political Squabbles (e.g., Among Britons, Angles And Saxons) Provide Meaty Background. Fidelma's Ability To Best Opponents, Whether In Argument, Strategy Or Audacity, Makes Her A Heroine For Any Age. (nov.)

In A.D. 670 Fidelma of Cashel is asked to act as an advisor to the Irish delegation to a hostile church council. In an abbey in Burgundy, Bishop Leodegar of Autun has assembled church leaders from all over western Europe, intending to use the council to deliver a death blow to the Celtic Church. But his plans are threatened when one of the delgates is found murdered, his skull crushed. Fidelma and her husband, Brother Eadulf, are suddenly in the midst of a murder investigation involving some of the most powerful religious leaders. The duo soon find that between the autocratic Bishop Leodegar and the malignant abbess, Mother Audofleda, a web of sinister intrigue is spreading throughout the abbey. And murder is only the beginning. The theft of a priceless reliquary box, the disappearance of local women and children, and the concurrent rumors of a slave trade all combine to make this one of the most diabolical puzzles that Fidelma and Eadulf have ever faced. Sister Fidelma of Cashel is asked to join a council of church leaders gathered against the Celtic Church in 670 AD, but when one of the delegates is found brutally murdered, Fidelma must solve a sinister plot that includes theft, disappearing women and children, and rumors of a slave trade Counseling a hostile Irish delegation to the Celtic church of 670 A.D., Fidelma of Cashel is embroiled in a politically tenacious investigation when one of the delegates is found murdered, a case that is complicated by the theft of a priceless reliquary.