The Leper's Bell (Sister Fidelma Series #13)

by Peter Tremayne

Overview

In November of 667 A.D., Fidelma of Cashel has returned home to her brother's castle to discover that a servant, her son's nurse, has been found brutally murdered in the woods near town, and her son is missing, presumed kidnapped or worse. Sister Fidelma, sister to king of Muman in Ireland, an advocate of the Brehon courts, and a religieuse of the Celtic Church, and her husband Brother Eadulf now must face their most personal and baffling case ever. Is there a traitor at her brother's court? Are the Ui Fidgente, the old blood enemies of Fidelma's family, involved? And what is the role of the mysterious dwarf seen leaving the kingdom carrying a leper's bell? With few clues and precious little time, Fidelma must unravel this complicated puzzle in time to rescue her missing child.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312362751
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/17/2006
Series:	Sister Fidelma Series , #13
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Peter Tremayne is the fiction pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis, a renowed scholar of the ancient Celts. As Tremayne, he is best known for his fiction featuring seventh-century Irish religieuse, Fidelma of Cashel. He lives in London.

Editorial Reviews

...the author... once again brings the people and customs of seventh-century Ireland to vivid life.” —Publishers Weekly

“Tremayne brings his customary attention to historical detail to a narrative that incorporates surprisingly modern concerns.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

In the pseudonymous Tremayne's intriguing 15th Irish historical (after 2005's Badger's Moon), Fidelma of Cashel suffers a terrible personal loss. On returning in the fall of A.D. 667 to the castle of her brother, Colgu, who's the king of Muman, Fidelma discovers that her baby son's nurse has been murdered and her son has disappeared. She and Brother Eadulf, her partner in a trial marriage, become involved in a complex plot involving palace politics and hostile tribes, frightening captures and hair-raising escapes. The diverse supporting cast includes warriors and woodsmen, bishops and apothecaries, dwarfs and lepers. Despite some clunky prose, the author, an authority on ancient Celtic culture under his real name of Peter Berresford Ellis, once again brings the people and customs of seventh-century Ireland to vivid life. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Sister Fidelma (Badger's Moon, 2005, etc.) searches for her missing son and the murderer of his nurse. Anyone who thinks seventh-century Ireland offers women no opportunities has never met the indomitable Fidelma, advocate of the law courts, sister to King Colgu and mother to a child conceived during her trial marriage to the Saxon Brother Eadulf. Now her sleuthing skills are challenged by the murder of nurse Sarait and the apparent kidnapping of baby Alchu. A ransom note demands the release of imprisoned enemy chieftains of the Ui Fidgente. While Fidelma and Eadulf await proof that the mysterious correspondent actually has the child, Eadulf discovers a clue that leads him to neighboring territory in search of itinerants seen with two infants. Eadulf must escape from the evil leper Lord Uaman before his search can succeed. In the meantime, Fidelma is captured by the released chieftains only to be rescued by their warlord, who insists he had nothing to do with the ransom demand. The adventures the couple face before realizing that the solution lies closer to home read like a chapter misplaced from Lord of the Rings. In the end, like Frodo, they triumph over evil. The historical detail, laid on with a trowel, often makes Tremayne a tough slog. But at least Fidelma is becoming more human. Her 15th case may win her a larger audience.

Kirkus Reviews