Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ancient Ireland, 7th century AD
First Sentence: Eadulf was staring moodily out of the window at the darkening sky above the fortress of Cashel, the stronghold of Colgu, King of Muman.
This novel is the twenty-fourth in Tremayne's Fidelma mystery series.
Fidelma and her husband are attending a feast presided over by Fidelma's brother Colgu, the King of Muman. During the festivities a monk arrives asks to speak to the king. When the monk is admitted to the king's presence, the monk attempts to assassinate the king. While stabbing the king the assassin shouts, "Remember Liamuin!" The monk is quickly killed.
His death leaves a mystery. Who is he? Who is Liamuin? And, why did the assassin want to kill the king?
Soon, Fidelma and Eadulf are traveling the countryside asking questions and gathering clues.
Fidelma is a logical thinker. She uses logic to uncover facts which she uses to form the basis for her legal decisions. In this novel, she is frustrated by the number of clues she discovers by coincidence.
Yet, in the end she eventually gathers the facts she needs to unravel the mystery. A mystery that involves intertribal hatred, political intrigue, and unrequited love.
There are two things I especially liked about this novel. First, the author lets Fidelma and Eadulf spend some time with Alchu, their son. He appears at the beginning of the novel. As Fidelma and Eadulf leave to investigate, we see Eadulf rue the fact that, once again, they are leaving Alchu behind.
Also, there is a running gag about Eadulf's cultural background. Eadulf is an Angle. But characters continually refer to him as a Saxon. A mistake he usually corrects, often to deaf ears.
In my opinion, this was an enjoyable read. The complex plot kept me guessing until the reveal. Fidelma continues to be one of my favorite characters.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
The Seventh Trumpet by: Peter Tremayne
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ancient Ireland, 670 A.D.
First Sentence: Tola paused on the threshold of his farmhouse, looked towards the black mounds of eastern hills, standing out sharply against the white bar of light that heralded dawn, and breathed in deeply before exhaling in a satisfied fashion.
This novel is the 23rd book in Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mystery series. This series currently runs to twenty-four novels.
Having failed at her attempt to be selected as the chief judge for her brother, the King, and having left religious life, Fidelma is feeling a little bored with her life. She is a highly ranked lawyer, and she finds day to day legal issues to be somewhat unchallenging.
So, when an unknown noble emissary is found dead, Fidelma jumps at the chance to investigate the murder. At a moment's notice, she gathers up her husband Eadulf, says a hurried goodbye to their son Alchu, and rides off to begin her investigation.
Little does she know that her investigation will soon lead to a string of victims. The deaths seem to be unrelated, yet Fidelma soon learns that the untimely deaths are part of a tangled conspiracy. A conspiracy which threatens her life and her brother's reign.
Will Fidelma unravel the clues that will defeat the conspiracy and end the bloodshed?
Once again Tremayne has constructed a very tangled mystery. I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal at the end.
I just wish Eadulf had a bigger role in the plot. He is a great guy, and I think Fidelma takes him for granted. And I worry about poor Alchu, their son. Once again, he is left at home with the nurse while his parents are in harm's way.
That being said, for me this was a very entertaining read.
Setting: Ancient Ireland, 670 A.D.
First Sentence: Tola paused on the threshold of his farmhouse, looked towards the black mounds of eastern hills, standing out sharply against the white bar of light that heralded dawn, and breathed in deeply before exhaling in a satisfied fashion.
This novel is the 23rd book in Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mystery series. This series currently runs to twenty-four novels.
Having failed at her attempt to be selected as the chief judge for her brother, the King, and having left religious life, Fidelma is feeling a little bored with her life. She is a highly ranked lawyer, and she finds day to day legal issues to be somewhat unchallenging.
So, when an unknown noble emissary is found dead, Fidelma jumps at the chance to investigate the murder. At a moment's notice, she gathers up her husband Eadulf, says a hurried goodbye to their son Alchu, and rides off to begin her investigation.
Little does she know that her investigation will soon lead to a string of victims. The deaths seem to be unrelated, yet Fidelma soon learns that the untimely deaths are part of a tangled conspiracy. A conspiracy which threatens her life and her brother's reign.
Will Fidelma unravel the clues that will defeat the conspiracy and end the bloodshed?
Once again Tremayne has constructed a very tangled mystery. I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal at the end.
I just wish Eadulf had a bigger role in the plot. He is a great guy, and I think Fidelma takes him for granted. And I worry about poor Alchu, their son. Once again, he is left at home with the nurse while his parents are in harm's way.
That being said, for me this was a very entertaining read.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
The Golden Princess by S. M. Stirling
Genre: Fantasy
Setting: In a post apocalyptic version of Earth where the laws of physics have been altered. Some modern technology does not work, and some types of magic work.
First Sentence: Orlaith Arminger Mackenzie bore the first unlit torch forward to her father's pyre as the sun touched the low mountains to the West.
This novel is the fourteenth book in Stirling's Novels of the Change series. In this series something profound has altered the basic structure of Earth. Most modern technology, such as electricity, the internal combustion engine, and firearms no longer function. Most of humanity has died. Those that do survive must live in a manner reminiscent of the middle ages.
In the last seven novels of the series, Rudi Mackenzie and a group of mostly young adult knights and warriors travel across North America in search of a magic sword: The Sword of the Lady. Along the way they encounter the evil CUT sorcerers. Rudi uses the power of the sword to rally the kingdom to fight their evil enemy.
The last novel of the series, "The Given Sacrifice", looked to be the final grand battle between good and evil. Unfortunately, that book was a disappointment.
This novel is a reboot of the series. It's up to the next generation to go on a quest and fight evil. Rudi's daughter, Orlaith, is now the wielder of the Sword of the Lady. With her is Reiko, the young Empress of Japan.
Together, Orlaith and Reiko gather a group of mostly young adult knights and warriors to search for a magic sword. This is the fabled Grass-Cutting sword of Japan. Apparently, the sword is hidden somewhere in the desert east of the dead city of Los Angeles.
This book is mostly about the gathering of the members of the group. There is tons of exposition, and not so much plot. The novel ends right after the group sets off on their journey.
For me, this was an OK book.
As is usual for the author there is lots of description of clothes, food, weapons, houses and transportation systems.
I did like the fact that the author has widened the scope of the story. We learn about Japan after the change. And there is one chapter about events in Australia.
If you are interested in this series, I suggest that you read the books in order beginning with "Dies the Fire". This will help you better understand the social and political background of this novel.
Setting: In a post apocalyptic version of Earth where the laws of physics have been altered. Some modern technology does not work, and some types of magic work.
First Sentence: Orlaith Arminger Mackenzie bore the first unlit torch forward to her father's pyre as the sun touched the low mountains to the West.
This novel is the fourteenth book in Stirling's Novels of the Change series. In this series something profound has altered the basic structure of Earth. Most modern technology, such as electricity, the internal combustion engine, and firearms no longer function. Most of humanity has died. Those that do survive must live in a manner reminiscent of the middle ages.
In the last seven novels of the series, Rudi Mackenzie and a group of mostly young adult knights and warriors travel across North America in search of a magic sword: The Sword of the Lady. Along the way they encounter the evil CUT sorcerers. Rudi uses the power of the sword to rally the kingdom to fight their evil enemy.
The last novel of the series, "The Given Sacrifice", looked to be the final grand battle between good and evil. Unfortunately, that book was a disappointment.
This novel is a reboot of the series. It's up to the next generation to go on a quest and fight evil. Rudi's daughter, Orlaith, is now the wielder of the Sword of the Lady. With her is Reiko, the young Empress of Japan.
Together, Orlaith and Reiko gather a group of mostly young adult knights and warriors to search for a magic sword. This is the fabled Grass-Cutting sword of Japan. Apparently, the sword is hidden somewhere in the desert east of the dead city of Los Angeles.
This book is mostly about the gathering of the members of the group. There is tons of exposition, and not so much plot. The novel ends right after the group sets off on their journey.
For me, this was an OK book.
As is usual for the author there is lots of description of clothes, food, weapons, houses and transportation systems.
I did like the fact that the author has widened the scope of the story. We learn about Japan after the change. And there is one chapter about events in Australia.
If you are interested in this series, I suggest that you read the books in order beginning with "Dies the Fire". This will help you better understand the social and political background of this novel.
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