Rating: 
Summary: a good mystery with a hard to decipher plot set in 6th centu
Review: a6th century mystery set in ireland with a female heroine.Historically well documented and the plot is much better than most of the historical mysteries i have read.Buy the first and i guarantee you will buy the next two
Rating: 
Summary: more historical than whodunit
Review: Absolution by Murder is the (nonsensical) title of the first Sister Fidelma historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, the pseudonym of an academic expert on early medieval Britain, but a pretty capable writer nonetheless. Set in the early post-Roman (or "Arthurian") era of the "Dark Ages," Sister Fidelma is a member of the Irish-Celtic "Columba" Christian sect, and a trained, perceptive, and objective judge-advocate (an idealized "feminist," in fact). I was most fascinated by the historical background skillfully woven into the slow story. One realizes the diversity, richness, and rationales of early Christian religious groups (later dubbed "heresies") that was lost to the totalitarian impulses of the Roman sect vying with Columba and Eastern Orthodox faiths, and gaining ascendancy in the seventh century A.D. of this story. Most surprising is learning that the extraordinary Western repression of women only began at this time, as can also be seen in other recent historical novels on this early medieval period (like the gritty, ongoing Arthur Saga by Jack Whyte). Part and parcel, one observes here early conflicts over suppression of married clergy by the Roman sect, celibacy deriving from pagan Rome and Paul rather than the Biblical Peter. These historical concerns sharpen the conflict between heroine and her straight man (the Roman Brother with the infelicitous name Eadulf), and fuel numerous regal and ritual sub-plots (although a chance was missed to present a coherent account of the issues discussed at the Whitby Synod central to the plot). I was disappointed to figure out the true suspects and prosaic motivations before the actual murder announced in the title even took place (fault of a neophyte author? but it was fun to watch how an author worked to obscure the trail). The world of Sister Fidelma is less claustrophobic than the late Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael's, although neither is given to the potential obscurantism of the truly alien ways of speech and magical thought that would be historically more accurate, least of all Sister Fidelma's "modern" clear-headedness. We seem to have lost a thousand years of religious toleration and progress when her Columba faith, with equal rights for women, was supressed.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: Fans of Brother Cadfael will like this book. While set a few hundred years earlier, the flavor of this book is similar to that of the Cadfael mysteries. Peter Tremayne does a good job of blending historical fact with fiction. While it starts a bit slow, things rapidly pick up. Once they do, make sure you've got the time to keep reading. The explanation of Sister Fidelma's world is a bit dry, but vital to the story. Some readers may be tempted to skip it - don't. The cast of characters listed in the front of the book is a nice touch and helps the reader keep track of the players. If medieval mysteries are your cup of tea, don't miss the first in what I hope will be a long and successful series of mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Mystery steeped in history, theology and culture
Review: I am fascinated by the history of ancient Ireland, so I eagerly dove into this book. Peter Tremayne does an excellent job of showing how the culture and religion of that tiny island greatly influenced the Angles, Saxons and Picts living in present-day England and Scotland. He also shows how the Church, even in its early history, was a political as well as a spiritual force.I had read some of the short stories featuring Sister Fidelma before picking up this book. Fidelma can be exasperating; she is haughty, touchy and quick to anger. Her starring role in a novel-length adventure allowed Tremayne to show the reader her more appealing qualities: a zest for life, a sly sense of humor, a deep commitment to her friends and a formidable intellect. As the plot thickened, it seemed Tremayne might lose control of his large cast of characters, but the mounting excitement left me barely able to put the book down. Tremayne wrapped things up nicely in a scene that cleverly resembles an Agatha-Christie drawing-room denouement. The epilogue hints at more adventures to come for Fidelma and Brother Eadulf.
Rating:
Summary: A Reader of Peter Treyamne
Review: I first picked up the first edition to this book which is The Subtle Serpent which is also a very good book. I picked it up not realizing what it was actually about. Even though i am not regilious in anyway, these books are very exciting to read. It gives you a view on how Ireland began to change when the religion of "True God" came in, or known as Christian. The main character Sister Fidelma is not only just a non that is one of the highest in her homeland, but she also studies the law and she unravels the mysteries of murders and wierd cases. It also gives a background on how Ireland is coming together because at this time, all the relgions are at war with each other. I must say the book is educational also. Sister fedilma speaks three different langauges, saxon, ireland, and latin. It is a very interesting book, even for a non-religion person like myself.
Rating: 
Summary: Great History; Mediocre Plot; Poor Prose Style
Review: I hate to give this book such a low grade, but I feel I must be honest. First the good points: I loved learning about the history of this period, and the insight it gave me into the religion of my youth, Roman Catholicism. Therefore, I am recommending this book to two study groups, one a Methodist lectionary group, the other, a Catholic College honor society. But I cannot suggest it as a monthly reading selection to a secular mystery reading circle. A mystery, it isn't, at least not to seasoned mystery readers! I guessed who the killer was before the first murder was formally announced, and the "why" behind the murders. As a literary work? The prose style was definitely on the level of junior high writing. The characters are cardboardesque. But believe it or not, I am planning to read the next one in the series, hoping that the author's writing style and plotting will improve with time, that is, AFTER I finish reading How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. I can heartily recommend Cahill's nonfiction work for the history, cultural insights, AND its wonderful prose style!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, quick read
Review: I just finished reading this book, it was rather short, but I found that I enjoyed it quite a bit. The historical aspects were interesting and unique. I've read other reviews that criticized the characterization of Fidelma. The major complaints seemed to be that a) she was not religious enough for a nun and b) he tried to turn her into a proto-feminist too much. Firstly, a). People pointed out that Fidelma does not pray enough for a nun. She is never seen doing a rosary or Hail-Marys. Which, as a friend of mine pointed out, would seem like an oversight were it not for the fact that Brother Eadulf DOES do these things. If he does, and she does not, then that suggests that the absence is intentional. Tremayne was obviously thinking about the religious rituals, so therefore must have chosen to not have Fidelma perform them. To me this suggests that while she had to be a nun first and then a lawyer, her heart is in the law, being a nun was simply a necessary step. If anything, her lack of fervor adds to her sense of clarity. And B), the charge that she's a proto-feminist. Or rather, the charge that Tremayne injected his 20th century view onto her ancient self and created a character that simply would not have been. Are we so unwilling to believe that women could have been equals in cultures so long ago that our only explanation is to say that the character is disingenuous? It's entirely possible that we did not invent equality for women. Nor are we the only culture to have Difficult Women. Fidelma went through a lot of schooling and was considered in the same social class as a King. Seems to me that she has something to be proud about, and her unwillingness to give over authority seems about right. Her difficulty is part of what makes her good at her job, and it seems silly to fault her for it. Fidelma's bristling anger and difficult personality amused me, made me a little proud. And the fact that everyone else felt that she was worth having to deal with that personality simply bolstered my opinion of her. The book works as a mystery, works as a gender study, and works as a historical exploration. If you have a few nights free, I think it's worth picking up.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, quick read
Review: I just finished reading this book, it was rather short, but I found that I enjoyed it quite a bit. The historical aspects were interesting and unique. I've read other reviews that criticized the characterization of Fidelma. The major complaints seemed to be that a) she was not religious enough for a nun and b) he tried to turn her into a proto-feminist too much. Firstly, a). People pointed out that Fidelma does not pray enough for a nun. She is never seen doing a rosary or Hail-Marys. Which, as a friend of mine pointed out, would seem like an oversight were it not for the fact that Brother Eadulf DOES do these things. If he does, and she does not, then that suggests that the absence is intentional. Tremayne was obviously thinking about the religious rituals, so therefore must have chosen to not have Fidelma perform them. To me this suggests that while she had to be a nun first and then a lawyer, her heart is in the law, being a nun was simply a necessary step. If anything, her lack of fervor adds to her sense of clarity. And B), the charge that she's a proto-feminist. Or rather, the charge that Tremayne injected his 20th century view onto her ancient self and created a character that simply would not have been. Are we so unwilling to believe that women could have been equals in cultures so long ago that our only explanation is to say that the character is disingenuous? It's entirely possible that we did not invent equality for women. Nor are we the only culture to have Difficult Women. Fidelma went through a lot of schooling and was considered in the same social class as a King. Seems to me that she has something to be proud about, and her unwillingness to give over authority seems about right. Her difficulty is part of what makes her good at her job, and it seems silly to fault her for it. Fidelma's bristling anger and difficult personality amused me, made me a little proud. And the fact that everyone else felt that she was worth having to deal with that personality simply bolstered my opinion of her. The book works as a mystery, works as a gender study, and works as a historical exploration. If you have a few nights free, I think it's worth picking up.
Rating:
Summary: Slow Start for Sassy Nun Mystery
Review: I picked up Absolution by Murder in a used bookstore, thinking it would be a good airplane read. I soon found out that my level of ignorance pertaining to medieval Ireland was only going to make this mystery an irksome chore on an airplane! Setting it aside to give it the time it deserves was a much better idea! Although initially slow and somewhat bogged down in the finer historical detail, I was soon swept into Sister Fidelma's world where nuns are NOT silent, men of the cloth are not always good, and politics are NEVER petty. The characters are vivid, but Tremayne never gives away too much so that the "villians" aren't who they appear to be. He tempts the romantic with the introduction of Brother Eadulf but never succumbs to cheap romance or idle folly. The mysterious cultivation of friendship between Fidelma and Eadulf gives the most personal view of the protagonist(s). The multiple murders keep you guessing to the end. The story picks up speed in the last half and is indeed VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN!
Rating:
Summary: History is good, mystery is mediocre....
Review: I purchased this book via "used" selection. I am an Anglo junkie including reading history of early Brits, i.e. Celts. If you enjoy the history of this period (7th Century, after Arthur -- Anglo-Saxons in charge) and also like a little mystery, you might like ABSOLUTION BY MURDER. The plot hangs together well, although the identity of the perpetrator was obvious to me from the gitgo. The characters, including Fidelma, are not well developed, but perhaps the reader will learn more as she goes along. I did not find Sister Fidelma nearly as interesting as Cadfael, let alone Miss Marple. I found this story comparable to those by Candace Robb who writes the Owen Archer series, although the APOTHECARY ROSE was much better. If you like Archer, you will probably like Fidelma.
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