Rating: 
Summary: Not Great, but Worth Exploring
Review: The Spiders Web finds Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf summoned to the valley of Araglin to investigate a double homicide. One courpse, that of the village chieftan is discovered with Araglin's deaf and mute citizen, Moen, standing over the body with a bloody knife. Upon arrival, Sister Fidelma soon realizes that the evidence does not add up to Moen being guilty of the murders. As Fidelma seeks to find the truth, more crimes are commited, and more dead bodies are found. Fidelma suspects the seeminly peaceful valley of Araglin to be brimming with secrets, lies, and deciet. This novel set in Ireland in the year 666 has some very enjoyable qualities. The author's interpretation of ancient Ireland is intruging, stimulating, and thought provoking. His research goes beyond that of most historical novels, thus creating a world that has more than two dimensions. The mystery plot although fairly easy to decifer is enjoyable as well. However, the number of crimes and dead bodies that come into the picture as Fidelma investigates the initial murders is a bit over-done. Tremayne's characterisations however, are not vivid or convincing. The character of Brother Eadulf is totally unbelievable. Eadulf is a high ranking Saxon monk, but his ability to find himself asking questions with obvious answers, in addition to his capability for putting himself and Fidelma in dangerious situations in unparalleled. Fidelma says that one reason she likes Eadulf is because of their ability to debate issues with each other on a friendly level. However, these so-called `debates' never come across like a debate at all. The interactions between Fidelma and Eadulf come across like Fidelma trying to teach a schoolboy a new concept, idea, or way of thinking. Eadulf rarely contributes anything worth debating in these conversations. He simply submits to Fidelma's supposed `higher plane' of thinking. Eadulfs constant lack of common sense is tiresome. Fidelma herself could also use a bit of fine-tuning. She is supposed to be a strong-willed female heroine, but too often she comes across hotheaded and downright mean. Her interpretation of Christian theology is refreshing, but she often lacks tollerance of other interpretations and ideas. Too often female characters that are supposed to be strong roll models are writen as having cool demenors. Women do not have to be rude, brassy, and insensative to be strong willed. Unfortunately, Fidelma falls victum of these character traits without restraint. Overall, The Siders Web makes for an interesting read, and escape into the year 666. The shortcomings of this book prevent it from being a great book, but still makes the series is worth exploring. About my grading system: I interpret Amazon.com's five-star ranking system as follows: 1 star = far below standards, 2 stars = below standards, 3 stars = meets standards, 4 stars = exceeds standards, 5 stars = far exceeds standards.
Rating:
Summary: Not Great, but Worth Exploring
Review: The Spiders Web finds Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf summoned to the valley of Araglin to investigate a double homicide. One courpse, that of the village chieftan is discovered with Araglin's deaf and mute citizen, Moen, standing over the body with a bloody knife. Upon arrival, Sister Fidelma soon realizes that the evidence does not add up to Moen being guilty of the murders. As Fidelma seeks to find the truth, more crimes are commited, and more dead bodies are found. Fidelma suspects the seeminly peaceful valley of Araglin to be brimming with secrets, lies, and deciet. This novel set in Ireland in the year 666 has some very enjoyable qualities. The author's interpretation of ancient Ireland is intruging, stimulating, and thought provoking. His research goes beyond that of most historical novels, thus creating a world that has more than two dimensions. The mystery plot although fairly easy to decifer is enjoyable as well. However, the number of crimes and dead bodies that come into the picture as Fidelma investigates the initial murders is a bit over-done. Tremayne's characterisations however, are not vivid or convincing. The character of Brother Eadulf is totally unbelievable. Eadulf is a high ranking Saxon monk, but his ability to find himself asking questions with obvious answers, in addition to his capability for putting himself and Fidelma in dangerious situations in unparalleled. Fidelma says that one reason she likes Eadulf is because of their ability to debate issues with each other on a friendly level. However, these so-called 'debates' never come across like a debate at all. The interactions between Fidelma and Eadulf come across like Fidelma trying to teach a schoolboy a new concept, idea, or way of thinking. Eadulf rarely contributes anything worth debating in these conversations. He simply submits to Fidelma's supposed 'higher plane' of thinking. Eadulfs constant lack of common sense is tiresome. Fidelma herself could also use a bit of fine-tuning. She is supposed to be a strong-willed female heroine, but too often she comes across hotheaded and downright mean. Her interpretation of Christian theology is refreshing, but she often lacks tollerance of other interpretations and ideas. Too often female characters that are supposed to be strong roll models are writen as having cool demenors. Women do not have to be rude, brassy, and insensative to be strong willed. Unfortunately, Fidelma falls victum of these character traits without restraint. Overall, The Siders Web makes for an interesting read, and escape into the year 666. The shortcomings of this book prevent it from being a great book, but still makes the series is worth exploring. About my grading system: I interpret Amazon.com's five-star ranking system as follows: 1 star = far below standards, 2 stars = below standards, 3 stars = meets standards, 4 stars = exceeds standards, 5 stars = far exceeds standards.
Rating: 
Summary: Fidelma and Eadulf Shine Again. . .
Review: This is the fifth Sister Fidelma book I have read, and the highest complement I can pay Peter Tremayne is that I've started reading my sixth. As a fan of medieval fantasy and Arthurian literature, I find the Sister Fidelma books right up my alley. Mr. Tremayne captures the spirit and essence of the times and turns them advantage in telling his tales. I truly feel I have been transported to 7th Century Ireland! Mr. Tremayne's other life as a Celtic historian and scholar gives these books a realism they might not otherwise have. "The Spider's Web" continues in the vein of the previous novels. Sister Fidelma is called in as an advocate to ensure justice is done in the case of a murder. In the spirit of all great detective series', things are not what they seem. The good sister delves deeper and deeper into the web, this time, as in others, with her sidekick Brother Eaudulf. More often than not, Fidelma and Eaudulf make enemies as they draw closer and closer to the truth. The web grows curiouser and curiouser until the final denouement. Simple, not particularly original, but still effective! And the plot in this novel is indeed a tangled spider's web. To pat myself on the back, I was able to solve this one on my own, before having it spelled out to me. But, am I ready to leave Florida to become a 7th Century Irish religious sleuth. I don't think so, but Sister Fidelma is the only person who could actually make me consider it!!
Rating:
Summary: Fidelma and Eadulf Shine Again. . .
Review: This is the fifth Sister Fidelma book I have read, and the highest complement I can pay Peter Tremayne is that I've started reading my sixth. As a fan of medieval fantasy and Arthurian literature, I find the Sister Fidelma books right up my alley. Mr. Tremayne captures the spirit and essence of the times and turns them advantage in telling his tales. I truly feel I have been transported to 7th Century Ireland! Mr. Tremayne's other life as a Celtic historian and scholar gives these books a realism they might not otherwise have. "The Spider's Web" continues in the vein of the previous novels. Sister Fidelma is called in as an advocate to ensure justice is done in the case of a murder. In the spirit of all great detective series', things are not what they seem. The good sister delves deeper and deeper into the web, this time, as in others, with her sidekick Brother Eaudulf. More often than not, Fidelma and Eaudulf make enemies as they draw closer and closer to the truth. The web grows curiouser and curiouser until the final denouement. Simple, not particularly original, but still effective! And the plot in this novel is indeed a tangled spider's web. To pat myself on the back, I was able to solve this one on my own, before having it spelled out to me. But, am I ready to leave Florida to become a 7th Century Irish religious sleuth. I don't think so, but Sister Fidelma is the only person who could actually make me consider it!!
Rating: 
Summary: A good Mystery/History
Review: This was the first real mystery book that I had ever really read and liked. I found it verry informational in the law systme in ancient Ireland and a good mystery of which I have never truly had a taste for. It is about A brehon of the courts in Ireland, Sister Fidelma, And the saxon monk, Brother Eadulf. They are sent to the little and seemingly peacefull vilage of Araglin to investigate the seemingly obvious murder of the chief Eber and his sister Teafa. Every finger points to the blind, deaf and dumb Moen but Fidelma has the suspicion that Moen had been framed so with the help of Eadulf they unravel the secrets of the vilage to prove Moens inocents and find the real murder. I found this book amazingly well writen and I had fun trying to get ahead of the mystery before it was solved. Right after I read this book I went out looking for the other Sister Fidelma series and now I'm on the 2 book which is equally good.
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