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Peter Tremayne
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Absolution by Murder Paperback – Jan. 5 1995

by Peter Tremayne (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,299 ratings
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ABSOLUTION BY MURDER is the brilliant and evocative first novel in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series, bringing 7th-century Ireland vividly to life.

PRAISE FOR ABSOLUTION BY MURDER: 'In the simultaneously sharp-tongued and full womanly figure of Sister Fidelma, Tremayne has created a heroine whom many readers will willingly follow. Even Brother Cadfael might have tolerated her' Kirkus Reviews

As the leading churchmen and women gather at the Synod of Whitby in 664AD to debate the rival merits of the Celtic and Roman Churches, tempers begin to fray. Conspirators plot an assassination, while mysterious, violent death stalks the shadowy cloisters of the Abbey of St Hilda. When the Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered suspicion inevitably rests on the Roman faction.

Attending the Synod is Fidelma, of the community of St Brigid of Kildare. As an advocate of the Brehon Court, she is called on to investigate the murder with Brother Eadulf, of the Roman faction. However, the two are so unlike that their partnership is described as that of a wolf and a fox - but which is which?

More gruesome deaths follow and the friction among the clerics could end in civil war. Can the solution to the mysteries avert such a conflict?

What readers are saying about ABSOLUTION OF MURDER:

'Superb storytelling from a usually neglected era. Read this and you will certainly want to read the rest of this excellent series'

'I was transported back in time; Peter Tremayne brought the location and characters to life'

'The story moves forward with Fidelma weaving her way through to the end with skill and intelligence. Well worth reading'

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 34
    Sister Fidelma Mysteries
  2. Print length
    288 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Headline
  5. Publication date
    Jan. 5 1995
  6. Dimensions
    11.3 x 1.9 x 17.8 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0747246025
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0747246022
  9. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Peter Tremayne is the fiction pseudonym of a well-known authority on the ancient Celts, who has utilised his knowledge of the Brehon law system and 7th-Century Irish society to create a new concept in detective fiction.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Headline (Jan. 5 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0747246025
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0747246022
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 160 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.3 x 1.9 x 17.8 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,299 ratings

About the author

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Peter Tremayne

Peter Tremayne

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Peter Tremayne is the fiction pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis, a renowned Celtic scholar who has written over 30 books on the Ancient Celts and the Irish. As Tremayne, he is best known for his stories and novels featuring 7th century Irish religieuse Fidelma of Cashel. He lives in London.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
1,299 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Lora Friedenthal
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, quick read
Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2002
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.
2 people found this helpful
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Maria H
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, entertaining, and educational!
Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2019
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I am a fan of historical novels, but tend to struggle with historical MYSTERIES, as they so often are implausible. Absolution by murder treads a fine line regarding this aspect, but even Fidelma is relatively believable.
I found the plot rather intricately developed, the characters and their actions authentic, and the prose refined. What attracted me most about the book besides the plot was the intricately researched historical background of an era, and even more so, the exposure to church history of the time. Much of this had been new to me and triggered some interesting research of my own.
Overall, this was a most enjoyable reading experience for me.
4 people found this helpful
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Stoneheart
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining but a bit irritating.
Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2002
My first impression of this series was that the books were interesting, entertaining, and the balance between mystery and history done fairly well. The plots are sound (if not the theology, though I cannot say I am well informed about the ancient Celts). The main irritation about the books is the writing style, which detracted (at least for me) from Sister Fidelma's adventures. Tremayne's diction is not great. And in the start of every book of his that I've read he describes Fidelma as having "rebellious strands of red hair" peeking out from under her headpiece. That gets tiresome. Even if it is a trademark, he could phrase it differently. Still, the books are a fun read and I would recommend them. I still have to read "The Subtle Serpent" and "The Spider's Web" and "Suffer Little Children".
3 people found this helpful
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Susanna Duffy
5.0 out of 5 stars Fidelma is a Delight !
Reviewed in Canada on March 15, 2004
If you haven't met Sister Fidelna, Brehon, yet - then you've been missing out. I love a good murder mystery and I love a good historical novel and I get them both in Fidelma. This is the first novel in the excellent series from the noted Celtic scholar and once you've read the first you will be addicted.
Fidelma herself is a delight and the facinating glimpses into seventh-century Ireland make me eager for more. Don't miss out any longer
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Top reviews from other countries

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Karen Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, intelligent, evocative and entertaining.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2023
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What an enjoyable book - engaging main characters, a fascinating period in history, murder most foul, all the right ingredients for a great story. Well researched and historically accurate, we get a glimpse of ancient Christianity during a time of major upheaval, as well as the drama of violent death in a community of religeuse. If you enjoy the Brother Cadfael mysteries, you'll love this series too.
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Marco Chiesa
1.0 out of 5 stars Servizio Amazon indecente
Reviewed in Italy on August 19, 2022
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Comprato e reso 3 volte, servizio clienti indecente e inadeguato, dopo ripetute mail e chiamate non riescono a consegnare l’articolo corretto. Non compratelo dato che non corrisponde alla foto dell’articolo. Cliente amazon da più di 10 anni una vera vergogna!
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Carlos Vivanco Pastore
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice and interesting
Reviewed in Spain on October 15, 2016
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Although the story behind is not that original (i.e., murders, monastery, who has done it?; etc.) it is very engaging from the very beginning. I have had a hard time with Celtic, Saxon people and places names but at the end I have got used to them.

Nicely written and with very colourful characters. This is the first of the Sister Fidelma series. I am looking forward to read the second one.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars It kind of works
Reviewed in Germany on September 18, 2016
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It starts off as a historically interesting novel. If at first sight the dialogue seems well handled, it ends up being excessive. The actual narration is not as skilled as I was expecting it to be. There could have been a darker atmosphere, but this did not seem to be the intention of the writer.
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Opa Wayne
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Woman
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2008
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Absolution by Murder introduced me to a very fascinating character, Sister Fidelma of Kildare. Fidelma, who lives in the seventh century A.D., is a very talented and accomplished woman. Sister has a graduate education where she earned the degree of anruth, similar to a masters degree today. Fidelma works as a dalaigh, an advocate in the courts. As an advocate she investigates problems and crimes and advises both church and civil authorities. A dalaigh may prosecute, defend, or even serve as judge in a criminal proceeding.

In this novel I was inaugurated to Irish customs, laws, and society of ancient times. Seventh century Ireland was a very advanced society.
In the culture, women were accepted as equal to men.
Women were encouraged to become whatever they wished. Females functioned as lawyers, physicians, professors, managers and owners of businesses, warriors and chieftains. In the Christian church women were nuns, priests and bishops. This advanced society was codified in the Brehon laws. Under this legal system all people were protected from abuse.
The customs seemed so advanced I decided to check history texts and found a great reference that I recommend  In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English
The story in this novel concerns a murder that occurs during a meeting of senior church officials. The conclave is a conference of religious and lay leaders gathered to determine whether the church should continue following the beliefs and procedures of the Irish (rule of Colmcille, or Iona) or adopt new rules to become consistent with the Roman church. Sister Fidelma is asked by Oswy, the High King of Northumbria, to investigate the murder of Etain, the Abbess of Kildare. Etain was the primary advocate for the Irish system.
Oswy, concerned about the political effects of the murder of Etain, commissions Fidelma and Endulf, a brother from the Roman side, to investigate and decide who murdered Etain and who is responsible for the chain of events. By appointing co-investigators, one from each side, the king hopes to appear unbiased.

The investigation is eventful and suspenseful. The resolution manages to satisfy both sides in the struggle. Although the mystery is fun to follow, my main attraction is the detailed descriptions of the customs and laws of seventh century Ireland.

The novel gives us a peek into a great ancient convent with views into the dormitories and cubicles. We witness the politics within the Church, each side of the struggle thinking they have the real truth. We experience the tension between Fidelma and Endulf. Since Endulf is from a different culture, he has difficulty accepting Fidelma as his equal and acknowledging that a female can be in charge of such an important matter.
I enjoyed the reactions of the characters when Fidelma interviews them. Most of them are not from her culture, so they struggle with emotions, especially pride and resentment of submitting to an Irish woman. Many only submit because she acts with the authority of the High King.
This is a good novel. If you like historical settings, if you enjoy examining other cultures, or if you like a good detective tale, get this book.
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