The Subtle Serpent

Sister Fidelma is thrown into a sinister mystery full of intrigue, danger and violence in Peter Tremayne''s fourth Celtic mystery.

PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor'' Evening Standard, ''This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about'' Belfast Telegraph

A headless female corpse is found in the drinking well of a remote abbey in south-west Ireland. One hand clasps a crucifix; tied to the other arm is a pagan death symbol...

A merchant ship is encountered under full sail on the high seas off the Irish coast. But the crew and cargo have vanished - as if by sorcery...

Whose is the body in the well? Where is the crew of the vessel? Are these bizarre events connected? And if so, who is responsible?

The year is AD 666, and Sister Fidelma of Kildare, advocate of the Brehon law courts, must follow a trail of clues and investigate a host of enigmatic suspects to unravel the puzzle.

What readers are saying about THE SUBTLE SERPENT:

''An excellent story to keep you riveted, with marvellous insight into the life and times of old Ireland''

''As always, a gripping yarn, told with plenty of period detail. Tremayne is a master of his art''

''Full of suspense, intrigue and information''

En route to the scene of the crime that opens the story, Sister Fidelma encounters a second curiosity, a ship foundering in the waves without a person on board. What Fidelma does discover are hints that an old and trusted friend was aboard and seems to have met the same mysterious fate as the rest of the crew and cargo, whatever that might have been. The novel proceeds as Fidelma sets out to determine the cause of each of her mysteries, and what if any is the connection between them. Tremayne is a careful and engaging storyteller; his characters are thoughtfully drawn, and he uses the central mystery for them to discuss and reflect upon the differences between the native Irish church and that of Rome (which is becoming the more powerful--and whose ultimate success will keep women like Fidelma out of the halls of power which she has confidently and capably strode.)

The ecclesiastical period setting may remind readers of the work of Ellis Peters, but the 7th century is distinct from the 12th and Ireland distinct from England. Tremayne relishes those differences, creating a tale that has much to enlighten and intrigue his readers and make them anxious for the next time Sister Fidelma is called to perform her duties.