Shroud for the Archbishop

A Sister Fidelma Mystery

By: Peter Tremayne

Narrated by: Caroline Lennon

Wighard, archbishop designate of Canterbury, has been discovered garrotted in his chambers in the Lateran Palace in Rome in the autumn of AD 664. The solution to this terrible crime appears simple, as the palace guards have arrested Brother Ronan Ragallach as he fled from Wighard's chamber. Although the Irish monk denies responsibility, Bishop Gelasius is convinced the crime is political and that Wighard was slain in pique at the triumph of the pro-Roman Anglo-Saxon clergy in their debate with the pro-Columba Irish clergy at Whitby. There is also a matter of missing treasure: the goodwill gifts Wighad had brought with him to Rome and the priceless chalices sent for the Holy Father Vitalian's blessings have all been stolen. Bishop Gelasius realizes that Wighard's murder could lead to war between the Saxon and Irish kingdoms if Ronan is accused without independent evidence. So he invites Sister Fidelma of Kildare and Brother Eadulf to investigate. But more deaths must follow before Fidelma is finally able to put together the strange jigsaw in this tale of evil and vengeance.

©1995 Peter Tremayne (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Murder and Political Intrigue in AD664

Book two in the Sister Fidelma mystery series is another where we’re shown that it doesn’t have to be modern timer for politics to be deadly. Sister Fidelma is summonsed to the murder of archbishop designate of Canterbury, who has been found garroted in his chambers. The authorities would like to pin it on the most obvious suspect, but Sister Fidelma will have none of it. With war on the horizon between the Saxon and Irish kingdoms, they can’t afford to get it wrong. But as the investigations gains steam, more murders add to the mystery, and Sister Fidelma becomes more puzzled. This is a very interesting series, taking the listener into medieval times, when the struggle for control of the church (CATHOLIC, which was THE ONLY CHURCH, at the time) was a very hot topic. I continue to learn much about the times, the corruption, the evil of men, and the thirst for power, which goes back, I believe to the garden of Eden. Great listen.

Sister Fidelma is my new addiction

Sister Fidelma joins the ranks of Sherlock Holmes, Isaac Bell and Annja Creed of stories I can't get enough of. I admit that I was baffled right up to the end, and I really hoped that it was the mean abbess instead of the ######. ;-) I love Caroline Lennon's voicing the tale, and more than anything, I love Fidelma's honest appraisal of the Church of Rome, and it's way of doing things, as opposed to the simple and direct faith of the church of Columbus Cille. We'll done, and on to Book 3!

lovely narration; wealth of historical detail

I really enjoyed this, especially since the historical detail covers a place (Rome) that I have visited - so interesting to get a glimpse into early medieval life there. The narrator is also fantastic, makes the story and characters easy to follow.

My only irritant with the series is that Sister Fidelma isn't very likeable. I kind of get it, neither is Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, and they both treat their sidekicks terribly. But here Eadulf is intelligent and perceptive - he's no Captain Hastings - and they are supposed to be romantically involved. Which to me makes her treatment of him hard to take. Even though the brilliant but socially inept detective is a standard trope, I wish it wouldn't be so universal.

History and culture-A; mystery-C

There are over a dozen of Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries, so if you want to learn about early medieval Europe, this is one of the most painless ways to do it, since the author is an expert in the history, literature and culture of this period in real life. Sister Fidelma is a "detective" (the concept didn't exist in her time, of course) on par with Hercule Poirot in that she knows her value and expertise and doesn't let anyone stand in her way. The actual mystery plots (so far--this is book 2) seem rather mechanical, but I trust Tremayne learns a few tricks as the series continues. Caroline Lennon's narration is effective.

good story

listen, wonderful story. you'll be hooked
can't wait to listen to the rest of them