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.

Fascinating!

Great story read perfectly - I am engaged throughout the entire telling of the story. Wonderful narration and gripping plot. Unexpected twists and turns.

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

Earns 5/5 Roman Autumns...Engagingly Epic!

Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma Mystery is my new favorite series set to be one of my Top Five Surprises in 2021! The stories have an epic historical focus from which I’ve learned a great deal, incorporating real events and fascinating historical figures, creating a realistic seventh century environment through descriptions and use of language almost poetic in its style, and cleverly fictionalizing with a complex murder mystery with several suspects and motives to challenge my inner amateur detective. Case in point: Book 2 “Shroud for the Archbishop.”

Sister Fidelma, an advocate of the law, was set to return to Ireland after doing well to uncover the details behind three murders, including her mentor, and expose an assassination plot against the King of Northumbria (Absolution by Murder), but she has received orders from her superiors to travel instead to Rome. She secretly is pleased since it allows her to keep in the company of Brother Eadulf with whom she partnered in that investigation and has become interested. It’s a warm autumn of 664 A.D. Rome and the Northumbria King’s dictate, more political than based on the merits of the recent debate in Whitby, has lead several to Rome including Wighard who seeks to be ordained by the Holy Father in his new position as the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, he is found murdered and many of the treasured gifts planned to be presented to the the Holy Father are missing. Robbery gone wrong? or has the conflict left behind in Northumbria reared itself? Brother Ronan Ragallach, who was caught outside Wighard’s cubicle, seems the obvious killer, yet he professes his innocence. Sister Fidelma has been asked by Bishop Gelasius to seek answers due to her “singular ability of solving puzzles.” Partnered again with Brother Eadulf to avoid any sense of bias that could be misinterpreted by opposing factions, they look closely at the matter finding more than they bargained.

Tremayne’s mystery is complex and compelling with a plethora of characters that might seem daunting, however there is a smaller central set of characters to follow making it easier to read, or in my case, listen. What compelling research! I enjoyed the historical, cultural, and religious information woven in, like the intricacies surrounding the religious hierarchy, details of the society of the seventh century, and conversation about the catacombs below the streets of Rome. Tremayne’s writing style is also a factor in my enjoyment with descriptive language to create realistic pictures of the environment and character appearances and the banter does well to illustrate the varied personalities. I can pontificate on the benefits of experiencing books thru the audio version, but needless to say, I am a real fan! Here, Caroline Lennon is brilliant! Her narrative tone is pleasant portraying various accents, and her changes in tone illustrate emotions, personalities, and gender. I was totally engrossed in the book, and am eager to continue with the series.

Wonderful

Great characters and presentation of the historical setting. The mystery is a little over done but the characters complexity is the real treat.

Another amazing book

I don't know if I would enjoy these book as muc if I read them. and the performing is great at making these books come alive!

YES!! THANK YOU (female American Baptist pastor)

LOVE THIS SERIES... LOVE SISTER FIDELMA'S powerful, fully feminine and brilliant character & her consistency re Biblical ethics yet a Christian realist! I am not fact-checking historicity as i read re early church settings in the various lands of 4th century(?) but feels researched and I LOVE the way author engages linguistics throughout and cross-cultural medleys/ people groups...messy humans in the "catholic=universal" Church of our forefathers.