In 671 AD Fidelma is given a mission, under a sacred oath not to reveal the aim. This is my second attempt at the series and unfortunately I can't seem to like the characters or be interested in them, the story or the writing style. Two stars because I did manage to finish it.
A NetGalley Book ( )

I have been a long-time fan of Peter Tremayne's Fidelma books, but I found this one difficult to follow. It is tricky to read these books because Tremayne uses the ancient spelling of many words and all the names are historical figures so they are difficult as well. This book had a lot of new characters in it because Fidelma and Eadulf are on a trip to the extreme southeast of the Irish realm, and a place they've never travelled before. The year is 671 AD and Fidelma has been called to complete a very secret mission for the High King. It is one of the most dangerous missions that the pair have been on, so accompanied by Enda, one of her brother's top guards, they begin. Trouble begins almost immediately when they reach the abbey of Finnbar to talk to the abbot. Before Fidelma gets a chance to talk to him, he is found murdered in his chambers, and a young girl is on the run. Fidelma and her two companions saddle up and try to follow the girl, and they run into all sorts of dangerous and unpredictable people. The further they get in their quest, the deeper the conspiracy goes. The three face many dangers, but due to their cunning and perseverance, they manage to unravel the deep mystery. I found the plot was quite detailed and convoluted, and it was difficult to follow the threads to its conclusion. I got bogged down with the many new characters, and really found it difficult to follow the actual conspiracy. It didn't help that Fidelma was her usual imperious self throughout most of the book. The way she treats her faithful companions, and the people that they come across was off-putting, because in the last number of books, thereI have seen many softer sides to Fidelma, which is mostly because of the influence of her husband Eadulf. Not my favourite in this long-running series, but still worthwhile to read it if only because it furthers the story of the incredible Fidelma and rock-steady Eadulf again. ( )