JULY/AUGUST 2000
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 15
An Absorbing Chronicle of Greed for Power Gone Amok
VALLEY OF THE SHADOW by Peter Tremayne St. Martin's Minotaur (New York) ISBN: 0-312-20939-8
Reviewed by Sharon Greer
Noted Celtic historian, Peter Berresford Ellis, has published several books on ancient Celtic life, lore and history. His informative book, The Druids, is an account of the doctrines and lives of these Celtic priests.
Under the pseudonym of Peter Tremayne, Berresford Ellis has written a handful of Celtic mysteries featuring the religieuse, Sister Fidelma.
She holds the position of dalaigh - an advocate of the Brehon courts - being the equivalent of a modern day lawyer. Brehon refers to the ancient laws of Ireland.
One of his most recent novels, Valley of the Shadow, situates itself in Seventh Century Ireland. Fidelma of Cashel is sent by her brother, the king of Muman (Mun-ster) to a remote valley to negotiate with a pagan chieftain on the building of a Christian school and church.
Nearing the valley, Fidelma and her companion, Brother Eadulf face a horrifying scene. They discover the bodies of 33 men, ritu-ally murdered, being the marks of the ancient threefold death of pagan times.
It is up to Fidelma, with the help of Eadulj", to unravel the truth behind these atrocious killings.
However, the deeper they probe this complex society, the more dangerous it becomes for both of them. The myriad of paradoxical characters making up this secretive clan poses problems of its
own. Whom, if anyone, can they trust?
Tremayne's use of his remarkable background knowledge of this time period works wonderfully as the story's characters are interwoven into an absorbing chronicle of greed for power gone amok.
Tremayne has included an essential historical note in the foreword, along with a Seventh Century A.D. sketch map of Muman (the province of Munster).
It is interesting to note that under the Brehon Laws, women were given more rights and protection than in any other western legal code at that time or since. The Brehon Law system was abolished in the Seventeenth Century by the English colonial administration in Ireland. In fact, to even own a copy of the law books was punishable by death or transportation.
Tremayne has created an intriguing figure in the form of Sister Fidelma. My only hope is that these narratives will eventually be dramatized on PBS's fabulous series, Mystery!
^oin ud for a iSedeeL difiinfi fluent i3eiteelz artidt - £delSi
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You are invited to meet Edel Sweeney and have her sign
your Belleek purchase. In addition to an extensive collection of Belleek, the event will feature the following:
Templemore Abbey Votive Durrow Vase
2000 Event Exclusive $59'95 Su99- Retail $4995 Special 29
Reserve yourBelleek in advance or join us for this event
Sunday September 3rd -12 noon to - 4 p. m.
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Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver Tel (604) 903-8704
Aran Spelt Bakery re-opening July 6,10-6
Pick up an 18 pack of breakfast cookies for your camping, hiking, canoing vacation. On sale for $25.00 all summer.
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Order in Advance
258-2726 (ARAN) Outside Vancouver, call toll-free 1-888-551-ARAN or through the web at www.AranFoods.com
1692 Venables St. (at Commercial)
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