Chalice of Blood by Peter Tremayne Series: Sister Fidelma #21
Published by Minotaur Books on July 8, 2010
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 385
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Ireland AD 670: When an eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the Abbey of Lios Mor, fear spreads among his brethren. His door was secured from the inside, with no other means of exit. How did the murderer escape? And what was the content of the manuscripts apparently stolen from the scholar's room?
Abbot Iarnla insists on sending for Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf to investigate the killing. But even before they reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. As the mystery deepens, Fidelma and Eadulf must also wrestle with problems of their own, problems which threaten to separate them forever....
Dove of Death ended on an ominous note for Fidelma and Eadulf as they headed home to Ireland. Chalice of Blood picks up shortly after those events and the brilliant pair of detectives of Ancient Ireland must set aside personal troubles to investigate a new, dark murder mystery once again.
Peter Tremayne’s historically authentic, colorful characters, and clever mystery plots are on showcase once again in this #21 installment of the Sister Fidelma series.
At Lios Mor Abbey there is trouble brewing, particularly with a disturbed brother, recently back from a Holy Land Pilgrimage. Not long after his return, he closets himself in a locked chamber and is found murdered. Rumors of dark magic and curses get about especially when there are more than the usual work accidents on the abbey rebuilding projects, a young steward is trying to institute the Roman way of church and the Penitentials, local clans are stirring against each other, and someone doesn’t want Fidelma and Eadulf to discover the truth.
Fidelma and Eadulf have been parted since not long after their return when her desire to leave the religious order and be wholly focused on her law work, while Eadulf wishes to stay as religious, causes an acrimonious split. Both are regretful of the harsh words said at the time and miss one another, but still can’t find a way to live together with opposing opinions. However, the King demands they work together and solve this high-profile death in the southern portion of his kingdom. They might not have their personal lives in harmony, but working a mystery is something they can still do well. And, it takes them working together to get to the bottom of this one.
Chalice of Blood was set back in Ireland and inside Fidelma’s home kingdom of Muman. I enjoyed seeing Fidelma called upon to wield her authority as princess and high legal status while Eadulf’s calmer nature tempers her impetuous temper. There is a clash of religious ideology, controversial books, and political ramifications that add to the tension around the locked room murder mystery.
I have to admit I had this one figured out when it came to the basics of the murder- how, who, and why, but there were other complications and mysteries that I didn’t have worked out until close to the end. I loved the suspense and action moments.
All in all, this was another outstanding installment in the series. I love being in the Ancient Irish world and I enjoy Fidelma and Eadulf as main characters even when they’re fussing and still working out their relationship. Those who enjoy historical mystery with emphasis as strongly on the historical backdrop as the mystery really need to grab up these up.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris @realcharlaine.bsky.social #TheresePlummer @recordedbooks.bsky.social @berkleypub.bsky.social @BerkleyPub @sophiarose1816 #SundaySeries - August 16, 2026
- 🎧 Mr. Hurst’s Return by Jann Rowland #JannRowland #HarryFrost @tantoraudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @sophiarose1816 - August 12, 2026
- Atonement of Blood by Peter Tremayne #PeterTremayne @minotaurbooks.bsky.social @sophiarose1816 #SundaySeries - August 9, 2026
Wow, still going strong at 21 books!! How many more until you are able to finish? Are there still new books in the series?
Oh yes, these are still coming out. Its up to book #36 so I have a ways to go. 🙂
You are blazing through the series, Sophia! And it sounds like it’s still wonderful at book 21!
Yeah, I really regret getting distracted from this series for several years because I’m enjoying them a lot and look forward to each next installment. Maybe its good that I have a lot of them left. 🙂
Well, even though you had some of it figured out , sounds like this was another good one for you.
Exactly! There was still a lot of exciting suspense.
Interesting! I like the local! Sounds fresh!
Yes, medieval Ireland and other off the beaten path parts of Europe are neat settings.