The Seventh Trumpet by Peter Tremayne Series: Sister Fidelma #23
Published by Minotaur Books on July 23, 2013
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
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Ireland, AD 670. When the body of a murdered young noble is discovered not far from Cashel, the King calls upon his sister, Fidelma, and her companion Eadulf to investigate. Fidelma, in addition to being the sister of the king, is a dailaigh—an advocate of the Brehon Law Courts—and has a particular talent for resolving the thorniest of mysteries.
But this time, Fidelma and Eadulf have very little to work with—the only clue to the noble's identity is an emblem originating from the nearby kingdom of Laign. Could the murder be somehow related to the wave of violence erupting in the western lands of the kingdom? The turmoil there is being stirred up by an unknown fanatical figure who claims to have been summoned by "the seventh angel" to remove the "impure of faith." Fidelma and Eadulf, once again grappling with a tangled skein of murder and intrigue, must somehow learn what connects the dead noble, a murdered alcoholic priest, and an abbot who has turned his monastery into a military fortress. When it appears that things cannot get more complex, Fidelma herself is abducted, and Eadulf must rescue her before the mystery can be solved.
After not being chosen to be the kingdom’s top Brehon, Fidelma is at a loss and needs something to challenge her mind. A murdered body turns up nearby and the trail to the truth will lead Fidelma and Eadulf down twisting, dark paths. Peter Tremayne’s 7th century Irish mysteries are thrilling and fascinating deep into the series.
The Seventh Trumpet is the twenty-third Sister Fidelma mystery and the events follow those in The Chalice of Blood. The mysteries are standalone though the personal development and relationships are ongoing throughout the series.
A farmer finds a dead body in the creek near his field, and notices the clothing and accoutrements are for someone of highborn status, so he takes word to Cashel and the King since the capital of Muman is nearby. Fidelma’s brother is courting a Muman chieftain’s daughter, meeting with his council over reports of mysterious unrest in the west, and eying the political intriguing of the Kingdom of Laigin on his eastern border. King Colgu has watched his sister get testy after her bid to become the Chief Brehon for the kingdom is passed by for a more senior choice. He is relieved to put this murder investigation in his sister’s hands. So Fidelma, Eadulf and two of the King’s guard go investigate.
It is not long before Fidelma and Eadulf realize the dead body is part of something more complex at play. More death, conspiracies, wary witnesses, a kidnapping and rescue, and so much more find them in a kingdom that maybe be at war if they don’t figure out the plot in time.
The Seventh Trumpet was exciting and had some thriller elements. There is good political intrigue showing how things were (un)settled among the Irish Clans and Kingdoms in that time period. Fidelma has stepped away from her religious ties and is embracing her lawyer and judicial investigation-skills (Brehon) completely. She and Eadulf seem to have come to an understanding over this in their personal lives and were more settled as an investigative pair though Eadulf really had to step up when Fidelma got abducted. It was all so exciting. I saw part of the truth, but not all of it. I got a kick out of Fidelma’s reaction toward her brother’s intended- can’t say that I blamed her there.
All in all, another immensely satisfying installment in the series and I can’t wait to pick up the next book. Historical mystery fans who like their history ancient need to check these out.
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.
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It’s always nice when you like the book so much you’re looking forward to the next one in the series.
You said it, Mary! I can’t wait to get to the next installment each time and I have a ton more to go which is also a nice feeling. 🙂
Wow this is a long ! You’re blazing right through it! Glad you’re enjoying all the books.
It sure is. It was one I got about fifteen in and got distracted now I’m back at it. I might get caught up by next year. We shall see. If I read about one a month, I don’t get stale on them and the plots all feel fresh to me.
Sounds good. I don’t know that I’ve read a historical that takes place so long ago! Does it seem factual at all?
Now, granted I know next to nothing about Irish History so take this with reservations, but the things I have looked up on Google have all jived with events, people, or places I found in the books. And, when I’m reading the book, there is a sense of historical accuracy and careful attention to historical details that are included.
I love a good mystery and think it’s great that 23 books in you are still addicted.
Yeah, I took a break for a bit, but not because I didn’t like the books. Now, I’m back at them and loving them as much as ever. 🙂
Wow! 23 books in a series and still you really like it! Great review!
I’m really impressed with how fresh each mystery feels when I pick it up. The historic timeline details help with that because the mysteries are happening in the real Irish historical time line.
Maybe someday I’ll read book 1.
In truth, I can’t even remember the plot of book one. Its been so long. 🙂