BOOKS RELATING TO SISTER FIDELMA
We are proud to announce these titles relating to Sister Fidelma, her historical era, fascinating aspects on all of the novels and stories, as well as the only Sister Fidelma booklet ever produced in the Irish language!
You will not find more exhaustive information on the characters, the era in which Fidelma lived, Ireland in the 7th century (not only by Peter Tremayne’s alter ago, Peter Berresford Ellis, internationally-acknowledged Celtic historian, but also by some of the world’s preeminent scholars), as well as interviews with the author himself, and of course, all of the books published around the world. These are indispensable for true Fidelmaniacs to have sitting at their side whenever reading the Sister Fidelma Mysteries!
THE SISTER FIDELMA COMPENDIUM: Reader’s Guide to the Sister Fidelma Mysteries of Peter Tremayne
(Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle Editions) – February 15, 2022
by David Robert Wooten (Author), Peter Tremayne (Foreword)
Publisher: Gryfons Publishers & Distributors
Language: English
Hardcover, Trade Paperback, and Kindle: 460 pages
- Hardcover ISBN: 978-0965422093 ASIN: 0965422097
- Paperback ISBN: 978-0965422086 ASIN: 0965422089
- Kindle ASIN: B09Z9LTZFJ
“FIDELMANIA!” – Livres Hebdo, Paris, May 2006
“[Fidelma]… cannot be categorized as just genre fiction. It is literature. We can compare it to Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose.” – Lucca Crovi, La Libertà, Italy
From the Foreword by Peter Tremayne, creator of The Sister Fidelma Mysteries series:
“This tome is not only about the facts of the “Sister Fidelma Age and Culture,” but will help the discerning reader — or even those who just enjoy following the adventures — in navigating the travels and travails of Fidelma of Cashel with her faithful companion, Brother Eadulf of Seaxmund’s Ham, of the South Folk of East Anglia.”
For true Fidelmaniacs (as diehard devotees of the character, her creator, and the series are known), a book such as this is long overdue, and its pages will doubtless be quickly dog-eared by both longtime and newly-initiated readers of Sister Fidelma and her mysterious-murder tales. Ideally this will serve as both reference and tribute to an author whose works are universally read (in a plethora of languages) and loved…
CONTENTS:
- Foreword by Peter Tremayne
- Introduction by David Robert Wooten
- The Sister Fidelma Phenomenon
- Fidelmania! – Livres Hebdo
- Was Sister Fidelma a Real Historical Person?
- The History We Weren’t Told
- Why Fidelma is Not a Nun: A Review of Fidelma’s Character
- Whence Cometh Brother Eadulf?
- Brehon Law: The Background to The Sister Fidelma Mysteries
- About Peter Tremayne
- The Novels – Synopses (including Principal Character listings for each title)
- Sister Fidelma Short Stories
- Peter Tremayne: Master of the Short Story
- Chronology of The Sister Fidelma Mysteries
- Fidelma – A Life in Dedications
- Sister Fidelma in “Alternate” Editions – (International/Non-English Language, Large Print, Graphic Novels, AudioBooks)
- Fidelma Goes Graphic
- Why Cashel?
- Historic Cashel
- Fidelma’s Rock? Wait an Ostint. Not Quite…
- Tremayne is NOT a Druid!
- The Fascination for Sister Fidelma
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Peter Tremayne: Murderer–Detective–Defendant–Judge–Jury–Executioner
- Is There an Historical Model for Fidelma?
- Fidelma and Flann Fína
- A Reflection on Princes, Chiefs, and Chieftains
- Reading Fidelma (including an interview with “The Voice of Fidelma,” actress Caroline Lennon)
- A Succinct Review of the Series
- Pronunciation Guide
- An Interview with Peter Tremayne
- The Sister Fidelma Mysteries: What’s the Agenda?
- Successful Time Travel – Peter Berresford Ellis and Writing Historical Detective Stories
- Fidelma: A Model Lawyer
- Smoke in the Wind and the Kingdom of Dyfed
- What the Press Has to Say About Peter Tremayne and the Sister Fidelma Mysteries
- Fidelma: The Critics Chime In
- Sister Fidelma: A Study of a Clerical Detective including Reviews of Each Fidelma Novel
- A Checklist of the Works of Peter Berresford Ellis
- The International Sister Fidelma Society
- Addenda
- Fidelma’s World (Map of the novels’ locales – Ireland & abroad)
- Towards A Bibliography of Books Relating to Cashel and by Cashel People
- The Sister Fidelma Mysteries: Essays on the Historical Novels of Peter Tremayne, Edward J. Rielly and David Robert Wooten, Eds. – Review – Elizabeth Blakesley
- List of Illustrations
- Acknowledgments
Illustrated throughout, including: Assorted illustrations from The Sister Fidelma Mysteries Graphic Novels; Conceptual illustration of the Royal Fortress of King Colgú atop The Rock of Cashel during the Sister Fidelma novels, ca. 7th century (exclusive to this book); How Does Peter Tremayne Murder His Victims in the Sister Fidelma Mysteries? (pie-chart graph); Attendees of 7 different Féile Fidelmas in Cashel, and much more.
It is the editor’s hope that this work will sit table-side, bedside, wherever-side the reader chooses to devour the dozens of Sister Fidelma novels and short stories penned by one of the world’s leading Irish historiographers – ever at-the-ready should some question arise.
One might – and I say “might” – compare it to The Cadfael Companion, but even Peter has proclaimed to me that this is a wholly different type of reference book.
We hope you are excited about this book as we are announcing it!!
SISTER FIDELMA’S BODYGUARDS: Who Were The Nasc Niadh in the Sister Fidelma Mysteries of Peter Tremayne?
(Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle Editions) – May 1, 2022
by David Robert Wooten (Author), Peter Tremayne (Contributor)
Publisher: Phoenix Press
Language: English
Trade Paperback and Kindle: 164 pages, extensive full-colour photos and illustrations
- Paperback ISBN: 979-8-8028-2427-6
- Kindle ASIN: B09Z9JN92K
From the Introduction
“WHAT, OR WHO, ARE THE NASC NIADH mentioned in The Sister Fidelma Mysteries written by Peter Tremayne? This is an oft-asked question of our Society by members and readers from around the world. One or more members of the Nasc Niadh are listed among the Principal Characters at the beginning of each of the Sister Fidelma novels, usually noting that they are the élite bodyguard to the King of Muman (Colgú). But were they ‘real,’ or merely a ‘MacGuffin’ to further Peter’s murder mysteries?
“Tremayne’s contributed essay on ‘Fidelma’s Bodyguards’ details the factual history of these ‘Champions of the Collar’ – most assuredly not something invented out of whole cloth by the author of this internationally best-selling series. There was no need to manufacture fictional characters for these roles, as they would have been very real members of a long and proud tradition dating back over a millennium before Sister Fidelma was even ‘born.’ And while Ireland saw the birth and growth of the Nasc Niadh, the concept was globally practiced throughout history – under other names and on other continents – as shall be explained by Tremayne, and additionally in appending articles which focus on the Golden Collars, or torcs/torques, themselves.”
Sister Fidelma’s Bodyguards is a thorough and scholarly study, explaining not only these warriors’ important presence in the novels, but their actual place throughout history – not only in Ireland, but around the globe for centuries. Whether a devoted “Fidelmaniac” or simply a lover of history, this tome will fascinate. Additional articles, along with plentiful full-colour illustrations and photographs, detail the use of these Golden Collars in actual practice. This book is currently being released exclusively through Amazon.
SISTER FIDELMA’S CASHEL: The Early Kings of Munster and Their Capitol
by Peter Tremayne, is now available exclusively as a 36pp digital (PDF) booklet, ONLY from The International Sister Fidelma Society. Originally published in 2008 and now completely out of print, it has been “revived” in this new format.
During the second Féile Fidelma, held to celebrate Peter Tremayne’s best-selling Sister Fidelma Mysteries in September, 2008, and attended by enthusiasts from nine countries, a tour of The Rock of Cashel was part of the program.
Cashel is, of course, Sister Fidelma’s “hometown,” and the main centre of the stories.
The enthusiasts of the Sister Fidelma series were disappointed that the guides at The Rock of Cashel were more concerned with the extant ecclesiastical buildings on The Rock, built from the 12th century, rather than talking about the time that it was the capital of Muman (Munster), the royal residence of Fidelma’s brother, King Colgú of Muman. Munster is the Anglicisation of Muman-stadr, the addition of Viking “stadr” indicated a place.
As Fidelma was born here, and lived here, during the 7th century, the apparent lack of knowledge of the guides of this pre-ecclesiastical period was a great frustration to those visitors who wanted to know more about Cashel of the Kings.
There were so many questions arising from this that we asked Peter whether he could provide us with some brief history and comments on the dynasty that ruled from Cashel during Fidelma’s time.
The result is this modest but well-packed booklet.
Order your digital copy today by clicking PAYMENT PORTAL link!
THE SISTER FIDELMA MYSTERIES – Essays on the Historical Novels of Peter Tremayne
Edited by Edward J. Rielly and David Robert Wooten
- Format: softcover (6 x 9)
- Pages: 239
- Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliographies, index
- Copyright Date: 2012
- pISBN: 978-0-7864-6667-2
- eISBN: 978-1-4766-0034-5
- Imprint: McFarland
Order directly from the publisher HERE
About the Book
This is a collection of new essays on Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma novels, which feature Sister Fidelma’s attempts to solve a wide range of crimes, often murders that occur under especially mysterious conditions. The novels, set mainly in 7th century Ireland, also include a great deal of history, which is not surprising given that the author is actually Peter Berresford Ellis, a noted Celtic historian. Some of the essays analyze aspects of the novels, focusing especially on the protagonist and her partner in detection and, ultimately, husband, Brother Eadulf. Other essays place Fidelma and the novels within the tradition of detective fiction. Still others explore the historical, intellectual, spiritual and geographical contexts for her labors. Also included are accounts of the author’s career, the International Sister Fidelma Society, and the biennial Sister Fidelma conferences held in Cashel, Ireland.
About the Authors
- Edward J. Rielly is a professor of English at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. He has presented papers at the annual Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture as well as other conferences. He is the author of about two dozen books and lives in Westbrook, Maine.
- David Robert Wooten is director of The International Sister Fidelma Society and editor of its magazine, The Brehon. He lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Preface – Edward J. Rielly and David Robert Wooten
- Sister Fidelma: A Woman for All Seasons – Edward J. Rielly
- Who Is Peter Tremayne? – David Robert Wooten
- The Impact of Sister Fidelma on Irish Crime Fiction – John Scaggs
- Teaching Sister Fidelma: Two Models – Edward J. Rielly
- Fidelma’s Position in the Female Detective Genre – Richard Dalby
- Hidden from History: Fidelma of Cashel and Lost Female Values – Christine Kinealy
- Brother Eadulf: Monk of Saxmundham – Mairéad Ní Riada
- Fidelma Locations in Munster (Ireland) – David Robert Wooten
- Fidelma of Cashel and the Brehon Code – Patrick O’Keefe
- Druids and Brehons: Fidelma and the Druidic Tradition – Anita M. Vickers
- A Druid in New Guise – Christiane W. Luehrs and Robert B. Luehrs
- Fidelma of Cashel: The Plight of the Learned Lady – Mitzi M. Brunsdale
- Pursuing the Mystery of Religious Life – Patricia C. Flynn
- The Sister Is a Mother: Sister Fidelma and the Celtic Church – Frank A. Salamone
- Nothing Hidden That Shall Not Be Known: Mystery and Detection in the Sister Fidelma Novels – John Scaggs
- Lady Justice: Social Sleuthing and Sister Fidelma – Jennifer Molidor
- Fidelma and the Irish Language – Anna Heussaff
- Fidelma and the Celts of Brittany: Ancient and Modern – Herve Latimier
- Who Wears the Pants? Role Reversal in the Sister Fidelma Mysteries – E. Kemp
- The International Sister Fidelma Society – David Robert Wooten
- Féile Fidelma: Its Origins and History – Seamus J. King
- Interview with Peter Tremayne – Edward J. Rielly
- Sister Fidelma Bibliography
- About the Contributors
- Index
SCRÉACH ÓN TUAMA (A SCREAM FROM THE SEPULCHRE)
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF A MUCH-REQUESTED ITEM!
Scréach ón Tuama (A Scream From the Sepulchre) by Peter Tremayne, is now available excusively as a 36pp digital (PDF) booklet, ONLY from The International Sister Fidelma Society. Originally published in 2008 and now completely out of print, it has been “revived” in this new format. Originally published by Peter (in English) in 1998, this Irish language version was produced in a limited run by the Society in 2008, and is now being re-released in 2022.
This is the first – and only – time a Sister Fidelma Mystery has been produced in the Irish language.
Scréach ón Tuama has been translated by Dr Gearóid Ó Laoi of Cork. As well as the text, which is written in the standard, now called Caighdeán, there is an introduction about the series and selection of book reviews from the leading Irish newspapers. The jacket illustration was provided by Maggie Tolderlund of Peuco Editores, Fidelma’s original Argentinean publishers, and there are also colour photographs inside.