Valley of the Shadow (Sister Fidelma Mysteries Book 6)

In this gripping mystery, Sister Fidelma confronts a series of brutal murders while navigating the complexities of faith and loyalty in Valley of the Shadow.

In Valley of the Shadow, the sixth installment of Peter Tremayne's captivating Sister Fidelma series, readers are transported to 7th-century Ireland, where mystery and history intertwine. Sister Fidelma, a sharp-witted and resourceful sleuth, is dispatched by her brother, the king of Cashel, to the forbidding Gleann Geis. Her mission is to persuade Laisre, the chieftain, to allow the construction of a Christian church and school in a region steeped in pagan traditions. The stakes are high, as Laisre is known for his hostility towards the new faith, and Fidelma must navigate treacherous waters to achieve her goal.

As she embarks on her journey, Fidelma is accompanied by Brother Eadulf, a Saxon who provides both support and companionship. However, their mission takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a gruesome scene: the bodies of thirty-three young men, arranged in a chilling sunwise circle, each victim brutally murdered. With every skull shattered and every body bearing signs of violence, the mystery deepens. The question looms large: who could commit such an atrocity if not the very chieftain she seeks to negotiate with?

Valley of the Shadow is not just a tale of murder and intrigue; it delves into the complexities of faith, loyalty, and the human condition. As Sister Fidelma faces danger and deception, readers are drawn into a richly woven narrative that challenges their perceptions and keeps them guessing until the final page.