Céad Míle Fáilte! A Thousand Welcomes to the Sister Fidelma Mysteries website. This site is provided for everyone interested in Peter Tremayne's international bestselling mystery series and, indeed, to those interested in all his work both as Peter Tremayne and his non-fiction work as the Celtic Scholar Peter Berresford Ellis. It is provided free of charge through the courtesy of The International Sister Fidelma Society. We would like to point out that this is a Society of volunteer workers, entirely funded by membership subscription. We provide not only this website, but all subscribing members to the Society get our print magazine, The Brehon, sent to them three times a year, and are updated on all activities. Why not join us? Click on THE SOCIETY link at left and find out what we have to offer, and to join our ever-growing organization.
NEW FEATURES - FIDELMA MEMBER MAP, FIDELMA GUESTMAP, AND PUBLICATION LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!
While the aforementioned map is based solely on Society membership, you can take an active part in the development of a new fan map. Take a moment and post your own pin on the Guestmap at left to show everyone where you are! If you're already a member of the Society, please take the time to add yourself to this growing database. You can enter your name, email address, website (if you have one), as well as your own comments about Fidelma, the Society, this website, or whatever. You don't have to be a member to stick your pin in this map, but we'd certainly welcome you into our ever-widening circle of friends. Membership is only $29.95 a year, and you receive 3 issues of our popular publication, The Brehon, and you'll stay up to date on all the latest news about Fidelma, her author, and the books - information you won't find anywhere else! Check back often to see where Fidelma's legions of fans are concentrated throughout the world! Also, click HERE to see where Sister Fidelma books are sold throughout the world!
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION... "When is the next Sister Fidelma book coming out?" MOST FREQUENTLY GIVEN ANSWER... Depends if you are following the UK publication or the US publication. The new Fidelma novel Dancing With Demons was published in the United Kingdom by Headline Books in September, 2007. The UK paperback will be available from Headline in March, 2008. In the USA St Martins Press published the hardcover of A Prayer for the Damned in November, 2007. The USA paperback of this will be available in October, 2008. The US paperback of Master of Souls was published by St. Martins Press in October 2007. The next Fidelma novel entitled The Council of the Cursed is due out from Headline in the UK in September, 2008. If you're interested in foreign language titles, or other formats of the books, click on the OTHER EDITIONS link at left. To recap the titles IN READING ORDER (another common question):
SISTER FIDELMA’S GODFATHER DIES
Peter Haining bought the first Sister Fidelma short story in 1993 for one of his many anthologies but, when the story was submitted, the name of the character was `Sister Buan’. He asked Peter Tremayne if he could rethink the name as he felt it did not sound exactly right for the character. Tremayne has long acknowledged that without his intervention there might have been no Sister Fidelma or the amazing popularity that the series has received. Peter Haining wrote his account of this as `The Naming of Sister Fidelma’ in the very first issue of The Brehon (Vol. 1, No 1, February, 2002). A friend of Peter Tremayne since 1964, Peter Haining was born in 1940 and began his career as a journalist, became Publishing Director of New English Library before becoming a full-time author. He has written fiction and non-fiction and co-authored with Peter Tremayne The Un-Dead: The Legend of Bram Stoker and Dracula (Constable, 1997) a study on how Stoker came to write his Gothic classic. Haining was considered one of the most prolific of anthology editors as well as producing his own novels and factual books. In fact, both Peters were working on another joint non-fiction book that was due to be delivered to their published next Spring. `I was speaking to him about this project just a few hours before his death,’ said Peter Tremayne. Peter Haining leaves a widow, Philippa, sons Richard and Sean, and a daughter, Gemma. FÉILE FIDELMA 2008! ANNOUNCED, SEPTEMBER 5-7, IN CASHEL CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS! SISTER FIDELMA’S CREATOR IN BRITTANY - TREMAYNE AT BRETON BOOK FAIR Peter Tremayne was a guest at the Festival du Livre en Bretagne on November 24 and 25. This is the Breton Book Fair held at Gwenrann (Guérande). Peter was asked to say a few words at the opening of the book fair and surprised the audience by making a short address in the Breton language for which he received great applause. As well as signing books in French and copies of the Breton language magazine Al Liamm, in which Fidelma short stories have appeared, Peter took part in a discussion in Breton, French and English entitled `Soeur Fidelma `Un Sherlock Holmes ou VIIe siecle?’ Breton author Annaig Renault chaired the discussion. International Fidelma Society member Herve Latimier, who translated some of the Fidelma stories into Breton, talked about the Fidelma stories and their impact on him and questioned the author of aspects of the books while Sten Charbonneau provided the translation into French. The discussion was opened to questions from the audience.
Peter and Dorothy were guests of the organisers at Gwenrann for the period of the book fair before going to Rennes where he signed books at the leading bookshops of Librairie Le Failler and L’Encre de Bretagne. Ouest France, Le Telegramme, Progrès Cornouaille and other Breton newspapers interviewed him about his books. Peter and Dorothy then toured some locations in Brittany for locations for a future Fidelma book. The examined Mont Dol and St Malo. At St Malo archaeologist Dr Catherine Bizien-Jaglin gave him a personal tour of the ancient site of the city of Alet, whose remains dated back long before the Roman invasion of Gaul. But Peter was especially interested in Landévennec, where the museum opened especially for him (being closed outside the summer period). Here the folklorist and collector of Breton songs, Patrick Malrieu, the president of the Breton Cultural Council, entertained Peter and his wife, and took them around the site of the ancient abbey, founded in the 5th Century by St Guénolé. Peter told Ouest France that he found in the perfect site for a future Fidelma mystery. Peter was voted best mystery series author of the year (2007) in a survey conducted by Univers Poche recently.
The first Sister Fidelma stories ever to appear in a Celtic language have just been issued. No, perhaps sadly not in her native Irish, but in Breton. The August 2007 issue (no 363) of the leading Breton language literary journal Al Liamm devoted the entire 110 page magazine to Sister Fidelma. There is an introduction by Herve Latimier, an article on The International Sister Fidelma Society by your director and editor - and a lengthy article on Fidelma and her creator by Professor Per Denez, the well known Celtic scholar. Per Denez (formerly of Rennes University) has known Peter since the 1960s and long been an admirer of his work, not the least an admirer of the Fidelma stories. The rest of the magazine carries three Fidelma stories translated by Jean-Michel Mahe, Ninnog Latimer and Herve Latimer. Even if you don't read Breton, one of the six modern Celtic languages, this is a collector's item. Go onto the Internet at www.AlLiamm.com to order your copy now!
Just released in the UK is an Audio Book version of A Prayer for the Damned by Peter Tremayne from Soundings Audio Books, a division of Isis Publishing Ltd. The book is read on cassette or CD by Annie Farr, an Irish actress who has worked extensively in theatre, television, film and radio. The book is unabridged and takes 14 hours to read. For those who sometimes regret not being able to pronounce some of the names in the books properly, it is a treat to listen to Annie Farr giving us the correct Irish accented form. For those who want to buy the audio version contact Soundings, Isis House, Kings Drive, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE26 2JT, England. 12 Compact Discs £28.99 (14hrs Product code SCDS3512 - ISBN 978-1-84559-699-6), or 12 Audio Cassettes £20.99 (14hrs Product code SOUNDS3512 - ISBN 978-1-84559-646-0). (click links to buy directly from their website) The Tipperary Star and The Nationalist (Clonmel), February 17, 2007 SISTER FIDELMA TO BE GRAND MARSHAL IN CASHEL - UPDATED!!
The person appointed is usually a person of note, somebody held in high respect in the community, someone who has stood out in a special way from his peers. It is a way of giving the person recognition or thanking him/her for a major contribution to the community.
The nun-sleuth has brought an enormous amount of publicity to the town of Cashel and deserves to be recognised for her efforts. Fidelma is an exciting person, twenty-seven years old, red hair, skilled in the arts of self-defence, an outstanding horsewoman and trained to the second-highest level in the Brehon Laws, having achieved the position of dalaigh. She is brilliant at solving murder mysteries and is called to travel throughout Munster solving them.
She resides on the Rock of Cashel with her brother, King Colgú in the seventh century. She is on leave from her convent and is leading a solitary existence ouside her community. Her only companion is a Saxon monk, Eadulf, with whom she has entered a trial marriage, from which a child has been born. Eadulf is also skilled at solving mysteries and usually travels with Fidelma. The person to play the part of St. Fidelma has still to be finalised. Such a person will have to be a skilled horsewoman, as she will have to lead the parade on horseback. She will have to be dressed in a way that will simulate a character like Fidelma from the seventh century. It hasn’t yet been decided whether Brother Eadulf will travel side by side with her. There might be a virtue in giving the horse a companion as it may be a frightening walk down through a crowded street. The idea of a Grand Marshall and the choice of Sr. Fidelma to fill it have to give a fillip to the parade. It should definitely attract publicity to it from outside the town. If the idea is a success it may open the way for recognising special people in this way in future years.
OFFICIAL HOME OF THE SOCIETY WHEN IN CASHEL! A PRAYER FOR THE DAMNED PRAISED A Prayer for the Damned is a blessing for the millions of Sister Fidelma's devoted fans around the world. Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation, a woman of wit and courage who would be outstanding in any era, but brings a special sparkle to the wild beauty of medieval Ireland. The author sets the scene with meticulous care and develops the plot with intelligence. He always plays fair with his readers, but surprises abound. Half the fun of the Fidelma series is trying to guess what this remarkable woman will do next. Well done! - Morgan Llywelyn, best-selling author of Lion of Ireland, Finn Mac Cool, The Last Prince of Ireland, Horse Goddess
SISSY HÖFFERER: THE FIRST ACTRESS TO PLAY SISTER FIDELMA
She took the part in the German radio station WDR5's production Tod im Skriptorium (Suffer Little Children). This was broadcast in two parts last July, with a repeat broadcast in October. Tod im Skriptorium is now available on a commercial twin CD set published by Der Audio Verlag GmbH (January, 2006). The recording is in stereo. Its running time is 106 minutes. ISBN 3-89813-524-1. Information at www.der-audio-verlag.de Sissy is well known in Europe and has taken the lead in many television and radio dramas. She started her career with the Munich Resident Theatre in 1977. She has also appeared in the controversial movie of a youth's coming of age in Nazi Germany `Before the Fall', directed by Dennis Gansel and released in July, 2004. Readers of the Fidelma novels will recall that Brother Eadulf did not appear in Suffer Little Children and she is accompanied to Ros Ailithir by a Cashel warrior named Cass. His part is taken in the dramatisation by Hans-Werner Meyer while Colgú is played by Thomas Balor Martin. The translation was by Friedrich Baadke and the dramatsation by Stefan Ripplinger.
Visit THE STRAND'S WEBSITE - The Strand is full color print publication that is dedicated to publishing mysteries, articles, interviews and book reviews.
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One of the most exciting prospects for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the appointment of a Grand Marshal. More associated with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, or in other American cities, it is an American rather than an Irish concept.)
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WHO
IS SISTER FIDELMA?
When the first stories began to appear, the UK Book and Magazine Collector prophesied: "Sister Fidelma promises to be one of the most intriguing new characters in 1990s detective fiction." They have been proved right and Sister Fidelma has now survived into a new decade with a still growing following.
"Sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world
ambassador for ancient Irish culture," says the
Irish Post. The USA Publishers Weekly has called
her: "A brilliant and beguiling heroine; immensely
appealing..." And the Ellery Queen Mystery
Magazine has said she is "One of the most
interesting sleuths to come on the scene in recent
years." |
Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries
High Street, Galway, Ireland.
Tel: +353 91 709350
Fax: +353 91 709351
queries@kennys.ie
FIND SIGNED COPIES OF SELECT EDITIONS HERE
(Enter either PETER TREMAYNE or PETER BERRESFORD ELLIS in the Author slot and click FIND BOOK!)
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LIMITED SUPPLY AVAILABLE FROM THE SOCIETY! Support the Society by purchasing the hardcover edition for $23.95 (s/h FREE). |
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SISTER FIDELMA MERCHANDISE!! T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, totebags, mousepads, more!! |
Fidelma's World Map Available - NOW UPDATED THROUGH "A PRAYER FOR THE DAMNED"! - We've had requests from numerous members asking for a map detailing locations appearing in the various Sister Fidelma mysteries. Several of the more recent books have featured a basic line-art map, but we can now offer to all Fidelma enthusiasts a full-color map of "Fidelma's World" detailing locations of each story, as well as a complete listing of all titles with their corresponding locations indicated on the map. This beautiful map is available as a poster in 2 sizes (11x17 and 16x20), as well as framed prints and a calendar. And, as always, proceeds from sales of these items directly benefit the Society. Click the image to go directly to the store.
The Society now accepts PayPal for membership payments. And, you can contribute to the "well-being" of the Society - donations are always welcome to keep the Society's annual expenses under control. Click the PayPal logo to go to our Society page for membership details.
Visitors to Fidelma's "home town" of Cashel are advised that the Cashel Heritage Centre stocks copies of the complete series of the Fidelma Mysteries.
