A Prayer for the Damned

By Peter Tremayne

Published Jan 2010

Murder and mayhem on a wedding day is the ultimate nightmare of any bride. But when the bride is Fidelma of Cashel then the nightmare is catastrophic. The murder, unless resolved quickly, could lead to war between the northern and southern kingdoms of Ireland.

Cashel, February, AD 668. The ancient capital of Muman is athrong with distinguished visitors. Even the High King, Sechnassach, with all the provincial kings, nobles and their entourages, have come to King Colgu’s fortress. The reason? Having been officially together for a year and a day, under the old Irish custom, Fidelma of Cashel and Eadulf of Seaxmund’s Ham are to celebrate their marriage.

But on the eve of the ceremony the pious Abbot Ultan of Cill Ria is found murdered in his guest chamber. A believer in celibacy among the religious, he had come to protest the marriage.

Muirchertach Nar, King of Connacht, witnessed fleeing from the scene, is charged with the murder. He demands his right to appoint Fidelma in his defence. But is Abbot Ultan the pious man he was thought to be? Fidelma discovers that many of the guests have come to hate him.

It is a long weekend of suspicion, fear and more death before Fidelma and Eadulf are able to reveal, to the restless and querulous guests the truth behind Ultan’s murder…