Suffer the Little Children is both set in a refreshing time period for a mystery (7th century Ireland) and provides a rich environment of violence, intrigue, scholarly pursuit, and ecclesiastical change. I’ve personally just discovered this series of historical mysteries and I am fascinated by the legal and ecclesiastical differences between the Roman and Irish churches of the era. I was particularly fascinated by the existence of co-ed monasteries (obviously not the historical term, nor very precise but descriptive nonetheless). I’m particularly intrigued by the gender equality provided in Ireland at this time. The protagonist, rather more proactive in many ways that Brother Cadfael of medieval mystery fame, is a sister named Fidelma. She is not only a sister, but also a daleigh, an officer of the courts in Ireland’s kingdom.At this point in time, Ireland was divided into five kingdoms (each ruled by a king) with one High King. Suffer the Little Children deals with one of the old kingdoms attempting to regain control of a disputed province due to a murder which took place under a rival kingdom’s requirement of hospitality. Sister Fidelma needs to solve the mystery (with the body long since removed) and figure out a way for the kingdom to keep the disputed province. She must use her deductive powers plus her knowledge of the ancient laws in order to bring about a solution. I won’t give away any of the plot, but I will share some of my favorite lines from the book. When Sister Fidelma’s bodyguard suggests that the “Faith” expects too much of its practitioners, the good sister replies, “Perhaps. But the expectation of humankind should always exceed their grasp, otherwise there would be no progress in life.” (p. 102) She followed up with the following statement, “…if there is no doubt, there can be no faith.” (p. 103) In another conversation between the two, she suggests that destiny is an excuse to avoid choice (p. 121). Of course, Tremayne is a scholar in his own right and it shows, not only in details with regard to Medieval Ireland, but also in quotations such as the one from Diogenes that “…blushing is the color of virtue” (p. 190) and the one from Plato on injustice that suggests that humankind only censures injustice because it fears becoming the victim of it (p. 237). Or, there’s the one from a Brehon Moran of Tara , “…to be truly dead you must be forgotten entirely.” (p. 262). I also learned that an ollamh is Gaelic for scholar or professor, to this very day.The title for Suffer the Little Children comes from a very positive incident in the Bible when Jesus’ disciples were turning away children in order to let the Master focus on the “more important” people. So, Jesus was commanding the disciples to let them come to Him. In this novel, the reference to children is about as positive as references to the “Children’s Crusade.” There is more than one tragic connotation to this phrase within the novel’s plotline. Nonetheless, the mystery makes some interesting observations about society, ancient and modern. It is definitely solid writing and I savored it.
The historical and legal background is well research, the mystery isn't too bad. However, the characterization is so shallow! Children and innocents are getting killed, someone even dies to protect Fidelma, and neither she nor the people around her show any evidence of being actually disturbed, though we are told they are. Emotional complexity is reserved for Fidelma's thoughts of a former partner in investigation, devotion for her interactions with her brother and family, or for the passions of the villians of the piece. More regret is expressed for the possibility of land passing from one sub-kingdom to another than for the deaths of children....One can't help but compare this to the Dame Frevisse mysteries, where we are shown emotional distress and confusion rather than just told it exists. Even Ellis Peter's Brother Cadfael books are far more sympathetic.
What do You think about Suffer Little Children (1999)?
I had never read a Peter Tremayne or a Sister Fidelma mystery before. I was pleasantly surprised, this is a gem. Historical facts about medieaval Ireland. A very easy read and a very simple mystery that gets more complicated the further Sister Fidelma digs. A Very enjoyable and easy read, so much so that I read it in an afternoon. Good one for the beach if you're not into the romances but want something with a bit more bite to it, and a few dead bodies for good measure!!I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the scenes it sets in Ireland.
—Kaye Gambles
Peter Tremayne (real name Peter Berresford Ellis) is one of my all time favorite authors. I've read his whole Sister Fidelma series and am even one of the original founding members of the International Sister Fidelma Society. Oh yes, I'm that much of a dork!! These are excellent mysteries that combine historical fact with compelling human relationships and of course murder. There is totally a Scully/Mulder thing going on with the main characters as well. I own every one of his books and order then from the UK so that I can get them a full year earlier than we get them in the US. a complete unhealthy literary obsession!
—Leah
Another excellent story in the series. And the action starts immediately in this one. I like that Tremayne seems to have come to a decision of putting all the background information for Sister Fidelma in a foreward. And even though Brother Eadulf is absent, I still enjoyed the story. It's also nice to finally have one of the stories set in Ireland. Also, it seems a lot of readers have a problem with Fidelma being a redhead and having a fiery temper. We see her temper rarely, but when she does get upset, watch out. Being a redhead myself and having the same sort of temperament, I see nothing wrong or stereotypical with the portrayal. I also like the fact that Sister Fidelma is contemplative. Just because she doesn't break down sobbing hysterically doesn't mean she isn't affected by the children's deaths. I especially loved the part where she moved the boy's body next to the two little redheaded girls. Poignant, heartbreaking and indicative of Fidelma's pain in reaction to the tragedy. One final thing. I love the endings to these mysteries where everyone is gathered and Fidelma lays out the evidence and walks us through the crime and every suspects motive. Reminds of the old Thin Man movies. And I love the Thin Man movies!
—Laura Edwards
