I had lost sight of Peter Tremayne’s Fidelma of Cashel (a mystery series set in 600’s A.D. Ireland).  However, I just read the newest in the series Dancing With Demons.  In it the High King of Ireland is murdered. Fidelma is called in to investigate the crime since the Assembly believes she can be objective (not ruled by clan loyalties).  This book is “painless history” at its best !  I find it fascinating to see the different customs of Ireland- they had rules for everything ! Only when a crime was truly henious (and it seems that murdering the king did not qualify), was the criminal killed (or as near as made no nevermind: they were given very short rations and sent out on a rowboat on the tide moving away from the west of Ireland).  Most criminals , and their families, were expected to work and pay the family of the wronged person for the damage caused by the crime.    The tensions between the Catholic and Pagan religions; and those between the Irish and Roman Church are once again explored in this fascinating novel.

Movie Review: P.S. I Love You

I was not going to see this movie because the critics had panned it so badly; I am so  glad that a friend had seen it and recommended it.  It focuses on the year long grieving process of a young (30) widow, Holly Kennedy.    Holly’s husband has left a series of letters for her in which he asks her to do various tasks.  Surrounded by caring friends and a caring, if emotionally aloof, mother (played wonderfully by Kathy Bates), it reflects perfectly the various stages of grief.  I know this sounds like a downer- but it is not.  The script is excellent and the soundtrack fits the mood perfectly. 

   As a sidebar: Part of the film was underwritten by the Irish Gevernment- and the scenery in this film ALMOST had me grabbing the next plane to Gallway !