St. Peter’s Fair was a grand event, attracting merchants from across England and beyond. With the pause in the Civil War during the summer of 1139, the fair would bring some much-needed gaiety to Shrewsbury.
But a wealthy merchant is found murdered in the river Severn. Brother Cadfael offers to help the merchant’s niece, Emma; but while he searches for the killer, two more men are murdered—like her uncle, apparently for the valuables they possessed at their death. Cadfael races to save the young woman, knowing that during Civil War, betrayal can come from any direction, and even good intentions can kill.
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"The end of July of 1139 finds the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul at Shrewsbury readying for the annual 3-day summer fair, which will bring to its environs traders from all over England and even the continent, and buyers eager to sample the luxury goods they sell. There is a lull in the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude, with the latter in France.[return][return]Enter an important merchant, Thomas of Bristol with his lovely daughter, Emma. Thomas almost immediately becomes involved in a brawl involving some of the town's youths over what the latter see as injustice in the paying of rents and tolls to the abbey with nothing for the town to help repair the damage done in the siege of the previous year, when the civil war arrived at Shrewsbury. Not too long afterwards, Thomas is found murdered; the leader of the young men, Phillip Corviser, is immediately suspect, since he has no alibi for the time of the murder. But when other disturbing occurrences around Thomas of Bristol's goods and another murder occur, none of which can be laid at Phillip's hand, Brother Cadfael begins his own investigation. [return][return]This is one of the best of the Brother Caedfel series, well written in Peters' gentle style, but with a more muscular plot and a really fine climax. As usual, her young "heros" are pretty ingenious but likeable characters. Brother Caedfel is a little less omniscient and wise than usual--and more believable for all that.[return][return]Very entertaining read. Highly recommended." — Joyce (4 out of 5 stars)
"The end of July of 1139 finds the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul at Shrewsbury readying for the annual 3-day summer fair, which will bring to its environs traders from all over England and even the continent, and buyers eager to sample the luxury goods they sell. There is a lull in the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude, with the latter in France.[return][return]Enter an important merchant, Thomas of Bristol with his lovely daughter, Emma. Thomas almost immediately becomes involved in a brawl involving some of the town's youths over what the latter see as injustice in the paying of rents and tolls to the abbey with nothing for the town to help repair the damage done in the siege of the previous year, when the civil war arrived at Shrewsbury. Not too long afterwards, Thomas is found murdered; the leader of the young men, Phillip Corviser, is immediately suspect, since he has no alibi for the time of the murder. But when other disturbing occurrences around Thomas of Bristol's goods and another murder occur, none of which can be laid at Phillip's hand, Brother Cadfael begins his own investigation. [return][return]This is one of the best of the Brother Caedfel series, well written in Peters' gentle style, but with a more muscular plot and a really fine climax. As usual, her young "heros" are pretty ingenious but likeable characters. Brother Caedfel is a little less omniscient and wise than usual--and more believable for all that.[return][return]Very entertaining read. Highly recommended."
“Each addition to the series is a joy. Long may the Chronicles continue.”
“Wonderful history lessons wrapped up in a mystery and served with style and grace.”
“Stylishly authentic…a graceful and informative…case for Peters’ engaging, herb-gardening monk.”
" This was my first Father Cadfael mystery and was loaned to me by a friend. I am now hooked and must find the rest of Ellis Peters' books. "
" Lovely as always! The scenario- a twelfth century fair- is described beautifully by Ellis Peters. If you haven't already, check out the tv series. It's not as good as the books but it's still very well done with Derek Jacobi as Cadfael. "
" Another good novel of Brother Cadfael with Hugh Beringar along to help. I liked it; it was fun to read. The evildoers came to light slowly. It was a good yarn. "
" Good story well-written. 3.5 stars "
" Another solid addition to the series. Operates at a couple of different levels which maintains the suspense throughout. Even when you think you know who did it, you don't know why. "
" Cadfael books are like a palate cleanser between larger, more demanding novels. As such, I always enjoy going back to them every couple of books. This one is no exception! "
" Very interesting to learn about how the fair operated and conflicts between the town and the abbey. This one was more about politics than the last one. "
" Despite being very predictable, I really enjoyed the fourth Brother Cadfael mystery. A cute and well written read, as always. "
" Nothing is ever quite as it seem in the Benedictine Abbey in Shrewsbury where Bother Cadfael lives and this book was not a disappointment. "
" I figured out who did it halfway through, but was a good read anyway. "
" Slow start for a Brother Cadfael mystery, but a barn-burning end. You won't be able to stop once you get to the "Day After the Fair" section! "
" The latest book in my Ellis Peters binge - I liked this one a lot. The plot was a bit more substantial than in some of the other books. I do find it hard to review mystery novels as it's hard not to give away the plot! "
" Listening to Patrick Tull is such a delight. "
" A pretty good mystery, overall. Likeable protagonists and some international intrigue thrown into the mix, with a few red herrings to keep you guessing. "
" Very good, as always! Plot got a bit slow in spots, but overall well written. "
" As with all of Peters' books, this was well-written and interesting, and I loved immersing myself within Cadfael's world. "
" Medieval mystery. Quite a novel idea having the main character being a monk. "
" Book 4. Typical Cadfael. Intriguing characters and a light, predictible mystery. "
" Great twists and turns--I could really sense the murderer closing in. I had guessed who it was partway through but I enjoyed how the author tried to divert me from him. Really sweet love story too. "
" St. Peter's Fair is the fourth novel in the Brother Cadfael series. Not bad, but they are all very similar. "
" The Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters is a wonderful set of mysteries that take place in 12th century England. Ellis Peters does a wonderful job of describing all the characters and she is a great mystery writer. The cases are complicated enough to make them interesting. "
" love the rich language peters' writes. so evocative. "
" Once again figuring out "whodunnit" fairly quickly but enjoying the stories greatly! "
" One of my favorite Brother Cadfael mysteries! I absolutely love Brothers Cadfael Mark, and wish they lived next door so we could swap gardening tips! "
" One of my favorites of the series. "
" Another great volume in the Brother Cadfael series. Ellis Peters demonstrates the classic mystery writing style of dropping clues and making the reader feel as though they are making the discoveries along with the characters. I enjoyed the little twist at the end too. "
" This was a good one - good, simple story; good characters. "
" Ouhou, il est terriblement sombre celui-là aussi. "
" Original title for U.S. release (1981): Leapers, Lepers & Love Affairs. Overly whimsical, confusing; did not sell. "
" The solution to this one was easy to reach, but I enjoyed the journey with the good brother, as usual. "
" I love the characters in this book. I'm not sure I love the love story, however. "
" Another good one, although none so far are nearly as good as One Corpse Too Many "
" It was very interesting reading about the leper hospital. What a terrible disease. The young lovers in this book seem to have been in more peril than in other of the Cadfael books, but it's comforting to know all will be well by the end of the book. "
Ellis Peters (1913–1995) was the pen name of English novelist Edith Pargeter, author of scores of books under her own name. She was a recipient of the Silver Dagger Award and the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, conferred by the Crime Writers’ Association of Great Britain, as well as the coveted Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America.
Johanna Ward (a.k.a. Kate Reading) is an Audie Award–winning narrator and has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine. She is also a theater actor in the Washington, DC, area and has been a member of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company since 1987. Her work onstage has been recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards Society, among others. She and her husband live in Hyattsville, Maryland, with their two children.
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