The Devils Novice Audiobook, by Ellis Peters Play Audiobook Sample

The Devil's Novice Audiobook

The Devils Novice Audiobook, by Ellis Peters Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Vanessa Benjamin Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Release Date: December 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440788659

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

14

Longest Chapter Length:

50:53 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:08 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

37:04 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

35

Other Audiobooks Written by Ellis Peters: > View All...

Publisher Description

Outside the pale of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in September of the year of our Lord 1140, a priestly emissary for King Stephen has been reported missing. But inside the pale, what troubles Brother Cadfael is a proud, secretive nineteen-year-old novice. Brother Cadfael has never seen two men more estranged than the Lord of Aspley and Meriet, the son he coldly delivers to the abbey to begin a religious vocation. Meriet, meek by day, is so racked by dreams at night that his howls earn him the nickname the Devil's Novice. Shunned and feared, Meriet is soon linked to the missing priest's dreadful fate. Only Brother Cadfael believes in Meriet's innocence, and only the good sleuth can uncover the truth before the boy's pure passion leads him to the noose.

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"Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series - set around 1000/1100, a Welsh man who had been with the Crusades, soldier/sailor, loved women etc settles down to retirement as a Benedictine monk, working as an apothecary within the abbey and the community, and assisting the sheriff with mysteries. He's a really wholesome character who understands people and life, not at all narrow and irritating. There is also a series of movies made based on these books with Derek Jacobi playing Brother Cadfael"

— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)

The Devil's Novice Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.6969696969697 out of 53.6969696969697 out of 53.6969696969697 out of 53.6969696969697 out of 53.6969696969697 out of 5 (3.70)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 17
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ah, my first Brother Cadfael. To him and Ellis Peters I owe my lifelong love of historical mysteries. A lot of authors have "If you like Brother Cadfael you'll like...." on their covers but very few have ever come close to Ellis' hero and his stories. Both he and his creator are missed. "

    — Arlene, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All the right ingredients, mixed nicely. "

    — Lemongrass, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Although I enjoyed the first book I read in the Brother Cadfael series, I got side-tracted halfway through The Devil's Novice and just haven't wanted to go back to it. Other books keep beckoning. I'm not sure if the fault is in me or in the book itself, but it seems clear now that I'm not likely to finish this one any time soon. "

    — Donna, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another good yarn in the Cadfael Chronicles and with some completely unexpected twists for those who, like me, do not remember the back and forth history of the wars between Stephen and Matilda for the English crown. I still wish that most of these stories leaned less on the affairs de coeur of adolescents, however. "

    — M, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although it is common for Brother Cadfael to help young couples, this volume was unique in involving relationships at the father and son level of the family as well. (view spoiler)[I really liked how he told Meriet about his son. It explained his motivation for helping Meriet and his father mend fences. (hide spoiler)] "

    — Katie, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book "

    — Denise, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another great book. I was glad to see Brother Mark again; he is one of my favorite supporting characters. "

    — Miriam, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is not one of the better Cadfael mysteries I have read so far, but it is nonetheless enjoyable. "

    — Gwyn, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Loved the themes of duty, loyalty, and love. "

    — Meredith, 11/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another excellent Brother Cadfael mystery. "

    — Mary, 11/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Enjoyed this book as I do all the Brother Cadfael chronicles. This one moves along at a good pace and is even slightly surprising in the end when the mystery is solved. There was even a map that was some help in keeping straight just where things were happening. I will read more of these. "

    — Denise, 10/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is one of the Brother Cadfael series, about a Benedictine monk solving mysteries in medieval England, which I generally recommend. This is one of my favorites from among a good crop. Cadfael is in top form, the emotions are deep and painful, and the resolution is _highly_ satisfying. "

    — Sean, 10/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quite a good mystery. I really had no clue about why Meriet was so tortured until near the reveal. The interplay between pride, honor, and family that caused the situation was a great plot device, and food for thought. "

    — Jeremy, 9/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Definitely one of my favorites so far, just for the twisty solution if nothing else. As usual, Peters' characters are well fleshed out and once again she allows Brother Mark to shine! "

    — Kris, 6/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Hazel, 12/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Canon Eluard's young cleric, Peter Clemence, has gone missing. Meriet Aspley, second, and lesser son of Leoric Aspley, has entered the Abbey as a novice. Something is not right. How will Cadfael sort out politics, a flirtatious bride, a novice with nightmares, and just plain bad parenting? "

    — Daniel, 11/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another enjoyable Cadfael tale. Very absorbing with good plot twists and turns. Vannot fault them for an easy laid back read. "

    — Allen, 11/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not her best one... But great series "

    — Sam, 9/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The young love sub-plot of two sets of beautiful people inside and out plus a political murder that needs a solution from Cadfael and Hugh...if only the witnesses would speak! "

    — Korynn, 7/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ellis Peter's evocation of a particular time and place, in English history, is masterful. I always learn something new when I read her books. "

    — Cat, 6/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Nothing earth shattering, but still a fun read "

    — TJ, 2/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The prose is very enjoyable in the early half of the book. The mystery solution seems to become apparent as the story unfolds, but the conclusions for it are a little forced, perhaps needing another clue or two. "

    — D.w., 8/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have enjoyed almost all of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael. They are an escape from today - which is why I read half the time - and they are light and easy to read. They are all intriguing and I tend to stay up too late reading when I'm close to the end. "

    — Earnie, 7/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A slight but enjoyable outing for Brother Cadfael. Motivation for the murderer seemed lacking. "

    — Debbie, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although it is common for Brother Cadfael to help young couples, this volume was unique in involving relationships at the father and son level of the family as well. [spoilers removed] "

    — Katie, 3/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another great book. I was glad to see Brother Mark again; he is one of my favorite supporting characters. "

    — Miriam, 3/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ah, my first Brother Cadfael. To him and Ellis Peters I owe my lifelong love of historical mysteries. A lot of authors have "If you like Brother Cadfael you'll like...." on their covers but very few have ever come close to Ellis' hero and his stories. Both he and his creator are missed. "

    — Arlene, 7/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Ellis Peter's evocation of a particular time and place, in English history, is masterful. I always learn something new when I read her books. "

    — Cat, 4/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A very interesting story about a troubled young man whom Cadfael helps find peace. "

    — Beka, 9/1/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Decent plot and all, but Ellis Peters (pen name) is obviously a female who enjoys describing her studly male characters. Got tedious. "

    — Gwen, 6/12/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All the right ingredients, mixed nicely. "

    — Lemongrass, 2/13/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The prose is very enjoyable in the early half of the book. The mystery solution seems to become apparent as the story unfolds, but the conclusions for it are a little forced, perhaps needing another clue or two. "

    — D.w., 1/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The young love sub-plot of two sets of beautiful people inside and out plus a political murder that needs a solution from Cadfael and Hugh...if only the witnesses would speak! "

    — Korynn, 9/17/2008

About Ellis Peters

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.

About Vanessa Benjamin

Vanessa Benjamin (a.k.a. Roe Kendall) is a native of the British Isles. Some twenty-five years ago she moved to the United States with her family and set down roots in Maryland. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, receiving their silver medal as well as the Sir Emile Littler and Caryl Brahms awards. Benjamin has performed on stage in the Washington, DC, area for several years and at many venues and has performed at the Kennedy Center as Mrs. Schubert in the long-running show Shear Madness. An accomplished actress and narrator, she has recorded over two hundred books. Her work as a freelance voice-over artist and narrator has led her in many interesting directions, from technical government materials to eighteenth-century romance novels to hotel advertising, but narrating books is what she really enjoys. “I really love playing all the parts when I narrate a book. It’s an adventure, a challenge, and above all I feel that I learn something new with each book I read. I do a lot of reading for the Library of Congress’ Blind and Physically Handicapped program, and it is so rewarding for me especially when I get a letter from a patron; it’s a great service for the listener.”