Play Audiobook Sample
The Devil’s Novice: The Eighth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.01) - 1,841 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
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.
Download and start listening now!
"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 (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Enchanting…Medieval England comes marvelously alive.”
— Washington Post -
“Each addition to the series is a joy. Long may the Chronicles continue.”
— USA Today -
“Peters’ customary mix of warmth, scholarship, and first-class storytelling.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The Devil’s Novice Listener Reviews
-
" Standard Cadfael. A good yarn. "
— Rgauthie, 2/17/2014 -
" This is not one of the better Cadfael mysteries I have read so far, but it is nonetheless enjoyable. "
— Gwyn, 12/31/2013 -
" 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, 10/4/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book "
— Denise, 8/30/2013 -
" 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, 7/26/2013 -
" Decent plot and all, but Ellis Peters (pen name) is obviously a female who enjoys describing her studly male characters. Got tedious. "
— Gwen, 6/18/2013 -
" Nothing earth shattering, but still a fun read "
— TJ, 6/11/2013 -
" 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, 4/16/2013 -
" All the right ingredients, mixed nicely. "
— Lemongrass, 10/12/2012 -
" Not her best one... But great series "
— Sam, 9/11/2012 -
" 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, 5/21/2012 -
" 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, 4/18/2012 -
" A very interesting story about a troubled young man whom Cadfael helps find peace. "
— Beka, 3/12/2012 -
" Loved the themes of duty, loyalty, and love. "
— Meredith, 2/24/2012 -
" 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, 9/23/2011 -
" Another enjoyable Cadfael tale. Very absorbing with good plot twists and turns. Vannot fault them for an easy laid back read. "
— Allen, 7/20/2011 -
" 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, 6/15/2011 -
" Another great book. I was glad to see Brother Mark again; he is one of my favorite supporting characters. "
— Miriam, 5/10/2011 -
" A slight but enjoyable outing for Brother Cadfael. Motivation for the murderer seemed lacking. "
— Debbie, 5/9/2011 -
" 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 -
" Another great book. I was glad to see Brother Mark again; he is one of my favorite supporting characters. "
— Miriam, 3/5/2011 -
" 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 -
" A very interesting story about a troubled young man whom Cadfael helps find peace. "
— Beka, 9/1/2009 -
" 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 -
" All the right ingredients, mixed nicely. "
— Lemongrass, 2/13/2009 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Another excellent Brother Cadfael mystery. "
— Mary, 7/12/2008
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.”