As England's civil war draws to a close, two travelers arrive at Cadfael's herbarium door: the dark-eyed Ciaran who has vowed to walk unshod as a kind of penance and, his companion, Matthew. When Cadfael's old friend arrives with a tale of murder, the youths' puzzling association becomes darker and more inscrutable.
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"This was actually the first Cadfael mystery I read, because I was reading reviews of the TV adaptation and saw that everybody who had read the book hated the TV version. This book made me decide to read through the series in order, and this is still my favorite so far. There are a lot of coincidences, and I hate the fact that the male half of the obligatory romantic couple hits the female. I know for the period it wouldn't have been that unusual, but I hate it when any type of abuse is part of a romantic relationship in a book (I'm looking at you, Jane Eyre). However, I love this book because of what it shows about Cadfael's relationship with God and Saint Winifred. I think Peters does a great job of portraying the religious aspects of the story in a way that is moving and respectful without trying to convert the reader (something at which most of the Christian novels that I have read fail utterly). There is a joyousness to Cadfael's internal dialogues with his saint that I love." — Miriam (4 out of 5 stars)
"This was actually the first Cadfael mystery I read, because I was reading reviews of the TV adaptation and saw that everybody who had read the book hated the TV version. This book made me decide to read through the series in order, and this is still my favorite so far. There are a lot of coincidences, and I hate the fact that the male half of the obligatory romantic couple hits the female. I know for the period it wouldn't have been that unusual, but I hate it when any type of abuse is part of a romantic relationship in a book (I'm looking at you, Jane Eyre). However, I love this book because of what it shows about Cadfael's relationship with God and Saint Winifred. I think Peters does a great job of portraying the religious aspects of the story in a way that is moving and respectful without trying to convert the reader (something at which most of the Christian novels that I have read fail utterly). There is a joyousness to Cadfael's internal dialogues with his saint that I love."
" This is a series I turn to for a "comfort" read - when I want beautiful literature, to be taken off to a far away place with a wonderful, genial main character whose input and perspective I would welcome at any time. Brother Cadfael does that for me and Stephen Thorne's melodious voice reading Ellis Peters' beautiful prose is a comfort I can turn to over 20 times in this wonderful series and without repeating a storyline. "
" This was my favorite Cadfael mystery so far. I thought the pacing was perfect, and there were no "dry spots" that I felt like I wanted to skim. "
" 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. "
" Beautiful story of redemption and high-quality writing, even if the format (three or so suspects, young love, Brother Cadfael getting a chance to ride a horse) is getting predictable. Looking forward to the next one! "
" One of the best of the Brother Cadfael stories. It's important to have read The Virgin in the Ice before reading this one. "
" A really good mystery. I had guessed at some of the solution, but the full explanation was very satisfying. One of the better in this series. "
" This didn't grab me like I'd hoped. "
" Although a little bit confusing, this chronicle introduces some wonderful, lovable characters and has a different ending than one might expect. "
" Not a bad Cadfael mystery, but now that I'm working through them, not my favoritest. Still, the typical unexpected Ellis Peters plot twist made for an interesting (re-)read. "
" One of my favorites in this series!! "
" not one of the better Cadfeal mysteries. Couldn't warm up to the new characters though Cadfeal, Hugh and the old cast continues to charm. "
" Guilty pleasure. I've read 11 of the books in the series and just started #12 (of 25, I think). A Benedictine monk/herbalist/ex-crusader/freethinker/detective that fights crime in the 12th century. A cowled crusader, if you will. "
" Comfort series for me with stellar narration, as usual, by Patrick Tull "
" Not my favorite Cadfael mystery. "
" I like anything by Ellis Peters, and this was no exception! Like Betty Neels, she's one of my "comfort authors"! "
" This is a good story, just not a "I really Liked It" one. I would like to give it 3 1/2 stars for the political intrigue along with the main plot of a religious festival and mysterious travelers. It wasn't quite the mystery as are some of the other books in the "Cadfael" series. "
" So many lovely themes - partisan violence,revenge,and repentance; miracles; hope vs guilt, love vs duty, generosity vs greed. "
" a pleasant, gentle read, with great characters, and a wonderful look at the twelfth century; no huge mystery this time, but that's okay. "
" Another solid Brother Cadfael mystery. "
" This is one of the more poetic and mystical of the Cadfael stories. It twists and turns and reveals the answers with patience and skill. However, not all answers are possible. A lovely 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.
Patrick Tull (1941–2006), born in the United Kingdom, was a multitalented actor of the stage, screen, and television, as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He acted in numerous American television shows from 1962 to 1996, including Crossroads, and he had roles in six Broadway plays between 1967 and 1992, including Amadeus. His film credits from 1969 to 1996 included roles as Cecil in Parting Glances and Jerry the bartender in Sleepers. He served as narrator for the television series Sea Tales. He narrated nearly forty audiobooks, and his readings of The Canterbury Tales, The Letter of Marque, Monk’s Hood, The Vicar of Wakefield, and How Green Was My Valley each earned him an AudioFile Earphones Award. His narration of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels was praised by novelist Stephen King as among his ten favorite audiobooks of 2006.
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