Christmas, AD 1141 Abbot Radulfus returns from London, bringing with him a priest for the vacant living of Holy Cross (known as the Foregate), a man of presence, scholarship and discipline, but neither humility nor the common touch. When he is found drowned in the mill-pond, suspicion is cast in many directions, not least towards a young man who came in the priest’s train, sent to work in Brother Cadfael’s garden. For he has little obvious priestly calling. Indeed, he soon attracts the friendship of a girl both beautiful and formidable.
To Brother Cadfael is left the familiar task of sorting the complicated strands that define guilt and innocence.
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"Another charming and well written Brother Cadfael mystery. Ellis Peters takes the opportunity to write some sermons here but they are, predictably, heartfelt and loving. It took me a bit outside my comfort zone but they called Brother Cadfael mysteries after all so it shouldn't take a detective to anticipate a little of that. In any case her characters continue to inhabit their world of a millennium ago. Often historical fiction figures seem to trumpet modern sensibilities while mired in their historical setting, not so here. Peters' characters are of their time and she finds the common human traits that bind our times together as humans on earth. Jealousy, love, compassion, ingenuity, desire ... murder yep got 'em." — Lemar (4 out of 5 stars)
"Another charming and well written Brother Cadfael mystery. Ellis Peters takes the opportunity to write some sermons here but they are, predictably, heartfelt and loving. It took me a bit outside my comfort zone but they called Brother Cadfael mysteries after all so it shouldn't take a detective to anticipate a little of that. In any case her characters continue to inhabit their world of a millennium ago. Often historical fiction figures seem to trumpet modern sensibilities while mired in their historical setting, not so here. Peters' characters are of their time and she finds the common human traits that bind our times together as humans on earth. Jealousy, love, compassion, ingenuity, desire ... murder yep got 'em."
“Enchanting…Medieval England comes marvelously alive.”
“Absorbing…A source of far more pleasure than The Name of the Rose…Brother Cadfael’s Aristotelian eye is, as usual, tempered by an instinctive knowledge of the human soul.”
“A spirited and engrossing mystery…Lush, evocative descriptions bring medieval England brilliantly to life.”
" In my favorite period of time to study, Brother Cadfael is again called on to understand what has occurred to result in the death of an unwelcome and fierce priest into his community. The backdrop of the wrestling match between King Stephen and Empress Maud colors alliances but doesn't break too far into the village life. "
" One of my favorites in the entire series. "
" I don't think there was one of the Brother Cadfael books that I *didn't* like! "
" At least Brother Cadfael had a murder to solve in this one unlike the last one. "
" I'd say this is one of my favorites in the series. I love the pleasure EP takes in language. Her characters are so well drawn you can miss it. But listening to the book, you can hear the sheer pleasure she took in the sound of English. "
" Slower paced than usual, I had the feeling she needed to stretch the conclusion to suit a contract or editor's whim. Still and all not a bad book, with much Cadfael and Hugh interaction to make it wholly satisfying. "
" I did not enjoy this Brother Cadfael book. I'm not saying that I won't try another later; but I'm not as keen to get started on the series at this time. "
" Took my time re-reading. Savored the rhythmic style of Ellis Peters. "
" Again, an excellent read from Ellis Peters. "
" A strong entry in this series, with a twist ending not usually seen in the Cadfael novels. The larger historical context is especially well done. "
" Love anything Cadfael at the mo... A great yarn! "
" I liked it, but for me it didn't quite match up to some of her earlier novels. I will admit I couldn't figure out who the murderer was until the final revelation, but that is good mystery writing. "
" This quaint mystery lacked substance and really did not hold my interest. "
" Another fine entry in the Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters. I especially liked this one as it relies less on the the "young lovers in danger" trope that Peters used to the point of staleness in her earlier books. Instead, the focus is on detective work by Cadfael and Hugh Berengar and there is an especially nice scene between the two of them late in the book. Delightful! "
" 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. "
" It took me a while to get into this one, but once I did it was a pretty quick read. I liked the humorous twist at the end. "
" An interesting story with a hard to figure out ending. "
" I love the Brother Cadfael series. Not only is the mystery aspect great but the medieval monk detective is a very relatable character and always clever and amusing. "
" A former knight and now religious monk, Brother Cafreal investigates mideveil murder. A truely great writer. "
" Bad priest comes to Shrewsbury. Bad priest dies. Everyone has a motive. Enter Cadfael. "
" Oh how I adore Brother Cadfael! "
" A pretty good mystery, with some good twists and turns. I suppose there is some satisfaction in the idea that haughty people will someday get their comeuppance. "
" Entertaining enough, although it generated a sense of deja vu. Charity shop find. "
" The prose of Ellis Peters is phenomenal in it's own way. This time out the mystery has clues and red herrings a plenty, with the background of the civil war still thrown in to keep us entertained. A much better addition to the canon then some of the other previous ones of late. "
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.
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.”
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