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The Virgin in the Ice Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2,656 listener ratings
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Civil war continues to blaze in the autumn of 1139. Amid the uncertainty and peril of the moment two noble children make their escape, headed for Shrewsbury. But for reasons no one knows, the young fugitives never reach their destination.
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"No. 6 in the Brother Caedfel series.[return][return]In the late fall of 1139, the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maude for the throne of England flares up and engulfs the city of Worcester which lies close to the Welsh border and not far south of Shrewsbury. As a result, a tide of refugees washes over Shrewsbury Abbey and the town itself. To the abbey comes a messenger from a brother house in Worcester, seeking the whereabouts of two children of a noble family, Ermina and her younger brother Yves Hugonin. Part of the refugee crowd, they were making their way north to Shrewsbury accompanied by a Benedictine nun, Sister Hilaria. But they have disappeared, and their uncle, newly returned from Jerusalem, is frantically seeking them. [return][return]Brother Caedfel becomes involved when he is summoned to the abbey at Bromfeld, where a monk, who has been beaten nearly to death by brigands, turns out to have a connection with the sought-for Hugonins. [return][return]In one of the more complicated and excellent plots of the series, Peters, through the eyes of Brother Caedfel and his efforts to both heal the wounded and rescue the Hugonins, describes the human cost of the civil war: missing relatives, bandits who take advantage of the civil chaos, murder, rape� and the poignant human tragedy of families split asunder by differing allegiances.[return][return]One of the best in the series. Highly recommended."
— Joyce (4 out of 5 stars)
The Virgin in the Ice Listener Reviews
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H.P. Mulder, 7/13/2021
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" This was another excellent Brother Caedfael mystery! I read a couple of the later stories out of order, so I had a couple hints about this story - but the spoiler didn't diminish my enjoyment of this one at all. As always, the plot is tight, the characters are delightful, and the writing is very, very engaging. I stayed up very late to finish reading it. "
— Hope, 2/11/2014 -
" These suspenseful stories include pinches of romance, devotion, and humor, as well as truly unique characters. The mysteries use as background superb portrayals of 12th Century England. The author is a noted Medieval scholar. Positive. Caution: the series is aimed at adults, not adolescents. Many themes of these mystery novels are ADULT themes, including rape, abuse of various sorts, etc. They are all positive, ultimately. "
— Sandra, 2/5/2014 -
" I liked this one a lot, but I don't know if these are too formulaic or if I'm just getting in sync with the author, but I felt it was too easy to figure this one out. I still love brother Cadfael!! "
— Scott, 1/30/2014 -
" A very difficult to figure out story beautifully handled by Cadfael. "
— Beka, 1/27/2014 -
" This series gets better and better--so well-plotted and I love the insights into medieval life and history. This is one of my favorites because of the complex but excellent plot and the personal insights into Brother Caedfel's life. "
— Lisa, 1/19/2014 -
" Another good book about Cadfael in which a loose end is tied up from his past. Enjoyable and interesting. The murder is solved nicely at the end after a red herring was drawn across the path about midway through the story. Nice ending! "
— Frode, 12/30/2013 -
" An entertaining series about a 12th century monk who turns detective. These books were also turned into a PBS series. I enjoyed the historical perspective also, but the characters are well-developed and the last book is particularly good. "
— Jennifer, 12/20/2013 -
" "A tight plot, well paced: from the chilling discovery of the frozen maiden, to the swashbuckling sword fight at the outlaw fortress, to the surprising revelation at the end." - Alice "
— Westerville, 12/5/2013 -
" Definitley a good Cadfael mystery with a bit of happiness for our monk thrown in. Nice read. "
— Ruth, 6/3/2013 -
" This story is exciting and satisfying, though the heroine is a bit weak. "
— Lemongrass, 12/3/2012 -
" My favorite of the Cadfael mysteries. "
— Chris, 12/1/2012 -
" I liked how the characters were developed in this book. I also liked how the book ended with a little surprise. "
— Marlene, 5/4/2012 -
" Ellis Peters does an excellent job of portraying life in the 12th-13th century. And provides a good mystery and a loveable "detective" in Brother Cadfael. "
— Nancy, 10/2/2011 -
" There was more action in this volume than in some of the other Cadfael mysteries; it was handled well. I particularly liked the end of the book. "
— Miriam, 6/4/2011 -
" Perhaps one of Ellis Peters' best works. Peters' descriptions of the 12th century are thorough. This novel has been adapted to the TV series starring Derek Jacobi as well as an audioplay by the BBC. For people in the UK, this series is available on BBC iPlayer. "
— Bill, 5/31/2011 -
" An excellent read, with plenty of plot twists, adventure, and a wonderful revelation for Brother Cadfael. "
— Catherine, 5/19/2011 -
" There was more action in this volume than in some of the other Cadfael mysteries; it was handled well. I particularly liked the end of the book. "
— Miriam, 2/23/2011 -
" A bit darker in subject matter than some of the other books in the Brother Cadfael series, but all the more realistic for that. [spoilers removed] "
— Katie, 2/5/2011 -
" This is a good mystery set in England during the time of Queen Maude and the Crusaders. A good tie-in to Pillars of the Earth if one is interested in that era. "
— Mosunflower, 8/20/2010 -
" "A tight plot, well paced: from the chilling discovery of the frozen maiden, to the swashbuckling sword fight at the outlaw fortress, to the surprising revelation at the end." - Alice "
— Westerville, 7/29/2010 -
" Can we fit another star into this lineup? This Brother Cadfael book was perfect. A tight plot, well paced: from the chilling discovery of the frozen maiden, to the swashbuckling sword fight at the outlaw fortress, to the surprising revelation at the end. "
— Alice, 7/28/2010 -
" A very difficult to figure out story beautifully handled by Cadfael. "
— Beka, 9/1/2009
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.