Book Description
MysteryLarge Print EditionEach addition to the series is a joy. Long may the chronicles continue. USA Today* A Mystery Guild Alternate Selection In the summer of 1138, fighting engulfs Shrewsbury as King Stephen battles the Empress Maud for the throne of England. When Shrewsbury Castle falls, and its 94 defenders are hanged as traitors, Brother Cadfael is called upon to administer last rites to the dead. But his careful count reveals 95 corpses, and once again the sleuthing monk is on the trail of a murdererthis time aided by a lovely young fugitive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Grusome tale without all the gory details
Ellis Peters has long been in my favorite author category. Having read most of her books 15 years ago I went back and started reading them again. Her style is still fresh. She's able to convey a story without dragging my head into the foul - foul language, foul thought, foul deed. Instead she writes about the vagaries of human nature as they confront the unthinkable.

The English/Welsh landscape is truly delightful - and in this "hobby" historian's mind- a fairly accurate portrayal of the time period.

Better than the first book in the series
I was disappointed with the first book in the Cadfael series, but there was just barely enough good in the first book to make me give the second a try.It was a good thing I did.One Corpse Too Many is more entertaining, more complex and more surprising than a Morbid Taste for Bones.While it reads more like a nice piece of historical fiction than a "whodunit", you will find yourself surprised and anxious to learn what happens next.

The Pattern Emerges
This series is a blend of history, romance, and only lastly mystery. While the romantic thread occasionally hijacks just about every book, [in her heart, I think, Peters was a romance writer] without this romantic thread her stories are lifeless, so this is the price you pay for entrance to her world. If you enjoy romance novels, this series will be a continuing delight. If not, the sometimes intricate mystery, the well developed setting, and the presence of Cadfael, Brother extraordinaire, as well as a vast supporting cast make for a first rate read.

In this second book the pattern is set: Cadfael is tending his craft, the monks, brothers and misc personel are at work, the obligatory young lovers appear, are aided on their way [and may, or may not, reappear in later books], a mystery is cleverly intertwined and solved, usually by Cadfael, who just charms, and Peters' world shines.

In One Corpse Too Many several major characters are introduced, among them, Hugh Beringar, who would have remained much more interesting in further books if she had left him with a little more moral ambiguity,while Aline, Madonna in the making, is just about as interesting as you might expect. Fortunately, many of the monks whose character, foibles, personalities and monastery jobs will make this series readable also appear.While some of her main characters disappoint, [Hugh most notably, but there are other bores] her incidental characters are unfailingly well drawn.

While even a cursory read of history will show many a flaw in Peters' rosy rendering of twelfth century Britain, indeed given the large number of slaves, serfs, and indentured peasants in Britain in the twelfth century, the life of most people must have been good deal more grim and gritty, if not perpetually desperate, than she would have it, while a truer depiction of the church, an enormous international organization owning vast tracts of land and large numbers of people [and not always the kindest landlord or master] would cast a pall on her often idyllic landscape, this is a make-believe world to be read as such, and a nice place to spend an afternoon or three.

Murder by war
It's the time when King Stephen of England is battling for control of the country against his cousin ,rightful and legal heiress, the Empress Maud. Stephen's forces have laid seige to Shrewsbury castle and ,after defeating the occupants,have obeyed his orders to show no mercy and to hang the remaining 94 soldiers from the wall. Brother Cadfael from the nearby abbey, is allotted the sorry task of preparing the bodies for burial and counts 95 bodies..one too many. He is aided in this unpleasant business by Godrith, the lovely young daughter of one of Maud's courtiers, who is hiding in the abbey, disguised as a boy, under the watchful eye of Cadfael. The extra body proves to be a murdered messenger of Godrith's father who was sent to reclaim valuable goods, needed by the rebels. The story centres around the need to keep Godrith's identity hidden and Cadfael's quest to discover and bring to justice, the murderer of the messenger. It's another wonderful Cadfael read which will be thoroughly enjoyed by his fans.

A Look Into Shrewsbury
With the second book of the series, I found a book different from the first though still engaging and maintaining the central character of Brother Cadael.The book is centered around Shrewsbury this time.The contest of sucession between Maud and Stephen helps drive the story, but it does not overshadow the story or the character.It is certainly a part of the story, masterfully intertwined.

In the story, Brother Cadael has the daughter of a noted noble put under his charge.As the story progresses, you find the couriers for a secret treasury were waylaid.The body of one was unsuccessfully disposed of, while the other escaped.As the story progress, Peters keeps you guessing as to who committed the murder, making you suspect someone on one page ans respect them on the next.

The story was a quick read and a good one.I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for period fiction.It would work for a fantasy reader looking to bridge over into another genre as well. ... Read more

Book Description
MysteryLarge Print EditionStylishly authentic . . . a graceful and informative case for Peters engaging herb-gardening monk.Kirkus ReviewsThe great annual Fair of Saint Peter at Shrewsbury, a high point in the citys calendar, attracts merchants from far and wide to do business. But when an unseemly quarrel breaks out between the local burghers and the monks from the Benedictine monastery as to who shall benefit from the levies the fair provides, a riot ensues. Afterwards a merchant is found dead, and Brother Cadfael is summoned from his peaceful herb garden to test his detective skills once more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Fair Dealing, Foul Deeds, and a Fearful Damsel
Provost Corviser leads a delegation of Shrewsbury's best men before Abbot Radolfus demanding a bigger share of the proceeds of St. Peter's Fair, an annual event sponsored by the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. The money is needed to repair the town after the ravages of the recent seige of the town by the forces of King Stephen. Abbot Radolfus demurs, saying he's bound by the ancient charters.

Philip Corviser, the Provost's son, leads a delegation of young men to request a voluntary contribution from the merchants at the fair. There he is smitten by the beauty of a merchant's niece, and also smitten by the merchant's bludgeon. A riot ensues.

When the dust settles, young Corviser is in gaol, the merchant is in the mortuary, and the neice, Emma, is in fear--but of what? Not to worry, Ivo Cobriere, a handsome young nobleman, stands ready to aid her. Misfortune continues to stalk poor Emma and another murder occurs. Deputy Sheriff Hugh Beringar and Brother Cadfael are sure that Emma knows more than she is telling.

Philip gets out of gaol, another killing occurs, Cadfael and Hugh unravel the mystery, and the saga ends in a stirring chase and rescue.

Not long at the Fayre
St.Peter's fair is held annually on the section of land outside the monastery walls in Shrewsbury, but involves the monastery itself, with its guesthouses filled with the gentry and travelling merchants. When the body of wealthy merchant, Thomas of Bristol is discovered, stabbed, stripped and robbed, his niece Emma who was accompanying him, is put into the care of Aline, the wife of the deputy sheriff, Hugh Berengar. Brother Cadfael becomes the girl's protector as she moves around the town, determined to carry on her uncle's business, as he would have wished. Another merchant is murdered and Emma's belongings are searched as if the killer is looking for something in particular. The townspeople of Shrewsbury become very alarmed as this part of the country is still very much divided in its loyalties, with factions supporting King Stephen and others favouring Empress Maud. Cadfael is convinced that Emma knows more than she's admitting, but it's only when she is openly courted by a young nobleman, who would normally be considered too far above her in station, that her life is endangered. It's another fascinating story of life and death in 12th century England, with the detective monk, Cadfaek working his way methodiaclly through clues to a satisfactory solution.

Brother Cadfael with a chase scene!
Of the chronicles of Brother Cadfael that I have thus far read, "St. Peter's Fair" is the most "mystery-like." No cut and dried solution springs to mind as the plot unfolds. This one had me guessing for some time.

All the regular ingredients of the previous stories are here: Political wrangling, personal intrigue, a love story, and of course--a murder.

Cadfael once more is a treasure trove of wisdom. Some of his lines here are classic. Cadfael is a very noble, very humane, world-weary protagonist. Ellis Peter has truly created a detective for the ages in him.

In "St. Peter's Fair" Cadfael is up against one heck of a baffling case. He and Hugh Berengar (my favorite secondary character) team up to try and solve the murder of a visiting merchant. I have no desire to give the ending away. I will only say that "St. Peter's Fair" has the added bonus of a chase scene.

"St. Peter's Fair" is a worthy entry in this series. The more I read of Ellis Peters, the greater my respect for her becomes. I recommend this book highly.

Brother Cadfael with a chase scene!
Of the chronicles of Brother Cadfael that I have thus far read, "St. Peter's Fair" is the most "mystery-like." No cut and dried solution springs to mind as the plot unfolds. This one had me guessing for some time.

All the regular ingredients of the previous stories are here: Political wrangling, personal intrigue, a love story, and of course--a murder.

Cadfael once more is a treasure trove of wisdom. Some of his lines here are classic. Cadfael is a very noble, very humane, world-weary protagonist. Ellis Peter has truly created a detective for the ages in him.

In "St. Peter's Fair" Cadfael is up against one heck of a baffling case. He and Hugh Berengar (my favorite secondary character) team up to try and solve the murder of a visiting merchant. I have no desire to give the ending away. I will only say that "St. Peter's Fair" has the added bonus of a chase scene.

"St. Peter's Fair" is a worthy entry in this series. The more I read of Ellis Peters, the greater my respect for her becomes. I recommend this book highly.

More mediaeval goings-on to puzzle over
Ellis Peters' fourth Brother Cadfael mystery is set in the summer of 1139, in a Shrewsbury still recovering from the siege of town and castle by the army of King Stephen the previous summer. To speed the rebuilding of its defences, the townsfolk are eager for financial help from the abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which, being located just outside the town, came through the episode of the siege without harm. With the lucrative annual three-day St. Peter's fair fast approaching, the burghers of the town are anxious to secure a share of its profits - normally given over entirely to the abbey. The new abbot, however, is far from anxious to set a dangerous precedent by ceding away the abbey's dues.

Thus it is that merchants arriving from distant towns for the fair find themselves suddenly embroiled in a dispute between town and cloister - and embroiled rather too deeply for comfort as the town's youth escalate the situation out of hand. And so it is that Shrewsbury (and therefore Brother Cadfael, of course) suddenly finds itself with the mystery of another murder (and various other nefarious goings-on) to solve.

With her characteristic meticulous attention to period detail, Ellis Peters weaves an intricate web of deceit and intrigue into this far from obvious murder mystery. As usual, she balances the political manoeuvrings of the principal parties with the playing out of a separate romantic sub-plot. This serves to keep the reader (and, in this case, Cadfael too) guessing almost up to the very end as to the real drama running through the story and, of course, to the identity of the villain of the piece. Indeed, the reader is well into the nail-biting conclusion to the story before realising fully what has been going on.

Peters' writing style ensures that this book is as enjoyable as Brother Cadfael books ever are. Fans of the mediaeval sleuth may be somewhat disappointed to find that he actually has very little to do here beyond collating the pieces of others' findings but this does not really detract from the tale over all. If the Cadfael books are new to you, I would really recommend reading the first two volumes before any others to truly get the most from them. On the other hand, if you are not interested in reading the whole series but simply want an evocative tale of mediaeval England, then you need look no further than this. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Cadfael Begins
A Morbid Taste for Bones is a wonderful conundrum, and ends with an understanding of the needs of the different peoples in the tale.Ellis Peter's understanding of the human condition, and one's need for a grounded spirituality, is evidenced through this story.

Not Free SF Reader
A decent period detective story, very English style, so to speak.You have an avuncular, likable, main character, who is sharper than he appears to those around him, and uses that to his advantage.A bit Middle English Midsomer Murders, almost, you could say, but that sort of style.

Might be too slow moving for some
The story unfolds slowly.I felt that the author spent more time weaving together beautiful prose instead of a solid plot.The combination of medieval setting and murder mystery is compelling, but in the end I found the book to be too slow and predictable. I often found myself counting the pages until a chapter was finished.It was an effort to push through.

It is not a bad book, nor is it a great book.If you are looking for a change of pace this may be a good selection.If you are looking for a great mystery, you can do better with Agatha Christie.

A Great Series
I highly recommend this book and all the others in the Brother Cadfael mystery series. This book was a great way to meet the main characters. And I love how they develop with each book read. So please try and read them in order. You won't regret it!

The First Cadfael Book
The premise is interesting.A cloistered brother with a non-monastic past solves crimes in middle ages England.Further, this brother is imminently likable and pursues the solutions in a manner that keeps himself out of the spotlight.Instead, he nudges the investigations along and prompts clues and confessions upon others, suggesting lines of thought that allow others to claim insight.What a great main character.

It's no wonder that Ellis Peters has dipped into this well about 20 times.

I liked the book and I liked the writing. It wasn't monumental, it didn't change my life, but it was a quick and fun read and there are a lot of times when that's just what I need.

- CV Rick ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

One of the Better Cadfaels
I enjoyed this Brother Cadfael story. It has a lot of the standard parts that one finds in this series, but with some interesting twists. It is one of the better ones of the series.

Heretical leanings
This is the sixteenth chronicle of Brother Cadfael, ex soldier/crusader, herbalist and healer, lately come monk and incorrigibly inquisitive sleuth. Elave is a young man who has accompanied his master, William of Lythwood,to Jerusalem and the East and who followed his instructions to the letter by bringing home his body after death to be buried at the Abbey Of St.Peter and St.Paul. He also brought with him an elaborately carved chest, with unknown contents, as the dowry for William's foster daughter. Before Elave left with his master on his travels, he had filled the position of what would be known today as an accoutant, keeping stocks of the family's money and possessions. This position was filled in his absence by Aldwin, a dour, pessimistic man who is convinced that he'llbe discarded now that Elave has returned, and so sets about making trouble for him. Aldwin's murdered body is found and suspicions point to Elave as the killer. At this same time, a very self important Canon of the Church is a visitor at the Abbey and when Elave, somewhat in his cups, is heard making what could be taken as heretical statements on points of Church law, the Canon insists that he be taken before a court of the Church and tried for heresy. Brother Cadfael investigates both claims in his methodical way and, once again, saves the day. Perhaps this story is a little too tied up with points of theology for some readers, but it's still a most enjoyable read for Cadfael fans.

Flat Inverted Theology
This is not a book I can recommend.There was no depth of character, or plot.I expected some twists and turns, but it was all predictable.The characters are indelibly flat.Of greatest dissapointment were the heresies, for the author just seems to pass by them as unimportant.There are some major Pelagian defects in the thoughts of one of the protagonists, and the magnitude of the defects is swept aside by the characters we are meant to bond with, who decide in favor of the heresy through simple platitudes!The primary character, Cadfael, seems to contribute but little to the book or the mystery, and I found great difficulty in caring for any of these characters at all.

Two for the price of one!
As I was reading this book, I remarked to a friend "how often do you get to read a mystery novel that talks about St. Augustine, infant baptism, co-equality of the Trinity, predestination, and Peripassian heresy?"For those who are not interested in such things, this installment in the Brother Cadefael series might seem somewhat tedious.I for one, however, enjoyed the added intellectual stimulation of the doctrinal controversies.

Aside from the heresy issues, which play a fairly peripheral role in the actual crime in question, this is a fairly standard (by Brother Cadfael standards) murder mystery.As always, romance plays a big role in both the heresy subplot and the murder investigation.

I normally give 4 stars to Brother Cadfael mysteries.I'm giving 5 here for the added value supplied by the heresy issues.Those who have no interest in theology and church history might want to give it a 3.

Stay away from this book
I had never read a Brother Cadfael book before this and I don't plan on reading any after.This book was bland, boring and butchered the English language.It was set in a sanitized version of the middle ages where everything sparkled besides, of course, the prose.If you want to read a good book with similar elements, try The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco.It's also about heresy, a mysterious book and a monk who investigates crimes during the middle ages.However, unlike The Heretic's Apprentice, it's good. ... Read more

Book Description
This audiobook includes the classics “A Light on the Road to Woodstock,” “The Price of Light,” and “Eye Witness.” These stories chronicle the events that led Brother Cadfael into the monastic life and feature Peters's complex plots, mastery of language, and deep understanding of human nature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Charmed, I'm Sure
A RARE BENEDICTINE is the atypical entry in the Brother Cadfael series. Instead of a novel, this book is a set of three short stories conceived, no doubt, by Ms. Peters to supply some welcome background on her popular sleuth. Here, readers learn of the circumstances surrounding Cadfael's decision to become a monk in the Abbey at Shrewsbury.

As always, these stories have a truly charming flavor. Ms. Peters' prose is lovely, and she employs it to give the reader interesting and appealing characters caught up in a tangled plot set in an idealized rendering of twelfth century England. The plots, while tangled, are not too difficult to see through as far as "whodunit" is concerned. There is usually a character who comes across as a likely "bad guy". The challenge is to sort out the "why" and, perhaps, the "how". Cadfael's adventures are always well-plotted and enjoyable to read, however, even if not terribly mysterious.

Brother Cadfael isn't for everybody. If you're looking for lots of action, or a really intriguing whodunit, you won't find it here. For readers who appreciate the Brother Cadfael series for what it is, however, A RARE BENEDICTINE is a must. It provides insight into the character's past only alluded to in other stories.

Light On The Road To Woodstock.
This contains three good reads. It has fine plots, descriptive characterizations, & smooth writing. Cadfael is a wondering Welsh soldier with a huge heart, but feels that a big change is needed in his life after coming home from the Crusades. He soon rescues an English monk from Cadfael's own master, & tensions abound. Not so surprisingly, he realizes that the serenity of being a monk is what he now needs. Jump fifteen years to "The Price Of Light," where Cadfael is now deeply settled as the abbey's apothecary & herbalist. This one was the best of the three stories. I won't spoil it by divulging the details, just read it for yourself. The third story "Eye Witness," is about a violent theft of the abbey's rents. Here cadfael is the dogged detective who has to sort out a myriad of possible suspects. Can a witness help, or is Cadfael alone?To a certain degree these are condensed medieval mystery soap opera's. But, far superior to most anything that we are used to. These stories made the twelfth century come to life in vivid pictures. For that alone, it deserved four stars.

I am a fan of Brother Cadfeal
Brother Cadfeal is one of my favorite characters in fiction.

The one with the insight
This book is composed of three short stories.

The first, Light on the Road to Woodstock, is recount of how Cadfael came to God. It's interesting to see Cadfael in the [but only slightly] different mode of soldier. However, his decision to join the brotherhood is not especially believable, perhaps even to Peters, who only sets up the situation then ends the story in one fell swoop. The rest of the story is fine, the characters solid and the writing fluid.

The second, The Price of Light, brings come-uppance to Hamo FitzHamon, a `gross feeder, heavy drinker, self indulgent lecher, harsh landlord and a brutal master'. Sounds like he deserved it, no? Romance triumphs again but there is a small mystery which Cadfael solves and the plot is resolved so neatly it is a pleasure to read.

The third story, Eye Witness, is a thin, almost transparent, out of kilter oddball, which serves mostly to point out the absolute importance of the romantic subplot for Peters. It's not just padding or detail. Without romance there is no emotional core to her stories and they become mechanical and not terribly believable. Even the characters become brittle without the mojo of romance. In this story there is no romance

History and Mystery
I enjoy history and a good mystery and "A Rare Benedictine" offers both.We have three solid stories, each adding a bit more to the life of a favorite fictional brother who inhabits a more real world.

Cadfael's returned to England and entry into the Benedictine Order are chronicled as of the first mystery.Cadfael's observations, and his ability to understand and empathizes with transgressors makes him an even more likable.And Cadfael is likeable, and I appreciate his sense of justice in the very difficult time he lives in, because he laws of the land and the punishments are simple and brutal, and the monk does his best to balance the justice with common sense.

The stories and the character are refreshing, and it's not surprising that Cadfael is still as popular as he is.
... Read more

Book Description
The time: 1142. The place: the Benedictine Abbey. Believing himself mortally injured, Brother Haluin makes a shocking confession to Brother Cadfael. When he recovers, the two embark on a pilgrimage to redress the past. The Cadfael books are international bestsellers and have been produced for PBS's Mystery! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

More Romantic Than Mysterious
THE CONFESSION OF BROTHER HALUIN is the fifteenth installment inEllis Peters' Cadfael series. These tales provide a romanticized vision of life in twelfth century England, making the times seem so pleasant that you almost want to live there. The countryside is lovely, there is generally a hint of romance in the air, and life moves at a measured, unrushed pace. No pavement, no pollution, and no hustle and bustle. Glossed over are the poverty, poor nutrition, disease, and general stench (people rarely bathed). Life, especially in the cloister, ispeaceful and idyllic.

In this story, Brother Haluin is badly injured in a fall. Fearing for his life, Haluin makes a sickbed confession to Cadfael and Abbot Radulfus. He tells of a burden of guilt, carried since his youth, over a love affair that ended badly. Upon his recovery, Haluin pledges to embark on a pilgrimage to his old home. With Cadfael as his companion, he makes the hard journey only to meet with some surprises. A murder soon follows. Is there a connection between this new death and Haluin's troubled past? Trust Cadfael to uncover the truth.

This story poses some intriguing problems, but the answers are frequently quite transparent. Suspense and surprising twists aren't Peters' strong suit. Instead, she specializes in pleasant tales with happy endings, delivered in a beguiling prose style. She runs true to form in THE CONFESSION OF BROTHER HALUIN. The outcome is a happy one, if not hard to see coming, and the experience is a pleasing one.

Like most of the books in this series, THE CONFESSION OF BROTHER HALUIN is a very ordinary mystery. What makes this and the other Cadfael tales enjoyable is the pleasant world Peters creates and the charming, unhurried way in which she tells the tale. The Cadfael books are nice to read and, on the strength of that, I recommend them. You will find them especially enjoyable if you like a bit of history and some romance along with your whodunit.

Sin and Atonement
Brother Haluin suffers a horrific, crippling accident and lies near death.He confesses a terrible crime to Abbot Radolfus and Brother Cadfael, and miraculously recovers.Determined to undertake a pilgrimage of penance, he receives Abbot Radolfus' blessing for the journey.Because Cadfael is privy to the confession, he is enlisted to aid Brother Haluin in his journey.

When they arrive at their destination, they find that things are not all as they seem, and that another tragedy is in the offing.Then a murder occurs.Cadfael unravels the mystery, the sinner atones insofar as possible, and Haluin finds peace.

The mystery in this story was not very mysterious, but the Cadfael stories derive their charm from characters and relationships more than from mystery.What does it matter that the reader has solved the mystery even before the murder occurs?The more important conundrum, how to set aright the lives which are out of kilter, remains to be resolved.

My favourite so far
In the severe winter of 1142, the roof of the Abbey of St.Peter and St.Paul collapses under the weight of the heavy snowfall. One of the monks assigned to the task of repairing the roof is Brother Haluin who falls and crashes to the ground, unconscious and badly hurt. Cadfael nurses hin through the first night and is present when he awakens and gives a deathbed confession to the Abbot. Recovering, he is given permission to make a pilgrimage to the grave of a young woman that he feels he has wronged and accompanied byCadfael, hobbles on crutches to the manor where he was formerly employed before becoming a monk. There they meet Roscelin, a noble youth in fosterage there to learn his knightly skills, as was the custom, and to separate him from Helisande, a girl of his own age and, because of his father's second marriage, his aunt! The two has become fonder of each other than was proper and so were separated by the family to prevent incest. At the manor, Helisande's old nurse is murdered and the lady of the manor delights in reminding Haluin that the poisonous herbs, whose use had been taught to him by Cadfael, caused the death of Bertrade, his love. It's an involved but absorbing plot which is sorted out by Cadfael in his inimical style and to everyone's satisfaction.

Good in this series
The confessions of Brother Haluin is another in ellis peters series of mystery tales set in a Benedictine monastery In Civil War England in the late 1130's and 40's. the main characters are Brother Cadfael, a former Crusader who enetered the monastery late in life[age 40] his chief nemisis Prior Robert tennat[who is a strict by the book prior] ,the Priors ferret like assistant,brother Jerome, and the Abbot,Radulfus,who stands above the fray[and always sides with Cadfael] Cadfeal is a renown herbalist,and is forever off helping some sick or downtrodden individual. He has a herb garden where he is able to get a respite,and where some of the more intersting dialogue occurs. Hugh Beringer is the Sherrif of the Shire{he was introduced in the second book, one corspe too many]and Cadfaels staunch ally and dearest friend{Cadfael is godfather to The Beringers son, Giles}. Cadfael, by virtue of his long stint abroad, is far more worldly then his fellows, and by default is an ametuer sleuth. In this volume, the deep winter has decended upon the town of Shrewsbury. the heavy snows are imperelling the roofs of the monastery enclosure, and some monks are snt, in shifts[due to the intense cold] to repair the problem.Brother Haluin,a calligrapher of the highest order[and perpetual penitent] has an accident, and confesses what he believes is a deathbed confession to the Abbot and Brother Cadfeal. He recovers, though mangled for life, and sets out on a pligrimage to make amends for his wrongs, and of course, Cadfael accompanies him...things,of course ,do not turn out quite as expected. ZThis is a fine addition to the series,the writing is still fine, the scenes of 12th century england gripped in a mad civil war are well done, and the deep, profound wisdom and compassion of Cadfael shine forth, making him one of the more appealing creations in modern crime fiction. In all, good great fun,and excellent book in the series

Confession is good for the soul
Hard core Cadfaelians may find this particular story too simple as you can pretty much from the beginning assumes what is about to happen. Yet Ellis Peters still keeps her writing style and has points to make. She will keep you off balance so you are not sure that you know the answer. In an interview on the DVD of Brother Cadfael - A Morbid Taste for Bones (1994), Ellis peters said that because they have trouble adapting her stories for video, which she would attempt to simplify the stories.

Although I have read the book and am sad that they did not make a video of this journey, I must say that Stephen Thorne's reading gives an added dimension to the story allowing you to race ahead or contemplate the past as he make the characters come alive with his unique voice for each.

This of course is book 15 in the series and so many things have been said, does not need to be said again. So lets hear the confession of brother Haluin and sojourn trough 12th century England with him as he takes a journey of the soul.
... Read more

Book Description
It's the spring of 1141 in Shrewsbury, England, where the celebration of Saint Winifred has brought a flood of pilgrims - and possibly a murderer. Brother Cadfael, who has taken religious vows and retired to the quiet, contemplative life, discovers a plot of retribution and is once again caught up in evil. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Revenge is a dish best...not served?
There's a saying among statisticians (a group I identify with from time to time): "You can always draw a straight line with two points."Loosely translated, this means that you should avoid drawing conclusions based on fewer than 3 observations.This being my third Brother Cadfael mystery (I obtained a random selection from a neighbor's giveaway bin), I feel I can now opine more confidently, knowing that my recommendations are probably not based on a coincidental selection of the best the author has to offer.

As always, the author provides us with a fascinating and unparalleled look into life in medieval England, with particular focus on monastery life.This installment, however, is less of a whodunit than the others.The principal crime was committed hundreds of miles away from Cadfael's home in Shrewsbury and all he has to go on are some second or third-hand accounts and some unusual visitors at the annual pilgrimage in honor of St. Winifred.In some ways, the mystery solves itself, with Cadfael simply providing a nudge here and there to bring the matter to conclusion.

For those interested in 12th century English history, there is an especially potent dose of it here, as the brewing civil war between Empress Maud and King Stephen comes to a head.Wading through these details makes this a bit more difficult of a read than usual.One interesting upshot of this part of the story is the implication that it is possible for political (if not military) enemies to be civil and gentlemanly with each other.What a novel concept!

The book also explores the nature of revenge, and the ultimate lack of fulfillment in it.This, too, is a concept that is mostly foreign in today's world.

Romance is again a significant feature, always a pleasant surprise given that the setting is a monastery.In this case, however, the romance is relatively conventional and only peripherally related to the crime.It does however, provide useful clues for resolving the mystery.

Another subplot relates to a mysterious visitor whose past is connected with Cadfael's, resulting in a surprise revelation at the end of the book.Cadfael also engages in a good deal of introspection regarding miraculous divine intervention, as befitting the occasion of the pilgrimage.

In summary, this book continues the tradition of solid storytelling and fascinating reading established by the author in the Brother Cadfael series.Both novitiates and long-time fans of the series will enjoy this book.

St.Winifred's miracle
In this, the tenth of the Brother Cadfael series, the year is 1141, and with King Stephen of England a prisoner in Bristol, the Empress Maud is negotiating with the people of London to be crowned at Westminster. Stephen's queen has sent an envoy to the bishop to plead her husband's cause when he is attacked in the street. One of Maud's own men, Rainald Brossard, is appalled at this unfair attack and goes to his rescue. In the ensueing melee, Rainald is himself stabbed amd killed. In the Abbey of St.Peter and St.Paul in Shrewsbury, the monks are preparing for the annual pilgrimage which is held to celebrate the anniversary of the day when the bones of St.Winifred, a Welsh, virgin saint, were brought to the Abbey. Cadfael is especially praying for a miracle to occur, as he has a slightly uneasy conscience about the actual retrieving of the bones which is explained in the first book of the series, A Morbid Taste for Bones.A strange pair of young men arrive at the Abbey guest house, one of whom is walking with bare, bloodied feet and bearing a very heavy iron cross around his neck on a thin cord. The other man never leaves his side for a minute, even during sleep. The mystery of the story is easy to work out but the whys and wherefores are more complex. It's another wonderful slice of mediaeval history brought to vivid life by Ellis Peters.

Complex story of time and people
It is A.D. 1141. A year that brings a tide of pilgrims to the Abbey.

This is the tenth mystery in the series. You may want to start from the first to let the interacting mysteries reveal themselves in chronological order. This is the second one for me after "The Morbid Taste for Bones." I do have to warn you that the synopsis to "A Morbid Taste for Bones" and "Virgin in the Ice" is played out again somewhat in the first two chapters of this book.

What can not be portrayed in the short Cadfael movies and would make marvelous reading on its own is the inter action between the forces and reasons behind the vacillating positions of Empress Maud and King Stephen. This is also a crucial part of the story; as the loyalties and logistics play a major part in the mystery and people's lives.

I will not compare and contrast the people in the story or the differences in the film adaptation as the fun is finding out for your self, all the actions and interaction of people. I will say that none of this would have been possible with out the grace of St. Winifred.

A great story, even without the mystery
If you're interested in an audio edition, check that you're getting the unabridged recording narrated by Stephen Thorne.
Ideally, read all the preceding books in the series, in order, before reading this one. At a minimum, first read #1 (A Morbid Taste for Bones, the story of how the monastery came to have St. Winifred as its patroness) and The Virgin in the Ice, to avoid the biggest spoilers.

This June of 1141, the feast of the translation of St. Winifred dawns upon a time when the civil war between the Empress Maud and King Stephen for the throne of England may finally draw to a close: Stephen was captured at the battle of Lincoln, and even now Maud is negotiating with the city of London for her entry into Westminster for her coronation. The papal legate, Bishop Henry of Blois, brother to Stephen, has called a legatine council (including Abbot Radulfus from Shrewsbury) and is working on turning his allegiance to the empress, for the sake of peace. Hugh, sheriff of Shropshire for Stephen, broods on ways and means of getting a man into Bristol to free Stephen, and prays for a miracle, while using his friend Brother Cadfael as a sounding board.

Cadfael, too, is praying for a miracle - any miracle - at this feast of St. Winifred. Not from a desire for the abbey's glory, or from any faltering of his own faith, but as a sign that the saint took no offense from the events of _A Morbid Taste for Bones_, when he accompanied a delegation from the abbey to the saint's grave in Wales to bring back her mortal remains as holy relics. (Since that was before Hugh's arrival in Shrewsbury, Cadfael summarizes the story for him, so it's possible to follow the plot of _Pilgrim_ without reading _Bones_. But be warned that Cadfael reveals the ending of _Bones_ to Hugh.)

Abbot Radulfus returns in time for the festival, bearing word of a cowardly murder at the legatine council. The attempted murder of the envoy of Stephen's queen failed, but Ranulf Bossard, the brave man of the empress' party who foiled the attempt, was himself cut down in the street.

All the brothers are busily preparing for the huge influx of pilgrims at this time of year, many of whom are ill and seeking miraculous healing. Brother Cadfael, as herbalist, sees some of the more noteworthy cases: Rhun, a devout half-Welsh boy with a twisted leg that might respond to treatment; his sister, Melangell; a young Welsh clark, Ciaran, traveling barefoot and wearing a large iron cross, on his way to Wales to die; Matthew, Ciaran's faithful shadow. There are less savory characters, as well, petty (and not so petty) career criminals who prey on the credulous and the frail. (Credulous, as in, people who trust a stranger's dice.) Some may even have fled from a city too hot to hold them.

Into this festival atmosphere rides a young envoy of the empress' party, on a twofold mission: to sound out Hugh on the question of his fealty, and to seek Bossard's young heir, who disappeared in this direction after his lord's death. But even if he is among the pilgrims, how can he be identified by those who have never seen him? And was he involved in Bossard's death?

Complex story of time and people.
It is A.D. 1141, A year that brings a tide of pilgrims to the Addey.

This is the tenth mystery in the series.You may want to start from the first to let the interacting mysteries reveal themselves in chronological order.This is the second one for me after "The Morbid Taste for Bones."I do have to warn you that the synopsis to "A Morbid Taste for Bones" and "Virgin in the Ice" is played out again somewhat in the first two chapters of this book.

What can not be portrayed in the short Cadfael movies and would make marvelous reading on its own is the inter action between the forces and reasons behind the vacillating positions of Empress Maud and King Stephen.This is also a crucial part of the story; as the loyalties and logistics play a major part in the mystery and people's lives.

I will not compare and contrast the people in the story or the differences in the film adaptation as the fun is finding out for your self, all the actions and interaction of people.I will say that none of this would have been possible with out the grace of St. Winifred. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Enjoyable... and touching
An old mystery is used to confuse the evidence in a new crime, and when it is all sorted out we are left with three human tragedies. One of the author's most endearing traits is that her victims are never cardboard cutouts; they are as real as any of the living characters, and their loss directly impacts the people around them. At the very least: a good read.

Excruciatingly Phony
The author's attempts to portray the thoughts of an adolescent boy are excruciatingly phony.Add secret passages and lost treasure and you have a painfully bad book that doesn't fit in any known category for either adults or children. I can't imagine the author of the Brother Cadfael mysterys writing this shlock.

Light, Amusing--But Extremely Contrived And Very Transparent
Best known for her "Brother Cadfael" series, Ellis Peters (1913-1985) was also the author of thirteen novels featuring Inspector George Felse.Published in 1965, A NICE DERANGEMENT OF EPITAPHS is the fourth novel in that series.Like most of Peters' work, it is a lightly written, enjoyable read.

The story itself finds Inspector Felse, his wife Bunty, and their just-adult son Dominic on a seaside vacation--where they encounter Simon Towne, well known author and lecturer.Towne is present to open the tomb of Jan Treverra, a locally legendary figure who died in the late 1700s and whose crypt may include important writings.But when the Treverra vault is opened, Towne and his assistants find more bodies than they expect.

Peters often elected to work with highly contrived plots, and this is particularly true of EPITAPHS.At one point, Peters has one of her characters comment that the twists and turns of the case are so ridiculous that not even a novelist could get away with them!And it is true that most readers will see each major plot device in the offing long before it appears on the page. When the author writes more for amusement than mystery, this is not necessarily a bad thing, and Peters handles the most blatant aspects of her plot with considerable humor.

Unfortunately, however, the plot is not only contrived: it is extremely transparent. Any mystery reader worth the name will probably spot the killer by the fourth chapter because of the manner in which Peters sets up her tale.Although it is a quick, amusing, and painless read, this is really one of Peters' weaker efforts.Fans will enjoy it, but few will put it on the "must keep" shelf of their bookcase.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

A Nice Little Mystery Puzzler!
This entry in the George Felse series is well-worth a read.In it we see the Felse family on vacation at the seaside.The action of the book takes place over a six day period, but in that time they find evidence of smuggling, a missing body in a family crypt and two murders.(one from about 3 years ago and one most recent).The weird thing about these two murder victims is that their bodies are found in an old family crypt in a stone coffin that is actually minus the original body that was supposed to be there.It's a nice little puzzler that has two or three plot strands running through it.These separate strands do meet up together in the end though, and the mysteries are solved.Great story. ... Read more

Book Description
Edith Pargeter, who also writes under the name Ellis Peters, previously combined her passion for history and storytelling in her creation of the much-loved monk, Brother Cadfael. It was she who paved the way for many others to explore the past through the thriving field of historical mysteries, and for this she was loved by readers and other writers alike. Past Poisons is a bumper crop of outstanding new short stories by the leading American and British historical crime writers, all wishing to pay tribute to the work of Ellis Peters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Unimpressive
The name Ellis Peters in the title of the book was clearly meant to lure readers.None of the writers are up to her standards.There is no shame in not being a master but it left me feeling a little cheated.There were a couple of stories that I kinda liked but the rest were forgettable except two were downright yucky.And the tributes to Ellis Peters written by each and every author were so uninteresting that I didn't bother to read any of them through.

The biggest sign of how unimpressed I am with this book -- I am going to give it away which I never ever do, but I feel kinda guilty that I am going to inflict this lame book on some poor soldier in Iraq.I shall have to include better reading material and some snack food in the box. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Woman in Peril!
Adolescent Annet Beck, unintentional femme fatale, is very much the center of this novel, although she hardly speaks during the entire tale.The story is revealed through the eyes of the other characters, who all have their thoughts squarely centered on Annet.Their fears for her life drive the hunt for the identity of the murderer.

This book, the third in the Inspector Felse series, is my favorite of this series.However, none of them compare to Peters's more well known Brother Cadfael series.

Part of what gives this particular title its charm is the sense of ancient Welsh history and beliefs undergirding the lives of modern Welsh.A leaning toward fatalism and determinism appears to pervade the minds of Peters's native Welsh characters.Yet, all the events are proven to have logical, reasonable explanations.No witches or faeries.Just a good mystery.

Among Peters' Minor Works
Best known for her "Brother Cadfael" series, Ellis Peters (1913-1985) was also the author of thirteen novels featuring Inspector George Felse. Published in 1964, FLIGHT OF A WITCH is the fifth novel in that series.

Annet Beck is a small town girl with unexpected beauty--and when school teacher Tom Kenyon takes a room in her parents' home he hopes she will be drawn to his manly charms.To his dismay, Annet is not interested; to his shock, she suddenly disappears on a hill of ancient ill-repute named Hallowmount.And to every one's surprise, when she returns five days later, she claims to have been gone only a few hours.Is it witchcraft?Or has Annet fallen back on local legends in an effort to conceal her activities?Fortunately, Inspector Felse is on the scene to separate fact from fiction.

Peters often worked with contrived plots, and in her hands they are often quite amusing.The plot of FLIGHT OF A WITCH is in someways typical of her work--but those expecting a mystery will be disappointed, for the novel is less mysterious than merely so much pulp romance, and while there is a murder to be solved it is less a matter of detection than in forcing the truth from the mysterious central character.Although it has its moments, this is very much one of Peters' lesser works.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

A Story About a Femme Fatale!
This book about Anet Beck is more along the lines of a tragedy based on romance.It deals with a young femme fatale - Annet Beck who has all the neighbourhood boys after her.She keeps her own council, and does not open up to anyone, but when she is embroiled in a tragic death resulting from a jewellery store robbery, it is found out by George Felse that there are more than just the young boys and men that are after her, and it appears that she is returning the attention of one of her admirerers, and this admirer is one that is probably considerably older than her.A bit melodramatic perhaps, but written in the Ellis Peter style, so definitely a readable book - but not a mystery as we have come to expect from Ms. Peters. ... Read more

Book Description
The year is 1141, and two monks have arrived in Shrewsbury after their abbey in Winchester is destroyed. Brother Humilis, who is very ill, and Brother Fidelis, who is mute, seek refuge at the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Paul. From the moment he meets them, Brother Cadfael suspects that something deeper than their common vows binds the two brothers. As Brother Humilis's health fails, Brother Cadfael faces a crisis of belief as he must somehow distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. The author's Brother Cadfael mysteries are her most popular series, leading many fans to become pilgrims themselves - to Shropshire and the very real Abbey of Saint Peter and Paul at Shrewsbury. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Peters' Most Excellent Mystery
This is the fourth Brother Cadfael mystery that I have read (I happened upon a random selection in a neighbor's giveaway bin) and it is definitely the best so far.The title, taken from the Book of Common Prayer ("O God, who hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery"), is more than apt.

The overall theme of this installment could be briefly summarized as "things are not what they seem".While this is true in most mystery novels it is true in spades here.A young women is mugged and murdered--or is she?A monk has a homosexual crush on another monk--or does he?Sorry, I've probably already said too much.

As usual, there are several romantic plot threads, always a nice touch in the midst of a mystery story.Brother Cadfael, in this installment, does not use his deductive powers so much to solve the mystery as to analyze it as it unfolds.This heightens the suspense because we don't get let in on the inner workings of Cadfael's mind.

Another reason why this novel rises a notch above the others is the role that the 12th century English history plays in the story.In previous installments the history, while interesting and informative, sometimes makes the book hard to get into.Here, the history plays a central role in the story, as the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud provides both the impetus for several new characters to show up in Shrewsbury, as well as making it more difficult to track down the information necessary to solve the mystery.

In addition to being a good read, I think this would make a great movie.I see from another review that the series has been dramatized, presumably for British TV.It's too bad this series is not more widely circulated, perhaps if more people knew about it a movie would be more likely.Or, alternatively, maybe somebody should make a movie anyway, so that people who would not normally read the books can enjoy these excellent mysteries.

A greater love
In this eleventh chronicle of Brother Cadfael of the Abbey of St.Peter and St.Paul in Shrewsbury, the ongoing war between King Stephen and Empress Maud has come to a stalemate, following the sacking and burning of the city of Winchester. With Stephen still a prisoner in Bristol, Maud had barricaded herself and her forces within the city when Stephen's queen, Matilda, attacked the city with fire arrows, destroying the monasteries and convents and causing the general flight of all who could escape. Two Benedtictine monks arrive at the Shrewsbury Abbey, begging for refuge and a new home. Humilis, the elder, is an ex crusader, like Cadfael, but had been severely wounded in battle. Fidelis, the younger monk, is mute, and is Humilis's carer, tending him with complete devotion. Cadfael realises that Humilis is close to death and tends him with loving care. At the same time, a hue and cry is set up to find the whereabouts of the former fiancee of Humilis who had wished to enter a convent after her betrothal vows were rescinded by Humilis who knew that he could never be a husband to her with his shocking wounds. Sheriff Hugh Beringar is afraid that the girl was robbed and murdered en route to the convent as she was never seen again. Wise and worldly Cadfael sees beyond outward appearences and soon becomes aware of the deceptions being carried out. With his aid, the well meant perpetrators reach a satisfactory conclusion to their trouble and the life of the Abbey goes on as smoothly as possible in these turbulent times.

Disagree With A Review Posted
"... this story was most tedious and far-fetched. I couldn't believe that this young woman would do what she did for a man she hardly knew..."

I am currently reading The Crusades by Zoe Oldenbourg. From this book and others, the type of action taken by this young woman is very believable *FOR THE TIME*. Women worshipped heroic men and marriage was not a match for love, but for property. To put it in a more modern perspective, what if a young girl was told that in 10 years time she would be the wife of Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt or Kid Rock.

Certainly, she would spend much of her growing years yearning for every scrap of information and growing into a bond with the legend of him.

Peters plays fair
This is the first Brother Cadfael mystery i've read.It was, perhaps, not the most fortuitous choice i could have made; certainly it was rather different from my expectation.Part of the difference can, of course, be explained by the fact that i have seen some four or five of the adaptations starring Derek Jacobi, so despite my best efforts i interpreted everything i read through that filter, seeing the characters in my mind according to their development in the television shows.The murder/mystery is well plotted out, though simple not quite simplistic, and nicely both hidden and revealed.I can point to the exact paragraph, sentence even, i was reading when i suddenly knew ~ not through anything revealed in that paragraph ~ the solution; the rest was mere reading to prove myself correct and see how Peters would handle the results of the revelation.Though this was not what i expected, i shall read another Cadfael book, just to learn a little more about him, and to see if i can't erase Jacobi's excellent interpretation from my mind.

A Very Good Mystery
It is the late summer of 1141. The war between King Stephen and Empress Maud to decide who will rule England continues. As the fighting rages, the abbey in Winchester is destroyed and two of the displaced monks find their way to the Abbey of Saints Peter and Paul at Shrewsbury. Brother Humilis is a former crusader who is slowly dying of his wounds. He is accompanied by Brother Fidelis, a young mute who is devoted (for reasons unknown) to the care of Humilis. But their relationship is only one mystery. Another is what has happened to Julian Croce, a young woman fron a manor in the north of the shire who seems to have disappeared while on her way to join a convent near Winchester.

Peters books are a pleasure to read. She exhibits an elegant turn of phrase that. As someone else here has already remarked, she makes the "grim and gritty middle ages" sound like someplace you might actually want to live. And this is one of her better plots. I figured out what was going on about halfway through, but only because I got an unintentional hint from someone who had already read the book. Even so, it was a pleasure to watch the story unfold.

Elegant style and clever plotting aside, however, the story is a bit over-romanticized. For example, at one point Nicholas rides non-stop from Winchester to Shrewsbury, through both day and night and, finally, through a storm. He "must get his tale at once to the ears of authority" and he "dared not stop hating, or the remaining grief became more than he could stand." All this intense feeling over a girl he had only met once, three years earlier. Sorry if this makes me a chauvinist, but clearly this is a woman writing about how women wish men felt about them. This is the mystical ideal of chivalrous love. It isn't how a young man would really feel under such circumstances. This is typical of Peters and it doesn't really hurt the story, but it is a bit gushy and you can tell a woman wrote it. For a male reader, it's just a little over the top.

Peters is a charming writer. She paints a vivid, if somewhat romanticized, picture of life in the 1100's. Cadfael and the rest of her characters are congenial and her stories are light, but entertaining. The mysteries are sometimes a bit transparent, but not this one. This is one of her better ones. Cadfael fans will definitely enjoy it. Others should keep in mind that this is definitely a romantic mystery. Also, if you haven't read a Cadfael mystery before, you should consider starting at the beginning of the series. That said, I recommend "An Excellent Mystery" to those who like this type of story. It's better than most. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Modern-day India is memorably described.
Ms. Peters does a wonderful job of describing modern-day India in this book.It's easy to tell that she often visited there and loved it.India is teaming with life and with colours.In this book we have Dominic and his girlfriend Tossa acting as chaperones to deliver a young girl to her Indian father.Once there they find themselves in a whole bunch of trouble.Their job of delivering their young charge becomes very complicated when she goes missing.Tossa and Dominic are then racing against time in a strange country in order to try to get her back.Ms. Peters' characters in this book are wonderfully drawn, and the story is a wonderful journey to a wonderful country.

Dominic and Tossa's first journey to India
Strictly speaking, this isn't an Inspector Felse mystery, but a Dominic Felse mystery. Ideally, read all the preceding Inspector Felse mysteries, in order, as they follow Dominic's childhood onward - but only to enjoy the character development properly. At a minimum, at least read _The Piper on the Mountain_, which recounts Dominic's first meeting with Tossa Barber and her mother, before _Mourning Raga_.

Tossa's movie-star mother Chloe has a genius for disrupting her daughter's plans, so Dominic fears the worst when Chloe calls the university just before Christmas vacation, with an offer that sounds too good to be true: accept an all-expense-paid trip to India, to escort 14-year-old Anjli Kumar, the daughter of Chloe's co-star Dorette Lester, to stay with her father while her mother is filming in England. (Anjli's mother is nominally the custodial parent, but even she's mostly an absentee.) Happily, Ms. Pargeter (a.k.a. Ellis Peters), doesn't make either leading lady behave according to stereotype; each is charming in private as well as in public, and they seem to get on well together; their influence to bring others into their orbit is as inevitable as a planet's gravity. :)

Dorette arranged for an old friend to look out for Anjli and her companions, since the friend is directing a film - a dramatized life of Buddha - on location. A potted mini-biography of Siddhartha's early life, before he became Buddha, is provided as the film is described; one noteworthy celebrity they meet is the composer working on the film. He's adapted a morning raga - something sung when guests depart in the morning - as a theme to be played for Siddhartha's bride and their young son; the adaptation is catchy.

Unfortunately, Dorette only wrote to her ex, rather than phoning him or waiting for a reply. Kumar has been out of touch for months, and his mother - Anjli's grandmother - is dying. The only relative left functioning is a cousin who acts as trustee for the estate - and Dominic and Tossa aren't too keen to leave Anjli, Kumar's heir, in his care.

But the matter is taken abruptly out of their hands when Anjli is kidnapped and held for ransom after her grandmother's death. Although published after _Black is the Colour of My True-Love's Heart_, the events of this book take place earlier: their first meeting with the Swami, mentioned in that book, occurs herein. As a friend of Kumar's, he takes a hand in working for Anjli's safe return. And Dominic is very uneasy, since the morning of her disappearance, he heard someone in the street outside the hotel singing a song from the soundtrack of a film that's still in production.

a good edition to the George Felse series
Dominic Felse, the son of the famous policeman George Felse, met his girlfriend Tossa Barber in the earlier book in this series, Piper on the Mountain.Now, as a favor to Tossa's mother, Dominic and Tossa have agreed to escort a young girl named Angli out to meet her father in India.However, when they arrive they find that Angli's father has been missing for over a year, and soon Angli is kidnapped.The result is a good, fast-paced mystery, with some very interesting local color on India. ... Read more

Book Description
In the autumn of 1145, Brother Cadfael finds himself in an awkward position. Receiving word that the son he had during the Crusades — before he was a monk — is in peril, Cadfael decides to attend a peace conference that might result in the young man's freedom. But to get there, Cadfael must leave the monastery without his abbot's permission. The Cadfael books are international bestsellers and have been produced for PBS's Mystery! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

The heart has its reasons
Finally, I have to say goodbye to a dearly loved friend, Brother Cadfael of the Abbey of St.Peter and St.Paul, after this, the 20th chronicle. When Cadfael learns that his son, Olivier, has been taken prisoner after the seige and fall of Faringdon castle, he also learns that his captor refuses to release him for a ransom, as he has done with all of the other prisoners. Cadfael is determined to secure his release at all costs and begs leave of the Abbot to travel to Coventry to attend the conference between King Stephen and the Empress Maud, so as to beg for help for Olivier. The Abbot grants him a short leave of absence but stipulates that he must return in a week or consider himslf recused, having failed to keep his monastic vows. Even with this heavy penalty hanging over him, Cadfael knows that he cannot leave his son languishing in a dungeon, and offers his life in return for Olivier's. With the help of Yves Hugonin, scion of a noble family and now brother-in-law to Olivier, Cadfael gains entrance to the castle where he makes the offer of an exchange of his life for Olivier's to Philip of Gloucester, lately of the Empress's court and now an adherent of King Stephen, in this perpetually changing war which is devastating the country. This is a really action packed story with seiges, seige weapons, treachery and murder included...a fine way to farewell an old friend!

A moving exploration of tangled loves and loyalties
"If you go further and delay longer, then you go as your own man, none of mine. Without my leave or blessing."
"Without your prayers?"
"Have I said so?"
"Father, it is written in the Rule that the brother who by his own wrong choice has left the monastery may be received again, even to the third time, at a price. Even penance ends when you shall say: It is enough!"
- Radulfus and Cadfael, discussing Cadfael's leave of absence herein

This book contains a major spoiler for THE VIRGIN IN THE ICE, which introduced two characters appearing in this book, and a spoiler for THE HOLY THIEF that the reader might miss.

Several illegitimate sons figure prominently in this book, all great men in one way or another:
- Robert of Gloucester, the empress' chief supporter and half-brother, who would have been king had he been legitimate. While Robert himself is only on stage briefly, his relationship with the empress is the motive for her actions in the final section of the book. - Robert's son Philip FitzRobert, who recently shocked everyone by repudiating his allegiance to the empress and going over to the king, taking an entire castle and its garrison with him after his father ignored his pleas for support during a siege.
- Geoffrey FitzClare, one of Philip's chief captains in Cricklade, whose seal was set first to the surrender.
- One obscure knight of Philip's following, now held prisoner and not offered for ransom: Olivier de Bretagne.

A list of prisoners taken at Cricklade sends Hugh Beringar to Cadfael, who in turn makes full confession to Radulfus at last: that Olivier is his son, which he never knew until the events of THE VIRGIN IN THE ICE (and Olivier still does not know), and that he never knowingly abjured the ties of fatherhood in taking his monastic vows. Radulfus gives Cadfael as much leeway as he can, giving him permission to attend peace talks in Coventry with Hugh Beringar where the subject of prisoners and ransoms is expected to be a topic. But Cadfael's leave will end with the conference, after which his further absence will indicate that he has repudiated his vows and cast himself adrift.

This is one of only two books in which King Stephen appears in person, and the only one in which the empress appears, which in itself is worth seeing as the two are brought together for peace talks in Coventry. Alas, the end of the war still seems far away, as each holds substantial territory (he in England, she in Normandy) with hopes of total victory, and neither will give up their separate claims to the crown: Stephen's, that he has been formally anointed king; Maud's, that she is the late king's only surviving legitimate child, to whom all the nobles, Stephen prominent among them, swore oaths of allegiance as the king's heir. While most of their faults are complimentary - he is too impatient to pursue either a siege or a grievance, her arrogance with her allies knows no bounds - they share one grievous fault: neither considers their responsibilities to their people, not even in great matters of the devastation wrought by war, let alone small matters of individual justice.

So it is that Cadfael, as he had feared would be the case, is left to pursue the mystery of Olivier's fate without official backing, aided and abetted chiefly by Yves Hugonin, now nineteen and Olivier's brother-in-law, and like him of the empress' following. Soon Cadfael needs to save Yves as well as Olivier, as Yves' hot-blooded confrontation of one of Philip's turncoat captains at the conference makes Yves chief suspect when the man is assassinated soon afterward. While the empress protects Yves under the safe-conduct that made the conference possible, she herself does not believe in his innocence (and, chillingly, approves of the act), nor does someone else. Yves, like Olivier before him, vanishes into unransomed captivity, but this time leaving a trail that Cadfael can follow.

The mysteries of the murders to be investigated in this book, while very interesting in their own right, are in a greater sense only tools in setting the stage for greater mysteries to be explored: that of the relationships between the characters, the mysteries of the human heart. Cadfael's loyalty to his own son, without expected return, is set against Philip's troubled relationship with his great father - all four very fine, honourable men, but separated by various entanglements. Yves' loyalty to Olivier is set against both Olivier's entanglement with their captor and Philip's loyalty to his dead captain. There is also a constant background of personal loyalties conflicting with greater responsibilities: monastic vows against fatherhood, oaths of allegiance against law, order, and justice, loyalty to one's liege against loyalty to one's friends.

And what drove Olivier's captor to hold him beyond price? That, more than any murder, is the great mystery of this book.

Drive-in totals:
- Two murders, one a stabbing at close range.
- One attempted murder (a very nasty fall resulting in permanent injury).
- One sequence straight out of THIEF: THE DARK PROJECT wherein a lone unarmed man sneaks into the heart of a guarded fortress by night.
- One battle with siege, when the empress for hate and scalded pride takes action she would not take to rescue loyal knights of her following.

As always, I recommend the unabridged recording narrated by Stephen Thorne.

Brother Cadfaels' Passing
This twentieth chronicle of Brother Cadfael reads as if Ellis Peters knew it would be her last. It is a fitting end to the series, though many of us would wish for more. She drew together several loose ends from previous novels, and left us with a sense of closure on Cadfaels' vocation. As reported elsewhere, the tone is more somber, but perhaps appropriately so.

Also, as others have mentioned, don't read this unless you've read of Oliver's two previous appearances.

Fare you well, Cadfael...and Ellis Peters

Left me longing for more
I was disappointed with this book.I am a big Ellis Peters fan and I hate that this is her final book.I was delighted at the reappearance of the character of Olivier de Bretagne;he was always one of my favorites.However, this book has a much darker tone than the earlier ones, and left me wishing for one more "Brother Cadfael", one a little more light-hearted.

Cadfael's conflict.
Witness if you will, reader, the Chronicles of one Brother Cadfael of the Benedictine abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul in Shrewsbury, Shropshire:witness the twenty adventures of this most unusual monk, herbalist and former crusader, occurring between the years of Our Lord 1138 and 1145, in the middle of the devastating civil war between Empress Maud and King Stephen for the English crown.Witness, reader, how this rare Benedictine's "practically miraculous" powers of deduction (Booklist) helped him solve mysteries such as that of the unfortunate violent death of a Welsh lord who sought to prevent the relocation of the sacred bones of his village's maiden saint to no other place but Shrewsbury's very own Benedictine abbey ("A Morbid Taste for Bones," the first Chronicle); the long-held secrets hidden under the rags worn by one of the unfortunate residents of Shrewsbury's leper colony, and that ill-fated soul's connection to a fair young bride come to Shrewsbury to be wedded at St. Peter and St. Paul, only to find her groom - himself a brute in a gentleman's clothes - murdered only shortly after their arrival ("The Leper of St. Giles," the fifth Chronicle); and a woman's earthly remains, found in a field bequeathed to the abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by a potter who, struggling between the callings of a husband and those of a servant of the Lord, had relinquished his marital vows in favor of those to the church ("The Potter's Field," the seventeenth Chronicle).

Pause however, reader, before proceeding to this twentieth and last Chronicle, if you are not familiar with all accounts of Brother Cadfael's previous extraordinary ventures.Pause, I say, and seek out the Chronicle entitled "The Virgin in the Ice," which is the sixth in order and takes place in the winter of the year 1139.For in that report you shall encounter not only certain persons important to the events you must expect to learn about in this last Chronicle, duly referred to as "Brother Cadfael's Penance," but you shall also learn about certain details about Brother Cadfael's past, and the life he led among the defenders and the residents of the Holy Land in the year 1112. And while it is true that the essence of said facts, insofar as indispensable to the telling of this present and final Chronicle, will again be revealed to you as you progress through this present account, trust me if I tell you, reader, that your enjoyment and understanding of this final Chronicle will be greatly enhanced by having acquainted yourself with the full revelation of said facts, events and personae, as encountered in said prior Chronicle.At the very least, reader, accept my humble suggestion that you seek out the visual representation of said prior Chronicle, equally referred to as "The Virgin in the Ice," which is part of the most excellent productions also entitled "The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael," created in the past century's last decade.

Thus prepared, proceed then to this last Chronicle, which takes place in the year 1145, when a conference was held in the great city of Coventry, presided over by none other than the mighty archbishops of Coventry, Winchester and Ely, to bring an end to England's bitter civil war.And Brother Cadfael is in attendance; not, however, because he has been called upon to lend his services to the cause of diplomacy, which regrettably is a foregone conclusion between enemies as deeply opposed as Maud and Stephen, but to make inquiries about a certain young knight named Olivier de Bretagne.For said knight, of Syrian extraction and near and dear to Cadfael's heart, has been captured in a struggle following his noble lord's fiat to abandon their allegiance to the empress and join the king's forces instead, and he is now held without any offer of ransom, which is unheard of in the customs of war.And while Cadfael sojourns in Coventry, a haughty nobleman, who has played a most dubitable role in the change of allegiance of the forces of his and Olivier's liege, is found murdered, by none other than Olivier's brother-in-law, Yves Hugonin; himself barely out of a boy's clothes and now a liensman of the empress, and readily declared the crime's chief suspect.Thus facing the unfortunate concurrence of two duties of worldly allegiance - to locate Olivier and to clear Yves's good name - Cadfael must realize that those worldly duties irreconcilably collide with that owed to his monastic community.For he is bound to his abbot not to stay away from Shrewsbury for longer than is necessary to attend the truce conference, after the end of which he is to return to the abbey instantly, or break his vows; and unable to complete either of said two worldly duties in time to comply with that owed to his abbot, break his vows he feels he must.Yet,