“Three classic stories featuring Brother Cadfael . . . whose powers of deduction are practically miraculous” in the Silver Dagger-winning medieval mystery series (Booklist). “Brother Cadfael sprang to life suddenly and unexpectedly when he was already approaching sixty, mature, experienced, fully armed and seventeen years tonsured.” So writes Ellis Peters in her introduction to A Rare Benedictine… introduction to A Rare Benedictine–three vintage tales of intrigue and treachery featuring the monastic sleuth who has become the best-loved ecclesiastical detective since Father Brown.
Although Cadfael has appeared in twenty novel-length chronicles, the story of his entry into the monastery at Shrewsbury has been known hitherto only to a few readers. Now his myriad fans can discover the chain of events that led him into the Benedictine Order.
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Like Cadfael? You’d better! Yike, these are tough to read through and require a lot of concentration, but I’ve loved this stule since the PBS series. If you like looking up words and/or ancient terms, this is the book for you. If you want something quick and easy? Maybe not so much.
Thoroughly enjoy all the Br. Canfield stories and is monastic world and journey. Always a treat to read.
One of a great series!
A wonderful series!
I’ve read all the Cadfael books. A fun read.
I have always enjoyed reading about Cadfael and his sleuthing techniques in medieval England. In this book, the reader finds out how Cadfael, the soldier and sailor, comes to be the wise monk who carefully tends his herbs and aids in healing the sick as well as protecting the innocent as he finds and reveals the villians.
I am a huge fan of Ellis Peters and she didn’t disappoint with this one! Highly recommend..
Wonderful prequel to the series. I read most or all of the Cadfael books that existed some fifteen years ago and, after this, may decide to read them all again!
Better than the PBS series and that was great.
I was hoping more a feeling for life in the Middle Ages but they seemed to be more or less standard mysteries plunked down in a different time period.
I had never seen this prequel to the Brother Cadfael series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Didn’t finish it. This book was a very large waste of time. I thought it was going to be about the change from blind to seeing. I was extremely disappointed.
I do love a real look into the lives of people drawn with historical reality. This series is a particular favorite.
You gotta love the lead character, and the description of life in the times, is well done…This is a fun series and I am still reading product of this authors keen mind.
Brother Cadfael is an interesting character – warrior monk and herbalist/healer. He is one of our earliest detectives (Medieval times) and a great politician among the other monks and the leaders of the order. Great read!
Love these books have almost finished all 20 of them
An excellent introduction to Bro. Caedfel; I promptly moved on to many of the rest of the series. Light-hearted read.
Depth of character, strong understanding of the Middle Ages, interesting and varied plot.
Have read all the Cadfael books – and liked them all. Sorry there aren’t more.
For all who have read ANY of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, this is a small aperitif (Benedictine). Includes the origin story.