To save his estranged son, a monk risks breaking his vows in this “moving and suspenseful” medieval mystery (Booklist). For Brother Cadfael in the autumn of his life, the mild November of our Lord’s year 1145 may bring a bitter–and deadly–harvest. England is torn between supporters of the Empress Maud and those of her cousin Stephen. The civil strife is about to jeopardize not only Cadfael’s … jeopardize not only Cadfael’s life, but his hopes of Heaven.
While Cadfael has sometimes bent the abbey’s rules, he has never broken his monastic vows–until now. Word has come to Shrewsbury of a treacherous act that has left thirty of Maud’s knights imprisoned. All have been ransomed except Cadfael’s secret son, Olivier de Bretagne. Conceived in Cadfael’s soldiering youth and unaware of his father’s identity, Olivier will die if he is not freed. Like never before, Cadfael must boldly defy the abbot. The good brother forsakes the order to follow his heart–but what he finds will challenge his soul.
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As always, the best. Have enjoyed every one.
Loved the whole book series. Hated the tv show.
I love all these books.
Takes the reader to a different time and place. You can almost hear the sounds and smells swirling around the characters.
CADFAEL IS ALWAYS A WINNER.
It is great to read a book with a good mystery, good characters and not all modern tools being used to solve.
Wonderful depiction of life in the 12th century.
I generally enjoy this series. Some parts of this book really dragged for me, perhaps I’m temporarily overdone on Medieval materials.
The author took a more somber, darker, sobering approach to the story. Cadfael is torn between his vows to the Church and what he felt were his obligations as a parent to his son. It was an excellent book.
Historically accurate.
Like all the Brother Cadfael series, a pleasure to read.
The use of archaic period language made it often difficult to follow, but the click definition feature of the Kindle helped a lot. Interesting setting for the series.
I love the Cadfael series
This author knows their Middle Ages! I adore this series! The history is spot on, the stories are original and fascinating. The writing is superb!!
I loved it. I have read most of the books in the Cadfael series. Have thoroughly enjoyed them all.
Love the Brother Cadfael’s books, nice reading with an interesting look at those long ago times.
I really like the characters in this series the story is easy to follow but well written so that you don’t lose interest. I like stories ol olden times
Any of the Caedfael books are good, but this one bringing home that Caedfael is also a father and willing to do what is necessary to help a son he has not really known he had. But then, I remember Sir Derek Jacobi bringing the character to life on the telly….
It wasn’t what I was expecting. I had some difficulty with getting into it. I have ONE friend I’d recommend it to, but not everybody’s cup of tea.
The last of the Cadfael series did not disappoint. Touches on the promises we make to God when we have children and to what lengths one should go to keep those promises.
I waited to read this because I didn’t want them to end. A historical and mystery solving delight.