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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Love these books.
I like this author very much. The book is an easy read with complex characters and a good feeling for the time period.
Brother Cadfael is a marvelous character – a monastic who had earlier in life been a soldier in the crusades, and who is still drawn into the outside world during the wars between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. This entry in the series brings him from his monastery to aid two young men, one of whom is particularly dear to him.
I love the characters in this series. Ellis Peters has a wonderful style of writing and the plots are always interesting. I highly recommend that a reader start at the beginning of the series and plug right along to the 20th book!
All Caedfel books are marvelous.
I love all the Books written by Ellis Peters. They are well-written and hold your attention. The historical background is interesting and well researched and the characters are well-rounded and complex enough to be believable. I love Brother Cadfael. He’s pious without being blind to his surroundings, quite the opposite, in fact. His history makes him ever so much for fascinating.