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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I always enjoy Brother Cadfael.
Great book but it helps if the series is read in order. This is book #20 in the series.
Good good good
You can always count on a Brother Cadfael mystery to get you in a good mood. Is there such a category as Medieval Cozy?
Typical Brother Cadfael book with a bit of a twist.
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.
I’ve read all her books multiple times, and she saved the best for last.
I love this series. I reread them all every couple of years. Cadfael is always welcome in my home. I measure every historical mystery I read against Ellis Peters. Realistically depicts time written about yet doesn’t dwell too much on the graphic hopelessness often present in other books. Sometimes satisfyingly predictable, and sometimes I am happily fooled.
All her books are fabulous and I enjoy reading them, and re-reading them!
I was very happy to discover Brother Cadfael’s Penance . I did not know about this series of Brother Cadfael books, even though they have been out for a number of years. I can not wait to read them all!
I have read the whole series several times and absolutely loved it! I have two friends who traveled especially to see the places where the stories took place.
I love this series. If you like stories set during the Middle Ages, you will like this.
Have read them all!
I really enjoyed this tale and wished I could have given it 4.5 stars. It is one of the better stories.
Brother Cadfael and Hugh Beringar travel to Coventry for peace talks between King Stephen and Empress Maud. The talks break down almost immediately. Then Yves Hugonin (making a return appearance) trips over a dead body in the dark. The parties disperse with no ground made. Hugh returns to Shrewsbury, but Cadfael stays behind trying to find his son, Olivier, who was taken prisoner. Yves is kidnapped on the way to Gloucester. Brother Cadfael finds him in Greenhamsted and a prisoner of Phillip FitzRobert. Empress Maud then lays siege to the castle.
Can Cadfael bring peace to these waring factions and save the life of his son? Read on to find out.
This author and Brother Cadfael are usually a favorite of mine, however, in this book I had trouble keeping track of who was who and who supported whom in the battles between the nobles.