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 already owned and read this book in hardcover. The whole series is a joy. I downloaded this to have a good place to visit anytime I needed a break from the world. A known and well loved book
Almost done reading this. Getting to know the monk again after many years. He is older, and so am I. I am still drawn to him for his intelligence, loyalty, and calm attitude.
Who could imagine a book about a monk being engaging? This series is a winner!!
i always enjoy brother cadfael mysteries.
I love all of Brother Cadfael’s adventures. Characters are interesting, interesting plots, and good historical plots.
Great language and imagination
A fitting ending to Peter’s extended history. Very satisfying
Cadfael is at it again! This venturesome monk uses his wiles to seek and win release of his son (conceived prior to his entry into the Benedictine order) in this novel of 12th century intrigue set against the battle for supremacy between Empress Maud and King Stephen during English civil war. Wonderful, as always!
All books in this series are great reading!
This, as each and every Cadfael book, is sweet, sensitive, filled with mystery and action. The word and thought crafting is worth reading even if it were t so very good a story- but it is.
It was an enjoyable book.
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!