Brother Cadfael must intervene when a prisoner exchange is interrupted by love and murder, in the Silver Dagger Award–winning medieval mystery series. In February of 1141, men march home from war to Shrewsbury, but the captured sheriff Gilbert Prestcote is not among them. Elis, a young Welsh prisoner, is delivered to the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul to begin a tale that will test Brother … will test Brother Cadfael’s sense of justice—and his heart.
By good fortune, it seems, the prisoner can be exchanged as Sheriff Prestcote’s ransom. What no one expects is that good-natured Elis will be struck down by cupid’s arrow. The sheriff’s own daughter holds him in thrall, and she, too, is blind with passion. But regaining her father means losing her lover. The sheriff, ailing and frail, is brought to the abbey’s infirmary—where he is murdered. Suspicion falls on the prisoner, who has only his Welsh honor to gain Brother Cadfael’s help. And Cadfael gives it, not knowing the truth will be a trial for his own soul.
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The Brother Caedfel mystery series is wonderful. Realistically set in the Middle Ages, these stories are entertaining and entirely plausible, A great read!
Simply love these chronicles.
Historical fiction with the twist of a mystery inside the plot. Brother Cadfael is a well rounded character with a large heart and pretty great common sense.
The presentation of Sister Magdalen as Brother Cadfael’s intellectual equal was delightful. She seems to solve human concerns well ahead of Cadfael in this title.
Good book if you are looking for a light mystery that ends happily, set in 12th century England at the Welsh border. I like the historical context. I like the main character, Brother Cadfael and his co-investigator, the sheriff, Hugh Beringar. A nice, pleasant little mystery with no great trauma or strife where the guy always seems to get the girl in the end.
I just love the entire Canfield series. I love mysteries. I love the Middle Ages. I love British history. I love well written books. What’s not to love in this tale of Ellis Peters’?
I’ve now collected and read all of Brother Cadfael’s books. loved them all not only for the characters and little mysteries, but for the history.
One of the best historical fiction series I have read. And I’ve read many.
Cadwell is unpredictable and that makes for a great character and a great read! He can figure out the most amazing things and put it all together to solve mysteries.
As usual, a well crafted, atmospheric book that takes you to the12th century. Cadfael combines Medieval forensics along with patience and persistence to solve the crime. The writing style uses some early English words and terms that could be somewhat confusing but you will get the gist.
If you have not met Brother Cadfael yet, you need to do so. Peters has created a character you would like to have as a friend. At the same time the reader learns a bit of history while Cadfael pursues the culprit–and shares a secret with the sheriff.
All the Father Cadfael books are excellent and are historically accurate as far as I can tell. (I hate books that are sloppy in their background research)
The Brother Cadfael books are entertaining and enchanting.
The Brother Cadfael mysteries proved a nice respite from the daily chaos of life in these times.
Love Brother Cadfael!!
I enjoy the historical setting in Medieval England.
I have read many Brother Cadfael books, and found this one much less interesting and less well developed then the others.
Brother Cadfael did not disappoint!
You can never go wrong with Brother Cadfael.
The entire 20+ book Brother Cadfael series is wonderful. This book is a good addition to the series but does not stand out above the rest.