From the Edgar Award–winning author: When a troubled novice is blamed for a priest’s disappearance, Brother Cadfael seeks to save his soul—and his life. Outside the pale of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in September of 1140, a priestly emissary for King Stephen has been reported missing. But inside the pale, what troubles Brother Cadfael is a proud, secretive nineteen-year-old novice. nineteen-year-old novice.
Brother Cadfael has never seen two men more estranged than the Lord of Aspley and Meriet, the son he coldly delivers to the abbey to begin a religious vocation. Meriet, meek by day, is so racked by dreams at night that his howls earn him the nickname “the Devil’s Novice.” Shunned and feared, Meriet is soon linked to the missing priestly emissary’s dreadful fate. Only Brother Cadfael believes in Meriet’s innocence, and only the good sleuth can uncover the truth before a boy’s pure passion, not evil intent, leads a novice to the noose.
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The Ellis Peters books are fun, entertaining and easy to read.
I always enjoy the Cadfael series. The dialog of the characters and the meandering thru the village and universities is a historical treat. The answer to the mysteries is never as expected.
Enjoy the writer
Cadfael is always a winner
I have enjoyed the whole series.
All of the Cadfael books are great mysteries
Peter’s Cadfael series is great!
This author and Rosemary Sutcliff live and breathe their selected timeperiods.
I really like the Cadfel series because they are set in a time that I know little about, and that makes it a different world with different “rules” than those we live with. How the characters fit into that world and respond to the challenges they face is interesting, not only due to the accuracy of the time period depicted, but because they act not so differently than people today, but with different consequences. It’s also good to read a story that doesn’t depend on modern technology to solve problems. Couple that with great characters, and you have a good story that’s easy to read and you will find yourself hooked, too.
I love Brother Cadfael, his thoughtful reasoning, his learning from his previous life experiences, his compassion, willingness to listen & teach by example, as well as mystery solving abilities. I escape to his world when I’ve had enough of this one. Ellis Peters has made magic for my world.
A young man too eagerly enters the abbey. Cadfael discovers, as only he can, his secrets. Another wonderful addition to the series.
Brother Cadfael is one of the greatest and most likeable heroes of historical fiction/mystery. Warm and humane.
Brother Cadfael does it again. Wonderful books. Lots of history. Lovely tale.
The least favorite of the Ellis Peters books.
A good airplane read.
Love all Cadfel historical fiction but always with a twist
I’m making my way through the series and enjoy the medieval setting and characters as well as the mysteries and herb lore.
Ellis Peters Cadfael series is just wonderful. Like a mystery that is tough and no modern day science to help solve it? You will love these. Once a solider now a monk. He spends his days healing others and getting himself in trouble trying to solve and prove murder with only a keen mind and the respect of a few leaders. You try to solve them. Good luck.
I love the Brother Cadfael mysteries. The ending can be unexpected.
Typically good Ellis Peters. Good but not excessive characterization, satisfying differentiation between actions of humane characters and not, well placed in history. Silky style, nothing jarring. And yet a brutal killing by a sociopath. What could be better?