A despised priest is drowned in a pond in this medieval mystery filled with “lively period detail” (Kirkus Reviews). In a mild December in the year of our Lord 1141, a new priest comes to the parishioners of the Foregate outside the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Father Ailnoth brings with him a housekeeper and her nephew—and a disposition that invites murder. Brother Cadfael quickly sees … murder.
Brother Cadfael quickly sees that father Ailnoth is a harsh man who, striding along in his black cassock, looks like a doomsaying raven. The housekeeper’s nephew, Benet, is quite different—a smiling lad, a hard worker in Cadfael’s herb garden, but, as Brother Cadfael soon discovers, an impostor. And when Ailnoth is found drowned, suspicion falls on Benet, though many in the Foregate had cause to want this priest dead. Now Brother Cadfael is gathering clues along with his medicinals to treat a case of unholy passions, tragic politics, and perhaps divine intervention.
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Another great story in the series
Cadfael rides again, so to speak. This who-dun-it has enjoyable but potentially flawed characters, so there is no clear expectation of the killer until the very end. Looking forward to another tale of the Welsh monk detective.
I have enjoyed every one of the books of the series – and will continue to add others to my library.
Well researched and well written. Great characters. I love this series.
Like all her books, this is a tightly plotted mystery which will keep you guessing until the vet end. You will fall in love with Brother Cadfael and keep coming back for more.
I really enjoy the Brother Cadfield books. They are well written.
Very good
This book is from a well-written, well-researched mystery series. All the books are entertaining and give a real feel for the period. Brother Caedfel is a character you would really like to meet.
I read this book about ten years ago and enjoyed the characters, the period of time, and I continued reading others in the series.
I love the former crusader monk who practices as an herbalist AND detective! He is an agent of morality in a difficult time period. This series gives a sense of reality to life in medieval England. The Caedfael novels are history lessons. BBC had a TV series which millions watched. I have read almost all of them and never get tired of them.
I love all the books in this series. Very informative if that period in time.