Edgar Award-winner from the Mystery Writers of America and Silver Dagger Award-winer from the British Crime Writers Association, Ellis Peters presents the 16th chronicle of the bestselling medieval mystery series featuring Brother Cadfael. Ellis Peters' books are #1 bestsellers in England, and the Brother Cadfael mysteries have sold over a million copies there. HC:Mysterious Press.
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
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From Publishers Weekly
Brother Cadfael, 12th-century herbalist, sleuth and sometime cupid, outdoes himself in this, his 16th chronicle, in which Peters imbues the familiar territory of murder, young love and odious villainry with fresh vigor and new subtleties. Elave, young clerk to William of Lythwood, returns from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his elderly master's body. His missions are to bury William in his home abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, and to deliver a dowry to William's adopted daughter Fortunata. But Elave, suspected of harboring views inimical to church doctrine, is held for ecclesiastical trial. And when Aldwin, the Lythwood family clerk hired in Elave's absence, is stabbed to death, Elave is incarcerated not only for heresy, but for murder. Fortunata's dowry, an intricately carved box with mysterious contents, holds the key to the mysteries that spring up around Elave and the Lythwood family. Shrewd and patient, Brother Cadfael is at his best here.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By "rhbouchard"
Format:Mass Market Paperback
One of Peters's best plots. Despite Cadfael's absence in the middle of the narrative, this chronicle kept my attention. This is a deeply religious experience as Peters examines some of the origins of Christian dogma through her characters. As always it is Peters's style that sets it above the common mystery. Trurly one of the best of the Cadfael series.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.8 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
No heresy to tout this book as one of Peters's best!
July 11 1998
By "rhbouchard"
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
One of Peters's best plots. Despite Cadfael's absence in the middle of the narrative, this chronicle kept my attention. This is a deeply religious experience as Peters examines some of the origins of Christian dogma through her characters. As always it is Peters's style that sets it above the common mystery. Trurly one of the best of the Cadfael series.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two for the price of one!
Mar 26 2006
By Joseph Kaiser Canner
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
As I was reading this book, I remarked to a friend "how often do you get to read a mystery novel that talks about St. Augustine, infant baptism, co-equality of the Trinity, predestination, and Peripassian heresy?" For those who are not interested in such things, this installment in the Brother Cadefael series might seem somewhat tedious. I for one, however, enjoyed the added intellectual stimulation of the doctrinal controversies.
Aside from the heresy issues, which play a fairly peripheral role in the actual crime in question, this is a fairly standard (by Brother Cadfael standards) murder mystery. As always, romance plays a big role in both the heresy subplot and the murder investigation.
I normally give 4 stars to Brother Cadfael mysteries. I'm giving 5 here for the added value supplied by the heresy issues. Those who have no interest in theology and church history might want to give it a 3.
Aside from the heresy issues, which play a fairly peripheral role in the actual crime in question, this is a fairly standard (by Brother Cadfael standards) murder mystery. As always, romance plays a big role in both the heresy subplot and the murder investigation.
I normally give 4 stars to Brother Cadfael mysteries. I'm giving 5 here for the added value supplied by the heresy issues. Those who have no interest in theology and church history might want to give it a 3.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heretical leanings
May 8 2006
By Beverley Strong
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the sixteenth chronicle of Brother Cadfael, ex soldier/crusader, herbalist and healer, lately come monk and incorrigibly inquisitive sleuth. Elave is a young man who has accompanied his master, William of Lythwood,to Jerusalem and the East and who followed his instructions to the letter by bringing home his body after death to be buried at the Abbey Of St.Peter and St.Paul. He also brought with him an elaborately carved chest, with unknown contents, as the dowry for William's foster daughter. Before Elave left with his master on his travels, he had filled the position of what would be known today as an accoutant, keeping stocks of the family's money and possessions. This position was filled in his absence by Aldwin, a dour, pessimistic man who is convinced that he'll be discarded now that Elave has returned, and so sets about making trouble for him. Aldwin's murdered body is found and suspicions point to Elave as the killer. At this same time, a very self important Canon of the Church is a visitor at the Abbey and when Elave, somewhat in his cups, is heard making what could be taken as heretical statements on points of Church law, the Canon insists that he be taken before a court of the Church and tried for heresy. Brother Cadfael investigates both claims in his methodical way and, once again, saves the day. Perhaps this story is a little too tied up with points of theology for some readers, but it's still a most enjoyable read for Cadfael fans.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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