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Avg. Rating: 4.5
Great introduction
Brother Cadfael is a Benedictine monk at Shrewsbury Abbey where he has taken the cowl after a lifetime as a fighting man in the Crusades. Having a particular interest in herbs, both medicinal and culinary, he is included in an expedition to a small Welsh town where the bones of a saint are buried, near an ancient chapel. The Prior of his Abbey is more interested in having the relics of the saint at Shrewsbury as a commercial venture, rather than for any religious reasons, and is very put out when the locals baulk at having their saint removed from the area. The most vehement opposition comes from the most affluent member of the community, who is found dead with an arrow protruding from his chest, whereupon all opposition ceases, mainly through superstitious fear. With the aid of one of the younger monks, Cadfael proves that no heavenly hand had a part in the murder, rather an all too worldly, greed motivated man did the dastardly deed. I loved the tv series, starring Derek Jacobi, and am looking forward to reading further Cadfael adventures.
A Morbid Taste for Cadfael
Having been introduced to Cadfael by Mystery Theater (I blush to admit I watch the tube...occasionally), I was pleasantly surprised to find the books so much richer and well developed than the relatively faithful television renderings. I've read all twenty Cadfael Chronicles--twice--and urge prospective readers to start here and go through them in order. Some of the background plots make more sense. That said, each stands admireably on it's own feet, so read whatever you find.
Peters' fault, perhaps, was that she was a writer of formulaic mystery novels...of which these are. Long before there's even a body, you will usually have figured out who will be accused, who will really have done it, and who the romantic interest of that particular tale is/are. No matter. Medieval Shrewsbury is rendered by the late "Ellis Peters" with enough care and wit to provide many a good evening's reading. That Cadfael is a thoroughly post-modern man helps us find our way through a time and culture which we probably wouldn't recognize otherwise. Enjoy.
Excellent Medieval Tale of Mystery
My girlfriend has a huge stack of these books on the bookcase, so I decided to take a gander at them. After consulting her which was first (I did not realize they were labeled), I dived into the first book.
As the story unfolded, I found myself introduced to an interesting cast of characters. Some likeable. Some not. Detail varies depending on how central they are to the story. Nevertheless, I did not feel that any of them were bland. Cadfael is a curious rogue of a character who has his elder years to temper him. John is mischievous and good intentioned. Robert is pompous, well composed and intelligent, while having good qualities such as being charitable and forgiving (most of the time). Peters is able to characterize in broad strokes or narrow detail as necessary. I was duly impressed.
Now the core of the mystery is the murder, and I found that did not happen until halfway through the book. I did not find myself lacking for it though. There is enough going on that you are curious about the plotting and the discoveries that take place.
Peters' setting is fantastic. Yes, she is drawing upon the historical past, and in a way, it is already made for her. However, she is good at communicating it to us without loosing us in the language. Neither does the language sound modern. She meets us in a middle ground with emphasizes the style of the setting while not loosing us along the way.
The book is very good, and I look forward to picking up the next. It is also brief. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in any manner of fiction. It would appeal to mystery readers, those interested in speculative settings or even someone who does not lean toward any genre. The book should appeal to all.
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