Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Historical Fiction. HTML: A monk must find a killer among a flood of religious pilgrims in this medieval mystery by the Edgar Awardâ??winning author: "A series like no other" (TheSan Diego Union-Tribune). In the year of our Lord 1141, civil war over England's throne leaves a legacy of violenceâ??and the murder of a knight dear to Brother Cadfael. And with gentle bud-strewn May, a flood of pilgrims comes to the celebration of Saint Winifred at the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, carrying with it many strange soulsâ??and perhaps the knight's killer. Brother Cadfael's shrewd eyes see all: the prosperous merchant who rings false, an angelic lame boy, his beautiful dowerless sister, and two wealthy penitents. In the name of justice Cadfael decides to uncover the strange and twisted tale that accompanies these travelers. Instead he unearths a quest for vengeance, witnesses a miracle, and finds himself on a razor's edge between death and the absolution of l… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member smik
I have already read this Ellis Peters novel, but so long ago that my memory was very dim, and so I decided to listen to an audio copy.
It is of course one of the Brother Cadfael series, made famous particularly by Derek Jacobi's TV series.
1. A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977)
2. One Corpse Too Many
3. Monk's Hood (1980)
4. St. Peter's Fair (1981)
5. The Leper of Saint Giles (1981)
6. The Virgin in the Ice (1982)
7. The Sanctuary Sparrow (1982)
8. The Devil's Novice (1983)
9. Dead Man's Ransom (1984)
10. The Pilgrim of Hate (1984)
11. An Excellent Mystery (1985)
12. The Raven in the Foregate (1986)
13. The Rose Rent (1986)
14. The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1987)
15. The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988)
16. The Heretic's Apprentice (1989)
17. The Potter's Field (1989)
18. The Summer of the Danes (1991)
19. The Holy Thief (1992)
20. Brother Cadfael's Penance (1994)
The setting is the Benedictine Abbey at Shrewsbury, on the eve of the installation of the casket with St. Winifred's bones into the Abbey. The political setting is the struggle between King Stephen and the Empress Maud. Will the installation of Saint Winifred's bones be accompanied by a miracle? So far Shrewsbury has not been favoured with a miracle, and certainly there are many who are hoping for her favour.
In the early hours of listening to the novel, I found myself thinking that the series had dated a little. The language is bit more formal than that of more modern writing, but then I found that as the story developed, that didn't really matter. It helps if you know a bit of the political background when you are reading the novel, and that may have been what frustrated me at the beginning - I was struggling to resurrect my history, couldn't quite remember who was vying for what. And then this is #10 in the Cadfael series, and things have been revealed about his earlier life that it helps to know about.
But if you like historical mysteries, then this is a series you will enjoy. It is not for nothing that the CWA awards for historical mystery is dedicated to Ellis Peters. And she had such a great love of this period in English history and this particular part of England. So get to a library and borrow the series, starting at the beginning. Or check out the CWA page for other historical mystery reading.
It is of course one of the Brother Cadfael series, made famous particularly by Derek Jacobi's TV series.
1. A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977)
2. One Corpse Too Many
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(1979)3. Monk's Hood (1980)
4. St. Peter's Fair (1981)
5. The Leper of Saint Giles (1981)
6. The Virgin in the Ice (1982)
7. The Sanctuary Sparrow (1982)
8. The Devil's Novice (1983)
9. Dead Man's Ransom (1984)
10. The Pilgrim of Hate (1984)
11. An Excellent Mystery (1985)
12. The Raven in the Foregate (1986)
13. The Rose Rent (1986)
14. The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1987)
15. The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988)
16. The Heretic's Apprentice (1989)
17. The Potter's Field (1989)
18. The Summer of the Danes (1991)
19. The Holy Thief (1992)
20. Brother Cadfael's Penance (1994)
The setting is the Benedictine Abbey at Shrewsbury, on the eve of the installation of the casket with St. Winifred's bones into the Abbey. The political setting is the struggle between King Stephen and the Empress Maud. Will the installation of Saint Winifred's bones be accompanied by a miracle? So far Shrewsbury has not been favoured with a miracle, and certainly there are many who are hoping for her favour.
In the early hours of listening to the novel, I found myself thinking that the series had dated a little. The language is bit more formal than that of more modern writing, but then I found that as the story developed, that didn't really matter. It helps if you know a bit of the political background when you are reading the novel, and that may have been what frustrated me at the beginning - I was struggling to resurrect my history, couldn't quite remember who was vying for what. And then this is #10 in the Cadfael series, and things have been revealed about his earlier life that it helps to know about.
But if you like historical mysteries, then this is a series you will enjoy. It is not for nothing that the CWA awards for historical mystery is dedicated to Ellis Peters. And she had such a great love of this period in English history and this particular part of England. So get to a library and borrow the series, starting at the beginning. Or check out the CWA page for other historical mystery reading.
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LibraryThing member Othemts
Another interesting albeit contrived mystery involving Brother Cadfael. What's best about these books is their description of time, place and people. I grow fonder of the characters in each installment. And I'm getting closer to my goal of reading a great mystery without a murder. A murder happens,
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but not in Shrewsbury and Cadfael does not have to solve it as the murderer has already been punished. It's the mystery of a vengeful adherent the plays at the center of this book Show Less
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
The murder is off stage and everything that stems from that seems to circumstantial. Most of the story now delves into prior books in the series to enrich the novel. The mystery is virtually second place to it.
LibraryThing member MuseofIre
Peters has an unfortunate habit of trying to present conversations and situations as if they can only mean one thing, when clearly there are alternate explanations. Doesn't help when she puts the real motive in the title.
LibraryThing member amelish
Pilgrim Hater of the Year.
HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE
HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE
LibraryThing member Meredy
Six-word review: Penance and vengeance provide narrative twists.
Extended review:
While staying with a successful formula involving Brother Cadfael in solving murders and abetting young love against a backdrop of medieval politics and monastic routine, this tenth in the series introduces some fresh
Extended review:
While staying with a successful formula involving Brother Cadfael in solving murders and abetting young love against a backdrop of medieval politics and monastic routine, this tenth in the series introduces some fresh
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relationship dynamics that lend savor to the mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member mimal
bookshelves: tbr-busting-2014, series, published-1984, winter-20132014, mystery-thriller, historical-fiction, film-only, britain-england, shropshire, religion, war, medieval5c-16c, medical-eew
Read on January 19, 2014
Description: The fourth anniversary of the transfer of Saint Winifred's bones to
Dem bones, Dem bones. Cadfael plays jigsaw to find out some facts.
Have one TV episode left in my storage box and that'll do fine for next week. Now I go back to New York to continue with The Golem and the Jinni.
3* #1 A Morbid Taste for Bones
3* #2 One Corpse Too Many
3* #3 Monk's Hood
3* #4 St Peter's Fair
3* #5 Leper of St. Giles
4* #6 The Virgin in the Ice
3* #7 The Sanctuary Sparrow
4* #8 The Devil's Novice
3* #9 Dead Man's Ransom
3* #10 The Pilgrim of Hate
3* #12 The Raven in the Forecourt
3* #13 The Rose Rent
4* #17 The Potter's Field
3* #18 Summer of the Danes
TR #19 The Holy Thief
2* Flight of a Witch
2* Light on the Road to Woodstock
WL A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury
5* Sunrise in the West
TR The Dragon at Noonday
TR The Hounds at Sunset
TR Afterglow and Nightfall
Read on January 19, 2014
Description: The fourth anniversary of the transfer of Saint Winifred's bones to
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the Abbey at Shrewsbury is a time of celebration for the 12th-century pilgrims gathering from far and wide. In distant Winchester, however, a knight has been murdered. Could it be because he was a supporter of the Empress Maud, one of numerous pretenders to the throne? It's up to herbalist, sleuth, and Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael to track down the killer in the pious throng.Dem bones, Dem bones. Cadfael plays jigsaw to find out some facts.
Have one TV episode left in my storage box and that'll do fine for next week. Now I go back to New York to continue with The Golem and the Jinni.
3* #1 A Morbid Taste for Bones
3* #2 One Corpse Too Many
3* #3 Monk's Hood
3* #4 St Peter's Fair
3* #5 Leper of St. Giles
4* #6 The Virgin in the Ice
3* #7 The Sanctuary Sparrow
4* #8 The Devil's Novice
3* #9 Dead Man's Ransom
3* #10 The Pilgrim of Hate
3* #12 The Raven in the Forecourt
3* #13 The Rose Rent
4* #17 The Potter's Field
3* #18 Summer of the Danes
TR #19 The Holy Thief
2* Flight of a Witch
2* Light on the Road to Woodstock
WL A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury
5* Sunrise in the West
TR The Dragon at Noonday
TR The Hounds at Sunset
TR Afterglow and Nightfall
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LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
Just when I was starting to feel like these books were all getting very samey, a return to what I liked about the first one: sincere religious feeling, spiritual doubt, and a hefty dash of medieval politics.
LibraryThing member antiquary
Two young men appear as pilgrims for the Feast of St. Winifrid . Itt iurns out they may be linked to the murder of a knight in Winchester, where a important political meeting is taking place. My memory us this is one of the darker stories in the series, not my favorite.
LibraryThing member Karin7
It's 1141 AD and the fourth anniversary of the bringing of a Saint's bones to Shrewsbury rapidly approaches (they were brought in the first Cadfael novel, so no details given here). At this time Empress Maud has entered London and imprisoned King Stephen in the continued vying for the throne, so
Pilgrims begin to arrive for the anniversary, and, naturally others are mingled among them. Cadfael helps to tend two of them, one who is lame and has been brought in hopes of a miracle and another who is bound by oath to travel barefoot wearing a very heavy cross by a thin chain. The former has come with his sister and aunt, the latter with a man bound by oath to accompany him.
Problems arise with another group of travellers who have arrived with loaded dice, ready to strip locals and pilgrims alike of their money. Soon Cadfael and Hugh are doing more than solving this mystery, but pondering the question of whether or not one of the travellers may also be the murderer from London.
While I didn't love it, I definitely liked this tenth installment in this series. Good enough to keep me reading to see what happened and to connect me to the key characters, but not so engrossing as to keep me up past my bedtime.
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things are not looking promising for Cadfael's friend, Hugh Beringer who has sworn allegiance to Stephen. An innocent man is murdered in London, and rumours have begun about that.Pilgrims begin to arrive for the anniversary, and, naturally others are mingled among them. Cadfael helps to tend two of them, one who is lame and has been brought in hopes of a miracle and another who is bound by oath to travel barefoot wearing a very heavy cross by a thin chain. The former has come with his sister and aunt, the latter with a man bound by oath to accompany him.
Problems arise with another group of travellers who have arrived with loaded dice, ready to strip locals and pilgrims alike of their money. Soon Cadfael and Hugh are doing more than solving this mystery, but pondering the question of whether or not one of the travellers may also be the murderer from London.
While I didn't love it, I definitely liked this tenth installment in this series. Good enough to keep me reading to see what happened and to connect me to the key characters, but not so engrossing as to keep me up past my bedtime.
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LibraryThing member Merneith
One of my favorite of the Brother Cadfael books, tying up family, politics, war, faith, miracles, love, revenge, religion and humanity, in 250 pages.
This probably isn't the best place for newcomers to start the series, but the series itself is well worth starting. Book 1 is called "A Morbid Taste
This probably isn't the best place for newcomers to start the series, but the series itself is well worth starting. Book 1 is called "A Morbid Taste
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for Bones". Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
As the Shrewsbury abbey prepares to celebrate the translation of Welsh Saint Winifred's bones, pilgrims gather from the far reaches of the country in hope of a healing miracle. The anniversary follows close on the heels of a conference in Winchester between the opposing factions in the civil war
The series has become somewhat formulaic by this point. The highlights of this episode in the series are the confidences shared between Cadfael and his friend, sheriff Hugh Beringar, that reveal added depths in Cadfael's character, and the disabled adolescent Rhun, who is one of the most likable of the characters I've encountered in this series so far. Each book in the series includes a pair of young lovers, and this one is no exception. Although I usually hope for a happy ending to the romance, this time was different.One scene ended violently, with Matthew striking Melangell hard enough to leave her face bruised. Attitudes may have been different in the Middle Ages regarding violence between men and women, but I don't have to like it.
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between King Stephen and his cousin, the Empress Maud. A knight was killed as he left the conference, and his murdered managed to escape. Is it possible that a murderer is hidden among the pilgrims who are temporary guests at the abbey? If so, Brother Cadfael will find him.The series has become somewhat formulaic by this point. The highlights of this episode in the series are the confidences shared between Cadfael and his friend, sheriff Hugh Beringar, that reveal added depths in Cadfael's character, and the disabled adolescent Rhun, who is one of the most likable of the characters I've encountered in this series so far. Each book in the series includes a pair of young lovers, and this one is no exception. Although I usually hope for a happy ending to the romance, this time was different.
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LibraryThing member hopeevey
Another wonderful Brother Cadfael story! This one is less about the mystery itself, and more about the people it distantly touches on. By the end of the book, I was glad to learn the solution to the mystery, but was much more interested in what happened to the people. This would be a great mystery
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novel for folks who aren't normally fans of mysteries. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
Two pilgrims enter Shrewsbury abbey for St. Winifred's feast. One is bare footed and weighted down by a heavy cross. The other follows him relentlessly wherever he goes. What is the mystery surrounding these two men?
LibraryThing member fdholt
In The pilgrim of hate, the Abbey at Shrewsbury is preparing for the large number of pilgrims who will come to the St. Winifred's celebration. And it is a motley bunch - a lame boy with his sister and aunt, several wealthy merchants, and a pair of men, one of which is barefoot and carrying a cross.
In the end, justice prevails, the thieves are caught and the murder sorted out to our satisfaction. And we glimpse more into the lives of the continuing characters in this, the tenth Chronicle of Cadfael.
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Add thievery, murder in Winchester, and miracles and Brother Cadfael has his hands full. In addition, Olivier de Bretagne (see is in the vicinity, seeking a missing knight.In the end, justice prevails, the thieves are caught and the murder sorted out to our satisfaction. And we glimpse more into the lives of the continuing characters in this, the tenth Chronicle of Cadfael.
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LibraryThing member ritaer
devoted companion of a pilgrim turns out to be his enemy. Caedfel meets his son again
LibraryThing member fuzzi
Another satisfying read in the Brother Cadfael series, with more King Stephen/Empress Maud fighting in the background!
LibraryThing member kevn57
I don't generally like historical fiction, except for the time period covered here, and the location. medieval England. A time of civil war and also myth, my favorite being Robin Hood. Having recently read Nottingham I was reminded to pick up this series which I enjoyed as much as always.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
★ ★ ★ 1/2
Empress Maud has taken King Stephen hostage. While Maud is in London she turns every nobleman against her with her arrogance and is forced to flee prior to her official coronation.
King Stephen's wife, Queen Matilda, has sent a delegate to negotiate his release. The delegate is
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hatefully murdered by one who was instructed to allow the delegate safe passage.Two men of stature meet a young woman, her cripple brother, & their adopted mother while on a pilgrimage to venerate Saint Winifred..... One of these men is unshod with a heavy cross hanging from his neck, the rope the cross is on cutting a groove in the flesh of his neck. The other falls in love with the young woman.....
Brother Cadfael treats the pilgrims' maladies and becomes aware that something is amiss, when a messenger from London brings news of the murder of Queen Matilda's delegate & the fact that one of the delegate's companions has gone missing......
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LibraryThing member walterhistory
An assassination, 2 men's appearance at the abbey, & a mysterious group of thieves. A triple oddity that leads Brother Cadfael to danger & to discovery of a plot gone wrong & one who seeks vengeance for a brutal crime. Will Cadfael be able to prevent not only a murder but a man's soul? Reader
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beware. Show Less
Original publication date
1984
ISBN
9781784080600
Local notes
Brother Cadfael, 10
DDC/MDS
| Fic Mystery PetersEs |