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anaidelawless's review against another edition
4.0
This was so good I might come back later and give it 5 stars.
First of all this has one of the most interesting premises I ever encountered. I mean ninety-four hanged and sudennly there is corpse that does not belong? Who wanted to cover their crime in such a clever way? If it were not for brother Cadfael he would have probably suceeded.
So now to the characters. Cadfael is as great es ever, helping people, staying aside all the political machinations, achieving justice, making friends and devising clever plans. And there are others, two young people who you kinda have to ship together cause they just work and they are clearly innocent. Much more interesting is the fellow you spend half of the book suspecting only for him to become your favorite. I cannot stress enough how much love I have for a character who has both big heart but also quick mind to try to enrich himself when the opportunnity presents itself, while still staying faithful to his conscience. So well written. And his love interest is also great, similar to him in many ways. The resolution comes when you almost think the whole ordeal was forgotten and it makes so much sense. Great premise, great story, great characters so overall very enjoyable experience.
First of all this has one of the most interesting premises I ever encountered. I mean ninety-four hanged and sudennly there is corpse that does not belong? Who wanted to cover their crime in such a clever way? If it were not for brother Cadfael he would have probably suceeded.
So now to the characters. Cadfael is as great es ever, helping people, staying aside all the political machinations, achieving justice, making friends and devising clever plans. And there are others, two young people who you kinda have to ship together cause they just work and they are clearly innocent. Much more interesting is the fellow you spend half of the book suspecting only for him to become your favorite. I cannot stress enough how much love I have for a character who has both big heart but also quick mind to try to enrich himself when the opportunnity presents itself, while still staying faithful to his conscience. So well written. And his love interest is also great, similar to him in many ways. The resolution comes when you almost think the whole ordeal was forgotten and it makes so much sense. Great premise, great story, great characters so overall very enjoyable experience.
erincataldi's review
5.0
As an avid fan of the Masterpiece Theater series, I was excited to finally read this bad boy. This was always my favorite episode because it introduced my man, Hugh Beringer. There is something soothing wholesome and educational about medieval mysteries and this series is the best of the best. Brother Cadfael used to be a man about the world and served in the crusades, but these days he's much more content in his herb garden. Things in the world are more hectic than ever and the battle between Queen Maude and King Stephen as they fight for the throne is literally outside the gates. When Kind Stephen takes over he kills all the rebels, but when the monks go to give the poor traitors a christian burial they discover one extra body among the hanged. Who killed him and why? Brother Cadfael takes it upon himself to avenge this poor wretch whose death was not ordered by the king. Fabulous storytelling and an amazing setting!
enzobissell's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bponsford's review against another edition
4.0
Quite enjoyed this one. I had issues with the first book - didn't buy the Welsh village going along with Cadfael's plans at the end. This one seemed plausible. Also, I really liked the way Cadfael and Hugh played each other.
thejdizzler's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining, but after the twist was fairly predictable.
Really loved the depiction of England under Stephen. Much better than under Penman.
Really loved the depiction of England under Stephen. Much better than under Penman.
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
4.25
Yay! Hugh Beringer is here! And even more devious and dashing than in the show
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
One Corpse Too Many takes us to 1138 England, where the denizens of Shrewsbury and its abbey are caught up in the war between King Stephen and Empress Maud. When Brother Cadfael learns the secret of his new helper, he enters the fray of the national conflict.
Ever sage and broad-minded, Cadfael’s “monarch is neither Stephen nor Maud,” but he “value[s] devotion and fidelity, and doubt[s] if it matters whether the object falls short” (27). It’s a delight to watch him match wits with the young Hugh Beringar. In a time of precarious allegiances, he wonders at first if Hugh is a friend or a foe. Once again the author’s adroitness impresses as she expands on this moment from history. The only quibble I have is one of the tests Brother Cadfael uses to confirm his inkling about his new helper’s secret.
One Corpse Too Many is another excellent installment in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, and it is sure to thrill historical mystery lovers and fans of medieval England. It was a pleasure to revisit as I hopefully finally fully finish the series this time around.
Some of my favorite quotes:
- “What you do and what you are is what matters.” (27)
- “All the things of the wild have their proper uses, only misuse makes them evil.” (51)
- “God’s plans for us, however infallibly good, may not take the form that we expect and demand.” (176)
Last finished reading 9/17/2023.
Ever sage and broad-minded, Cadfael’s “monarch is neither Stephen nor Maud,” but he “value[s] devotion and fidelity, and doubt[s] if it matters whether the object falls short” (27). It’s a delight to watch him match wits with the young Hugh Beringar. In a time of precarious allegiances, he wonders at first if Hugh is a friend or a foe. Once again the author’s adroitness impresses as she expands on this moment from history. The only quibble I have is one of the tests Brother Cadfael uses to confirm his inkling about his new helper’s secret.
One Corpse Too Many is another excellent installment in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, and it is sure to thrill historical mystery lovers and fans of medieval England. It was a pleasure to revisit as I hopefully finally fully finish the series this time around.
Some of my favorite quotes:
- “What you do and what you are is what matters.” (27)
- “All the things of the wild have their proper uses, only misuse makes them evil.” (51)
- “God’s plans for us, however infallibly good, may not take the form that we expect and demand.” (176)
Last finished reading 9/17/2023.
crankyfacedknitter's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy the style of writing in these books. They're formal and just foreign enough in narration and dialogue, being set in the 1100's, and stylistically as accurate as is readable. The juxtaposition of this tone with a murder mystery, which I feel is a far more recent trend, and heavily reliant on deduction and observation (being limited by the scientific understanding of the time), is a good deal of fun. It doesn't hurt that the main character has a sense of humor when he's dealing with all of these rash, energetic, passionate young people and their absolute certainties in all matters.