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eososray's review against another edition
4.0
I love this entire series but there are a few who have a common complaint from me, too much melodrama. This one falls into those few.
It's a very dramatic story that includes death (of course), kidnapping, fire, jealousy and love.
It's a very dramatic story that includes death (of course), kidnapping, fire, jealousy and love.
laurasullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
The 13th book in the Brother Cadfael series. In 1142, spring is very late in arriving and there is concern in the town of Shrewsbury for the crops. There is also concern that the late spring will prevent the white rose bush in the garden of the house that Niall, the bronzesmith, rents from blooming by the feast day of St. Winifred Judith Perle, a widow whose husband and unborn child died within 20 days of each other, leases the house to the Abbey and asks only a single white rose each year as rent. If the bush fails to product a bloom by St. Winifred's feast day, the contract is broken. Brother Elurie, who had delivered the rose for the past three years to Judith, is found murdered at the base of the rose bush and the bush itself is heavily damaged in an apparent attempt to destroy it. Brother Cadfael joins the Sheriff in investigating this crime and those that come after it in an effort to protect Judith and uphold the contract. The strength of this series is not only the plot--although in this book, I guessed the outcome fairly early--but in the impressive historical research that was obviously conducted by the author. I think that it's time to revisit this series and get to know Brother Cadfael, the other brothers in the Abbey, and the residents of Shrewsbury better.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
5.0
I hadn't read this one since 2018, so it was delightfully "new" to me. Niall saved the day!
caitie95's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a slightly different feel to it than previous books in the series. I think this has something to do with how the events are less centred around Cadfael, and the heroine of the story proves to be one of the strongest characters. And the romance is much more subtle.
jercox's review against another edition
4.0
A little better than average, and I like Cadfael in general. The problems of agency for a woman with property in feudal england, plus love and the usual bad / trapped actors make for a fun story.
readingelli's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
Abduction, drowningsericulus's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0