Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The twelfth century in Shrewsbury means the civil war is going strong. King Stephen and his army are assaulting Shrewsbury castle while the Empress Maud's faithful hold within. The town and the abbey await with baited breath for the inevitable when the weakened castle defense will fall.
In the pall of war, One Corpse Too Many, the second Brother Cadfael Chronicles mystery begins. Cadfael becomes personally involved when a youth his brought to him to work the garden with him and join the other novices in the abbey. But, it isn't long before Cadfael notices that Godric is really Godith. She trusts him with the truth about herself- that she is the daughter of Fulk Adany one of FitzAlan's knights who couldn't get her out in time before Stephen's forces surrounded the castle.
Cadfael also learns that FitzAlan's treasure was also to be smuggled out during the same time Stephen's forces attack and breach the castle at last. While a mass execution of the castle defenders takes place, someone else is using the cloak of war and darkness to commit murder so an extra body is discovered by Cadfael among the others.
Lord Hugh Beringar, a keen-eyed and clever man comes to take his knee to Stephen and also to hunt down Godith Adany, his afianced bride at Stephen's request. He grows curious about Cadfael and his novice so that their attempt to hide an injured squire meant to carry off FitzAlan's treasure complicates things exceedingly.
One Corpse Too Many is a thrilling and suspenseful installment in the series, but full of all the excitement a medieval story can offer. Cadfael is at his cleverest not only at solving the murder, but manipulating events so that a girl, an injured young man, and a treasure get where they need to be right under the royal nose and past the hawkish eyes of a man Cadfael has grown to respect.
Patrick Tull continues to narrate the series and does a good job with the various voices he had to portray.
Knights, ladies, romance and war, religious life and secular all come together in one pulse-pounding tale that is one of my favorites in the Brother Cadfael series.
In the pall of war, One Corpse Too Many, the second Brother Cadfael Chronicles mystery begins. Cadfael becomes personally involved when a youth his brought to him to work the garden with him and join the other novices in the abbey. But, it isn't long before Cadfael notices that Godric is really Godith. She trusts him with the truth about herself- that she is the daughter of Fulk Adany one of FitzAlan's knights who couldn't get her out in time before Stephen's forces surrounded the castle.
Cadfael also learns that FitzAlan's treasure was also to be smuggled out during the same time Stephen's forces attack and breach the castle at last. While a mass execution of the castle defenders takes place, someone else is using the cloak of war and darkness to commit murder so an extra body is discovered by Cadfael among the others.
Lord Hugh Beringar, a keen-eyed and clever man comes to take his knee to Stephen and also to hunt down Godith Adany, his afianced bride at Stephen's request. He grows curious about Cadfael and his novice so that their attempt to hide an injured squire meant to carry off FitzAlan's treasure complicates things exceedingly.
One Corpse Too Many is a thrilling and suspenseful installment in the series, but full of all the excitement a medieval story can offer. Cadfael is at his cleverest not only at solving the murder, but manipulating events so that a girl, an injured young man, and a treasure get where they need to be right under the royal nose and past the hawkish eyes of a man Cadfael has grown to respect.
Patrick Tull continues to narrate the series and does a good job with the various voices he had to portray.
Knights, ladies, romance and war, religious life and secular all come together in one pulse-pounding tale that is one of my favorites in the Brother Cadfael series.
As anticipated, this second book of the Brother Cadfael series was better than the first. I like the change in characters and continue to enjoy the historical background. The Anarchy or the war between Stephen and Maud which lasted from 1135 to 1153 (thanks Wiki!) was not only the backdrop to but a precipitating factor of this murder.
I am interested enough to read the next one.
I am interested enough to read the next one.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Although this mystery doesn’t really give clues to the murderer’s identity until the end, it does a good job of misdirection. See my complete review here: https://whatmeread.com/2025/07/15/review-2602-one-corpse-too-many/
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No