You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I've never read one of this series- only watched the show, which I enjoyed. You can definitely start out of order. I really have no background with this historical period, but that was mostly okay. It was a decent mystery to listen to without anything gory or terrible happening.
I would recommend for a roadtrip if you discover that the rental doesn't have a CD player or an aux hookup and you brought 5 different audios in that format and have to find something quick on Overdrive before getting on the highway.
I would recommend for a roadtrip if you discover that the rental doesn't have a CD player or an aux hookup and you brought 5 different audios in that format and have to find something quick on Overdrive before getting on the highway.
Perhaps two stars is a bit too harsh, but this one was not quite as interesting as the first book. The prose was occasionally clunky, it being difficult at times to tell which character was speaking or to whom referring. The need to rely on last minute fortuitous happenstance to resolve a mystery is always deserving of a demotion. Still, the story was enjoyable and I will likely read more in the series.
1138 is overshadowed by Civil War between the two heirs of Henry I, and Brother Cadfael, an ex-Crusader-turned-herbalist as well as Benedictine Monk, is called to sort through the aftermath of a mass hanging where he discovers an extra body. Now Cadfael must uncover the name of the victim as well as that of the murderer.
This book was written in 1979, and while the characters can be a bit long-winded, this is a delightful historical mystery. The prose is poetic in construction with sumptuous passages that feel as if from a mythical past time and place. The robustly detailed setting adds to the mystery as Brother Cadfael must sort through clues like the shod of horseshoes, a broken piece of a dagger hilt left behind at the murder site, and other hints that we as readers so often take for granted with modern forensics. It’s a game of calculation and politics, of sword fights to the death, of budding love, and of daring escapes.
There are a variety of characters including two highly capable and intelligent women, and I do love me that girl power. I also enjoy that not all the men are chauvinistic in nature, ready to dismiss or put women down, as is often presented in historical fiction set in medieval times. This, book 2 of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, surpasses its predecessor in terms of depth of the mystery (with its plots and subplots) and urgency as political forces inject themselves as obstacles for our characters. These books are short reads about life in perilous times and mysteries to unravel that are enjoyable and engaging mysteries.
This book was written in 1979, and while the characters can be a bit long-winded, this is a delightful historical mystery. The prose is poetic in construction with sumptuous passages that feel as if from a mythical past time and place. The robustly detailed setting adds to the mystery as Brother Cadfael must sort through clues like the shod of horseshoes, a broken piece of a dagger hilt left behind at the murder site, and other hints that we as readers so often take for granted with modern forensics. It’s a game of calculation and politics, of sword fights to the death, of budding love, and of daring escapes.
There are a variety of characters including two highly capable and intelligent women, and I do love me that girl power. I also enjoy that not all the men are chauvinistic in nature, ready to dismiss or put women down, as is often presented in historical fiction set in medieval times. This, book 2 of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, surpasses its predecessor in terms of depth of the mystery (with its plots and subplots) and urgency as political forces inject themselves as obstacles for our characters. These books are short reads about life in perilous times and mysteries to unravel that are enjoyable and engaging mysteries.
I'm quite enjoying these, but in a very chill way. I'm not getting super invested, but I very much sink into them and have a fun time trying to solve the mysteries.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Violence, Blood
This is a great series, and the second novel has a particularly clever plot. I got lost in some details towards the end but was able to connect the overarching ideas without difficulty. I love the time period of medieval England during the 19 year strife between King Stephen and Maud. I read that the character of Hugh Beringar will appear again in future books, and I hope that is so!
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I liked book 2 better than book 1. Lovely series.
Audiobook narrator Patrick Tull gets 4.5 stars.
Audiobook narrator Patrick Tull gets 4.5 stars.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
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