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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
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.
Yay! Hugh Beringer is here! And even more devious and dashing than in the show
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.
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.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another thoroughly enjoyable Brother Cadfael mystery with great characters.
mysterious
medium-paced
This story is our introduction to Hugh Beringer, Cadfael's soon to be friend and his partner in crime solving.
A great mystery, a good story and wonderful end.
A great mystery, a good story and wonderful end.