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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
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
Cadfael is a medieval monk who solves crimes. He is a part of a monastery in Shrewsbury, at the border of England and Wales in the 1100s. Most of this series centers on events that take place in Shrewsbury during the civil war between Empress Maud and King Stephen.
In this book, King Stephen storms the castle at Shrewsbury and orders all supporters of Empress Maud to be killed. Ninety-four men were killed, but when Cadfael goes to bless and bury the bodies he counts 95. He notices that this man has been killed in a different manner than the executed and sets out to find his killer. There’s also a side story of Cadfael helping the daughter of one of King Stephen’s supporters, Godith, and a lot of action in that story line.
This was my first Cadfael and I really enjoyed it. Cadfael is a really cool character with a lot of depth. He came to monkhood after fighting in the crusades and being a ship captain which is how he has all his detective skills. This book also reads a bit fantasy cause of the medieval setting which the author does an awesome job of transporting you to. The mystery kind of seemed like an aside to the action around getting Godith to safety, but I still really enjoyed the book. I’m guessing with this being only second in the series, the author is still setting up characters. Characters like Hugh Beringar that will become regulars in the series are still being introduced in this book.
In this book, King Stephen storms the castle at Shrewsbury and orders all supporters of Empress Maud to be killed. Ninety-four men were killed, but when Cadfael goes to bless and bury the bodies he counts 95. He notices that this man has been killed in a different manner than the executed and sets out to find his killer. There’s also a side story of Cadfael helping the daughter of one of King Stephen’s supporters, Godith, and a lot of action in that story line.
This was my first Cadfael and I really enjoyed it. Cadfael is a really cool character with a lot of depth. He came to monkhood after fighting in the crusades and being a ship captain which is how he has all his detective skills. This book also reads a bit fantasy cause of the medieval setting which the author does an awesome job of transporting you to. The mystery kind of seemed like an aside to the action around getting Godith to safety, but I still really enjoyed the book. I’m guessing with this being only second in the series, the author is still setting up characters. Characters like Hugh Beringar that will become regulars in the series are still being introduced in this book.
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.
mysterious
fast-paced
One Corpse Too Many improves enormously on the first book in the series, and it proved me right in finding something in A Mordbid Taste for Bones that made me want to read on. The details of the era are present, but subtle, and not overwhelming in descriptions of the sights and sounds and scents of 1138. We are eased into the world by Ellis' simple and pleasant descriptions, and not treated as if it would be strange or unfamiliar to our eyes.
Though the mystery and the characters in this book gripped me more than in the first, and that was the main reason for my liking it so much, it is Cadfael himself that remains constant in both - wise, likeable, whip-smart, kind and just generally a lovely, calming character to spend time with. That's mainly why I'm looking forward to reading on in the series - I just love Cadfael as the main character.
Though the mystery and the characters in this book gripped me more than in the first, and that was the main reason for my liking it so much, it is Cadfael himself that remains constant in both - wise, likeable, whip-smart, kind and just generally a lovely, calming character to spend time with. That's mainly why I'm looking forward to reading on in the series - I just love Cadfael as the main character.
It's been several years since I read the Cadfael mysteries, and I find that my reaction to them is similar to what it was 20 or so years ago. Cadfael himself is charming, if remarkably anachronistic. His tolerance for others and their beliefs--even if considered heretical by the standards of his day--is too much to be believed from even as worldly brother as himself. The other thing I've found irritating is the romance that occurs in every book, usually without any meaningful foundation. The young lovers in this mystery--both sets--are slightly more plausible than some of the examples that appear in other books in this series.
But what Peters does well, she does very well, indeed. Her characters (except for the often-boring lovers) are well-drawn and vivid. Cadfael's fellow Benedictines--Abbot Heribert, Prior Robert and Brother Jerome, Brother Paul, for example--are enjoyable to read. And I love Hugh Beringar, who is set up very well in this book. Setting these mysteries during the civil war between Stephen and Maud is also effective. The ever-present, but oft-times distant, civil war gives a tension to many of the proceedings, as the characters and the town of Shrewsbury are rarely allowed to forget what is happening elsewhere. Also, this is not a well-known period of English history, and Peters does a fine job of dramatizing it and the royal personages who drove the conflict.
It is Peters' characterization, her assured use of her historical setting, and her well-structured plots that bring me enjoyment. I doubt that I'll re-read all of the series--there are a few that stand out in my memory that I wish to revisit--but each mystery is a pleasant diversion.
But what Peters does well, she does very well, indeed. Her characters (except for the often-boring lovers) are well-drawn and vivid. Cadfael's fellow Benedictines--Abbot Heribert, Prior Robert and Brother Jerome, Brother Paul, for example--are enjoyable to read. And I love Hugh Beringar, who is set up very well in this book. Setting these mysteries during the civil war between Stephen and Maud is also effective. The ever-present, but oft-times distant, civil war gives a tension to many of the proceedings, as the characters and the town of Shrewsbury are rarely allowed to forget what is happening elsewhere. Also, this is not a well-known period of English history, and Peters does a fine job of dramatizing it and the royal personages who drove the conflict.
It is Peters' characterization, her assured use of her historical setting, and her well-structured plots that bring me enjoyment. I doubt that I'll re-read all of the series--there are a few that stand out in my memory that I wish to revisit--but each mystery is a pleasant diversion.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Medieval murder mystery set in England near Wales. I read a couple of these many years ago and decided continue reading some more in the series. Pretty good mysteries and I like the setting/time period.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While these novels don’t have the complexity of mysteries with dense characters and plot, instead being rather light, they’re informative, as much as about life in 12th C England as about human nature. By casting Cadfael as an older man with worldly experience, Peters gives him wisdom and insight into people around him, both good and bad.
As in the first book, A Morbid Taste for Bones, Cadfael provides a fatherly protection to a young couple in difficult if not desperate straits. He’s clever and crafty, able to persuade people to act as though their actions were their idea in the first place. He’s manipulative but not malicious, always looking for the good in people and doing his best to be fair.
I’m enjoying the series even though I’ve read only two so far, and hope to read more.
As in the first book, A Morbid Taste for Bones, Cadfael provides a fatherly protection to a young couple in difficult if not desperate straits. He’s clever and crafty, able to persuade people to act as though their actions were their idea in the first place. He’s manipulative but not malicious, always looking for the good in people and doing his best to be fair.
I’m enjoying the series even though I’ve read only two so far, and hope to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
mysterious
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Sword fight, civil war, religion
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No