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carmanj's review against another edition
4.0
Terrific! Loved reading the first book in the Cadfael series. Great use of language to cast the spell of being in 12th century Wales. I’m in to read more for sure!
leothil's review against another edition
4.0
A quite enjoyable story in a setting I very much like: medieval Britain! My dad really enjoys this series, so I'll probably read a few more.
rebeccabadger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
lgarrity's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
rachelwinsor's review against another edition
4.0
These books are all good. They are not all that fast paced, which makes them easy to put down. In a good way. There is a very subtle underlying plot. Very very subtle. Like sometimes a character reappears and you read one paragraph about them. There is always a romance in the subplot. There is usually a religious message. But mainly Cadfael is a interesting character and it is enjoyable to read.
beekohead's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ehays84's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not really a mystery guy, but I appreciate them now and then. This was a well done and fun read. She did well with the history and context I believe, and the characters were well sketched.
As for the mystery itself, I actually think the book was too short to truly draw out all the strands she had going. There weren't enough red herrings and things to keep me guessing.
But the real reason for no five stars is that this book ultimately didn't have much to say beyond the story, meaning general literary merit or comment on the human condition.
Still, a fun read and I might read more in the series eventually.
As for the mystery itself, I actually think the book was too short to truly draw out all the strands she had going. There weren't enough red herrings and things to keep me guessing.
But the real reason for no five stars is that this book ultimately didn't have much to say beyond the story, meaning general literary merit or comment on the human condition.
Still, a fun read and I might read more in the series eventually.
dr_laurie_1968's review against another edition
4.0
Ellis Peters, aka Edith Pargeter, is the Grand Dame of historical mysteries. I envy you if you have yet to discover Brother Cadfael. Make yourself a nice pot of tea and enjoy!
ladyjedi's review against another edition
3.0
I certainly like the characters, and the plot. The prose at times was a bit tiring.
erikars's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first mystery I've read so I cannot really judge it as an entry in that genre. That said, I found the story and the characters compelling. What I particularly appreciated is that the side characters and side story lines seemed richly compelling. Unlike in some books, where it seems like the other characters and their stories exist just to move the main story forward, this world felt like it continued existing even when it was, so to say, off screen. As a story set in the past, I did not feel like the it was particularly anchored to the 12th century. The preview of the next book included in this edition made it look like later books in the series pull in a bit more historical context.
All-in-all, a fun read, and I look forward to eventually reading others.
All-in-all, a fun read, and I look forward to eventually reading others.