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devlinwav's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
4.0
I like Brother Cadfael's pragmatism. Very practical man, and it is he and not that lofty, holier-than-thou Prior Robert who is really a better case for religion. The murder mystery was all right, it's more of a B-plot to me as it was rather transparent who the fool was. I was much more interested in the cloister life, it is most fascinating as I know nothing of it except for what was portrayed in Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. The introduction to Wales village culture is also a bonus, although I do not find such clannishness and inward-looking attitudes as a positive thing. At any rate, I like how the author humanizes the monastic life, and shows that they are just ordinary people like the rest of us, striving to live well and make better the lives of others.
accidentalspaceexplorer's review against another edition
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
4.5
I'd watched & enjoyed the Cadfael series several years ago, so when I ran across this I thought it could be pretty fun, and it absolutely was. I'm pretty sure I've seen this episode but I completely forgot about the plot so it worked out ok. I was really surprised though! I really enjoyed Cadfael's perspective, and I thought the murder plot & ending were both really clever and surprising. Very good, and I'll definitely read the next one.
aberdeenwaters's review against another edition
4.0
A Whodunit in Medieval times? How could I resist? A fun read.
angelareads's review against another edition
I just wasn't following and I wasn't interested enough to reread.
ladysanctuary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
These books have been background noise to my life for so long but I never picked them up until now. Honestly, what a delight. A unique setting (Until you read Name of the Rose), interesting characters, a different kind of mystery.
I played Pentiment while reading this, which added depth and Easter eggs to the experience of both. Redwall meets Agatha Christie.
I played Pentiment while reading this, which added depth and Easter eggs to the experience of both. Redwall meets Agatha Christie.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I had read a couple of Brother Cadfael novels before, but not this one. Enjoyed very much: enjoyed the foray the Brothers made into Wales, and the points about the differences between the English-born and the Welsh-born. It starts when the Brothers at Shrewsbury decide they need their own saint; and they go to Wales to retrieve the bones of Saint Winifred to exalt her higher than the locals have been able to do. Of course, the Welsh people are not terribly happy about their local saint going away ... and murder follows. Brother Cadfael is delightful as he figures out a solution that makes everyone happy in the end, even if some of the participants are unaware of the full extent of the solution.
tree_life_1239's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0