Reviews

Il roseto ardente by Ellis Peters

judyward's review against another edition

3.0

The 13th book in the Brother Cadfael series. In 1142, spring is very late in arriving and there is concern in the town of Shrewsbury for the crops. There is also concern that the late spring will prevent the white rose bush in the garden of the house that Niall, the bronzesmith, rents from blooming by the feast day of St. Winifred Judith Perle, a widow whose husband and unborn child died within 20 days of each other, leases the house to the Abbey and asks only a single white rose each year as rent. If the bush fails to product a bloom by St. Winifred's feast day, the contract is broken. Brother Elurie, who had delivered the rose for the past three years to Judith, is found murdered at the base of the rose bush and the bush itself is heavily damaged in an apparent attempt to destroy it. Brother Cadfael joins the Sheriff in investigating this crime and those that come after it in an effort to protect Judith and uphold the contract. The strength of this series is not only the plot--although in this book, I guessed the outcome fairly early--but in the impressive historical research that was obviously conducted by the author. I think that it's time to revisit this series and get to know Brother Cadfael, the other brothers in the Abbey, and the residents of Shrewsbury better.

marilynsaul's review against another edition

5.0

I hadn't read this one since 2018, so it was delightfully "new" to me. Niall saved the day!

kbrujv's review against another edition

read

caitie95's review against another edition

4.0

This book has a slightly different feel to it than previous books in the series. I think this has something to do with how the events are less centred around Cadfael, and the heroine of the story proves to be one of the strongest characters. And the romance is much more subtle.

jercox's review against another edition

4.0

A little better than average, and I like Cadfael in general. The problems of agency for a woman with property in feudal england, plus love and the usual bad / trapped actors make for a fun story.

readingelli's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Violence

Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury

Abduction, drowning

sericulus's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

zombeesknees's review against another edition

5.0

The Cadfael series continues to be the ultimate source of comfort for me; Peters' prose is enthralling and textured and visual, and reading her novels always feels like coming back to a warm house where a hot cuppa and friendly cat waits. Is it any wonder that I'm yearly driven to do a series reread once the colder weather sets in?

This outing is a particular fave largely because the central characters -- the capable and grieving young widow Judith Perle and the older, quieter bronzesmith Niall -- are so likeable; their relationship has such a sweet, subtle fire as the story builds. And it's always fun when the irascible Sister Magdalen makes an appearance.

Just an all-around winning historical mystery, rich with detail and description and with a clear-sighted take on humanity's flaws and virtues.

northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jocelyn_sp's review against another edition

How do you put a rating on a book like a worn blanket? Impressive how a murder mystery can be so kindly and sweetly sentimental