The Virgin in the Ice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #6), Ellis Peters. New York: Myterious Press/Open Road, 2014 (originally published 1982).

Summary: Three missing refugees, an amnesiac monk left for dead, and a dead young girl encased in ice amid civil war and marauding bands challenge the skills of Cadfael and Hugh Beringar.

The civil war between Stephen and Maud is heating up as Maud and her forces have returned to England to contest Stephen’s reign. A young boy and his older sister, accompanied by a nun fail to arrive at Shrewsbury, refugees of an attack on a city. Then Cadfael, concerned for these three, is invited to come to Bromfield, along the way they would have taken to attempt to restore a monk assaulted and left for dead, Brother Elyas. It turns out he was assaulted along the road after travelers matching the three refused his offer of shelter at Bromfield. And in the wake of civil war, a marauding band is pillaging rural dwellings, seizing their livestock and killing the inhabitants.

As Cadfael tries to heal Brother Elyas in both body and mind, he investigates the circumstances of his assault, which brings him upon the scene of a dead young woman encased in ice. Subsequently, a shepherd sees Cadfael and recognizes him as one to be trusted and puts into his care Yves, the boy they are seeking. But what of the sister? Yves confirms that the dead young woman is not his sister but the nun who had accompanied them. The sister had gone off with a man she had conspired with who she thought she had loved. He also had been attacked by marauders but she had fled him after their escape.

Together, Cadfael and Hugh face several challenges. Reuniting the boy with his sister. Restoring Elyas, who seems traumatized by what happened the night he was assaulted. Finding out who murdered the nun. And hunting down the powerful band of marauders who have built a secret stronghold. And another mystery, a stranger also searching for the children. Who is he and what part will he play in the unfolding plot?

Peters’ plotting creates for us an interesting weave of story elements that make us wonder how all these will relate. Yves is a most enterprising and surprisingly mature thirteen year old. And we also witness the growing friendship between Cadfael and Beringar, each answering to different callings. There is also a wonderful surprise for Cadfael that comes at the end of this story. But you will just need to read it if you don’t already know!