An Excellent Mystery, (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #11), Ellis Peters. New York: Mysterious Press/Open Road Media, 2014 (first published in 1985).

Summary: A dying monk, a refugee from Maud’s wars, arrives at Shrewsbury Abbey with a mute brother as helper and a former aide of the monk discovers that the monk’s former betrothed is missing.

Maud’s efforts to secure the throne have taken a turn for the worst. The Bishop of Winchester won’t support her, lays siege to the town, and herself becomes besieged, escaping at great loss. but in the process both the Abbey at Hyde-Mead and the convent at Wherwell are razed, the latter with both troops and sisters dying in the chapel where they had taken sanctuary.

In August, two brothers from Hyde-Mead arrive at the Abbey at Shrewsbury. The elder, Humilis, is at death’s door. He has been tended on the road by Fidelis, who has indeed been faithful in doing what could be done. When Cadfael treats him, he recognizes an old Crusader, Godfrid Marescot, who formerly had lived on a nearby estate. He’d suffered a terrible wound, rendering him unable to father children, and slowly draining him of life. Fidelis supports his efforts, and in the process Cadfael learns that Fidelis is mute.

Before he was wounded, Marescot was betrothed to Julian of Cruce. When he realized he could not truly be a husband to her, he entered the Benedictines. He sent a trusted aide, Nicholas Harnage, to break the engagement. Now, Harnage, on leave from the Queen’s army, visits his old leader. His mission is a matter of the heart. When he carried the news of the broken engagement, Julian attracted his own attention. Now he asks Humilis for his blessing to pursue her hand, which Humilis grants. Harnage’s hopes are quickly dashed. Arriving at Julian’s brothers estate, he learns he is three years too late. Shortly after he’d brought the news from Marescot, Julian entered the convent–at Wherwell. Knowing what had recently occurred, he is worried–had she escaped or died.

He sets off for Wherwell, stopping briefly at Shrewsbury. What he finds alarms him yet more. He tracks down the prioress, and learns she never arrived, they had no knowledge of her. The focus turns to the four men who escorted her, and particularly the one men, who travelled alone with her the last portion of the journey, Adam Heriet. He is found and claims he had been ordered by his lady to let her complete the last part of the journey alone. When the wife of a jeweler in Winchester is questioned about a ring that had belonged to Julian, she describes Heriet as the seller. Taken into custody, as her longtime guardian, he stoutly denies any wrongdoing but offers no explanation.

Will Julian’s whereabouts, alive or dead be discovered before the life of Humilis, rapidly ebbing away, is discovered?

A sideplot, concerning Brother Urien, who expresses his attraction to two young brothers, Rhun and Fidelis, is handled with grace, even though Urien has acted gracelessly.

And Cadfael? Besides attentive care for Humilis and his last wishes, he plays the soul of discretion in averting what could have been a great scandal for the Abbey. But to say more, would be to say too much! All in all, an excellent mystery, indeed.

The Pilgrim of Hate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #10), Ellis Peter. New York: Mysterious Press/Open Road Media, 2014 (Originally published in 1984).

Summary: The Feast of the translation of St. Winifred is the occasion of new found love, a fugitive fleeing from murder, thievery, and a miracle, all of which engage Cadfael’s attention.

Abbot Radulfus has just returned from a legatine council where the support of the religious was urged for Empress Maud, maneuvering to be crowned Queen, seizing the crown from Stephen. The council ended in disorder and murder when Stephen’s wife sends an emissary to plead for his release, and a band attempts his murder only to be foiled by one of Maud’s knights, Rainald Bossard, who is stabbed in the back for his efforts, with the murderer at large. Radulfus is deeply disturbed by the murder and the depths of disorder he sees in the country.

Nevertheless, he returns at a time of celebration, the anniversary of the translation of the remains of Saint Winifred to the Abbey. The celebration finds Cadfael troubled. Only he and Hugh know that her actual remains lay in Wales, something Cadfael deeply believes she would have wanted. But does she look with favor on his subterfuge? Miracles continue to occur in Wales, but not in Shrewsbury. Cadfael hopes for a sign that what he did was right.

The Feast draws a crowd of pilgrims of all sorts. Among them are those who hope for a miracle. Dame Alice Weaver hopes for one for her nephew Rhun, a young man with a withered leg and twisted foot, able to walk only with crutches. Rhun is more concerned for his sister Melangell, who, without a dowry, faces a hard life. Cadfael ministers to Rhun, working the knotted muscles, but Rhun refuses potions to ease his pain, wishing them for others with greater need. There are also four suspicious merchants, actually thieves, causing mischief throughout the story, with Hugh close on their tails. Finally, two other pilgrims traveling together attract Cadfael’s attention. One is Ciaran, under a vow to walk barefoot to Wales, wearing a heavy cross that cuts into his neck that he refuses to remove. He is accompanied by Matthew that has taken a vow to accompany Ciaran. Along the way, he has occasion to render assistance to Melangell, the beginning of a growing bond between them.

Then Olivier de Bretagne shows up, who we first encountered in The Virgin in the Ice, when he works with Cadfael to rescue some refugee children. He is hoping to persuade Hugh to come over to Empress Maud’s side. Having sworn fealty to King Stephen, Hugh will not abandon his word. In a way, Olivier expected nothing less. He asks help on another matter. He is seeking Luc Meverel, son of the murdered Rainald Bossard, who went missing after the murder. Meanwhile Hugh is seeking Bossard’s murderer. Could these two be among the pilgrims, perhaps even guests at the abbey?

All these threads come to a head at the procession of the saints relic’s to the abbey church and the service that followed. Matthew and Melangell are in the procession, transported in both worship and love. Earlier, Ciaran had confided in Melangell that he released Matthew from his vow and was going alone to Wales, slipping away during the festivities. He swears her to silence. Then, as pilgrims approach the reliquary in prayer, it comes Rhun’s turn. He comes with no expectation for himself, praying for Melangell, when suddenly he puts his crutches aside, putting weight on the twisted foot which untwists, his atrophied leg becoming strong before the eyes of all. He climbs the steps, then kneels, and the church bursts out in praise. Cadfael, who has ministered to the young man, knows the extent of the miracle and the sign he has been given

But all is not wonderful. When Matthew learns Ciaran has left, and that Melangell knew of it, in anger, he strikes her on the cheeks, and goes in pursuit. Olivier goes after them on one road, believing one of them is Luc. Cadfael and Hugh learn they had taken a different path and follow, believing one is a murderer. Meanwhile, remember those thieves? They turn up as well, putting Cadfael at great risk. Meanwhile, a grieving Melangell waits in uncertainty back in Shrewsbury.

The procession and miracle, to me were a high point in the writing in this whole series, as if Peters were caught up in the events as well. The miracle comes as a grace, as all such works of God do. Rhun seems surprised as any, going forward in submission to his Aunt and out of love for Melangell. And Cadfael receives another gift, time with Olivier. Hugh notes their connection, and even resemblance, and is entrusted with a confidence from Cadfael, a mark of their ever-deepening friendship. This is all wonderful writing, reminding the reader that amid turmoil, evil, and murder, there is a deeper goodness, a richer beauty, and a wonder to be embraced.

Dead Man’s Ransom, Ellis Peters. New York: Open Road Media, 2014 (Originally published in 1984.)

Summary: Following the Battle of Lincoln, Hugh and Cadfael arrange a prisoner exchange between a young Welsh nephew of Owain of Gwynedd for Sheriff Prestcote, which becomes a murder investigation when Prescote is smothered before the Welsh can depart.

Rebel lords in the north of England betray their loyalty to King Stephen, joining forces with some renegade Welshmen. Stephen leads a force, joined by Sheriff Gilbert Prestcote and Hugh Beringar. The Battle of Lincoln is a disaster. King Stephen is captured along with Prestcote, who is badly wounded. Hugh barely escapes to bring news to Shrewsbury. Meanwhile, a band of Welsh who had joined the battle, raid the convent at Godric’s Ford but are turned back by stout foresters. A young Welshman, nearly drowned, is captured and sent to Shrewsbury. He is a landed nephew of Owain of Gwynedd, who was not involved in the raid and has remained neutral. Elis ap Cynan becomes Hugh’s hope for a prisoner exchange for Prestcote. Brother Cadfael helps arrange the exchange.

Only a problem develops. Elis, while held prisoner, meets and falls in love with Melicent, the daughter of Prestcote, even though he is betrothed back in Wales to Cristina, a spirited young woman toward whom he has never felt more then friendly affection. While in Wales, Cadfael meets Eliud ap Griffith, to whom Elis is a foster brother, though they are brothers in affection and Cadfael notes the “chemistry” between Eliud and Cristina, though Eliud would never betray his foster brother.

Things get more complicated when Prestcote recovers enough for the exchange to go forward. Still very weak, he is escorted by Einon ab Ithel, Owain’s captain, and an entourage that includes Eliud, tending the horses. Prestcote can barely make it to bed, tended by Cadfael. Eliud and Elis unite with Elis telling his plans to see Prestcote, who they expect to oppose a match with Melicent, to plead for her hand. Despite counsel that this is unwise with the man’s weakened condition, Elis goes.

Hours later, Prestcote is found dead, but not, as they first thought, from his wounds and the journey. He had been smothered. Cadfael observes two key pieces of evidence. A pin is missing from atop a cloak lent by Einon and folded nearby. And there are distinctively colored fibers in the victim’s nostrils and beard. Find the cloth they came from and the pin and these may point to the murderer. Since Elis was the only known suspect, he is taken into custody. But neither the pin nor the cloth can be found on him, or indeed anywhere in the precincts of the Abbey. Eliud remains behind as well as hostage. Melicent, believing Elis to be the murderer, disavows her love for Elis and decides to enter the convent at Godric’s Ford. Another suspect, Anion ap Griffri had been staying in the infirmary in the Abbey, feet away from Prestcote’s room. He was recovering from a broken leg that had mended and nursed a grievance against Prestcote and has gone missing.

As you can see, this is a convoluted story with many characters–you have to work to keep them all straight. Hugh has to divide his attentions between the investigation and securing his borders from further attacks and raids, allying with Owain. Cadfael joins him to investigate the murder, pursuing Anion. Beringar leaves inexperienced Alan Herberd to defend Shrewsbury and surrounding areas, including Godric’s Ford, from further raids. They come, with Melicent at the convent.

All this leads to an exciting climax, the discovery of the murderer, and the murderer’s escape from Hugh’s custody through a subterfuge in which Cadfael plays a “wink-wink, nod-nod” role, not actively involved but helping make it possible. It is an interesting plot turn and I wonder how other readers felt about it. As an interesting sidenote, he is assisted by the former Avice of Thornbury, now the resourceful Sister Magdalen. It will be interesting to see if Peters develops this relationship in future stories.

All told, an engrossing story that leaves us wondering how Hugh will fare with Maud in the ascendent and what this will mean for the stability of Shrewsbury and life at the Abbey.

The Devil’s Novice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #8), Ellis Peters. New York: Mysterious Press/Open Road Media, 2014 (Originally published in 1983).

Summary: Meriet Aspley is called the “Devil’s Novice” for his nightmares, his awkwardness among the brothers, and an attack leaving him consigned to Brother Mark, where he finds the body of a man he later confesses to have murdered.

Even Meriet Aspley’s arrival at Saints Peter and Paul is awkward from the cold and distant parting from his father to his over-zealousness to be received as a monk. Then there are the nightmares, calmed by Cadfael but arousing talk of him being the “devil’s novice.” When found with a girl’s ornament, he nearly chokes Brother Jerome to death when the brother takes it from him and burns it. For punishment, he is sent to the lazar house to work with Brother Mark, work he takes to well.

Meanwhile, news arrives that Pieter Clemence, a church emissary who had visited the Aspley manor has gone missing, and subsequently his horse is found near boggy ground. Clemence is assumed dead. Hugh Beringar as sheriff helps to investigate. Cadfael, as an emissary from the abbey helps both abbot and Hugh by visiting the Aspley manor. He meets Janyn, the twin of Roswithia, who is to marry Nigel, the favored son of Leoric Aspley, Nigel and Meriet’s father. He learns nothing of Clemence except that he was escorted on his way for a short distance by the father and two servants. He does learn of the affection of Isouda Foriet, from another neighboring manor, for Meriet, and that she is determined to marry him and doubts his call as a monk.

Subsequently, on a mission to gather wood for the lazar house, Meriet leads them to a place he knew where his family stored wood to make charcoal. They discover the remains of a man with a cross and ring that identify him as Clemence. They also find an arrow in his chest. Hugh is looking for a murderer. When a beggar as apprehended for theft, he is carrying a dagger that belonged to Clemence. They hold but don’t charge him for murder but allow word to get out. When Meriet hears that the beggar has been charged, he surprises everyone with a confession. The father had agreed to cover things up, sending Meriet to the abbey. Yet Meriet’s story doesn’t add up. Cadfael and Beringar suspect someone else.

All the possible “persons of interest” will be at the wedding of Roswithia and Nigel and so Hugh and Cadfael bide their time. Amid all this, we have the resolute and ingenious Isouda, who conspires with Cadfael to visit Meriet and later uncovers a key piece of evidence. Her character brought a needed contrast to the seriousness of Meriet and his father, Leoric.

Why Clemence was murdered remains a puzzle. When the answer comes, it will reveal larger conspiracies and lead to another murder attempt. But what of Meriet and Isouda? You’ll just have to read the book to find out!

The Sanctuary Sparrow, Ellis Peters. New York: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road, 2014 (Originally published in 1983).

Summary: A young traveling entertainer at a wedding seeks sanctuary in the abbey, pursued by a mob accusing him of murdering and robbing the groom’s father while Cadfael and Hugh explore the possibility of other suspects closer to home.

It is the time for midnight matins at the abbey, usually peaceful. Instead, the monks hear the sound of an uproar growing louder. Then in bursts a lithe young man pursued by an angry and drunken mob. The young man, Liliwin, is a traveling juggler and singer, hired to entertain at Daniel Aurifaber’s wedding to Margery, daughter of a rich family. Daniel is at the head of the mob (rather than in bed with his bride) accusing Liliwin of murdering and robbing his father, a goldsmith. Liliwin claims that after he had been turned out without being paid because he broke a lamp, pushed into it by rowdy guests, he wandered off, finding outdoor shelter in a copse of trees until realizing he was being pursued. Abbot Radulfus grants sanctuary, a forty day reprieve from arrest, trial, and death, provided that Liliwin not leave the abbey.

Almost at once we see the trust between the shrewd abbot and Cadfael, who is sent to look after Daniel’s elderly grandmother, Juliana, suffering heart problems. He’s able to question members of the household. We also learn that the father, Walter, lives, although badly concussed. Cadfael retrieves Liliwin’s juggling balls and something more–news that the maid Rannilt to whom he was attracted in their brief encounter at the wedding party is concerned about him.

Neither Cadfael nor Hugh Beringar, the deputy sheriff, with whom Cadfael shares a rapport, believe Liliwin guilty. No stash of stolen goods has been found. And there is enough greed surrounding the Aurifaber household to make them want to learn more. Then Baldwin Peche, the locksmith living across from the Aurifabers as their tenant, turns up floating in the river–while Liliwin was supposed to be confined to the abbey. In fact, Liliwin had been about the night of the death, escorting Rannilt back to the Aurifaber’s after a visit (and tryst) encouraged by Susanna, Daniel’s sister, who managed the household.

Hugh and Cadfael have forty days to sort all this out. Liliwin’s presence draws out the character of some of the brothers. Prior Robert resents the disruption of the abbey’s life Liliwin represents. Brother Jerome, a strict sort keeps pressing Liliwin to examine his soul as a disciplinarian. And brother Anselm delights in a fellow musician, taking Liliwin under his wing, hoping to recruit him for the abbey choir. He restores the lad’s shatter rebec, a type of stringed instrument.

Finding the place where Peche was murdered, marked by some distinctive plants coinciding in one place becomes significant, as are marks on the murdered man’s back, and remarks Rannilt shared about the household with Liliwin as are the last words which Rannilt overhears Dame Juliana say before her fatal seizure. The slowly intensifying story culminates in a chase where Rannilt is held hostage while Liliwin, now freed of suspicion, attempts a risky rescue.

Peters gets all the elements for a good mystery just right in this story–an accused we are rooting for, an array of possible suspects around the fraught household of Aurifaber, a budding love story that we don’t want to see interrupted by a death sentence, or a death, and behind it all, the worldly wise spirituality of the abbey and the maturing friendship of Cadfael and Hugh.

The Leper of Saint Giles (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #5), Ellis Peters. New York: Mysterious Press/Open Road Media, 2014 (Originally published in 1981).

Summary: A wedding arranged between two landed families between a powerful old baron and an orphaned girl in charge of her avaricious uncle and aunt fails to happen when the groom doesn’t show because he lies murdered along a trail.

The abbey in Shrewsbury is to be the site of a wedding representing two landed households. Baron Huon de Domville is a cruel, overweight man of sixty, as evident in his treatment of the poor and the lepers watching the procession. His bride, just turned eighteen, is Iveta de Massard, orphaned as a child and raised by an aunt and uncle, the Picards, who stand to gain from the lands her father held as part of the marriage bargain. Needless to say, they are protective of their “investment.”

They have reason. The beautiful girl has inspired the love of one of Domville’s squires, Joscelin Lucy, the son of another landowner. The couple arranges a tryst in Cadfael’s workshop. He stumbles upon them, to be followed shortly by the aunt, Agnes. He tries to cover for them but Agnes knows. She tells Domville who sends Joscelin packing. Before he departs, Domville discovers a necklace missing that he was going to give Iveta. It is found in Joscelin’s bundle. Though he claims innocence, he is arrested by the sheriff, but escapes. He eludes a manhunt, sheltered first by another squire, Simon, and then after near capture, in the leper colony of Saint Giles, helped by a mysterious leper, Lazarus, and a boy, who provides him with the leper’s garb.

Meanwhile, the wedding goes forward. In an interview with Abbot Radulfus, Iveta asserts that she is freely entering this bond, although Cadfael and Radulfus have their doubts. The bride is at the altar, but no groom. They learn that the previous evening, Domville had ridden out of the Abbey with Simon for a ways sending him back so he can go on for a ride down a forest path. A search party including Cadfael finds him sprawled out–dead. Someone had strung a cord across the path, and then when he was stunned and unhorsed, strangled him.

Given that Joscelin was openly at enmity with the Baron, and still at large, he becomes prime suspect and object of an intensified search. And Brother Mark, now at Saint Giles, has his suspicions of the latest addition to the colony. Cadfael, trusted by the Abbot to search for the true killer is in a race against time. Will he find the true killer or at least absolve Joscelin before he is found out? The question is, where did Domville spend his last night? The one clue is rare flowers in Domville’s hat. Find the flowers, find where he stayed and see where that leads. The other clue is that the killer was wearing a ring with a large stone, that in the act of strangling left its mark on Domville’s neck. And the killer apparently knew where Domville would be.

Peters continues to develop the character of Radulfus, who can use his authority in a commanding, yet never rigid or closed fashion. A new character replaces the capable Brother Mark in Cadfael’s workshop, the bumbling but good-natured brother Oswin, clearly a trial to Cadfael’s holiness! The bond and wise counsel between the leper Lazarus and Joscelin, and their care for the near-orphan Bran is beautiful to behold and we wonder if it is to be disappointed. Finally, we see the plight of women in Iveta–rich in inheritance but powerless to control it, a pawn of others. And yet we see her act with resourcefulness within these constraints. But will it be enough to reunite her with Joscelin and will they be able to prove his innocence?

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!

Saint Peter’s Fair (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #4), Ellis Peters. New York: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road Integrated Media, 2014, (originally published 1981).

Summary: The murder of a merchant from Bristol during Saint Peter’s Fair is the first of a string of break-ins culminating in another murder; even while two young men vie for the attentions of the merchant’s bereaved niece.

It is the year after Shrewsbury was beseiged and the town is still recovering from the grievous effects of their loss and submission to King Stephen. For the abbey, it is time to play host to Saint Peter’s Fair, a time when merchants come from around both England and nearby Wales to sell their wares to feasting and games and other forms of celebration. It would seem a time to forget the troubles of the past but not for the town fathers, who see the revenues going to the abbey by grant of the king that could have helped rebuild the town. They confront the new abbot, Radulfus, who hears them out but will not deviate from the provisions of their grant, much to the townsmen’s dismay.

In this first encounter, Radulfus appears rigid and caring more about law than good relations. But don’t write him off too soon. He’s careful, shrewd, and as we will see, caring.

The scene shifts to the fair. Cadfael is helping interpret for a Welshmen when a conflict breaks out. Younger men of the town approach one of the richest of vendors, Thomas of Bristol, to see if he and the other vendors will give what the abbot refuses. The young men are led by Philip Corviser, son of the man who led the delegation to the abbey. Thomas brusquely refuses them, Philip grasps his sleave to attempt to reason once more. Thomas reacts by striking him a heavy blow with a staff, sending Thomas reeling and resulting in a riot, with Cadfael judiciously intervening to get Thomas and his attractive niece, Emma, away from the melee.

That night, Emma comes to Cadfael. Thomas has not returned to their barge after setting up his stall at the fair. A search turns up Thomas’s body stripped naked in the Severn with his belongings nearby. He doesn’t appear to have been robbed but he’s been strangled. Philip, who has been drinking to deaden the pain from the blow he suffered has been speaking murderous threats, but is drunk. The authorities find him sleeping it off in a forest glade and arrest him.

But strange things keep going on. Someone searches Thomas’s barge, breaks into his stall and ties up the guard, and even searches inside Thomas’s casket. Then, another merchant is found dead in his stall, and his belongings also strewn about. Whoever it was suffered a torn cotte and a knife wound to the arm before succeeding at murder. It appears something is being searched for, and that Philip, who has been in jail, has no part of this. He joins Cadfael and Hugh Beringar in the search for the real murder or murderers, and locates the site where Thomas was murdered and dragged to the river, not far from where he had fallen asleep in a drunken stupor the night of the murder.

Cadfael has been charged by the abbot to aid the investigation. He secures Emma with Aline Beringar, Hugh’s wife. This doesn’t protect her from the attentions of young men, especially the wealthy estate holder, Ivo Corbiere, but also the humbler Philip, who doubts his chances. And Emma has not told Cadfael or Hugh all–namely the letter she carries that will endanger her life.

All this results in a page-turning climax as Hugh and Cadfael, assisted by Philip, and word from Brother Mark of a man he treated with a knife cut up his arm, piece together the clues as to the identity of the murderer and realize that Emma is in great jeopardy. One of the strong aspects of the story is the developing relationship of Cadfael and Hugh, two men with different callings and yet common values, who value each other’s company. Under the influence of Cadfael and Hugh, we see Philip grow up from the impulsive hothead at the beginning of the story to a chastened and rapidly maturing young man. But will these principled men be able to save Emma from a clearly ruthless murderer who will do anything to obtain the document Emma carries?

Monk’s Hood (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #3), Ellis Peters. New York: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road Integrated Media, 2014 (Originally published in 1980).

Summary: When Gervase Bonel dies of poison from a dish sent by the prior, the sheriff is convinced it is his stepson Edwin, with whom he is on poor terms. Cadfael suspects otherwise but must seek proof.

Gervase Bonel has decided to turn over his house at Mallilie to Shrewsbury Abbey in exchange for lodgings and provision at the Abbey. But before the agreement can be signed, Abbot Heribert is called to a legatine council at which his office may be revoked and another named. While he is away, Prior Robert sends a dish from his table for Bonel, and shortly after he eats it, he takes ill and, despite Cadfael’s ministrations, dies. Cadfael recognizes the cause–Monk’s Hood (also called Wolf’s Bane) poisoning.

Attention focuses on Bonel’s stepson, Edwin. Relations between them had been poor due to Edwin having at one time been promised Mallilie only to see the promise revoked. He had reconciled himself to this and, out of care for Richildis, wife of Bonel and his mother, he had come to dinner, sought to reconcile only to be mocked by Bonel, finally to the point where he angrily departed through the kitchen where the dish from the prior was warming. The sheriff is certain it is him and will not consider other possibilities. Shortly after, Bonel was dead. Edwin, with the help of lookalike cousin Edwy escapes.

Edwin finds his way to Cadfael, who questions him about his stepfather’s death in such a way that Cadfael ascertains that Edwin had no clue that the man was poisoned and is therefore innocent. Cadfael is determined to find the real killer, because the poison came from his stores, often used externally to relieve muscle and joint pains. Two keys are to find the vial that contained the poison and a reliquary the boy says he’d thrown into the river, a gift he had prepared for Bonel before being insulted. Whoever had the vial also probably marked with traces of the poison. The location of the vial confirms Edwin’s innocence, as does the eventual finding of the reliquary.

But who was the murderer? This will take Cadfael, sent to care for a sick abbey shepherd near the Welsh border, into Wales and into personal danger that made for an exciting and somewhat unexpected ending–though one in character with Cadfael.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt Peters gave away the suspect early in the story and then ignored that person, leaving me wondering–why aren’t they investigating ______? The misdirection didn’t work for me, leaving me to wonder only about the motive.

An interesting element in the story is Richildis, who turns out to be an early love of Cadfael’s, separated by the Crusade on which Cadfael went, and married to her first husband when no word came from Cadfael. Encountering her is a surprise for Cadfael, raising feelings but also the deeper awareness of his vows and calling. That’s not enough for the officious Father Jerome who sees him conferring with her about Edwin and manages to restrict Cadfael’s movements. But Brother Mark, Cadfael’s assistant is not so restricted.

Cadfael’s relationship with Hugh Beringar, left in charge when the sheriff was called to the king’s Christmas feast, continues to develop. Both stand apart from many others with lesser visions of human nature and acting beyond the strict letter of the law. I look forward to seeing how their friendship develops.

One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #2), Ellis Peters. New York: Mysterious Press/Open Road, 2014 (Originally published in 1979).

Summary: Burying 94 defenders of Shrewsbury loyal to Empress Maud, executed by King Stephen, Cadfael finds 95 bodies, one of which had been murdered. Could the killer be the young man seeking a daughter of a supporter of Empress Maud, hiding in the abbey under Cadfael’s protection?

The abbey at Shrewsbury is caught amid a civil war between those defending the town of Shrewsbury, loyal to Empress Maud who is in France, and the present, dominating forces under King Stephen. When the town falls, ninety-four of the defenders, loyal to Maud are executed by hanging, cut down and left in a heap outside the town. Cadfael is delegated to lead the group to provide them a decent burial or be claimed by their families. The grim task becomes grimmer when Cadfael counts, no doubt to make sure they have retrieved all, only to find that there are ninety-five. One of the corpses had been murdered, garrotted from behind and hidden among the others.

He secures King Stephen’s permission to investigate the murder. It is only one of the burdens he bears as he copes with the effects of war. A young boy has been assigned to him, provided for by a year’s gift to the abbey. Godric works hard and listens well–and refuses to strip down on a hot day–and Cadfael realizes this is no boy. He learns that she is Godith Adeney, daughter of one of Maud’s patrons, who had escaped the city. He arranges for her to stay with him rather than the other boys, and tries to protect her secret until he can arrange to get her to safety in neighboring Wales. She also identifies the murdered man–one of her father’s young servants, smuggling family wealth out of the city to aid Maud’s cause

The task is complicated by Hugh Beringar. Years ago he was betrothed to Godith. Now he has sided, or tried to, with King Stephen. He’s a skilled horseman and swordsman, but the proof of loyalty remains. Finding Godith and turning her over to the King as hostage and bait to bring her father out of hiding will confirm Beringar’s loyalties. He stays at the Abbey and attaches himself to Cadfael. Does he know, or suspect? The only thing that distracts is the recently bereaved Aline siward who lost her brother among the ninety-four. His rival for her affections is Adam Courcelle, a young soldier of the king, who apologizes that he could not save her brother.

Godith discovers a wounded young man in bushes outside the abbey, a companion assisting the man who was murdered, who had fought with his assailant in a barn. Cadfael attends to the young man, Tobold, who quickly develops a bond with Godith, and investigates the scene, finding a broken flower from the hilt of a knife–a key to finding the murderer. There is also the family treasure, which Tobold has hidden.

Peters does an effective job building the tension as it is evident that Beringer both enlists Cadfael’s help in secreting away some horses and provides bait for Cadfael to use with the two he is hiding who need to get to Wales, along with the treasure, which Cadfael suspects Beringar is also seeking. Beringar is both stealthy and clever. How much does he know? Can the former soldier and herbalist Cadfael outfox him? More than that, if the treasure is Beringar’s object, is he the murderer? For all that, a kind of admiration has arisen within Cadfael for this young man.

Peters has some surprises yet in store that both further the tension in the plot, and heighten the satisfaction with its outcome…but I will say no more! It’s masterful!

In back of all this, Peters captures the knife-edge abbeys lived on amid such civil distress. They do not take sides but provide stores and horses for the king–and refuge for those associated with his rival. All the while, they pursue a higher call, to care for souls, to heal bodies when they can and bury them with dignity when that fails. In Cadfael, the former soldier we read the tension of understanding the way of the warrior and the pursuit of his spiritual calling. He exemplifies one who lives “as wisely as a serpent and as innocently as a dove.”