In the summer of 1143, two important visitors arrive at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul in Shrewsbury. Gerbert, a mighty prelate, arrives with the appropriate pomp and circumstance. But William of Lythwood comes in a coffin, returned at last from pilgrimage and accompanied by his young attendant Elave. Elave's mission is to secure a burial place for his master on the Abbey grounds, despire William's having once been "reproved for heretical views".
Elave, too, has evidently learned skepticism. In a drunken state, among friends (or so he thinks) he says, "There was a father of the church once who said that in the end everyone would find salvation." This is heresy indeed, and a capital charge is brought against him by Gerbert; the maid Fortunata, whom Elave adores, becomes a reluctant witness for the prosecution.
When violent death follows, Brother Cadfael is once again torn from his herbiary to aid his old friend Hugh Beringar, the Sheriff. Cadfael's task is doubly onerous, for there are charges of heresy to be rebutted as well as a murder to be solved. And the mystery that unfolds is embellished by the further puzzle of the contents of a marvelous treasure chest, part of Elave's baggage and Fortunata's dowry....
Some authors lose their touch the longer they write. Ellis Peters has not lost her touch. The 16th Brother Cadfael is even better than #15.
Elave, too, has evidently learned skepticism. In a drunken state, among friends (or so he thinks) he says, "There was a father of the church once who said that in the end everyone would find salvation." This is heresy indeed, and a capital charge is brought against him by Gerbert; the maid Fortunata, whom Elave adores, becomes a reluctant witness for the prosecution.
When violent death follows, Brother Cadfael is once again torn from his herbiary to aid his old friend Hugh Beringar, the Sheriff. Cadfael's task is doubly onerous, for there are charges of heresy to be rebutted as well as a murder to be solved. And the mystery that unfolds is embellished by the further puzzle of the contents of a marvelous treasure chest, part of Elave's baggage and Fortunata's dowry....
Some authors lose their touch the longer they write. Ellis Peters has not lost her touch. The 16th Brother Cadfael is even better than #15.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
I am nearing the end of this series and hating it---hating the end of it I mean. Brother Cadfael is a 'real person' and as true man of a merciful God. His adventures are, at times, a welcome escape from my other readings.
This mystery was somewhat different than the rest. Of course, there is at least one murder and at least two lovers, along with several mysteries. It was actually somewhat low-key, but I still stayed up at night until I finished it. The difference is that the book was about a book. And, of course, that is something PBS members can relate to.
This mystery was somewhat different than the rest. Of course, there is at least one murder and at least two lovers, along with several mysteries. It was actually somewhat low-key, but I still stayed up at night until I finished it. The difference is that the book was about a book. And, of course, that is something PBS members can relate to.
