A bit of a twist, far from the Abbey. The mystery is solved in the end, but not by Cadfael. For this tale, he is pretty much along for the ride rather than central to the story and the solution. Still, it is an excellent read with the usual twists and turns. Ever closer to the last book in the series. That saddens me. These are a joy to read. ( )

I am finding as I read these novels that Peters is not consistent. This one should not be labeled a mystery. Oh there is a body and early enough that one thinks a mystery is to be solved, but Cadfael certainly has no part in it, or so little at the begining that one thinks that Peters/Pargeter wanted to indulge in the aspects of the time period that she found more fascinating.

Through 17 earlier adventurers we have warmed to Brother Cadfael and seen that his keen mind and his ability to be a deep study of human nature leads him to uncover man's basest nature, that of the murderer. Here in this novel we see that Cadfael still is an observer of humanity and history, but his skill set in solving crime is unneeded. Prince Owain and his brother Cadwaladr have a falling out. Cadwaladr is banished, in order to get back to his lands, he hires Dane raiders from Dublin, hence the title.

Cadfael happens to be deep in Wales and far from Shrewsbury as a translator for his old protege, Brother Mark and immediately he is caught up on the edge of events. But the body and the murder have little to do with the Danes and the two princely brothers. Indeed at the end of the book, Peters just conveniently resolves it. What happened to the smart Cadfael who allowed me to read alongside his discoveries to solve the mystery too? ( )

Cadfael travels with Brother Mark and gets in the middle of war and honor ( )

Cadfael is sent to Wales with Brother Mark to deliver some gifts to some new bishops and finds himself embroiled in Welsh Politics, a murder mystery, a love story and some visiting Dublin Vikings.

The murder is almost incidental to the politics and the Vikings who are involved in the politics but it's still interesting and engaging. ( )

Brother Cadfael must travel in this story. It makes for an interesting history as well as a mystery. ( )