A Morbid Taste for Bones

The first of the Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters, which I have just discovered is a pseudonym for Edith Pargeter, a Welsh woman by birth and a historian by nature. I would not have suspected that these stories were written by a woman because she captures the brothers of the Shrewsbury Abbey, a Medieval enclave of male figures, perfectly,

From the stuffy, overblown Prior Robert to Brother Cadfael himself, every character is believable and interesting. You soon realize that it takes all kinds of make a religious, just as it takes all kinds to make a secular, world. Cadfael is a late-comer to the calling, a sort of retirement job for him, and that I think is his primary strength. He can see both inside and outside the religious show more community very clearly, and he brings enough of the worldly with him to recognize the emotions and failings of men, even those who claim spirituality.

Back years ago, when PBS aired its take on the good brother, with Derek Jacobi in the starring role, I watched religiously (pun intended). Of course, in reading this, I felt I already knew Cadfael and had his face set in my mind. I loved the character then, and find he is just as comfortable, level-headed, unassuming, and easy to admire in the book version. I am looking forward to reading the entire series eventually. I suspect I am in for a treat with each one. show less

Summary: Cadfael is part of a group commissioned to retrieve the bones of a Welsh saint. When the one leading landowner who opposes the removal is murdered, Cadfael helps his daughter find the murder, avenging his death.

There was a time in the 1980’s and 1990’s when a number of friends went on about the Brother Cadfael stories and television adaptations. Somehow, I missed all that. Perhaps I was reading other things at the time (I was pursuing graduate studies). So I apologize if all this is old news to you. I’m just now discovering these wonderful stories. But for those who are like me….

Ellis Peters (Edith Mary Pargeter) wrote twenty stories (and one collection of short stories) in this series between 1977 and 1994, the last show more published shortly before her death in 1995. The central character is Brother Cadfael, as you might have suspected, a Welsh Benedictine monk who is a gardener, herbalist and sometime doctor, as well as translator and medical examiner. He came to the Abbey at Shrewsbury later in life after service as a crusader and sea captain. His wide experience made him a shrewd observer of human nature, a skill he draws on to solve deaths by mysterious means in this series.

In this first in the series, Cadfael is part of a delegation sent to Gwytherin to retrieve the remains of St. Winifred, after a vision by Brother Columbanus, who has “fits” and sees visions, speaking of her grave being neglected. This is important to the standing of the Abbey at Shrewsbury, which has no relics. The bishop and the prince of Gwynedd (who later comes off as a very sensible chap as do all the Welsh), consent. Prior Robert, ambitious for the abbey, leads the delegation with Cadfael along to translate. They are also accompanied by Brother Columbanus, Brother John, whose fitness for the celibate life is quesionable, as well as Sub-Prior Richard and Prior Roberts clerk Jerome.

The delegation is received warmly but Father Huw, the local priest, advises a meeting with the free men of the parish to gain there consent. One of the most influential, Risiart, is resistant. In a private meeting Prior Robert attempts to bribe him and discovers he has run up against a man of true integrity. Risiart breaks off all talks and the others follow his lead. Father Huw attempts to patch things up and Risiart agrees to another meeting with Prior Robert the next day–but he never shows up–unusual for this man. A search finds him lying dead on a forest path along the way, apparently from an arrow through the heart.

The leading suspect is Engelard, an Englishman who works for Risiart and who has fallen in love with Risiart’s daughter, Sioned. So far, although they get along, Risiart has refused to give her hand in marriage. The hope is that she will marry Peredur, the son of a neighboring landowner and friend of Sioned since childhood. He loves her but she has only the affection of a friend.

Cadfael investigates. The arrow bears Engelard’s mark, but the angle is all wrong. The pattern of dampness is all wrong. Closer examination of the body shows his assailant stabbed him in the back with a downward blow, and then after death, the arrow was inserted angling upward from the front, following the wound pathway.

In Welsh tradition, it falls to the family to see that a murder is avenged. Risiart’s family is Sioned. Some of the best passages in the book are those in which Cadfael communicates understanding of this need and then works withi Sioned to find the killer, all the while walking a delicate balance with Prior Robert’s ambitions, the amorous feelings of Brother John and the further commanding visions of Brother Columbanus.

I see what people like about Cadfael. While a monk, he is no prude, nor is he naive. He understands both sexuality and ambition, acknowledging that were he a younger man, he would have been one of Sioned’s suitors! He works quietly toward resolution while Prior Robert gains the fame, though we discover that he might not have gained what he thought! Cadfael shows a marvelous degree of self-possession that enables him to care for others and to pursue justice, to act with shrewdness that mends both personal wounds and the social fabric. show less

Given that I'm generally a fan of monastic medieval mysteries, I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to finally read Cadfael! Perhaps I was unduly biased against Derek Jacobi's rarely smiling face in the promotions for the TV series in the 90s. My mother pushed me toward Peter Tremayne's (aka Peter Ellis -- now THAT's confusing/strange) Sister Fidelma series, which I love, but somehow did not seem interested in Cadfael. I'm going to guess renegade Celtic nun beat out male Crusader-turned-monk in my mother's hierarchy of protagonists/sleuths.

I adored it--the audiobook, narrated by Patrick Tull, was wonderful in picking up the subtle wit of Cadfael's thoughts and generally didn't feel it necessarily to inject gendered artifice into show more the voicings, relying more upon character differentiation. Many of the characters were surprisingly loveable -- including the good-natured and impish Brother John, and Father Huw--the parish priest at Gwytherin. I also appreciated that it was four chapters before anyone died (it is a mystery, so that's not a spoiler!) It did make it a bit predictable as to who would be the victim, but it was refreshing to have so much character building first. I might quibble with the end -- a bit too much effort to ensure we get closure on the various subplots, but it is a small quibble. The pro-Welsh quips and writing of scenic detail more than make up for it. I'm excited to read the rest of the series (finally!) show less

With no relics in the reliquary of Shrewsbury Abbey, its prior sets his eyes on the Welsh village of Gwytherin, hoping to acquire a local saint's relics. The prior puts together an expedition to Gwytherin which includes Brother Cadfael, who is to act as the group's interpreter. Naturally, the people of Gwytherin are not pleased with the prior's plans. However, when the most adamant opponent in the village to moving Saint Winifred's remains is found dead, Cadfael becomes suspicious. He knows that it wasn't Saint Winifred who killed the man; it was a mortal man who must be found.

This book came highly recommended to me from a cozy mystery group I'm in and it did not disappoint! It's a thoughtful historical mystery set in 12th century show more Wales with interesting characters and a deeper philosophical message (which is something you don't often see in mystery novels). Brother Cadfael in particular, is an intelligent and empathetic man who also happens to be rather adept at solving mysteries.

As an irreligious person, I sometimes find it difficult to understand and enjoy books where religion is important to the plot because the references and allusions fly right over my head (eg. [b:Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615552073l/12067._SY75_.jpg|4110990]). Thankfully, that wasn't the case with this book at all, which I really appreciated!

I do recognize however, that this book isn't going to be for everyone. For one, the language used can be a bit difficult to understand (which is understandable, given that it's set in medieval times). But the language, combined with the wordiness, can make for a tough read. It's also a slower-paced mystery. The mystery is not the 'star' of the plot, as it doesn't begin to unfold until several chapters into the book. There are also other plotlines, including the dispute over what to do with Saint Winifred's relics and complicated relationships between characters.

All in all, I really enjoyed this read, and I think mystery fans who are looking for something a little different from the books usually found in the genre might enjoy it too. In 1990, this book was listed in the top 100 crime novels of all time by the Crime Writers Association in the UK. After reading this book, I can see why they included it!

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Brother Cadfael is settling in to a quiet life at the monastery, when he is called upon to travel to a remote village in Wales and act as translator for the prior, who wishes to bring back the bones of a saint; while there, one of the village leaders and their staunchest opponent is murdered, and Brother Cadfael must solve the crime with the help of the murdered man's daughter.

I enjoyed this first in a murder series, both for its historical detail and its characters. Peters tells a detective story that seems appropriately rooted in the distant past but doesn't feel remote. She even gives us two remarkable female characters, who come across not only as complete people but who also take action to change the course of events. In a story show more about monks, it would have been all too easy to forget the women. Peters injects a fair amount of humor in her story, as well as a genuine affection for most of her characters. Perhaps the Welsh villagers are all a tad too saintly, but they are also charming, and so is this novel. show less

I've read this many times since first encountering Cadfael as a pre-teen. I used to think of him as a jovial, slightly mischievous, great uncle kind of figure, and I think that still works. He is on the side of the righteous, and not always on the side of the law. In this case, a trip to Wales to bring home the bones of the neglected Saint Winifred turns sour, with murder committed to smooth the way. The supporting cast are sketched efficiently, with the various young people being happily paired off before the end. There is something intensely reassuring in the resolution and the way it is achieved.

Brother Cadfael cares more for his garden and his herbs than for the potential power of the monastic hierarchy. He watches with a tolerant but ironic eye as the ambitious Prior Robert seeks to gain worldly glory for Shrewsbury Abbey, spurred on by the desire to compete with other nearby monasteries. What Shrewsbury really needs is to attract more pilgrims, who will bring money and influence to the Abbey. How to get pilgrims? Why, they need a saint! It’s too bad that there is no native saint at the Abbey. Fortunately, Providence is on Robert’s side. His friend Brother Jerome is vouchsafed a vision, in which he is visited by the virgin saint Winifred. She is fed up of the indifference shown towards her bones by the people of show more Gwytherin, where she lies buried, and wishes to be translated to a more devout home. To prove her goodwill towards the Abbey, she has even cured the young would-be mystic, Brother Columbanus, of his falling fits. It is a sign! (A most convenient sign, notes Cadfael.) With the abbot’s permission, Robert gathers an entourage to set off into Wales to bring their new saint home... For the full review, please see my blog: https://theidlewoman.net/2017/08/20/a-morbid-taste-for-bones-ellis-peters/ show less