A Morbid Taste for Bones

The mid 12th century England in the Abbey of Shrewsbury lives a Welsh Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael, an unusual member in as he fought and killed in the Holy Land during a bloody crusade, known women intimately, a soldier, captain of a ship too, however now retired to the quiet life of a monaster......more

"Justice can be arrived at by more routes than one." I thought this book was a swell start to this series! Brother Cadfael, monk by vocation and detective by circumstance, is a really delightful character. A medieval-time, Welsh-born man, Cadfael now carries out his monastic duties at Shrewsbury Abbe......more

Note, Aug. 7, 2017: I edited this just now to correct a minor typo. Dame Edith Pargeter had already, by 1977, made a reputation for herself, under the pen name of Ellis Peters, as a mystery writer; but under her own name, she was also a respected author of historical fiction, much of it set in mediev......more

Ground-breaking novel about a medieval Welsh monk - who also happens to be a detective. This paved the way for a whole series, and also many imitations, which continue to abound.......more

Church politics and ambition lead to murder This first in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael sets the pace for the series. This one features the arrogant Prior Robert intent upon his own power and career rather than upon God; his toady, Brother Jerome; Brother Columbanus who has suspiciously timely se......more