Chronicles of Brother Cadfael

Medieval mysteries set in 12th century England by Ellis Peters

Books

• A Morbid Taste for Bones
• One Corpse Too Many
• Monk’s Hood
• St. Peter’s Fair
• The Leper of Saint Giles
• The Virgin in the Ice
• The Sanctuary Sparrow
• The Devil’s Novice
• Dead Man’s Ransom
• The Pilgrim of Hate
• An Excellent Mystery
• The Raven in the Foregate
• The Rose Rent
• The Hermit of Eyton Forest
• A Rare Benedictine
• The Confession of Brother Haluin
• The Heretic’s Apprentice
• The Potter’s Field
• The Sumer of the Danes
• The Holy Thief
• Brother Cadfael’s Penance

Synopsis

After a life on crusade, Brother Cadfael has retired to the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul outside Shrewsbury. His days are mostly spent working in the garden and creating medicines for the local community. However, his worldly experience makes him perfect for solving any mysteries that come his way.

These mysteries sometimes take Brother Cadfael away from Shrewsbury and the monastery. Occasionally, he is called to his native Wales. Always, he uncovers the truth and does what he can to see the right thing done.

Review

One of my favourite TV shows at the moment is Death in Paradise. I like it, partially, because despite the fact that it’s a murder mystery, the overall feeling is upbeat with the occasional bit of humour. The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael are the same. The writing is light and easy even as it deals with death and murder.

I like how the books don’t glorify the violence that must occur in murder mysteries and books set in this rather violent period of English history. They don’t go into detail on the gore-y bits and the language is kept clean.

Speaking of language, the writing style is easy to read. While it’s obviously not the same English that was spoken during the 12^th century, the language doesn’t feel historically out of place – there’s no modern slang, euphemisms, or sayings. Also, the pacing is generally unrushed, which feels suitable to the historical setting, but doesn’t drag.

While the books are set in a particular historical period, the reader doesn’t have to know anything about history. However, Ellis Peters (the author) still pays attention to historical details, particularly clothing and the way things are run.

I also like how much variety there is between the different mysteries. Victims are murdered in various ways: strangulation, poisoning, stabbing. Then there’s the occasional mysteries that look like but aren’t murders. So much variety!

Have you read this series? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.