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A Morbid Taste for Bones
A Morbid Taste for Bones | Ellis Peters
46 posts | 69 read | 45 to read
In 1137 the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the remains of Saint Winifred for his Benedictine order. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales, where they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines' offer for the saint's relics. Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn't surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winifred herself dealt the blow. Brother Cadfael knows that a carnal hand did the killings, but he doesn't know that his plan to unearth a murderer may dig up a case of love and justice, where the wages of sin may be scandal - or his own ruin.
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galueth28
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Pickpick

I started the Brother Cadfael series this year and I've really enjoyed the first three books. Cadfael is a monk, but also a thoughtful and kind detective, and the books offer a good look into life in medieval England and Wales.

#adventrecommends @emilyrose_x

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traa
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LiseWorks
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October 17 #OminousOctober Cozy @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #Scarathlon2022 @StayCurious #TeamMonsterMash So this is a cozy mystery and I thought with a title like that it goes well for this season

Eggs 💙🖤💙 2y
13 likes1 comment
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asterese
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Pickpick

Finally finished reading this book. It's one of those books where the writing is really good, and the twist was also just as good, but I wasn't in the right headspace to enjoy it as well as I should have. Historical mysteries used to be very enjoyable for me, but these days, not so much. This book deserves high praise all the same.

⭐: 4

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asterese

"Meet every man as you find him, for we're all made the same under habit or robe or rags. Some better made than others, and some better cared for, but on the same pattern all."

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galueth28
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Pickpick

Started another mystery series, these ones set in medieval England. Loved Brother Cadfael, he's a nice misture of pragmatic, worldly and devout. Also, the medieval monk drama was fun!

First book finished fot #JoyousJanuary

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galueth28
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“On the fine, bright morning in early May when the whole sensational affair of the Gwytherin relics may properly be considered to have begun, Brother Cadfael had been up long before Prime, pricking out cabbage seedlings before the day was aired, and his thoughts were all on birth, growth and fertility, not at all on graves and reliquaries and violent deaths, whether of saints, sinners or ordinary decent, fallible men like himself.”

6 likes1 stack add
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Centique
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this - it‘s a fairly simple mystery where the beauty is in the setting and the telling. A Benedictine monastery in medieval times is a comforting escape at these moment! Cadfael is a wonderful character and an innovative sleuth - he doesn‘t have modern tools or theories and I enjoyed the way Peters uses other things like community and shared beliefs to flush out clues. I have coincidentally read two books in a row set in Wales. ⬇️

Centique Funnily enough ancestry.com also just updated my results to let me know I‘m a third Welsh. More Welsh than anything else so I should read some more books from Wales! 3y
batsy I really enjoyed this and the subsequent Brother Cadfael mysteries I read 💜 I keep meaning to continue 😆 3y
merelybookish Lots of fun Welsh folklore to explore! 3y
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Ruthiella I also really liked this book and meant to continue in the series....but haven‘t yet. So many books, so little time. 3y
LeahBergen I enjoyed this, too (and the following 4 or 5 that I read)! 3y
Centique @batsy @LeahBergen I have so many series that I get 5 books into and no further - something about the number 5 maybe? 😝 with tv series it‘s more like two seasons. I am #notacompletist 3y
Centique @Ruthiella that should be our Litsy anthem! So true. 3y
Centique @merelybookish yes! I will be looking for good books so if you come across anything, do let me know 😘 3y
74 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Anna from Gustine
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Mehso-so

I can't think of Cadfael without thinking of the 90s tv series with Derek Jacobi. I enjoyed those, even though the plots were simplistic with a sanitized view of the Middle Ages. This is the first book of a 20 (!) book series. It was....fine. I liked the written Cadfael as much as the tv one, but the mysteries are still simple and the characters are not complex or interesting. Is “medieval cozy“ a thing? If so, this definitely qualifies.

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PuddleJumper
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Mehso-so

I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I really enjoyed the TV series and because the show was kept very true to the books I thought I would enjoy them too. The writing style just didn‘t work for me and I found a lot of the book dragged on. It was a little too slow paced and I found it hard to stay interested.

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Kangaj1
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Bailedbailed

I DNFed my #doublespin today for #bookspinbingo. Just not the book for me. @TheAromaofBooks

MsMelissa I‘m can‘t remember if I bailed on this one or finished it. All I remember is that I didn‘t like it. 4y
Kangaj1 I am trying to get through a book from the 1970s for a challenge, and I think this is my second failed attempt. Grr. 4y
MsMelissa Have you read this? It‘s from the 70s 4y
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Kangaj1 @Book_Fiend_Melissa yes, a long time ago. Not really up for a reread. I do have one as a backup if needed, but open to other options! 4y
MsMelissa I just googled and this one popped up. I read it last year (or the year before?) and thought it was excellent 4y
Kangaj1 @Book_Fiend_Melissa LOL...I have read it. 4y
TheAromaofBooks So sad you didn't enjoy this one!! But not every book is for every person!! 4y
20 likes7 comments
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DarcysMom
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#TarotTakeover
Day 1 #TheHermit

I immediately thought of Brother Cadfael.

@Meaw_catlady @ErinSueMreads

Erinsuereads That cover looks like it could be a tarot card!! 4y
DarcysMom @ErinSueMreads I thought so too! 🤗 4y
36 likes2 comments
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mrsmarch
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📚Ellis Peters — the Brother Cadfael series is 20 books long.
📚 David Eddings — the whole Belgariad cycle is 12 books, including the Mallorean and the biographies of Belgarath and Polgara. The Elenium and Tamuli are another 6 titles.
📚 Elizabeth Peters — the Amelia Peabody series is 20 books long.

Bonus 4th author: Alexander McCall Smith. Ladies Detective Agency is 20, Scotland Street is 13, Corduroy Mansions is 3, Isabel Dalhousie is 13.

ShyBookOwl No Kindles 😳 that would not work for me! (Chronic pain makes physical books very difficult for me). I dislike this island 😅 5y
Lcsmcat Margaret Atwood (poetry too) Jane Austen, William Shakespeare. 5y
TheAromaofBooks Wow, two of my favorites - love Brother Cadfael & Amelia Peabody! 5y
ValerieAndBooks All those would keep you occupied for sure! 5y
29 likes4 comments
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shanaqui
Pickpick

Reread. I've been meaning to come back to these books and read more than just this first 2-3, because they're the only books ever recommended to me by BOTH my parents. My dad doesn't even read fiction anymore, so I take his recs seriously.

I do enjoy Cadfael, and the Welsh setting of this book.

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jenniferw88
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CoffeeCatsBooks
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Pickpick

The 1st book in the Brother Cadfael mysteries. Cadfael, a former Crusader turned Benedictine Monk, joins a mission to bring back the bones of a saint for the prestige of the Abbey, but before long their is a murder to solve.

I‘ve enjoyed the old TV series, so I was curious to read this, despite normally avoiding mysteries. I love reading about Cloister gardens, but most of this novel is set in a village in Wales. 3.5 stars #24B4Monday

CoffeeCatsBooks As @Texreader pointed out this series is free right now on Kindle Unlimited. I am planning to read another in the series to see if Ellis Peters describes his garden more. 5y
44 likes1 comment
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mrsmarch
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#7days7covers Day 6.... catching up this morning from yesterday.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I read this recently, and was drawn in because of all the cool covers from this series! 👍 5y
40 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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One more quote for the night (or rather very early morning).

Such a tragedy for the people when the person who holds a position of leadership lacks humility to admit he is wrong. I guess men such as these have existed before us and will continue to exist after we are long gone. Personally, I think humility should be a litmus test for leadership.

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Texreader
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Oh I do love the Welsh! “We thrive on suits at law.”

#litsylawyers

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Texreader
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I am loving this book. The characters are so well-developed that even though there was little action prior to chapter 5, the characters‘ stories are so compelling to push the story forward. Brother John, for example, is a novice monk unsure of his calling but as the action has now started he will surely find his place in the world. Good guys who are clearly not, and true good guys who aren‘t perfect. And Cadfael to find the truth. I‘m loving it.

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Texreader
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Started this ebook tonight. I see it has mixed reviews. Sure hoping I like it because I‘ve been wanting to get into the Cadfael series for a long time

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rretzler
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Pickpick

My first Ellis Peter‘s Brother Cadfael mystery. I enjoyed it but didn‘t love it. It was a fun book and an easy read, and I do think I‘m going to like Brother Cadfael. He seems like a down to earth, practical man unlike others in his order. The story sort of worked out in the end, but not in the way I wanted - the ending seemed a bit contrived to me. I‘ll definitely keep reading the series. 4.0/5.0⭐️ #2019

suzisteffen I love these for the depiction of Wales and England during the time when England was in an internal civil war but also conquering Wales - its first colony. (😡) Also I am always encouraged to learn more Welsh in Duolingo when I read these books. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 6y
rretzler @suzisteffen I think I will enjoy that aspect as well. My knowledge of English history starts mainly in the 14th century, with some exceptions. Still trying to get my head around the Welsh pronunciations!😝 Until I read this, I always imagined Cadfael was pronounced cad-fy-el instead of cad-vile. 😂 6y
70 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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Started reading the first book in the Brother Cadfael series, this one was written in 1977. #CenturyofBooks

Aimeesue I looooooove Brother Cadfael. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Herschelian I loved the Cadfael books when they were first published. Your post has reminded me, time for a re-read methinks. BTW the BBC made them into a wonderful TV series starring one of our greatest actors Derek Jacobi as Cadfael. 6y
Freespirit I liked this book alot also❤️I didn‘t realise there was a TV series @Herschelian. Thank you I need to investigate! 6y
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LeahBergen I‘ve read several of these (the first 5 or 6?). They‘re so fun. 6y
rwmg @Herschelian I thought individual episodes were brilliant, but as a series it was terrible. They did the books in the wrong order (thus ruining the arc following the war and some other arcs which would be spoilers) and the change of Hugh was distracting as well. 6y
Sarah83 Did you watch the TV series? 6y
Andrew65 @Sarah83 @Herschelian @rwmg Yes I loved the TV Series and Derek Jacobi was excellent in the role of Cadfael. Great interpretation of the rivalries and friction between the different monks amongst the murders. @Freespirit @Aimeesue @LeahBergen (edited) 6y
84 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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RachelS89
Pickpick

Cadfael, a middle-aged monk and former crusader, is an interesting and likeable character. He has just the right balance of scepticism and faith, as well as a healthy curiosity and a taste for mischief.
At just under 200 pages, this book was long enough to keep me interested, but not so long that it felt like a chore to finish. The outcome of the mystery was predictable, but there were enough twists and turns to keep me interested along the way.

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Freespirit
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Pickpick

My first Ellis Peters novel and I enjoyed it. It had many things I love...set in 1100...Ye Olde England, a collection of Benedictine Monks, pagan bones , murder and adventure. I did find it slowish and couldn‘t help comparing it to other similar books I love by CJ Sampson and Edward Rutherford. But a 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I will read another in the series at some stage😊 Now to something set in outback Oz..The Lost Man

inthegreensandblues I love that cover on the Cadfael 😍 6y
Freespirit It caught my eye at the bookshop @inthegreensandblues 6y
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Freespirit
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Sneaking a bit of my current book in as I watch my son play cricket in Sydney. Only 20 pages in to A Morbid Taste for Bones but I think it‘s going to be a fun read.

DarcysMom I *love* the Brother Cadfael mysteries! 6y
Freespirit I will too... right up my alley...murder , monks and mayhem😊 @DarcysMom (edited) 6y
Erofan Great cover! 6y
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
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jenniferw88
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Pickpick

View from hospital bed. Thanks @Itchyfeetreader for the book!

Enjoyed the book and will probably continue the series. Didn't get the murderer or the plot twist at the end. 4 1/2 ⭐

#Booked2018 #mcover70 completed @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Joanne1 Glad to hear the book was good, not so good that you‘re in hospital. Hope recovery is swift. 6y
Lel2403 Hope you are doing ok, feel better soon ❤️ 6y
TrishB Hope you‘re ok and on the mend soon . 6y
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Kaye Get well soon 🌷 6y
zsuzsanna_reads Sorry to hear you are in hospital. There is also a TV series of cadfael that I love 😉 6y
Naj Hope you recover soon🤗 6y
Elizabeth2 Sending well wishes your way! 6y
Cinfhen Sorry to hear your not feeling well 😔 6y
Itchyfeetreader Glad you enjoyed it and feel better soon xx 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Sorry to hear you‘re in the hospital. Speedy recovery! 6y
Cathythoughts I hope you feel better soon 👍🏻❤️ 6y
Lreads Sending healing hugs so you can feel better soon! 💕 6y
Mccall0113 Speedy recovery 6y
Lcsmcat Get well soon! ❤️ 6y
Soubhiville I hope you feel better fast! 💜 6y
mrsmarch I love Brother Cadfael! It took years but I finally assembled the whole series. I hope you feel better soon! 6y
alisiakae I‘m sorry you are in the hospital. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. 💕 6y
Crazeedi Get well soon, I've always wanted to start this series. 6y
KrystleTheBookSlayer Hope you get released from the hospital soon and that you feel better!💐💕 6y
Annl 🌻🍫 6y
Bookladylinda Feel better soon!!! 6y
Jas16 Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐 6y
Dragon 💐🤗🐉 6y
rockpools Hope you're back home and feeling better soon. 🐱 6y
118 likes2 stack adds24 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Is this a good series?

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled It looks good, maybe? Lemme know what you think! 6y
batsy I loved the first few books & have been meaning to continue. 6y
Tove_Reads @Andrew65 @EadieB You‘ve probably read the series? 6y
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Tove_Reads @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @batsy I will read the first one soon! Sounds like a good series! 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I read the first book and enjoyed it. I know it was a BBC series 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB I think it‘s time for me to read the first one! 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I own a lot of the books. 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Time to read the second one? 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads my stepson is in Denmark and is very impressed with the bicycling, the buildings that all blend together with lots of glass. Also no tipping everywhere. 6y
Tove_Reads We don‘t really tip in the Nordics. 🙂 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I just googled and it said already included in price. 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB There are a few restaurants that claim it‘s not included so you can add some tips when you pay, and of course there are tip jars in pubs, but otherwise no. Mostly it says that service charge is included. 6y
Andrew65 @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @batsy @Tove_Reads @EadieB Read a few in the series and they are all very good, and quite short books. A great character. A brilliant tv series that was very long running starring the great Derek Jacobi. A stuttering monk who solves murders, simply brilliant! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I‘ll have to read the rest. I did enjoy the first one! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB I need to get back to this series too. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Feeling overwhelmed with all the series I have started and need to get back to. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Oh yes!!! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Just have to do one book at a time and hope for a long life! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Oh yes. You‘re not going anywhere - too many group reads to get to. 😂 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 That‘s right! I have commitments. (edited) 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @Andrew65 Sounds fun and like something I‘d like! 6y
34 likes1 stack add21 comments
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Librarybelle
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Panpan

For being less than 200 pages, this took forever to read! I really wanted to bail, but I need to discuss this for my mystery book discussion. I‘m not a fan of Peters‘ writing style, which is weird, since I‘m a huge classics fan. Brother Cadfael never quite warmed to me, either. This is definitely an #unpopularopinion ! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Skyrimir I never read the books, but I do remember liking the BBC series! 6y
Librarybelle @Skyrimir I‘ve not seen the TV series, though I have heard good things about it. 6y
ferskner Oh no! I really love the density of her writing - it's so different from how books are written now. I definitely think you should try the TV series! Derek Jacobi is 👌 in it. 6y
Librarybelle @ferskner I have heard all good things about the TV show, so I will give it a try! 6y
71 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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Morning read - this month‘s selection for my mystery book group.

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mrsmarch
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Yes, I am still reading this Brother Cadfael. But now I‘m reading it in the airport terminal while waiting for my vacation to start. #whereiread

Grrlbrarian Yeeeeee! Have fun on your vacay! 7y
Mollyanna Have a great vacation! Enjoy! 7y
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mrsmarch
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A fine place to read for a little while. #whereiread #inmuseums

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jillrhudy
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Pickpick

I need to get back to finish this series! I could honestly binge-read the whole thing but I have this weird quirk: I won‘t read series out of order. My library does not have many of the early titles. #medieval #mystery #brothercadfael #librariansoflitsy #mysterybuff #historicalfiction #anglophilesoflitsy

BookaholicNatty These look goooood!!! I am adding it to be tbr!!!! Also, welcome to #Litsy!!! So glad you have joined this awesome community!!! It‘s so fun to have new book friends!!! ❤️📚 7y
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mrsmarch
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1. I‘m going to start a Brother Cadfael rereadathon.
2. No. Not even a Spring Nap.
3. Strange colored roses, jonquils.
4. Neither - give me all the malted robin‘s eggs!

#manicmonday

Smangela Not even a spring nap 😂😂😂😍😍 7y
dsfisher Oh great readathon!! 7y
35 likes2 comments
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Quinton42503

When you have done everything else, perfecting a conventual herb garden is a fine and satisfying thing to do.

3 likes1 stack add
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Seshat
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Well, Brother Cadfael has been a soldier, herbalist, solver of murders, etc. #jackofalltrades #characters2017 @LibrarianRyan

LeahBergen Cadfael. ❤️ 7y
ferskner I love these books, in print and in TV form. 7y
JazzFeathers Ah! That's a good choice. Read a few of these books many years ago. Saw the tv shos too. They both were fun 😊 7y
34 likes1 stack add4 comments
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DGRachel
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My mom introduced me to Brother Cadfael. I think I read the first 8 and got distracted by other books. I really need to finish this series. #alittlepriest #melodicmay

LeahBergen I've read the first 5 or 6 and have a bunch of the others. 👍🏼 8y
JazzFeathers I read a few of the novels years back. A light read, but enjoyable 😊 8y
Andrew65 These are good books, but a few years since I read one. 8y
readinginthedark I used to watch the show with my mom; I need to read these! 8y
57 likes4 comments
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Angeles
Mehso-so

I'm a bit disappointed with this book. I loved the ambience and the monks. Brother Cadfael was a great character. However, the mystery leaves me cold and I could not make myself care about the solution to the riddle. This is a case where the TV series is better than the book.

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Angeles
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starting the first brother cadfael mystery I love the BBC series 😍

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writerlibrarian
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Pickpick

This is a stylish, elegant mystery set in Medieval England with a lead character who has depths, intelligence and a charm that seduces probably the most picky reader. Brother Cadfael is charming, yet cunning. This is Peters' bow in her well known series set during the times of King Stephen and Empress Malthide war over power and country. This first novel is self contained. Definitely worth the discovery or reread.

drokka I quite like the covers you're posting for this series better than the ones I have. 8y
writerlibrarian @drokka I'm quite enamoured with this edition. i have found copies up to the devil's novice so far. 8y
drokka Brilliant. Almost makes me want to get them all. 8y
19 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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joe_hill
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Genuine sinners are plentiful, but genuine penitents are rare. - Ellis Peters

Sometimes you just want to read about cowled 12th century detectives.

(Photo: wikimedia commons, John Armagh. Treated with Prisma)

Suzze Great historical mystery series! 8y
flip58 Love this series 8y
LeahBergen Cadfael! 😍 8y
121 likes16 stack adds3 comments
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AceOnRoam
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Pickpick

My first by this author introducing Brother Cadfael who's powers of observation and deduction ensure that he's always a part of the action and at times a little above the law. I enjoyed this character, he has a bit of a history, is not exactly pious and is a tad cheeky. #ReadingOnRoam

46 likes3 stack adds