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Liked It “After King Stephen takes the castle of Shrewbury, he orders the hanging of the 94 defending soldiers. When Brother Cadfael is asked to give last rites to the dead, he counts 95 bodies, one corpse too many. He finds among the slain a young man who strangled by a cord, not hung. This same young...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“After King Stephen takes the castle of Shrewbury, he orders the hanging of the 94 defending soldiers. When Brother Cadfael is asked to give last rites to the dead, he counts 95 bodies, one corpse too many. He finds among the slain a young man who strangled by a cord, not hung. This same young man had been entrusted with getting the castle's treasury to safety. Whether that task was accomplished or not, Brother Cadfael vows to seek justice for this murder. ”
Judy wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“2nd on the Brother Cadfeld series, finds an eager young lay brother attached to Brother Cadfeld as King Stephen's troops lay seige in 1138 to Shrewsbury Castle held for the Empress Maud against him. When the prime nobles escape, King Stephen orders all the defenders hung. But there is one too many corses found among the bodies being prepared for burial, one who was strangled, not hung. Brother Cadfeld, with the King's blessing looks for the murderer. There are several guest in the Abbey, including the orphaned daughter of one of Stephen's lords, and a questionable young man asking to side with Stephen, but who had been betrothed to the only daughter of one of the escaped lords of Maud. Mysteries abound.”
Sherry A wrote this review Saturday, April 21, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very well written. Weaves the characters in & out... looooove it!”
Gaelicark wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A good addition to the series. It bogs down a bit at the 3/4 mark but regains its speed quickly.”
M. Romeo wrote this review Friday, December 30, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“When I first started reading this book I was bored fairly fast because there were many words I didn't understand and the book moved very slowly. Fortunately the storyline picked up eventually and I found this book to be one of the best I've ever read! Lots of twists and turns and just a good read for a 15 year old. I never expected a story that takes place in the 12th century to have so much energy. I have never seen on T.V or in any other book a murder investigation that occurs in a early time period. Once again a great read and really a surprise to me. Even after reading the back of the book it still didn't seem to interesting. Oddly enough One corpse too many turned out to be one of my favorite books.”
Ben L wrote this review Wednesday, May 25, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This one is notable for the presence of the civil war right in Shrewsbury itself and for the beginning of Cadfael's relationship with Hugh Beringar. Another great cast of characters, including two redoubtable women. ”
Emm S wrote this review Tuesday, January 25, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Typically good mystery fit into a great setting and historical perspective”
William D wrote this review Wednesday, December 29, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Dire times for Shrewsbury
BooknBlues wrote this review Tuesday, November 23, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
In this book the second of Ellis Peter's Brother Cadfael series we find Shrewsbury in 1138 in deep trouble. The forces of King Stephen are approaching and citizens are scrambling to align themselves with the victor. Unfortunately those in the castle were aligned with the Empress Maude and paid dearly for it.
This book introduces us to the crafty Hugh Beringar a worthy friend or foe to Cadfael. Part of Cadfael's dilemma in this chronicle is to determine which Beringar is. They are evenly matched for foxiness, but we hope that Cadfael's age may assist him in the end.
This series is a must for the medieval lover. It is an excellent mystery and will keep the reader guessing.
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“The writing is superb the mysteries excellent and the characters are memorable. I can't think of any higher praise. Cadfael himself is a wonderful lead, multi-layered and flawed, though extremely likable...so likable that most of his surrounding Benedictines can seriously get on a person's nerves. He spent half of his life in the Crusades where he learned myriad skills employed during his everyday life and during his investigations.
j s wrote this review Tuesday, August 3, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you like mysteries or fiction from England set between about 1135 and about 1150, during The Anarchy, the destructive contest for the crown of England between King Stephen and Empress Maud. Some historical events are described or referred to in the books to make them even more engrossing (at least for those interested in that era of history).
Other books I've read that had me thinking of the Cadfael books are 'An Instance of the Fingerpost', 'The Daughter of Time', 'The Canticle for Leibowitz' and Neal Stephenson's, 'Anathem'. ”
