By Ellis Peters
Warner Books, 1994. 197 pages. Mystery
A Welsh Benedictine monk living at Shrewsbury Abbey in western England, Brother Cadfael spends much of his time tending the herbs and vegetables in the garden—but now there's a more pressing matter. Cadfael is to serve as translator for a group of monks heading to the town of Gwytherin in Wales. The team's goal is to collect the holy remains of Saint Winifred, which Prior Robert hopes will boost the abbey's reputation, as well as his own. But when the monks arrive in Gwytherin, the town is divided over the request. When the leading opponent to disturbing the grave is found shot dead with a mysterious arrow, some believe Saint Winifred herself delivered the deadly blow. Brother Cadfael knows an earthly hand did the deed, but his plan to root out a murderer may dig up more than he can handle.Every time the winter season begins, I inexplicably find myself drawn to medieval things. As mystery is my favorite genre, what better than a medieval mystery? Brother Cadfael is an instantly likeable character. His rough history as a crusader and his knowledge of herbs are fascinating aspects of his personality. Ellis Peters writes in a way that is both simple and surprisingly moving. She depicts the medieval world of Shrewsbury in a way that makes you think she's been there. Whether as a standalone novel, or the beginning of a satisfying series, 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' is a great mystery with wonderfully juicy details, and a gamut of interesting and memorable characters.
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MGB
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