Cheryl R. (Spuddie) -
Helpful Score: 5
This is the first in my favorite all-time historical mystery series featuring Brother Cadfael of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul at Shrewsbury England in the late 1100's. Brother Cadfael is a practical soul who has seen much of the world as a crusader before he decided on the contemplative life as a monk. He is the infirmarian of the abbey, tending the herb garden and making various potions, brews and unguents to make life a little easier for those in the Abbey as well as Shrewsbury town. He's also a very observant person and a shrewd judge of character, and since he always seems to be thrown into murder situations, these character traits serve him well. :)
In this book, Cadfael travels to a village in Wales with an entourage of monks to collect the bones of St. Winifred, sadly neglected at the village, and the subject of some holy visions seen by a young monk of the Abbey and of course encounters murder shortly after arriving.
In this book, Cadfael travels to a village in Wales with an entourage of monks to collect the bones of St. Winifred, sadly neglected at the village, and the subject of some holy visions seen by a young monk of the Abbey and of course encounters murder shortly after arriving.
Helpful Score: 4
Delightful mystery with Brother Cadfael again leading the search to solve the crime. Even though it is the 12th century, Peters charms the reader with her knowledge of human behavior and with touches of humor and comic relief at times.
Michael G. (doctorslime) -
Helpful Score: 3
First in a series, but by no means the Best... Fine yes, and telling yes
the more you read the more this particular story echo's in the future tales, Who brings the story forward and why? Look to the title, and enjoy A Morbid Taste for Bones, a wonderful, delightful, Historical Romp, threaded with historical facts, flavored with sense, and scenes of the period, and seasoned with mystery. Top Drawer Mystery Reading!
the more you read the more this particular story echo's in the future tales, Who brings the story forward and why? Look to the title, and enjoy A Morbid Taste for Bones, a wonderful, delightful, Historical Romp, threaded with historical facts, flavored with sense, and scenes of the period, and seasoned with mystery. Top Drawer Mystery Reading!
Helpful Score: 3
A delightfully pleasant medieval mystery. Great reading.
I enjoyed this 1st book in the series and look forward to plowing through the next 20 books :-) Her style of writing takes awhile to get used to. Many of the conversations between characters takes awhile to puzzle out what they may be inferring to.
Helpful Score: 1
A delightful, pleasantly romantic medieval whodunit with a vein of humor underlying its quiet drama... Washington Post.
Rita B. (AnimalFarmBooks) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Classic Father Cadfael mystery. Good book!
Felicia J. (FeliciaJ) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 136 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you'd like to make the acquaintance of Brother Cadfael, Ellis Peters' beloved 12th-century sleuth, start here. "A Morbid Taste for Bones" provides the perfect introduction to the worldly wise monk, who entered the cloistered life after sailing and soldiering in the Crusades.
In the novel, a party of monks from Shrewsbury's Benedictine abbey travel to Wales to retrieve the sacred remains of St. Winifred. They find many of the local villagers opposed to moving the bones of their patron saint. When an especially vocal villager is found murdered, Cadfael, a native Welshman brought on the expedition to translate, finds himself caught between his prior's ruthless ambition and the anger of his Welsh countrymen.
Of course, Cadfael solves the mystery of who killed the villager and, in a delightful twist, manages to satisfy both sides in the debate over the saint's bones.
I highly recommend this first chronicle of Brother Cadfael. It brings the Middle Ages to life, introduces wonderful characters and presents the reader with an intriguing puzzle.
In the novel, a party of monks from Shrewsbury's Benedictine abbey travel to Wales to retrieve the sacred remains of St. Winifred. They find many of the local villagers opposed to moving the bones of their patron saint. When an especially vocal villager is found murdered, Cadfael, a native Welshman brought on the expedition to translate, finds himself caught between his prior's ruthless ambition and the anger of his Welsh countrymen.
Of course, Cadfael solves the mystery of who killed the villager and, in a delightful twist, manages to satisfy both sides in the debate over the saint's bones.
I highly recommend this first chronicle of Brother Cadfael. It brings the Middle Ages to life, introduces wonderful characters and presents the reader with an intriguing puzzle.
Jan M. (batgirl) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 284 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of the most satisfying books I have read in some time. Brother Cadfael never fails to please but this book and especially its ending was one of the best. At the center is a very strong female character as well.
Helpful Score: 1
I love the Brother Cadfael mysteries. They are well-written and intriguing, with very likeable and engaging characters.
Susan H. (symphonie) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 158 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In the remote Welsh mountain village of Gwytherin lies the grave of Saint Winifred. Now, in 1137, the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the sacred remains for his Benedictine order. Native Welshman Brother Cadfael is sent on the expedition to translate and finds the rustic villagers of Gwytherin passionately divded by the Benedictine's offer for the saint's relics. Canny, wise and all too worldly, he 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 Winnifred herself held the bow. Brother Cadfael knows a carnal hand did the killing. 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 Cadfael's own ruin.
The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winnifred herself held the bow. Brother Cadfael knows a carnal hand did the killing. 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 Cadfael's own ruin.
Helpful Score: 1
1st of the Brother Cadfael mysteries - taking place in 1137 - enjoyed it - different from
typical mysteries due to a 12th Century England timeframe.
typical mysteries due to a 12th Century England timeframe.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
Brother Cadfael of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul at Shrewsbury England is a monk whose earlier life experience helps him solve mysteries, usually a murder. He is the infirmarian of the abbey who tends the herb garden. In a remote Welsh village, Gwytherin, is the grave of Saint Winifred. Brother Cadfael is among a group of monks traveling to the little hamlet to collect the bones of St. Winifred. St. Winifred has been seen in holy visions seen by a young monk. The monks believe that the visions are a sign that the saint is to be moved to the abbey. And, of course, a murder occurs that requires the skills of Brother Cadfael to solve.
Michael G. (doctorslime) -
If you enjoyed the PBS Series on the good Brother Cadfael, now you can read the books that the series draws upon, much like Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose. Another Excellent Period Who dunnit in the Middle Ages. I highly recommend the series this is Book One, not the best in the series but a very good place to start. If you like it there are many other books in the series to follow, and they get better.
Alsie W. (hootsannie) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Ellis Peters is new to me but I find this first book refreshing. It is easy to read, uncomplicated but holds my interest throughout. Sometimes brain work is better than technology, at least I find it so. HootsAnnie
Good, fun read. I would like to read more of this series.
I once read a book of this series, but a much later one, and it failed to charm me. Reading the first of the series makes all the difference, and now I am reading them in the order intended. I would recommend reading these in order if you can. In this opening to her series, Peters does a great job drawing her characters. The story is clever and the ending could not be more satisfying. Very enjoyable read. :)
Excellent book!!! I highly recommend it to anyone - the title is kind of odd but the book is fabulous!!!!
Susan B. (havepencil) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Book One of a 12th century mystery series. Very fun read.
Keri (TXGrobanite) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 270 more book reviews
I usually like these kind of books but I couldn't even get past the first chapter so I was disappointed so i'm passing it on.
Maryann K. (mckorz11) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 285 more book reviews
The first book of Brother Cadfael.
Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 1032 more book reviews
I have been re-reading this series in order and while looking at the list I realized I never went back to this first one. I must have read it four times by now, so no matter, but I still love it. Cadfael seems just a touch more, what's the word I want, cold-blooded perhaps? in this first of the series - I don't think Peters ever puts him in the same type of situation again. It's a wonderful start to the series, one of my all-time favorite comfort reads, and I expect one year I'll want to read it yet again.
Susi B. (Susiana) reviewed A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
The first Brother Cadfael mystery.
