Had I realized that the Cadfael Mysteries took place in Shrewsbury around 1100 I'd probably have devoured them by now. And now that I know, well…

This first chronicle takes us to the tiny town of Gwytherin in Gwynedd in search of the relics of a saint. Cadfael disapproves of his abbey taking the bones of the saint away from the town where she performed her acts, lived her life and died, but he is over ruled by Prior Robert and goes along to translate. Good thing too because no sooner do they get there than the main opponent to their taking the bones is murdered. (And in a mystery no less! Is nothing safe?) It could have been the brothers who wanted their saint so desperately, it could have been the outlander who is in love with his daughter, it could have been the boy the father wanted his daughter to marry, and then it could have been another person bent on another revenge, but that isn't really entertained.

Ok, the history might be a little loose, I'm not real sure because this falls before my focus, but it seems pretty likely. The setting is accurate without being obnoxious (i.e. there are no forks, but you never feel like you're getting a history lesson either.)

It's a good book for a light read. The mystery is involved enough to stretch out over the length and the good brother is just so clever he solves everybody's problems neatly by the end of the story.



Recommended: Yes