Ellis Peters - Monk's Hood: The Cadfael Chronicles III Brother Cadfael

Pros: Pleasant read, at times amusing, nice characterization
Cons: Some melodrama, Cadfael's "punishment" of guilty party

This third chronicle of Benedictine monk-sleuth Brother Cadfael takes place in December 1138 during a lull in the ongoing tussle between King Stephen and Empress Maud. There is still some fallout from the recent siege at a castle loyal to Maud where 94 ...

Pros: Well paced, not easily figured out, all plot lines dealt with
Cons: Not so sure about the fight scene at the end

This mystery starts with a scrap of a song. A song about a Christian pilgrim, imprisoned by Saracens, hugging his lady love’s undershirt. This is how we are reminded that Cadfael had a life before the tonsure. He went to the Holy Land. Later we learn...