A Rare Benedictine

Peters has gained worldwide praise for her meticulous re-creations of 12th-century monastic life. Here, her chronicles continue with a Christmas story, a tale of robbery and attempted murder, and a narrative of Brother Cadfael's early years.

Ellis Peters' A RARE BENEDICTINE introduces Brother Cadfael, the beloved medieval sleuth brought to life by Derek Jacobi in CADFAEL. In the autumn of 1120, after sixteen years of plotting, manipulating and fighting to conquer Normandy, the King's Court has returned to England, victorious. But, for one Welshman amongst them, the adventure is just beginning.For Cadfael is about to embark on a journey that will lead him to the Abbey at Shrewsbury and into the Benedictine Order. Where mystery, intrigue and treachery await...To be treasured by Cadfael fans, this is also the perfect starting point for readers delving into the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael for the first time.___________________________Readers love the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael!***** 'I cannot speak too highly of the Cadfael books . . . full of adventure, history, fun, and splendid characters' Amazon review***** 'Very well written . . . a real pleasure to read' Amazon review***** ' My one regret is that I never found Cadfael twenty years ago' Amazon review***** 'This character is totally endearing . . . The whole series is engrossing' Amazon review

“Three classic stories featuring Brother Cadfael . . . whose powers of deduction are practically miraculous” in the Silver Dagger–winning medieval mystery series (Booklist). “Brother Cadfael sprang to life suddenly and unexpectedly when he was already approaching sixty, mature, experienced, fully armed and seventeen years tonsured.” So writes Ellis Peters in her introduction to A Rare Benedictine—three vintage tales of intrigue and treachery featuring the monastic sleuth who has become the best-loved ecclesiastical detective since Father Brown. Although Cadfael has appeared in twenty novel-length chronicles, the story of his entry into the monastery at Shrewsbury has been known hitherto only to a few readers. Now his myriad fans can discover the chain of events that led him into the Benedictine Order.

20/20 Edition - Headline 20th Anniversary Edition The classic Bother Cadfael tales The story of Cadfael’s entry into the monastery at Shrewsbury was known only to a few, but this book uncovers the chain of events that led him into the Benedictine Order. These tales show Cadfael at the height of his sleuthing form, with the complexities of plot, vividly evoked Shropshire backgrounds and warm understanding of the frailties of human nature that made Ellis Peters an international bestseller.

Strangers seek refuge at the abbey as floodwaters rise, a body falls, and a relic vanishes—in this “top drawer” mystery featuring the twelfth-century monk (Chicago Sun-Times) In the chill, rainy autumn of 1144, two groups of visitors seek the hospitality of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, and Brother Cadfael fears trouble has come in with them. Among the first arrivals is Brother Tutilo, a young Benedictine with a guileless face and—to Brother Cadfael’s shrewd eyes—a mischievous intelligence. The second group, a ribald French troubadour, his servant, and a girl with the voice of an angel, seems to Brother Cadfael a catalyst for disaster. All of Cadfael’s fears become manifest as rising floodwaters endanger the abbey’s most sacred relic, the remains of Saint Winifred. When the bones disappear and a dead body is found, Brother Cadfael knows carnal and spiritual intrigues are afoot. Now, in a world that believes in signs and miracles, Brother Cadfael needs his prayers answered—as well as some heavenly guidance to crucial clues—to catch a killer hell-bent on murder.

A collection of critical essays examine the Ellis Peters mystery series featuring the twelfth-century Benedictine monk and detective Brother Cadfael.

The cloistered walls of Shrewsbury Abbey have always protected Brother Cadfael from the raging Civil War. But when fighting escalates between Empress Maud and King Stephen, the war takes a deadly step closer to him. Taken prisoner in the battle for Maud's land is Olivier de Bretagne, Brother Cadfael's own son- born as a result of a brief encouter thirty years earlier. Now Brother Cadfael resolves to plead for his son's release at a peace conference scheduled to take place in Coventry; but there is no sign of Olivier there. After much soul searching, Cadfael makes the difficult decision to break his monastic vows, leaving Coventry without permission- because he knows he must do everything in his power to find his son.

Saint Peter's Fair is a grand festive event, attracting tradesmen from across England and beyond. There is a pause in the civil war racking the country in the summer of 1139, and the fair promises to bring some much needed gaiety to the town of Shrewsbury. Until, that is, the body of a wealthy trader is found in the River Severn. Was Thomas of Bristol the victim of murderous thieves? And if so, why were his valuables abandoned nearby? Brother Cadfael offers to help the merchant's lovely niece Emma. But while he is seaching for the killer, the man's wares are ransacked and two more men are murdered. Emma almost certainly knows more than she is telling, as others will soon realise. Cadfael desperately races to save the young girl, knowing that in a country at war with itself, betrayal can come from any direction, and even good intentions can kill.