Monk's Hood

by Bert Coules (Adapter), Ellis Peters, Michael Hordern (Narrator)

After the violence of spring, when the civil war between Stephen and Maud swept through the town, Shrewsbury has enjoyed a quiet summer. Now, at the beginning of autumn, all is peaceful—the harvest was good and the store cupboards are full. But, as Cadfael reflects ruefully, such harmony cannot be expected to last. He is right. The trouble begins when Gervase Bonel, rich lord of the manor, proposes to sign over all his property to the Abbey in return for food and lodging for the rest of his life. Though the Abbot is pleased to accept such a gift, it comes at the expense of Bonel’s stepson’s inheritance—and when Bonel is found poisoned, it seems certain that his actions have caused him an enemy or two. But Cadfael is not convinced that the obvious suspect is the right one. . . Are the monk’s powers of detection strong enough to lead him through the maze of clues to the truth?

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 24 September to 22 October 1991.

2 CDs. 2 hrs 32 mins.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Medieval, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook

3 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Bert Coules is an English writer, and dramatist, who has produced a number of adaptations and original works. He works mainly in radio drama but also writes for TV and the stage.

Coules specializes in mystery and science fiction audio and radio drama, and has written a number of adaptations, most notably as the head writer of the Sherlock Holmes radio series (1989–1998) starring Clive Merrison as Holmes and Michael Williams as Watson (the first time the entire canon had been adapted with the same two lead actors throughout). He also wrote original Sherlock Holmes scripts for the following BBC radio series The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, each based on a reference from the original stories. These were first broadcast between 2002 and 2010, and starred Merrison and Andrew Sachs as Watson, following Michael Williams' death in 2001.

He has also written adaptations of several of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael novels, and of works by Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Isaac Asimov and other best-selling genre authors.

[with thanks to Wikipedia]

Reviews

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a Cadfael with a Welsh accent 💜💜💜

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This full-cast dramatization of the novel by Ellis Peters stars Philip Madoc as the medieval monk and sleuth, Brother Cadfael.

The blurb - After the violence of civil war in the srping, Shrewsbury has enjoyed a quiet summer and a good harvest. But, as Cadfael reflects ruefully, such a peaceful state of affairs cannot be expected to last.

He's right. The trouble begins when Gervase Bionel, rich lord of the manor, proposes to sign all his property over to the Abbey. A welcome gift, but when Bonel is found poisoned, foul play is suspected somewhere along the line. Cadfael is sure that the obvious suspect is not the right one, but are his poweres of detection strong enough to lead him through the maze of clues to the truth?

With:
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Philip Madoc
Geoffrey Whitehead
Timothy Bateson

Sir Michael Horden is the narrator

About the Author:
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Ellis Peters is a pseudonym of Edith Pargeter, author of historical novels such as The Heaven Tree Trilogy. Under the name of Ellis Peters she wrote crime fiction including The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael and a more "modern" detective, Detective Chief Inspector George False. Ellis Peters won many distinguished writing awards including an Edgar Award, the Silver Dagger Award and the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award of the Crime Writers Association. She lived in Shropshire, England.

Dramatised by Bert Coules.

Music by Peter Salem.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

[Shane Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as I liked the PBS series of Brother Cadfael mysteries, I enjoyed this audiobook. There is a poisoning, and the story is a whodunnit and for what motive. Meanwhile one gets a glimpse into life in England hundreds of years ago.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a pleasure