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One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #2)

Ellis Peters

Start date: December 13, 2019

Finish date: January 8, 2019

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Members enjoyed the first in this historical mystery series, so now we are going on to read the second bo…more
[close] Members enjoyed the first in this historical mystery series, so now we are going on to read the second book.

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What Members Thought

Apr 04, 2008 Susan in NC rated it really liked it

Still a four star read for me, even after all these years! I loved Cadfael when I first read this series back in the 1980s, and saw Derek Jacobi bring the Benedictine to life for the BBC(?), and he’s still wonderful!

In this second entry in the series, the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud has come to Shrewsbury. After the castle is besieged and overrun by Stephen’s troops, the traitors are hastily and viciously dispatched by hanging. Kind-hearted Abbott Heribert feels compelled to ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2013 Lemar rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, brit-lit, historical-fiction

All the elements that make Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries so appealing are found in this one. Some of these ingredients include her ability to make the reader at home in the 15th century, a love story that should be trite but is instead moving and charming, a good whodunnit, and a window into the vast knowledge of herbs and medicinal preparations that a few learned people possessed. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 28, 2019 Teri-K rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, old-favorites, great-to-re-read, historical-mystery, heroes-i-love, best-series-book-1

This is a great series, and this book is the perfect one to start with. Unlike book 1, here we meet Cadfael in his normal setting, the Shrewsbury Abbey, surrounded by his gardens, fellow monks, and the townspeople we'll get to know as the series progresses. Best of all, here we meet (view spoiler) This book also explains the basics of the war between Stephen and Maud which will continue throughout England, and the series.

There are seve ...more

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May 01, 2009 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, england

I give this book 5 stars because it actually introduces the 'Brother Cadfael' milieu better than Book 1 in the series. And, oh brother, if I could describe a setting as well as Ellis Peters does ...! ...more

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