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Monk's Hood (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #3)

Ellis Peters

Start date: March 15, 2020

Finish date: April 8, 2020

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Continuing the Cadfael series for our historical mystery fans.
[close] Continuing the Cadfael series for our historical mystery fans.

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What Members Thought

Oct 21, 2017 Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: murder, historical-fiction, british, mystery, history, series, shelfari-series, ellis-peters

In the third of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, one Gervase Bonel leaves his estate to the Abbey in exchange for him and his wife being looked after for life, in the process disinheriting his stepson. Not long after moving in, Bonel is killed by poison in a special dish sent out for him by the Abbey and the poison is an oil for joint pain prepared by Brother Cadfael. The most of obvious suspect is Bonel’s stepson, fifteen-year-old Edwin Gurney who turns out to be the son of Cadfael’s old sweethea In the third of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, one Gervase Bonel leaves his estate to the Abbey in exchange for him and his wife being looked after for life, in the process disinheriting his stepson. Not long after moving in, Bonel is killed by poison in a special dish sent out for him by the Abbey and the poison is an oil for joint pain prepared by Brother Cadfael. The most of obvious suspect is Bonel’s stepson, fifteen-year-old Edwin Gurney who turns out to be the son of Cadfael’s old sweetheart Richildis (now married to Bonel), and Cadfael is convinced by his own methods that the boy is innocent. There are plenty of disgruntled people in Bonel’s household for though never bending the law, he was not above doing things for his own profit but none seems to have a strong enough motive. To add to Cadfael’s difficulties, Hugh Beringar is away and the case is in the hands of the less sympathetic (and rather condescending) sheriff Gilbert Prestcote. And then Cadfael finds himself confined to the Abbey for his unbecoming conduct in having talked to the widow Bonel at night. Meanwhile the Abbey is the midst of its own troubles with Abbot Heribert set to be replaced and Prior Robert taking over before he has even been named successor. While Cadfael is confined to the Abbey’s precincts for a bit, he is helped by Brother Mark, his young apprentice who is quite glad to go “detecting”, and even forego prayers in the process.

This mystery felt surprisingly “gentle” and slow considering the urgency of solving the murder and clearing Edwin of the charge, the uncooperative sheriff other impediments he faces from the Abbey, the politically charged atmosphere at the Abbey, and Cadfael’s own concern in the matter of his concoction (its key ingredient being monk’s hood) having been used in the murder, and of course, the matter involving Richildis. I enjoyed the setting as always, which gives one glimpses into life at the Abbey and its surroundings and a great “feel” of the period. The little excursion that Cadfael makes into Wales was also very enjoyable, particularly the time he spends outdoors with the sheep under the night sky-felt lovely and peaceful. This was again a winter story ending at Christmas but despite the snow the whole atmosphere never felt as chilly and awful as in the Virgin in the Ice. An enjoyable instalment in the series.
p.s. The ending was great fun (the comic touch in one scene particularly)!
...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

It is Christmas, 1138, and the hostilities of the Civil War have moved away from Shrewsbury Abbey, which is about to have a new household. Gervase Bonel is to sign his manor, Mallilie, to the Abbey, in order to ‘retire’ there. This involves him, and his wife, Richildis, moving into a property on the Abbey grounds, where they will be fed and clothed.

Cadfael becomes involved when Bonel is poisoned, using an oil that he had provided for the use of a fellow brother’s aching joints. Useful on the ou ...more

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Jul 24, 2020 Leslie rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, historical-fiction, mysteries

Honestly, I cannot say whether this is a reread or not. I recalled the basics of the plot from seeing the TV adaptation (with Derek Jacobi) but even knowing the solution to the mystery, this book was enjoyable to read. Peters did a masterful job of conveying life in 11oos England & Wales and Cadfael is a wonderful protagonist.

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Apr 08, 2017 Damaskcat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Brother Cadfael comes face to face with the love of his life in this well written and intriguing mystery. A guest at the Abbey is taken ill and Brother Cadfael is sent to try and treat him. The sick man's wife - Richildis - was once betrothed to Cadfael before he went off to the Crusades. She did not wait for him to return and married another. Now her husband has been poisoned with something which could have come from Cadfael's stores.

Cadfael finds himself facing suspicion of murder when the man ...more

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Apr 06, 2015 Lemar rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: brit-lit, novel, fiction, mystery

A fully satisfying mystery in which Peters writes a compelling story in which the characters and plot points are of their time (12th c) and yet resonate with timeless gentle widsom as well.

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Mar 04, 2020 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ellis-peters

What can I say? This is the third book in the series, and the formula is roughly the same as the first two. The settings are well described, which helps with the flow of the stories, however, there is still the love thread, and dislike of a couple of the monks causing the usual type of trouble. These books are really a short time spent with the characters rather than any great mystery, but I do enjoy company as I would a short visit to old friends.

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