One Corpse Too Many

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Great!

[Andrew✌️]

Gundula wrote: "The mini-series has some good episodes, some mediocre ones and some that were so different from the book that they are painful to watch. One of the main problems is that the actor who played Hugh ..."

I agree. I do not remember to have seen all the episodes (and also St. Peter's Fair) and the change of actor for Hugh at the time confused me a little. In some episodes, at once I didn't recognize the book, but I appreciated Derek Jacoby like Brother Cadfael.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Laura wrote: "OK, I may try and sneak in while you're reading, if you don't mind. I have some hold list books to finish, but it's nice that Chrissie and others here have enjoyed this one so much!"

Laura, I just received my copy from the library. Do you have a copy to read? I can wait for you if you'd like to join me.

[Laura]

I'd like that, Lee, but I have several books on hold list that have to take priority (and more to come soon, but impossible to predict exactly when). It might take me a couple of weeks or so to get to it, and I'd hate to hold you up. When I do get to it though, I'll definitely be sneaking in here.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Okay great, no rush. I'll probably start shortly, not this weekend because I've got too much on the go but maybe next week.

[Laura]

Lee, I'm finally getting to this. I have a bunch more hold list books to pick up from the library, and so before I get drawn in to one of those, which I'll have to read within three weeks, I thought I'd give this one a go.

It's starting off great for me so far, but as some of you know, I am a confessed history dolt, and the further back I go, the doltier I get, lol.

So! One question for Chrissie and/or Gundula - I'm curious if the civil war is over by the time this book ends, or does it continue through the next in the series?

I do like the way the war is explained, as so far, I'm able to follow it.

I'm only in chapter one, and will be listening to this as well as reading. Loving the audio performance. Anyone wanting to join in is welcome!

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Lee, I'm finally getting to this. I have a bunch more hold list books to pick up from the library, and so before I get drawn in to one of those, which I'll have to read within three weeks, I thoug..."

Nope the civil war is actually just beginning and is part and parcel to many of the books in the series.

[Laura]

Thanks, Gundula. That's good news, because hopefully there'll be time to flesh it out some.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Thanks, Gundula. That's good news, because hopefully there'll be time to flesh it out some."

And you can always check wikipedia for information of the English Civil War.

[Laura]

Thx for the reminder. Good idea.

[Chrissie]

Laura, do not get upset about the history. One cannot know everything before you start. Bit by bit you learn. Enjoy the story, enjoy the characters, enjoy what that time period offered.

You will see that the Civil War does not end with this book, it is just the beginning. You will learn how it was to live through those times of insecurity.

[Laura]

I'll try, Chrissie. :)

Aw, I like Godric!

[Chrissie]

Laura, do go over to the thread at Comfort
Reads where much of the history has been discussed.

[Laura]

I don't want to catch any spoilers, but I'll comment to those posts after finishing.

[Manybooks]

Laura, if you are like me and enjoy doing supplemental research, go for it, but also realise that this sometimes can and does distract you from reading, from the story itself. And as Chrissie has pointed out, you really do not need supplemental information and research in order to enjoy the story (and anyhow, Ellis Peters really does provide more than adequate basic historical information within the text proper). So sit back, and enjoy the novel and don't worry about the history (and not knowing everything, no one knows everything).

[Laura]

Thanks, Gundula. So far, it's working. I'm enjoying the book. Much better than the first, as you've both said. Although her writing is just as crisp and satisfying.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Thanks, Gundula. So far, it's working. I'm enjoying the book. Much better than the first, as you've both said. Although her writing is just as crisp and satisfying."

I actually am always glad that I did not start with the first book (I might not have continued).

[Laura]

I'm just weird like that. But I was forewarned. Think how many people have skipped this series because of a bad experience with the first book.

[Chrissie]

Gundula wrote: "Laura, if you are like me and enjoy doing supplemental research, go for it, but also realise that this sometimes can and does distract you from reading, from the story itself. And as Chrissie has ..."

Gundula, exactly. So well put.

I continued with the series because of Gundula! Thanks, Gundula.

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Laura, if you are like me and enjoy doing supplemental research, go for it, but also realise that this sometimes can and does distract you from reading, from the story itself. And ..."

I just wanted to let you know that the series does get much much better (there are a few books later in the series that I did not enjoy all that much, but for the most part, the series is excellent, the first book though has always been so-so for me). And also, there are many individuals who actually really liked the first book (I was just not one of them).

[Chrissie]

My next one will be The Devil's Novice, the eighth book. I don't even need to ask if it is good or bad. Now I just want to read all of them.

[Chrissie]

Gundula, what do you mean it gets better?!Better?! How is that possible? Now you have my curiosity aroused.

OK, I better ask. What did you think of the eighth. I will read it no matter what you say.

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, what do you mean it gets better?!Better?! How is that possible? Now you have my curiosity aroused.

OK, I better ask. What did you think of the eighth. I will read it no matter what you say."

What I was saying is that after the first book, the series gets better (as you have already noticed).

[Laura]

Chrissie, any reason you're skipping to the eighth?

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Chrissie, any reason you're skipping to the eighth?"

The eighth book is The Devil's Novice and Chrissie mentioned above that it will be her next book.

[Laura]

Yeah, I was just wondering why she chose that one for her next. Maybe she's read the first seven already? But if not, I was just wondering why she chose that one.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Yeah, I was just wondering why she chose that one for her next. Maybe she's read the first seven already? But if not, I was just wondering why she chose that one."

Since she did not read some of the earlier ones in order, she is probably not going to reread them. I know she just read The Virgin in the Ice (number six) and that she read and reviewed number seven The Sanctuary Sparrow earlier this year. And you don't really need to read this series in strict order anyhow (except that you should read The Virgin in the Ice, before you read The Pilgrim of Hate and that you should have read both of these books before reading the last book of the series, Brother Cadfael's Penance).

[Laura]

Gotcha.

[Chrissie]

Gundula explained correctly! I am skipping none. I have read the first seven. My next one will be The Devil's Novice, the eighth. I plan on reading the rest in order b/c I don't want to miss anything.

(While you were talking, I have been finishing up my book on Marco Polo, and it has me hooked. I have been reading this for ages.)

[Laura]

Wow, I can't believe you've read the first seven already! :D

[Chrissie]

They are so darn short.

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "They are so darn short."

But there are twenty of them (and one book of short stories).

[Chrissie]

I have quite a few left. Gundula, when did you discover this series?


What is happening with Lee?

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "I have quite a few left. Gundula, when did you discover this series?


What is happening with Lee?"

I think I first became aware of the series around 1985 (but I am not sure about that).

[Chrissie]

Gundula, no wonder you have had a chance to read all of them!

[Laura]

I'm still enjoying the book but a thought keeps popping up and I'm wondering if you two have had the same. I'm thinking this series may be better without the mysteries. Just tell us about life in the abbey, the village, give us recurring characters within and without.....and rock on. The mystery doesn't really add anything for me at this point.

Thoughts?

[Chrissie]

Laura, I think the mystery gives you a plot line to follow. I like it. I also like how the mystery/crime is resolved.

But these books are not for those who want to solve a complicated mystery. I am a bit worried that that is exactly what you enjoy.

[Laura]

Not these days, Chrissie. I can see why you'd think that, though.

[Chrissie]

As I explained, I think the mystery adds to the book. I do try and solve them, and I have fun doing it. BUT I don't read for the mystery. For me they add to the total enjoyment of the book.

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "As I explained, I think the mystery adds to the book. I do try and solve them, and I have fun doing it. BUT I don't read for the mystery. For me they add to the total enjoyment of the book."

I agree, the mysteries add to the books, but they are not the books. If they were, I would not like them all that much and probably would have stopped reading them (and all of the historical mysteries I enjoy are ones where the mystery is second and not the main or rather the only point of the story).

[Laura]

I think I'm going to start seeking out more historical mysteries. I didn't realize how much the atmosphere adds to a good read, for me.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "I think I'm going to start seeking out more historical mysteries. I didn't realize how much the atmosphere adds to a good read, for me."

Try the Matthew Bartholomew series (almost as good as Ellis Peters), the first book is called A Plague on Both Your Houses.

[Laura]

Gundula wrote: "Laura wrote: "I think I'm going to start seeking out more historical mysteries. I didn't realize how much the atmosphere adds to a good read, for me."

Try the Matthew Bartholomew series (almost a..."

Thanks! It was on my list, but I'll have to give it priority! :) First few pages look good.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Laura wrote: "I think I'm going to start seeking out more historical mysteries. I didn't realize how much the atmosphere adds to a good read, for me."

Try the Matthew Bartholomew ..."

It's not as good a series as the Brother Cadfael series (and a bit more gruesome at times), but quite readable and interesting (I enjoy it also because it is in many ways a history of Cambridge University).

And this is actually a series where reading the books in sequence is smart, as there are often allusions etc. to previous books.

[Laura]

If you'd like to recommend any others, I'd be interested, Gundula. I always love finding a new series of almost any type of book, but historical works of all kinds have been drawing me in lately.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "If you'd like to recommend any others, I'd be interested, Gundula. I always love finding a new series of almost any type of book, but historical works of all kinds have been drawing me in lately."

The Brother Cadfael series and the Matthew Bartholomew series are the ones I would recommend with no reservations.

The Owen Archer series by Candace Robb is not bad, although I stopped reading because the writing style started getting on my nerves (the first books were enjoyable enough though).

Another series which I rather like is the Hugh Corbett series by Paul Doherty. However, this series is really really history heavy (with much much information about British kings, alliances and the like) and as Doherty's writing style is rather dry and and fact-heavy, you might not like it all that much.

If you don't mind a series that gets a bit new-agy, you might like the Hawkenlye series by Alys Clare (it got a bit too strange and too unbelievable for my tastes, I lost interest after the second or third book).

I know that Susanna Gregory (the author of the Matthew Bartholomew series) has also written a series set in Tudor England, but I have not read any of these books.

Alright, one really enjoyable and fun series is the Nicholas Bracewell series by Edwards Marston (featuring a troupe of Tudor actors, sort of like the actors who would have worked with and for William Shakespeare). This is a fun and interesting series (especially if you enjoy Elizabethan, Tudor history and the theatre), the first book is titled, The Queen's Head (there are, I think about sixteen books in the series and again, the series should be read in order of publication).

[Laura]

Wow, thanks Gundula! I really appreciate you digging those up for me. I will check them out!

[Laura]

I have got to chapter eight and really enjoying this one now. Love these characters that Peters created.

More and more, this series is actually reminding me of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, which may be my favorite "mystery" series right now. I put mystery in quotes because some would say they're not even mystery novels at all, and definitely not in the traditional sense.

However, Mma Ramotswe and Brother Cadfael are both real people in my mind, and people I'd like to know in real life.

I love it when fictional characters become so real that you can almost predict what they would do in any given situation!

Anyway....really enjoying this. Thank you to Chrissie & Gundula for the nudges.

[Chrissie]

:0) See, I told you so! I am so glad you like it. You have just begun with the series. As you continue you will love the characters more and more. I promise you that. They become full people. I was kind of worried; but now I am so happy that I didn't lead you toward a book that you didn't like not like.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

I'm here!!!! I've started the book, I was very, very distracted but my big project/event is now over and I plan on enjoying lots of summer reading! Sorry guys. I'm enjoying what I've read so far. I like the way the politics are being explained. I remember trying to read another book about Stephen and Maude and feeling very bogged down but I don't have that feeling with this book or the author's style. Can't wait to get further in!