From Publishers Weekly
The worldly-wise and compassionate Brother Cadfael makes a welcome, 15th appearance. On his deathbed, Brother Haluin confesses to the abbot and Brother Cadfael that 18 years previously he had fallen in love with Bertrade de Clary, whose mother had forbidden their marriage. The girl had later died as a result of herbs he had given her mother, Adelais de Clary, to abort their baby. Haluin unexpectedly recovers from his fall, however, and he now is determined to make a pilgrimage to the girl's tomb. But when he and Brother Cadfael arrive at Hales, they find Adelais de Clary strangely indifferent and no tomb for Bertrade at the church. Haluin insists on traveling to Elford, the chief seat of the de Clarys, in search of Beltrade's final resting place. The two monks find more than the tomb there, and on their homeward journey through Staffordshire they encounter forbidden love, a hastily arranged marriage, violent emotions and murder. It is up to Brother Cadfael to untangle the threads that bind the past to the present to avert another tragedy. Though the plot is somewhat obvious, Peters knows her period well and does not strike one false note in this thoroughly entertaining medieval mystery. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Yet another gem from the Audio Partners Mystery Masters series. You're always in safe hands with the wonderful Stephen Thorne. His execution of Brother Cadfael is near perfection, injecting into the character all the intelligence and compassion that make him such a well-loved figure in crime fiction. After a near-fatal accident, Brother Haluin feels his sins heavy upon his soul and embarks, with the help of Cadfael, on a pilgrimage of atonement. Along the way old deceits and betrayals come to light, as well as another tragedy in the making that Brother Cadfael must put right. Altogether a good bet. Peters is the master of the medieval mystery, and any time spent with Stephen Thorne is time well spent. D.G. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The time: 1142. The place: the Benedictine Abbey. Believing himself mortally injured, Brother Haluin makes a shocking confession to Brother Cadfael. When he recovers, the two embark on a pilgrimage to redress the past. The Cadfael books are international bestsellers and have been produced for PBS's Mystery!

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The worldly-wise and compassionate Brother Cadfael makes a welcome, 15th appearance. On his deathbed, Brother Haluin confesses to the abbot and Brother Cadfael that 18 years previously he had fallen in love with Bertrade de Clary, whose mother had forbidden their marriage. The girl had later died as a result of herbs he had given her mother, Adelais de Clary, to abort their baby. Haluin unexpectedly recovers from his fall, however, and he now is determined to make a pilgrimage to the girl's tomb. But when he and Brother Cadfael arrive at Hales, they find Adelais de Clary strangely indifferent and no tomb for Bertrade at the church. Haluin insists on traveling to Elford, the chief seat of the de Clarys, in search of Beltrade's final resting place. The two monks find more than the tomb there, and on their homeward journey through Staffordshire they encounter forbidden love, a hastily arranged marriage, violent emotions and murder. It is up to Brother Cadfael to untangle the threads that bind the past to the present to avert another tragedy. Though the plot is somewhat obvious, Peters knows her period well and does not strike one false note in this thoroughly entertaining medieval mystery. (Jan.)

Library Journal

Just before the Feast of the Nativity on a snowy winter day in Shrewsbury, the brothers of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are busy repairing the roof of the leaking guesthouse. Even Brother Haluin, the scriptorium's finest illuminator and the abbey's perennial penitent, takes his turn on the scaffolding. Unfortunately, Haluin is a better illuminator than a carpenter, and he falls. He is so near death that Abbot Radulfus is summoned to administer last rites. As Brother Cadfael stands by, Haluin confesses to a terrible crime from nearly 20 years ago. As the days pass, Haluin, though now maimed, does not die. Eventually, he and Cadfael embark on a penitential journey to Hales, where they find answers to old and new mysteries alike in this wonderful novel of love and redemption. Stephen Thorne is one of the truly great readers; his ability to render perfectly the medieval world of Cadfael's Shrewsbury makes this an essential purchase for libraries. Fans of the series will enjoy this 15th entry of the "Chronicles."-Barbara A. Perkins, Irving P.L., TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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