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Book Review
Dec. 3rd, 2017 06:03 pmThe Heretic's Apprentice
by Ellis Peters
This is the sixteenth mystery in the Cadfael series, so by now I am well-acquainted with the conventions and style of these books. Clearly, I find them enjoyable if I have continued this far into the 20-volume run. This one had some nice surprises, too.
Here we have young Elave returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, accompanying the coffin containing his late master, William of Lythwood. Elave also bears a treasure meant to provide the dowry of Fortunata, a young orphan adopted into the Lythwood family, who are prosperous wool and vellum merchants.
William wished to be buried at the monastery in Shrewsbury, as he had been a resident of the town and a generous donor to the abbey before he went on pilgrimage. Unfortunately, William had been a bit less than orthodox in his beliefs, so there is a bit of kerfluffle around his burial. While that is quickly and favorably resolved, Elave reveals himself to have shared some of these beliefs, is accused of heresy by two employees of the Lythwoods, and thus finds himself under investigation by and a prisoner of the abbey. And then one of his accusers turns up dead, setting the mystery in motion.
While the heresy plot really didn't do much for me, the unraveling of the mystery and its surprises were fully engaging. And, as always, Cadfael, his fellow monks, Hugh Beringar, and the denizens of Shrewsbury are a delight to spend time with.
by Ellis Peters
This is the sixteenth mystery in the Cadfael series, so by now I am well-acquainted with the conventions and style of these books. Clearly, I find them enjoyable if I have continued this far into the 20-volume run. This one had some nice surprises, too.
Here we have young Elave returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, accompanying the coffin containing his late master, William of Lythwood. Elave also bears a treasure meant to provide the dowry of Fortunata, a young orphan adopted into the Lythwood family, who are prosperous wool and vellum merchants.
William wished to be buried at the monastery in Shrewsbury, as he had been a resident of the town and a generous donor to the abbey before he went on pilgrimage. Unfortunately, William had been a bit less than orthodox in his beliefs, so there is a bit of kerfluffle around his burial. While that is quickly and favorably resolved, Elave reveals himself to have shared some of these beliefs, is accused of heresy by two employees of the Lythwoods, and thus finds himself under investigation by and a prisoner of the abbey. And then one of his accusers turns up dead, setting the mystery in motion.
While the heresy plot really didn't do much for me, the unraveling of the mystery and its surprises were fully engaging. And, as always, Cadfael, his fellow monks, Hugh Beringar, and the denizens of Shrewsbury are a delight to spend time with.
