Book Review
May. 10th, 2010 09:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariA Morbid Taste for Bones
by Ellis Peters
I picked this up for two reasons: I'd already read all Edith Pargeter's historical novels (Ellis Peters is a pen-name of hers); and I've recently become interested in reading more historical mysteries, so I thought I'd start with the classics of the genre. The book did not disappoint. I really loved the character of Brother Cadfael, although he comes off a bit more earthy and weathered than seems to be suggested by the casting of Derek Jacobi in the BBC adaptations. I also loved that the book was mostly set in Wales, one of my favorite places.
Peters has complete command of the conventions of the mystery genre. I especially liked the fact that the central crime did not occur until about halfway through, allowing Peters to meticulously set up a very interesting and complex context for the murder. The resolution was clever and unexpected, too.
by Ellis Peters
I picked this up for two reasons: I'd already read all Edith Pargeter's historical novels (Ellis Peters is a pen-name of hers); and I've recently become interested in reading more historical mysteries, so I thought I'd start with the classics of the genre. The book did not disappoint. I really loved the character of Brother Cadfael, although he comes off a bit more earthy and weathered than seems to be suggested by the casting of Derek Jacobi in the BBC adaptations. I also loved that the book was mostly set in Wales, one of my favorite places.
Peters has complete command of the conventions of the mystery genre. I especially liked the fact that the central crime did not occur until about halfway through, allowing Peters to meticulously set up a very interesting and complex context for the murder. The resolution was clever and unexpected, too.
