A Morbid Taste For Bones

By Ellis Peters

In 1137, the Abbot of Shrewsbury decides to acquire the remains of St Winifred. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales and they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines' offer for the saint's relics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Release date: Jun 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781784080518

Ellis Peters

Ellis Peters (the pen name of Edith Pargeter, 1913–1995) is a writer beloved of millions of readers worldwide and has been widely adapted for radio and television, including her Brother Cadfael crime novels, which were made into a series starring Derek Jacobi. She has been the recipient of the Cartier Diamond Dagger, Edgar Award for Best Novel, Agatha Award for Best Novel, and was awarded an OBE for her services to literature in 1994.

Reviews for A Morbid Taste For Bones

[clue_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brother Cadfael is a former crusader who has come to the priesthood late in life. Though his monastery is in England, Cadfael is a Welshman. The monastery's abbot, Prior Robert, decides the monastery needs a reliquary. His target is a saint buried in a small Welsh village. A group of monks begin the journey to acquire the saint's bones with Cadfael going along as interpreter. Not surprisingly, the villagers are opposed to the saint's bones being removed to England. When the leader of the opposition is found murdered, Cadfael, knowing the monks are responsible for the death, commits himself to solving the mystery.The mystery is a good one and Cadfael is a very likeable character.

[meredy_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Six-word review: Clever medieval monk investigates Welshman's murder.Extended review:The first of the well-known Brother Cadfael mysteries by Edith Pargeter (writing as Ellis Peters) is also my first exposure to the series. I managed to miss all twenty of the novels, published beginning in 1977, and the four-season TV series broadcast in the nineties.Now, it seems, I'm in for a treat.Brother Cadfael is a Benedictine monk of the twelfth century, a Welshman living in an English abbey. After an adventuresome life as a soldier and sailor, he took the cowl in middle age. Hints of his colorful background enliven the quiet picture of a monastic herbalist and also account for his world-weary ability to see past men's poses to read the evil behind their acts.In this novel, the prior of Cadfael's abbey takes it as a personal mission to annex a long-dead Welsh saint and have her relics moved from her resting place to England where they can be properly venerated. The Welsh parish that has kept her chapel over the centuries objects. A violent death ensues, amidst thwarted love, a blooming romance, clan loyalties, and ecclesiastical ambition. Only Brother Cadfael can see the way to uncover the truth of the crime and accomplish justice for the afflicted parties.

[mamzel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cadfael left his life crusading and traveling to join a monastery and choose a quiet contemplative life. He lends his knowledge of herbs and medicine to his brothers and tends the gardens for them. One of the brothers has a vision involving a minor Welsh saint that seems to ask them to move her bones to their church from her grave in Wales. Cadfael travels with a group of monks to collect Saint Winifred. Cadfael is not thoroughly convinced of this vision and goes along to help translate English to Welsh and see if he can enable Winifred to stay where she is.One of the most ardent arguers of this move is the major landowner of the village of Gwytherin who is not cowed by the august company that descends on his community. Unfortunately, before he can deliver his final verdict he is found dead. Cadfael helps solve the incongruities of the death and at the same time help to settle Saint Winifred where she should be.Lovers of medieval mysteries will have a blast with Brother Cadfael.

[daniel5estes · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Having seen a number of good recommendations for this novel, I looked forward to reading it, but alas I couldn't get into the story. I say this regretfully since I don't easily give up on books. It doesn't help that the narrative takes its time to get going, with this Brother talking to that Prior using a stilted, high language. Even the words themselves feel slow.Not necessarily a bad book, just not for me.

[countrylife_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! A medieval murder mystery with characters fleshed out and real to their times, and the setting just as you’d imagine Wales to be at that time.

[tntexas_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

a nice, cozy-type mystery set during the war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda/Maud - loved Brother Cadfael's answer to the problem

[chrissie3-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Marvelous story. You have to read it to find out exactly what happens. A fun spoof on religion. The historical detail, the characters, and the humor are enchanting. By the end I loved Brother Cadfael and all the villagers of Gwytherin, Wales. An utterly charming tale and funny too! Completed Oct 6, 2010

[mossjon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm probably the rare person who has never read or watched a Brother Cadfael medieval mystery. I enjoyed this inaugural foray into the Welsh countryside and those who dwell there. The characters were well written and the plot was fast paced and intriguing. The murder mystery had me stumped until nearly the end, when within the last couple of chapters I finally saw the light, though the author was circumspect with foreshadowing to heighten the surprise.

My only twinge were the strong women characters of Sioned and Annest. Perhaps I'm overanalysing but I'm not convinced that 12th century women (Welsh or not) would be so outspoken and forthright. I always fear that 20th (and now 21st) century authors are superimposing our liberated ideas on characters living nearly a thousand years before our times.

[slamkin-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brother Cadfael gets opportunity to journey to his homeland, Wales. It is here that he encounters his first case. Cadfael is acting as a translator. He is attempting to help his prior to obtain the bones of St. Winifred but the villagers are not happy about this. To complicated matters, during negotiations a murder happens and it happens to be the main person that is against the removal of St. Winifred from the village. If you love historical mysteries, you will really enjoy this book. Ellis Peters hass an amazing way of making this monk, of so many centuries ago, come alive today.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A favorite, this gives a lot of explanation of Cadfael's faith and truth vs. religiosity.

[readafew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the 1st Cadfael I've read (as well as the 1st in the series) and it was an enjoyable read. It was a nice easy who-dun-it and I plan to read all the rest of them as well. The PBS Cadfael specials first pointed me in this direction. Cadfael goes with a group of his brother monks to bring back the relics of Saint Winifred from a reluctant parish and during the course of things a murder occurs of the chief holdout. Problems abound and Cadfael tries to find a solution and to make everyone satisfied.

[ragwaine · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good writing, good characters, decent mystery. Kinda slow, it could have ended at about 17 places in the last 2 chapters but it just kept going.

[maita_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A man is stuck down by an arrow and people take it as a sign that a saint is angry. Brother Cadfael knows this to be the work of a mortal, a work of hate rather than heavenly vengeance. I love the book. There is a bit of humor in Cadfael. Medeival life has more to it than blunt killings and crude farm works. The human mind is as complex in murdering as the present day criminals.

[joycepa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first in the Brother Cadfael series.We're in 12th century England near the Welsh border at Shrewbury, the site of the Benedictine Abbey of Sts. Peter and Paul. Brother Cadfael at 57 has had his share of worldly adventures as part of the First Crusade fighting in the Holy land; he has also had his share of experiences with women, which he remembers with affection. For the past 15 years, he has been a contented member of the Benedictine community, his major responsibility being the abbey garden, especially the medicinal herbs.No organization is immune from politics and its ambitious practitioners, least of all the Catholic Church. The prior of Shrewsbury Abbey, Prior Robert, is a descendant of the Norman conquerors, and while he may have given up lordship over a secular domain, he definitely aspires to rise to the top within the Church. Thus he chafes under the galling lack of a saint's relics at the abbey, diminishing the abbey's (and therefore his) reputation. Prior Robert launches a campaign to transfer the bones of St. Winifred, a little-known virgin Welsh saint from their resting place in Wales to Sts. Peter and Paul.The Welsh community is NOT amused, and the opposition is led by a prominent Welsh landowner who is soon found murdered.The plot is excellent, given the era in which the story is set. Peters draws the characters--all of them, including the haughty Prior Robert--with great affection. She has a wonderful ability to put us right in the time and the location.The climax of the story is very well done and Brother Cadfael's solution to the resulting problem a stroke of genius; the humor and irony are exquisite.It may be a murder mystery, but Peters writes with great gentleness, humor, and fondness for the period. Brother Cadfael is one of the most endearing "detectives" of the genre.Highly recommended.

[maryanntherese · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An entertaining mystery with a good plot and characters. I would like it better if Cadfael was actually a faithful Catholic instead of a moral relativist.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a Brother Cadfel story, and superior to the others.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first Cadfael story, and I have a sneaking suspicion I saw the tv version first. Cadfael is sent with some other monks to recover the body of a saint to enhance the Benedectine Monastery of Shrewsbury. The people where the saint is don't really want to release her and when one of the villagers is found dead suspicion is thrown on the monks, Cadfael has to investigate.The Carlton Video starring Derek Jacobi follows the book quite well.

[smik_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I chose this book because it is the first of the series. My fellow listener and I are already familiar with the Brother Cadfael character, having watched the TV series with Derek Jacobi playing the leading role, decades ago. We have also been to Shrewsbury on one of our trips to the UK.These novels are a lovely reminder of a historical period which was a turbulent time at the end of the Middle Ages. Brother Cadfael lives in Shrewsbury, returned from the Crusades, and now a monk and a herbalist. In some senses his mysteries are very ordinary investigations, but they are imbued with a strong sense of history, and sometimes with a touch of romance.In this story Brother Cadfael is part of an expedition to his native Wales to "liberate" St Winifred's bones which apparently have been neglected by the people who live in the village near where she is buried. The locals are understandably upset at the incoming Englishmen who have come to steal the bones and take them back to England.The first in quite a long series of books, there is a lot of introductory material about Cadfael, his background, and those who live with him in the Shrewsbury monastery. At just over 7 hours this is a good title to be listened to over a couple of travelling weeks.

[phoenixcomet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brother Cadfael is the protagonist of Ellis Peters series about being a monk in the Middle Ages. Brother Cadfael comes to the order late in life after living and experiencing the Crusades, women and other life adventures. Now satisfied with the simple life, he finds himself on a mission back to Wales (his original home) to procure the bones of Saint Winifred from the local people. In so doing, a respected local elder who disagreed with the church's decision is murdered, and Brother Cadfael, along with the daughter of the murdered person, seek to discover who perpetrated the crime.

[murderbydeath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, of course I liked it - mom is never wrong about mysteries. The writing is great, which allows the story to go at a slower pace without being deadly dull. Brother Cadfael is a Benedictine monk in medieval England and has come late to the cloistered, monastic life after a youth spent adventuring. Content, he still allows himself to be recruited for a trip to Wales as official translator, on a quest to bring back the bones of a saint. Receiving the consent of both the bishop and the prince it does't occur to monks that perhaps the village housing St. Winifred's bones might not be inclined to let her go. The resulting murder was plotted well and the resolution kind of fiendish, really. Where is plotting like this nowadays? I thoroughly like Brother Cadfael for his pragmatic outlook and intelligence. My only quibble with the book is the errors in the catechism, but I'm left unsure whether Peters did this on purpose or out of ignorance. Saints aren't worshipped, they aren't to be revered; they're meant to serve as roll models and to offer intercession on behalf of one who asks for it. As someone who has been called an idolator, I'm a little sensitive on this point. I'm inclined to believe Peters did this knowingly, as there are at least two points in the story where the Welsh priest gently clarifies the difference, but the overriding narrative does nothing to definitively correct this misconception. Putting this aside though, the book was good, more than good enough to make me want to read the next one.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The head of the Benedictine Abbey in Shrewsbury, England, sends an expedition of monks to retrieve the remains of Saint Winifred from her resting place in Gwytherin, Wales. But the villagers of Gwytherin are not uniformly keen on the idea of losing their beloved saint. When the leading opponent to moving the saint’s bones is found dead, apparently shot with an arrow, some take it as a sign that the Saint approves the move. But Brother Cadfael recognizes that the murder was done by a human, and though he is an outsider, he begins to investigate.I’ve heard about this series set in 12th century England for some years, and always wanted to try them. I found it rather slow moving; the murder doesn’t happen until page 68. Granted, as the first in the series, Peters does have to spend more time in establishing the characters and setting, but I like my mysteries – even the cozy mysteries - to move along at a brisk pace.I really liked Brother Cadfael as a central character, however. He is a keen observer and is methodical and deliberate in his investigation. I also rather liked his rather unorthodox approach to solving the mystery and achieving justice. I’d be willing to read another in the series.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Prior Robert wants to remove Saint Winifred's bones from a Welsh village to the monastery. Someone opposed to the plan is found dead. Brother Cadfael, former Crusader turned monk, suspects a fellow monk's responsibility for the murder and investigates. The author often uses medieval vocabulary, appropriate to the setting, which slows one's speed, but it is worth the reader's effort.

[toobusyreading · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cadfael is not your average 12th century monk so it is no surprise that there is a murder after his abbot takes him along on a quest to acquire the bones of a mostly forgotten saint. However, this saint is in another region's graveyard, and her close-knit people are not so willing to give her up.This is a solid, old-fashioned mystery. Nothing too gruesome, but also not terribly suspenseful. It is the first book in a popular series, and Brother Cadfael, along with some of the other characters, are certainly interesting. It takes about 1/3 of the book before there is a murder. And the story moves a bit slowly for my tastes in mysteries. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant if not edge-of-your-seat mystery.

[goth_marionette · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a lover of British TV how did I miss not only this series but the great books? I loved this book. The main character Brother Cadfael is engaging and well developed. In this first book his monastery is trying to get the bones of a saint from a Welsh village when a town leader is murdered. Brother Cadfael steps in and assists the remaining family with trying to determine who did the horrible deed. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or mysteries, Enjoy!

[elwyne_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! A good mystery, with some nice twists and turns. Good, interesting, likable - and unlikable - characters. Cadfael himself is interesting and enjoyable enough that I look forward to reading many more of his adventures. Great sense of humor in him. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good "popcorn" mystery - not much substance but tons of fun. :)

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brother Cadfael, the sleuth in this book, is a monk in the Benedictine Order in the 12th Century during the struggle for the throne between King Stephen and Empress Maud and the history of the time is skillfully woven into the tales. I recommend not just this book but the entire series--they're favorites of mine. Good comfort reads for when you want to immerse yourself in another world with a characters you think of as friends, and there's usually an element of romance. I've seen Cadfael compared to Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet in his attempts to aid lovers, only he's wiser, smarter and more successful. I think each novel could be read on its own, and isn't dependent on the earlier ones, but I think you do enjoy it more when you read it from the beginning, because there is also an underlying arc to the series, such as the friendship between Cadfael and the sheriff Hugh Beringar (Who first appears in One Corpse Too Many. I liked the ending in particular in this--justice done with a light touch. A good read and a strong opening for the series.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first book in the compelling Brother Cadfael series, this medieval murder mystery is sure to attract a wide variety of readers. Filled with monastic customs, medieval life, murder, and intrigue this mystery is a great introduction to the rest of the books in the series. Even though this one isn't my favorite (it takes place away from their monastery) it's still damn good and that speaks volumes about this series. Narrated brilliantly by Derek Jacobi who plays Brother Cadfael in the TV show, the audiobook is well worth a listen. I can't wait to work my way though this series!

[ahef1963 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in 12th century Wales and the English borderlands, amongst Benedictine monks, a trip to Wales to obtain the bones of St. Winifred for the abbey goes horribly awry when a Welshman is murdered. Brother Cadfael, the abbey's herbalist and former crusader, needs all of his considerable intelligence and ingenuity to solve the crime. He is aided in his attempts by the murdered man's daughter, a woman as astute as he. I first read the Brother Cadfael series when I was in my mid-teens and early 20s, and by chance picked up the first book once again, all these decades later. It has aged well, the story, and the telling of it, the attentiveness to detail, the full comprehension of monastic life and medieval law. I also enjoyed Ellis Peters' wide vocabulary, which had me reaching for my ereader's dictionary on several occasions. Very enjoyable.

[karin7-11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

? A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters
???

Brother Cadfael, a Welsh born former traveller and adventurer who later became a monk and who runs the herb garden for the Shrewsbury monastery, goes off with others to Wales to try and fetch the bones of a long dead saint so he can interpret. Although he is not fully on board with the idea of moving these bones, he has his own reasons for wanting to tag along. While there, the man who is opposed to the moving of this saint from her grave in her home town to Shrewsbury is murdered, and Brother Cadfael helps his surviving daughter solve the mystery of who, what, why and when.

This novel improved for me as it went along, so 3 stars is an overall average. It moved from 2 stars and being disappointed that I was listening to it as part of a group read to 4 stars at the end once I was engaged with all the characters and saw how it all came together, so I plan to listen to the second one despite the fact that I am not a huge mystery series fan.

[marsap_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first Brother Cadfael mystery. When a fellow monk by the name of Brother Columbanus falls ill, he’s taken in a pilgrimage to St Winifred’s Well in North Wales and returns cured. The cure is attributed to St Winifred. Prior Robert, Cadfael (needed to translate) and a small party travel to the village of Gwytherin in Wales to claim the saint’s relics; against the will of the local community. Tempers rise, and murder is the result. It’s up to Brother Cadfael and to Sioned, a local young woman, to find out what really happened. This book is a fun read--things move along quickly. 3.5 out of 5 stars.