You all know that I picked up the whole set recently - and I PROMISE not to bore you with ALL of them .  What I will do is give you a taste of one (or two!) that will introduce you to the enigmatic Benedictine monk who brews herb potions in his garden shed, almost as well as he brews trouble.

 

The thing about Cadfael is that you are never given a back story - the hints build up the more books you read.  You know that he took orders at a later stage in his life (he is around 60/65, depending on which book you read), you are given hints of a 'before' life: as a soldier, a father, a lover, a traveller - but you are never really told what he got up to, how he lived, who and what he was involved with.  This creates a vail of mystery around our 'placid' monk, and adds spice to what ever he brews up in his shed (that includes potions - wine - friendships - and trouble).

 

This particular book is set at the end of 1140, just at the weather is turning into winter.  A new novice is brought to the monastery by his father - and left, with seeming coldness, to his fate.  The novice has nightmares so violent that he disturbs the whole monastery and is sent to the hospice of the lepers under the care of Brother Mark to, well 'find himself' really.  There is something strange in his past - and the disappearance of a visiting church dignitary really throws the cat among the pigeons: especially when the new novice finds the body - oh boy.

 

These books are a Medieval 'who-done-it', the hints and clues are there - like Agatha
Christie - all you have to do is put 2 and 2 together and make 26. I did not work this one out - even in the very last stages - I could not see it coming.  Cadfael tangles himself in and out of the mystery and you switch you allegiance from one to another. right to the end.

 

Perhaps it is the 'bad angel' in me, but for me Cadfael represents the humanity in us all.  He is a contradiction - he is a monk who has lived, he brews his potions and wine - then goes to Complain to worship, he listens and understands - but has to obey his superiors.

 

All I can say is give it a go.  It is wonderfully written without being too 'heavy' - and VERY satisfying.