A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters
A cozy, medieval whodunnit centering on Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael.
Have you ever wanted to read a murder mystery novel set in 12th century Wales, focusing on Benedictine monks? If you have, that’s a pretty niche want, but turns out you’re in luck! Ellis Peters has the book SERIES for you.
A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first of twenty one books in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael series (yeah, I can’t believe I made a 21 book commitment either). While that’s insane, the first book in this series was so fun, entertaining, and reminded me of a Scooby-Doo episode.
Our protagonist is Brother Cadfael, a newer monk who’s lived the majority his life outside of the abbey. His job is to tend to the herb garden, and make medicinal treatments for his brothers. He’s tending said herb garden when Brother Columbanus seizes and passes out. Brother Columbanus fails to wake up, yet his breath is strong. Another brother recalls Saint Winifred, a saint buried in Wales who will heal Brother Columbanus. Brother Jerome sets off to Wales with Brother Columbanus, and Columbanus comes back awake and healed. Columbanus had a vision to bring Saint Winifred’s remains back to Shrewsbury, England, where the monastery resides, after this miracle. The Bishop and State approve, and the monastery sets out to Gwytherin to retrieve Saint Winifred.
As you might anticipate, the Lord of Gwytherin, Rhysiart, and his people, are not fond of this idea. Brother Cadfael’s role as a translator is imperative here, because he’s the only Englishman who also speaks Welsh. Prior Robert and Rhysiart go back and forth in public (and in private). Prior Robert kills the negotiation when offering to bribe Rhysiart for the Saint’s remains. Rhysisart agrees to one more negotiation with Prior Robert and his abbey, but never shows to the meeting. Upon investigation, the brothers, and Rhysiart’s daughter, Sioned, find Rhysiart murdered in the forest. But who killed him?
I won’t spoil the whodunnit for you all, but there were two twists in this book towards the end that I really enjoyed. Lots of plotting and scheming from these folks, and I ate it up! I particularly enjoyed Sioned’s impersonation of Saint Winifred towards the end.
Was this the most thought provoking book? No, but it’s not supposed to be. This was a light-hearted, cozy (if you can call a murder mystery cozy), and entertaining read. A great palette cleanser if you’re used to reading heavy works, and just a good ole time. Highly recommend if you enjoy themes of Catholicism, and books set in the Middle Ages.
Fun Fact: Ellis Peters is a pen name! Her real name is Edith Mary Pargeter, and she had two other pen names: John Redfern and Jolyon Carr. She did this to separate different genres of literary work from each other. Inclusive of her pen names and translations (because yes, she also translated novels and poetry from Czech to English), Edith published 80+ books throughout her lifetime.