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Summary: an excellent final volume for the Cadfael saga
Review: Ellis Peters has again delivered an outstanding Brother Cadfael book. This adventure combines all of the elements we have grown to love - a pivotal event in the war between Maud and her cousing Stephen, Cadfael's relationship with his son and Cadfael's relationships within the Abbey. And of course a mystery or two to be solved along the way.If you're a Brother Cadfael fan, this book is definitely for you. I feel it is one of the best books in the series. Unfortunately, with the death of Ellis Peters, this is the final chronicle of Brother Cadfael.
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Summary: If "Cadfael" had to end, this is an excellent finale.
Review: Had Ellis Peters know this would be her final "Brother Cadfael" book before her death, she couldn't have written a better one. Returning to the fascinating plot line of Cadfael's long-lost son, Olivier, she does an excellent job of balancing Cadfael's love for his monastery and his monastic profession with his love and devotion to the son he has only begun to know. Almost everyone in life has experienced the tension of two loves that nearly tears them apart and destroys them. Ms. Peters again does a wonderful job of keeping her characters true to themselves, to their times, and to the interplay developed in the long line of Cadfael mysteries. I very much enjoyed the book!
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Summary: I loved it!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I am not an avid mystery reader, But Ellis Peters is able to breathe life into her characters in a way that makes them wonderful reading for even non-mystery bbokworms. Brother Cadfael and the other on-going characters of her books have become dear friends that I very much enjoy visiting on a regular basis (I'm going to miss Ms. Peters as a writer)This particular book is a culmination of an ongoing conflict in Cadfael ,being a monk and a father, and in this story the two areas come into conflict. As always, the plot is gripping.
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Summary: Another Fine Peters
Review: I enjoy Ellis Peters on a number of levels. Her mysteries are fun, her way of handling history is interesting and the way she handles language makes for a lovely reading experience. I suppose I should wonder how a man as cloistered as Cadfael could possibly run into so many unfortunate circumstances, but I never do. I love the pace of Cadfael's life and the depth of his character. I love best his honor and the quality of his faith. I found this the best of the series. The character lived and breathed in his quest, and in the pain his decision cost him. We see him as a fully rounded man - a solidly spiritual person who is also quick witted and capable. But there's more to it than that - there is such love in this book, such affection for humanity, that it was a rich, satisfying read. Action for the action minded, complexity for the intelligent, and warm - for those who read to find friends.
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Summary: Were there more books to follow?
Review: I have read all the Cadfael books in chronological order to follow the development of the characters and historic line. This book leaves questions unanswered. It ends too quickly without resolving questions about Cadfael's future and his relationship with Oliver. Did Ellis Peters have the answers to these question in future volumes? Of course this is another great read by Peters!
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Summary: Another treasure
Review: I have read every one of these wonderful books, and have delighted in the storylines, the history of the times and the fully developed characters. This book is another great volumn in the series.
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Summary: Left me longing for more
Review: I was disappointed with this book. I am a big Ellis Peters fan and I hate that this is her final book. I was delighted at the reappearance of the character of Olivier de Bretagne; he was always one of my favorites. However, this book has a much darker tone than the earlier ones, and left me wishing for one more "Brother Cadfael", one a little more light-hearted.
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Summary: Very good but....
Review: I'm a Brother Cadfael fan but also an Empress Matilda (Maud) fan, so I was very disappointed that Peters chose to portray her as the stereotypical vengeful "dragon lady" queen. Matilda has gotten a bad rap from male historians (particularly those of her own time who found her "unwomanly"), and I was sorry to see Peters perpetuate this view.
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Summary: A wonderful end to the series
Review: It is unfortunate that Ellis Peters has died. I do not know if this book was meant to be the final chapter in the Cadfael series, but it brings the series to an appropriate ending. Brother Cadfael's search for his son, the end of much of the series political strife, and Cadfael's acceptance and embracing of his clerical life tie up many of the series' themes. A terrific series that transcends usual mystery genre's conventions and limitations.
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Summary: I could not put it down
Review: It was such a vivid picture of Cadfael and his son among the military and political happenings of that time period. When I was finished reading it I wanted to find out if Olivier had a boy or a girl and how their relationship progressed. I was very disappointed to find out that Ellis Peters died after the book was published. I assume there are no more to come. Ellis Peters was a great writer and I highly recommend her books.
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