Brother Cadfael - The Leper of St. Giles (Brother Cadfael)

Rating:
Summary: Murder 'Mongst the Monks
Review: The plot is based upon one of the most well-known (and disliked) traditions of medieval times - the arranged marriage. In this case, it is especially repugnant, with the bride being eighteen and the groom nearly sixty. Add to this greedy and domineering guardians and three personable young squires, and it is easy to guess what will happen. However, there are unseen twists and turns to this novel that overcome the cliché of the arranged marriage.
Iveta de Massard is orphaned, and her guardians, her aunt and uncle Agnes and Godfrid Picard, betroth her to Sir Huon de Domville, in exchange for control over some of Iveta's properties. Iveta, granddaughter to a respected knight who died during the Crusades, falls in love with Joscelin Lucy, one of de Domville's squires. Joscelin is dismissed, after being found in the company of Iveta, and is then framed for theft - a missing necklace is found among his belongings (slightly parodied as being an old trick, but still an effective one). He escapes, and is helped, first by one of the squires, then by Lazarus and the other lepers of Saint Giles' hospital.
On his wedding eve, de Domville rides off alone into the night. After failing to return for his wedding, he is discovered, murdered, in the forest. Joscelin is, of course, accused. But while searching for the squire, Picard is also murdered. Is there one murderer, or two? Brother Cadfael must answer this question, and prove Joscelin's innocence. To do this, he must first discover where Sir Huon spent his last night. Cadfael must also work out who is Lazarus, and why he is so interested in the wedding.
The series uses recurring characters to create continuity. We already know how these characters will act, and this allows Peters to flesh out the new characters. Brother Mark, Cadfael's former assistant, has moved to Saint Giles, while Brother Oswin, a likeable but clumsy novice, is Cadfael's new assistant. Avice of Thornbury, an independent, wise, and worldly woman, (beautifully written), is introduced. She is Sir Huon's mistress of twenty years, who becomes a Benedictine nun after his death.Without using stereotypes, Peters contrasts the innocent, browbeaten maiden to the worldly and independent mistress, the old, indifferent bridegroom to the young and passionate lover, an untrustworthy squire to a dutiful squire, and unloving relatives to a loving and protective grandfather.
The Leper of Saint Giles is not as action-packed or as fast-moving as many contemporary mysteries - it moves at a slower pace to reflect the slower lifestyle of the time. It is also set over a smaller period of time, and so is more descriptive and detailed. The plot has been well-planned and well-woven together, with one slight oversight. The planted necklace is glossed over at the resolution - it is never really stated whose idea it was to plant it on Joscelin. A trivial oversight, but one that can annoy. Overall, one of her better books, with many interesting twists and characters.