Heretic's Apprentice (Brother Cadfael Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Ellis Peters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1990 | Series: Brother Cadfael Mysteries (Book 16)

In her sixteenth chronicle of the medieval monk-detective Brother Cadfael, Ellis Peters throws a variety of puzzles at her hero. In the summer of 1143, Brother Cadfael is torn from his herbarium to investigate the deaths of two visitors.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brother Cadfael, 12th-century herbalist, sleuth and sometime cupid, outdoes himself in this, his 16th chronicle, in which Peters imbues the familiar territory of murder, young love and odious villainry with fresh vigor and new subtleties. Elave, young clerk to William of Lythwood, returns from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his elderly master's body. His missions are to bury William in his home abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, and to deliver a dowry to William's adopted daughter Fortunata. But Elave, suspected of harboring views inimical to church doctrine, is held for ecclesiastical trial. And when Aldwin, the Lythwood family clerk hired in Elave's absence, is stabbed to death, Elave is incarcerated not only for heresy, but for murder. Fortunata's dowry, an intricately carved box with mysterious contents, holds the key to the mysteries that spring up around Elave and the Lythwood family. Shrewd and patient, Brother Cadfael is at his best here.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

In 1143 two unusual individuals arrive at the Abbey and involve Brother Cadfael in a violent death on sacred grounds. Derek Jacobi provides a spirited narration of intrigue and change in this wonderful ancient mystery. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Press (March 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892963816
• ISBN-13: 978-0892963812
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No heresy to tout this book as one of Peters's best!, July 11, 1998

By 

"rhbouchard" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heretic's Apprentice: The Sixteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael (Mass Market Paperback)

One of Peters's best plots. Despite Cadfael's absence in the middle of the narrative, this chronicle kept my attention. This is a deeply religious experience as Peters examines some of the origins of Christian dogma through her characters. As always it is Peters's style that sets it above the common mystery. Trurly one of the best of the Cadfael series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two for the price of one!, March 26, 2006

By 

Joseph Kaiser Canner (North Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heretic's Apprentice: The Sixteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael (Mass Market Paperback)

As I was reading this book, I remarked to a friend "how often do you get to read a mystery novel that talks about St. Augustine, infant baptism, co-equality of the Trinity, predestination, and Peripassian heresy?" For those who are not interested in such things, this installment in the Brother Cadefael series might seem somewhat tedious. I for one, however, enjoyed the added intellectual stimulation of the doctrinal controversies.

Aside from the heresy issues, which play a fairly peripheral role in the actual crime in question, this is a fairly standard (by Brother Cadfael standards) murder mystery. As always, romance plays a big role in both the heresy subplot and the murder investigation.

I normally give 4 stars to Brother Cadfael mysteries. I'm giving 5 here for the added value supplied by the heresy issues. Those who have no interest in theology and church history might want to give it a 3.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heretical leanings, May 8, 2006

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heretic's Apprentice: The Sixteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the sixteenth chronicle of Brother Cadfael, ex soldier/crusader, herbalist and healer, lately come monk and incorrigibly inquisitive sleuth. Elave is a young man who has accompanied his master, William of Lythwood,to Jerusalem and the East and who followed his instructions to the letter by bringing home his body after death to be buried at the Abbey Of St.Peter and St.Paul. He also brought with him an elaborately carved chest, with unknown contents, as the dowry for William's foster daughter. Before Elave left with his master on his travels, he had filled the position of what would be known today as an accoutant, keeping stocks of the family's money and possessions. This position was filled in his absence by Aldwin, a dour, pessimistic man who is convinced that he'll be discarded now that Elave has returned, and so sets about making trouble for him. Aldwin's murdered body is found and suspicions point to Elave as the killer. At this same time, a very self important Canon of the Church is a visitor at the Abbey and when Elave, somewhat in his cups, is heard making what could be taken as heretical statements on points of Church law, the Canon insists that he be taken before a court of the Church and tried for heresy. Brother Cadfael investigates both claims in his methodical way and, once again, saves the day. Perhaps this story is a little too tied up with points of theology for some readers, but it's still a most enjoyable read for Cadfael fans.