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A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles) Mass Market Paperback – January 1, 1994

by Ellis Peters (Author)

216 customer reviews

Book 1 of 21 in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Series

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The ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey wants to acquire Saint Winifred's sacred remains for his Benedictine order. And when the ensuing controversy leads to murder, Brother Cadfael investigates.

A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles)

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Product Details

Series: Brother Cadfael Chronicles (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (January 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446400157
ISBN-13: 978-0446400152
Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (216 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #425 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > British Detectives
- #3508 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

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Customer Reviews

216

4.4 out of 5 stars

5 star		61%
4 star		27%
3 star		7%
2 star		4%
1 star		1%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 93 people found the following review helpful

Good start to an epic pilgramage

By Steve Benner VINE VOICE on August 18, 2000

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Ellis Peter's first Cadfael murder mystery takes as its setting the events surrounding the translation of the holy relics of Saint Winifred from the remote Welsh village of Gwytherin to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury in 1138. Taking this real event as her starting point, Peters weaves an enchanting if rather overly romanticised tale of mediaeval rural and monastic life. Naturally, the practical common sense and basic human decency of her very worldy central character, Brother Cadfael, win out in the end. Here, he neatly side-steps all of many power-struggles - secular, political and ecclesiastical - going on around him, to provide everyone with their heart's desire and solve the inevitable murder mystery into the bargain! Ellis Peters' writing style is so wonderfully erudite that one can always forgive her the occasional lapse into stereotypical characterisation or silliness of plot which tend to pepper her novels. "A Morbid Taste for Bones" is no exception in this regard, and whilst the story's central murder mystery is not at all hard for the reader to solve, the telling of it is so captivating that the book is hard to put down until it's finished!
Incidentally, I would recommend reading this book before any others in the series, because otherwise you will know which of the main suspects can be eliminated immediately! Of course, if you've seen the TV dramatisation, you'll know the main outcome already, but even then, the book is sufficiently different to still make it well worth reading. Recommended.

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75 of 77 people found the following review helpful

A Journey Through a Decade

By A Customer on December 4, 2000

Format: Mass Market Paperback

A Morbid Taste For Bones is the start of a 20-book series about Brother Cadfael. The Cadfael books are absorbing reads, as others here have stated. I would like to add that you will enjoy the series so much more if you read the books in order. They chronicle the decade of civil war in England, between the factions of King Stephen and the Empress Maud. The books always have the ongoing story of this, in a little history lesson, usually at the beginning of the book. It can be complicated history for those coming to it, as I did, uninformed. But we are taken through the war years with these stories, and in chronological order, they tell the story of the civil war, along with the mystery of each book.
Also, the characters and their relationships develop along the way. Hugh Beringer comes into the picture early in the series and eventually becomes deputy to the sheriff, who is loyal to King Stephen. Hugh and Brother Cadfael begin their relationship with suspicion, but they come to respect each other for the intelligence and integrity each has. Hugh meets and marries Aileen, has a baby boy, and, around the ninth book, becomes the sheriff of Shrewsbury. By this time Cadfael and Hugh are fast friends.
Cadfael has his own secrets, little episodes of his life in the Crusades, that catch up with him during the series...but not right away. Later in the series, Cadfael confides in his dear friend Hugh, also relating the secret of this first book, Morbid Taste For Bones, which Hugh had not been privy to before.
I just loved this series, and I tend to think of it as one *really big* book! So do read all 20, and read them in order. They are all available, and all except one (The Hermit of Eyton Forest, no. 14) tell which number it is in the order, right on the front cover. Brother Cadfael is one of the most endearing characters ever created. Lose yourself with him in 12th century England when you need a break from the 20th or 21st century.

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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

Great first in an addictive series

By K. Eames on June 4, 2001

Format: Mass Market Paperback

I have read the first ten books in this series (mostly) in order, and would recommend doing so. Otherwise, you'll miss referneces to previous incidents of importance, and also lose a sense of continuity. Reading the series in order also allows you to enjoy the development of Cadfael's character and other characters who continue to appear throughout the series. Be advised, however, that most of those characters don't make their appearances until later books.
This first mystery serves as an excellent introduction to Cadfael himself, the historical backdrop of medieval England and Wales, and the general literary pattern of the Cadfael stories. It is a pleasant and enjoyable read for those who don't necessarily need their mysteries to be of the noir persuasion and who have a love of history. The title is a little bit deceiving, tempting you to think the story is more violent than it is - though there is certainly a murder to be solved
Read it, and begin a pleasant and long-standing association with Brother Cadfael.

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

Excellent Medieval Tale of Mystery

By John W. Oliver on September 22, 2005

Format: Mass Market Paperback

My girlfriend has a huge stack of these books on the bookcase, so I decided to take a gander at them. After consulting her which was first (I did not realize they were labeled), I dived into the first book.

As the story unfolded, I found myself introduced to an interesting cast of characters. Some likeable. Some not. Detail varies depending on how central they are to the story. Nevertheless, I did not feel that any of them were bland. Cadfael is a curious rogue of a character who has his elder years to temper him. John is mischievous and good intentioned. Robert is pompous, well composed and intelligent, while having good qualities such as being charitable and forgiving (most of the time). Peters is able to characterize in broad strokes or narrow detail as necessary. I was duly impressed.

Now the core of the mystery is the murder, and I found that did not happen until halfway through the book. I did not find myself lacking for it though. There is enough going on that you are curious about the plotting and the discoveries that take place.

Peters' setting is fantastic. Yes, she is drawing upon the historical past, and in a way, it is already made for her. However, she is good at communicating it to us without loosing us in the language. Neither does the language sound modern. She meets us in a middle ground with emphasizes the style of the setting while not loosing us along the way.

The book is very good, and I look forward to picking up the next. It is also brief. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in any manner of fiction. It would appeal to mystery readers, those interested in speculative settings or even someone who does not lean toward any genre. The book should appeal to all.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Four Stars

This was quite well written historical fiction, with likable and engaging characters and and interesting story line.

Published 2 days ago by Julie L. Stout

Just the Beginnng

Not the best of Brother Cadfael, but it's only the beginning...

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

A book for a snowy day in a cozy house

This is a book for a snowy day, by a fire, with a hot toddy or two, and a companionable pet. Peters take a leisurely pace in creating her idealized world in 12th century Wales; the... Read more

Published 1 month ago by PracAdemic

Very much enjoyed

I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Published 2 months ago by David R Matthews

The Monk in his Crusade for Justice

Engaging mystery that carefully plants clues within an interesting story. Cadfael is a charismatic sleuth who uses his knowledge of medicinal herbs and his astute assessment of... Read more

Published 2 months ago by ggar

Hooked now...

Excellent book! Have been hooked on the series ever since.

Published 2 months ago by CSH MD

Five Stars

I remember seeing this seris on TV. It was well done; so was this book.

Published 2 months ago by andrea misel

... about an old crusader who becomes a monk are wonderful. I am in...

Ellis Peters' stories about an old crusader who becomes a monk are wonderful. I am in love with the England of any age so I was hooked with my first story. Read more

Published 2 months ago by jo

Good tale!

Entertaining story that held my interest.

Published 3 months ago by Mr. Bill

Good start for future tales.

Ellis Peters first Brother Cadfael adventure. Very good steady reading, A couple nice twists. Characters assume demeanor for future adventures.

Published 3 months ago by Fannish

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