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Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #0.2
The Price of Light
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Ellis Peters
209 books1,147 followersA pseudonym used by Edith Pargeter.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 16, 2021
Several years have passed since A Light on the Road to Woodstock, and we now find Cadfael established in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. He, apparently, has been able to consolidate his skills as an herbalist and the Abbot has bestowed that role upon him. Thus, we have all the familiar aspects of his role in the Abbey, except medical examiner/detective.
This is a Christmas story and it follows the leitmotif of rich and poor – the “haves and the have nots.” A powerful local lord seeks to ensure his entry into the heavenly kingdom by making a gift that includes a pair of finely-wrought silver candlesticks. Peters gives us this description of that lord:
"He might well have been a very handsome man before indulgence purpled his face and pocked his skin and sank his sharp black eyes deep into flabby sacks of flesh. He looked more than his age, but still a man to be reckoned with."
As in A Light on the Road to Woodstock, Cadfael exercises his detection in secret. Those in the Abbey never know how he helps solve the theft of those candlesticks while assuring that the Christmas Spirit prevails. A small but warming pleasure to this reader (and Christmas is still months away).
This is a Christmas story and it follows the leitmotif of rich and poor – the “haves and the have nots.” A powerful local lord seeks to ensure his entry into the heavenly kingdom by making a gift that includes a pair of finely-wrought silver candlesticks. Peters gives us this description of that lord:
"He might well have been a very handsome man before indulgence purpled his face and pocked his skin and sank his sharp black eyes deep into flabby sacks of flesh. He looked more than his age, but still a man to be reckoned with."
As in A Light on the Road to Woodstock, Cadfael exercises his detection in secret. Those in the Abbey never know how he helps solve the theft of those candlesticks while assuring that the Christmas Spirit prevails. A small but warming pleasure to this reader (and Christmas is still months away).
November 27, 2013
This is a delightful short-story featuring Brother Cadfael of the Benedictine Abbey at Shrewsbury.
Brother Cadfael conceals the identity of a servant who steals a pair of exquisite sterling silver candlesticks, which had been intended as a donation to purchase the blessings/prayers of his fellow monks on behalf of a local landowner; and even connives at the servant's 'escape' to seek out wher true-love who had already fled the tyranny of her master's household.
Cadfael's reward?: a donation on behalf of Shewsbury's poor from an annonymous donor of a value to match that of the stolen candlesticks. Proof (to Cadfael at least) that her lover had not only waited for her but had known the true worth of her devotion and of Cadfael's assistance.
Simply charming.
Brother Cadfael conceals the identity of a servant who steals a pair of exquisite sterling silver candlesticks, which had been intended as a donation to purchase the blessings/prayers of his fellow monks on behalf of a local landowner; and even connives at the servant's 'escape' to seek out wher true-love who had already fled the tyranny of her master's household.
Cadfael's reward?: a donation on behalf of Shewsbury's poor from an annonymous donor of a value to match that of the stolen candlesticks. Proof (to Cadfael at least) that her lover had not only waited for her but had known the true worth of her devotion and of Cadfael's assistance.
Simply charming.
January 27, 2018
Second of the three short stories of A Rare Benedictine. goodreads.com/series/42167-chronicles...
Kindle Brother Cadfael: The Complete Chronicles available from amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?...
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Kindle Brother Cadfael: The Complete Chronicles available from amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?...
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January 14, 2024
3.5/5
This is the second novella in the A Rare Benedictine collection which tells the story of Cadfael before the events of his first book. The year is now 1135 and Cadfael is 55 years old. Now he has a workshop and is skilled at working with herbs and medicines. In this story, wealthy man has come to the abbey to make a donation of two beautiful silver candlesticks, hoping to secure his status and future. Soon after their donation to the abbey, the candlesticks are found to be stolen. Cadfael uses his sleuthing skills to figure out who took them and why.
Ellis Peters’ writing style took me some getting used to while reading the first novella, but I think it is getting easier for me and this second story went down much easier than the first. It’s a nice, short read and I think I’m getting a good picture of exactly who Cadfael is. I’m eager to start the series proper.
This is the second novella in the A Rare Benedictine collection which tells the story of Cadfael before the events of his first book. The year is now 1135 and Cadfael is 55 years old. Now he has a workshop and is skilled at working with herbs and medicines. In this story, wealthy man has come to the abbey to make a donation of two beautiful silver candlesticks, hoping to secure his status and future. Soon after their donation to the abbey, the candlesticks are found to be stolen. Cadfael uses his sleuthing skills to figure out who took them and why.
Ellis Peters’ writing style took me some getting used to while reading the first novella, but I think it is getting easier for me and this second story went down much easier than the first. It’s a nice, short read and I think I’m getting a good picture of exactly who Cadfael is. I’m eager to start the series proper.
January 1, 2026
A story set at a monastery where silver candlesticks are stolen. The Brother thinks at first that perhaps the thief is the wife of the man who donated them but instead it is her maid. The maid is stealing them back as it was her betrothed who made them and his promised payment was that of their freedom but their master reneged. So her fiancé ran away and now she is going to look for him. The Brother helps her and asks that she send a sign if she finds him which comes in the form of a donation a few weeks later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2018
Another good Brother Cadfael mystery that isn't as bloody as some of the others. There's a happy ending of sorts which is appropriate.
January 10, 2020
Enjoy this series-looking forward to the others. I like Ellis Peters' writing. I occasionally have to look up some words-an old-timey feel to some of writing in a good way-fits with setting.
February 13, 2025
3 Stars
The Price of Light is Book #0.2 in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters...
Full Review Still to Come.
The Price of Light is Book #0.2 in the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters...
Full Review Still to Come.
December 18, 2014
This is not the exact edition I read, but I don't recall which one that was.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews