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The Chronicles of Brother Hermitage #5
Hermitage, Wat and Some Druids
Brother Hermitage is at it again - this time with druids. Is it a murder mystery? Is it a thriller? Is it just something gone horribly wrong? When his nemesis, the Norman conqueror Le Pedvin orders him to Wales, Brother Hermitage knows it is going to go wrong. He's had a prophecy it's going to go wrong. And from his first steps on the road it strides firmly in that direction. Brother Hermitage, Wat, weaver of pornographic tapestry and Cwen, weaver in her own right and the fiercest of the lot, are commanded to find one dead Norman in the whole of Wales - as usual under pain of death. Add to that some treasure and a druid curse or two, and we have the recipe for a laugh out loud historical tale like no other. (Apart from the other Chronicles of Brother Hermitage) It's all complicated enough, but when what seems like the whole of the country wants to join in, things get very messy. And then there are the druids, and stone circles, and sacrifices.... "he who has laughter on his side has no need of proof" Theodore Adorno.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2015
70 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Howard of Warwick
52 books89 followersHoward of Warwick is but a humble chronicler with the blind luck to stumble upon manuscripts which describe the goings-on of Brother Hermitage and his companion Wat the weaver.
His work has been heard, seen and read, most of it accompanied by laughter and some of it by money. His peers have even seen fit to recognize his unworthy efforts with a prize for making up stories.
There are now eighteen - make that twenty - novels of Brother Hermitage, the most medieval of detectives, loose on the world and they have found considerable success with the buying public.
The most recent outpouring from the scriptorium is The King's Investigator Part II.
Tales of Hermitage continue to flow forth with few checks for accuracy. There are even short stories available for free.
There is a dedicated web page, HowardofWarwick.com.
Messages can be left care of Howard@howardofwarwick.com and Howardofwarwick can be followed on Twitter
There is even tweeting @HowardofWarwick
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 27, 2017
This was definitely the best murder mystery adventure comedy involving a monk, a weaver and Druids that I've ever read! A++
It is actually a hilarious adventure that I didn't want to put down. Brother Hermitage is back with all his innocence and worrying nature, and this time the king wants to send him, Wat and Cwen on an undercover mission to Wales to investigate the death of a knight by the gold-hoarding Druids. What can go wrong when the king's official investigator is on the case? Other than the fact that they can't even make it out of London without starting to pick up an entourage.
This is probably my favorite book from Howard of Warwick so far. This one includes all the wit and charm of the other Hermitage books, but the writing is even more polished and sharp. I love this author's sense of humor! It can be very difficult to pull off a smart comedy with perfect pacing, but he masters it again. The characters, though, are what make the books come alive, and they are in top form here, along with some new crazy acquaintances, and surprise appearances from a couple characters from one of Howard's other books.
If you are looking for a brilliant read that will make you laugh but still make you care about the characters and their madcap antics, pick up this gem.
It is actually a hilarious adventure that I didn't want to put down. Brother Hermitage is back with all his innocence and worrying nature, and this time the king wants to send him, Wat and Cwen on an undercover mission to Wales to investigate the death of a knight by the gold-hoarding Druids. What can go wrong when the king's official investigator is on the case? Other than the fact that they can't even make it out of London without starting to pick up an entourage.
This is probably my favorite book from Howard of Warwick so far. This one includes all the wit and charm of the other Hermitage books, but the writing is even more polished and sharp. I love this author's sense of humor! It can be very difficult to pull off a smart comedy with perfect pacing, but he masters it again. The characters, though, are what make the books come alive, and they are in top form here, along with some new crazy acquaintances, and surprise appearances from a couple characters from one of Howard's other books.
If you are looking for a brilliant read that will make you laugh but still make you care about the characters and their madcap antics, pick up this gem.
February 27, 2017
A book that doesn't take itself too seriously - which makes it more enjoyable to read.
Brother Hermitage, Wat (weaver of pornographic tapestries) and Cwen are sent on a mission to find a dead Norman - one particular dead Norman - in the whole of Wales. But there is a prophecy predicting disaster - nonetheless Hermitage and entourage undertake the deadly mission.
Not all is as it seems, and it takes Hermitage (not the sharpest tool in the shed) some time to figure out just what is really going on - however, along the way there are some Monty Pythonesque style adventures to be had.
Style of writing puts me in mind of "Grailblazers", "Barry Trotter", "Game of Groans".
Brother Hermitage, Wat (weaver of pornographic tapestries) and Cwen are sent on a mission to find a dead Norman - one particular dead Norman - in the whole of Wales. But there is a prophecy predicting disaster - nonetheless Hermitage and entourage undertake the deadly mission.
Not all is as it seems, and it takes Hermitage (not the sharpest tool in the shed) some time to figure out just what is really going on - however, along the way there are some Monty Pythonesque style adventures to be had.
Style of writing puts me in mind of "Grailblazers", "Barry Trotter", "Game of Groans".
April 11, 2021
Didn't find this as good as others, think because it spends a lot of the early part of the book away from Hermitage et al, and the others didn't read as funny.
Favourite line was:
The journey itself was pretty awful but the destination didn't bear thinking about. Wales.
Having lived in Wales for 30 years I should be insulted, but heyho, people say worse.
Still worth reading, just not the best offering.
Favourite line was:
The journey itself was pretty awful but the destination didn't bear thinking about. Wales.
Having lived in Wales for 30 years I should be insulted, but heyho, people say worse.
Still worth reading, just not the best offering.
May 25, 2022
I am a big fan of the Hermitage's Chronicles series and I have enjoyed this entry, as well. I must say, though, that so far this has been the weakest in the series, possibly because there isn't a big mystery to be uncover (there is a bit, but none like the others,) and the book takes a lot of time away from the main trio of characters.
Still, if you enjoyed the previous, you'll likely enjoy this one.
Still, if you enjoyed the previous, you'll likely enjoy this one.
July 20, 2021
Stupidly Addictive
Daft stories about a naive investigative monk, a worldly wise pornographer weaver and a girl who’s probably more intelligent than both of them. Entertaining, funny and totally inaccurate historical events around the time of William the conqueror. Just can’t stop buying them.
Daft stories about a naive investigative monk, a worldly wise pornographer weaver and a girl who’s probably more intelligent than both of them. Entertaining, funny and totally inaccurate historical events around the time of William the conqueror. Just can’t stop buying them.
February 18, 2021
Improper use of footnotes
The story is fairly easy to read and the usual exploits of the characters unfolds well but the use of footnotes to coerce you to buy other books in the series is very poor .marketing and smaks of desperate measures
The story is fairly easy to read and the usual exploits of the characters unfolds well but the use of footnotes to coerce you to buy other books in the series is very poor .marketing and smaks of desperate measures
July 7, 2025
Hermitage, Wat and Cwen are given a task that involves them travelling to Wales. Along the way they pick up a rag tag entourage to 'help' them. Funny stuff as with all the previous books. A knowledge of British history post 1066 is useful but not essential.
November 30, 2020
All of the Brother Hermitage books are wonderful!
May 2, 2022
Another intelligently amusing tale of the monastic bother and his conscience-trying associates and associations.
January 25, 2024
Hermitage really needs to get smarter. This was the weakest book so far and yet I smiled the whole way through.
May 25, 2016
In this, Book 5 of the series, Brother Hermitage and Wat the Weaver have developed into an even more entertaining duo than earlier. Hermitage is a bit more world-savvy, thanks to Wat, making the duo reminiscent of TV's entertaining "Due South" duo: idealistic Canadian Mountie paired with the jaded Chicago cop.
The duo are off to Wales in this tale, and the author has a lot of fun with Celts, Druids and their mystical religion, not to mention stone circles. The Norman invasion continues with more burning and killing, which is the threat if Hermitage and Wat don't succeed on their mission for the invader King.
As with all the books in this inventive and very funny series, the author calls on real history, and insights into human nature, to ground the story. We get a glimpse of the past on a very human level, seeing fears, faults, foibles, violence, schemes, etc., all the things most history books gloss over.
I was reminded of comedian Steve Martin's caveman sketch on TV's "Saturday Night Live", when the author shows in the book how innovation, goodness and intelligence were threatening to people of the past, who embraced superstitions, violent expressions of power and hereditary roles in society.
The author makes the very difficult job of writing humor look like a walk in the park. He is especially entertaining when describing people, clearly relishing the greater variety of types that surely existed in the harsh past.
Hermitage's education in the real world continues in this book, and I hope it will continue for a long time to come! I received a review-copy of this book. This is my honest review.
The duo are off to Wales in this tale, and the author has a lot of fun with Celts, Druids and their mystical religion, not to mention stone circles. The Norman invasion continues with more burning and killing, which is the threat if Hermitage and Wat don't succeed on their mission for the invader King.
As with all the books in this inventive and very funny series, the author calls on real history, and insights into human nature, to ground the story. We get a glimpse of the past on a very human level, seeing fears, faults, foibles, violence, schemes, etc., all the things most history books gloss over.
I was reminded of comedian Steve Martin's caveman sketch on TV's "Saturday Night Live", when the author shows in the book how innovation, goodness and intelligence were threatening to people of the past, who embraced superstitions, violent expressions of power and hereditary roles in society.
The author makes the very difficult job of writing humor look like a walk in the park. He is especially entertaining when describing people, clearly relishing the greater variety of types that surely existed in the harsh past.
Hermitage's education in the real world continues in this book, and I hope it will continue for a long time to come! I received a review-copy of this book. This is my honest review.
February 15, 2017
Norman Nonsense
Another outing for Hermitage and Wat, this time involving a trip to deepest, darkest Wales. Good fun, as always, though somehow it seemed shorter than usual.
Another outing for Hermitage and Wat, this time involving a trip to deepest, darkest Wales. Good fun, as always, though somehow it seemed shorter than usual.
April 21, 2016
It is the year 1068. Brother Hermitage, King William's investigator, is given three weeks to find Martel, who is lost in Wales; AND to bring back druid gold; AND, well, never mind the druid curse. Hermitage is accompanied by his weaver friends. On their journey they collect a gaggle of dubious associates. Little do they know that waiting for them in a remote welsh village is an Arch-Druid, his acolyte druid and stone seer, and various villagers who plan to use their deaths to bless their newly built stone circle. This is a fun story that is occasionally Pythonesque with a dab of Mel Brooks; the sort of silliness that only grownups truly appreciate. Although I enjoyed it, the book did not hold my interest; as the plot kept disappearing.
December 4, 2016
For those that like their historical fiction a little tongue-in-cheek, Howard of Warwick comes through once more. He keeps finding these gems in the scriptorium. This time King William sends our trio into the wilds of Wales. If the dragons don't get them, maybe the giant squirrel will. Hermitage doesn't really believe the prophecy that foretells his death, but heading off to steal some Druid gold for the Norman king can't be good for one's health...
February 7, 2017
Druids?
Another mystery solved by our dynamic duo! More crazy stuff including a character named More. Loved this book and I am on to the next!
Another mystery solved by our dynamic duo! More crazy stuff including a character named More. Loved this book and I am on to the next!
Read
January 22, 2016The king's inspector sets out again on a mission. This time he's headed to Wales, where danger and possibly death await! Is Hermitage seeking the Druids or are they seeking him? It's an exciting adventure as our brilliant theologian/detective enters Wales with his entourage. Howard of Warwick has once emerged from the scriptorium with a winner! A must read for Hermitage fans.
June 1, 2016
Best King's Investigator EVER.
Forget Brother Cadfael. Brother Hermitage (strange name for a monk) and Wat (weaver of pornographic tapestries, but not in this book) solve hysterical murder mysteries. Hysterically. With Druids, Normans, Saxons and the Welsh. And really, really big stones...
Forget Brother Cadfael. Brother Hermitage (strange name for a monk) and Wat (weaver of pornographic tapestries, but not in this book) solve hysterical murder mysteries. Hysterically. With Druids, Normans, Saxons and the Welsh. And really, really big stones...
January 30, 2016
True LOL material.
Love this series of books and their sometimes bemused characters. The humour is very clever and I can just hear the conversations. Long may Hermitage, Wat and Cwen wander and entertain us.
Love this series of books and their sometimes bemused characters. The humour is very clever and I can just hear the conversations. Long may Hermitage, Wat and Cwen wander and entertain us.
June 19, 2016
My favorite one yet!! I absolutely loved the ending!
September 5, 2017
Hilarious...
All of the Hermitage novels are funny, some more than others, but its like reading Monty Python... Dry British humour at its finest.
All of the Hermitage novels are funny, some more than others, but its like reading Monty Python... Dry British humour at its finest.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews