What do you think?
Rate this book
Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #13-15
The Fifth Cadfael Omnibus
The fifth omnibus edition of Ellis Peters' compulsive and bestselling mediaeval mysteries.
The Rose Rent: A young woman, recently widowed, bestows one of her properties on the Abbey of Shrewsbury. In return she expects payment: an annual rent of a single rose, to be delivered on the day of translation of St Winifred. But such a beautfiul woman, and with such a substantial dowry, is an attractive proposition for would-be suitors... and even more so if the house should revert to her. Someone it seems, will stop at nothing to prevent the payment of the rose - not even murder. To Brother Cadfael, as ever, falls the enquiry into this sensational crime.
The Hermit of Eyton Forest: Ten-year-old Richard Ludel has, rather reluctantly, become the new lord of Eaton following the death of his father. With the position come the inevitable burdens of responsibility, among them the expectation that young Richard will make a marriage of convenience. But Richard has his own ideas, and befriends the young companion of Cuthred the hermit, who has recently taken up residence in Eyton Forest. It is a peaceful place but its tranquility is rudely shattered by the discovery of a corpse, forcing Brother Cadfael to leave his treasured herb garden and begin his quest to solve the mystery and track down a ruthless killer.
The Confession of Brother Haluin: A harsh winter, and the roof of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul threatens to give way under the weight of snow. Brother Haulin, working on the necessary repairs in treacherous conditions, slips from the roof and sustains such grave injuries that he makes his deathbed confession to the Abbot and Brother Cadfael. But Haulin recovers, and in order to atone for his sins he sets out on an arduous journey of expiation, with Cadfael as his sole companion. It is a journey which leads to some shocking revelations, and eventually to murder...
The Rose Rent: A young woman, recently widowed, bestows one of her properties on the Abbey of Shrewsbury. In return she expects payment: an annual rent of a single rose, to be delivered on the day of translation of St Winifred. But such a beautfiul woman, and with such a substantial dowry, is an attractive proposition for would-be suitors... and even more so if the house should revert to her. Someone it seems, will stop at nothing to prevent the payment of the rose - not even murder. To Brother Cadfael, as ever, falls the enquiry into this sensational crime.
The Hermit of Eyton Forest: Ten-year-old Richard Ludel has, rather reluctantly, become the new lord of Eaton following the death of his father. With the position come the inevitable burdens of responsibility, among them the expectation that young Richard will make a marriage of convenience. But Richard has his own ideas, and befriends the young companion of Cuthred the hermit, who has recently taken up residence in Eyton Forest. It is a peaceful place but its tranquility is rudely shattered by the discovery of a corpse, forcing Brother Cadfael to leave his treasured herb garden and begin his quest to solve the mystery and track down a ruthless killer.
The Confession of Brother Haluin: A harsh winter, and the roof of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul threatens to give way under the weight of snow. Brother Haulin, working on the necessary repairs in treacherous conditions, slips from the roof and sustains such grave injuries that he makes his deathbed confession to the Abbot and Brother Cadfael. But Haulin recovers, and in order to atone for his sins he sets out on an arduous journey of expiation, with Cadfael as his sole companion. It is a journey which leads to some shocking revelations, and eventually to murder...
505 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
134 people want to read
About the author
Ellis Peters
176 books1,160 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 8, 2017
Three strong mystery novels with great characterisation and the affable eccentricity of ecclesiastic detective Cadfael really embellished for readers. A thoroughly enjoyable set with a great breadth of scope and yet a real homely feel.
The Rose Rent: Intriguing tale of a young widow and her pursuers, and the discovery that the first love doesn't have to be the last or the only meaningful one. Amazing fixation from Cadfael on the imprint of a shoe. In my opinion, the pool of suspects was too small to make the whodunit hard to guess.
The Hermit of Eyton Forest: The tale of plucky schoolboy foiling a hardened criminal's plot. Peters writes child characters well, and the deception and suspense is high.
The Confession of Brother Haluin: A moving story of a monk who thinks that his lover and child died in an abortion attempt finds peace with himself is rewarded with the truth, that both his love and his son lived. Sweet, mature, and deeply solemn.
The Rose Rent: Intriguing tale of a young widow and her pursuers, and the discovery that the first love doesn't have to be the last or the only meaningful one. Amazing fixation from Cadfael on the imprint of a shoe. In my opinion, the pool of suspects was too small to make the whodunit hard to guess.
The Hermit of Eyton Forest: The tale of plucky schoolboy foiling a hardened criminal's plot. Peters writes child characters well, and the deception and suspense is high.
The Confession of Brother Haluin: A moving story of a monk who thinks that his lover and child died in an abortion attempt finds peace with himself is rewarded with the truth, that both his love and his son lived. Sweet, mature, and deeply solemn.
September 19, 2018
Re-reading all cadfael ( and a couple I've never read). Even better this time around.
May 5, 2014
A interesting little mystery for when you want to take a break from serious reading. The author does show a great knowledge of English history.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews