Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our buddy read of Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters
This is the third in the Cadfael series, first published in 1980.

It is Christmas, 1138. The Abbey has some new guests, but, when there is a death, from one of Cadfael's own concoctions, he is called in to investigate.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

This is the third book in the series, and the formula is roughly the same as the first two. The settings are well described, which helps with the flow of the stories, however, there is still the love thread, and dislike of a couple of the monks causing the usual type of trouble. These books are really a short time spent with the characters rather than any great mystery, but I do enjoy company as I would a short visit to old friends.

Jill wrote: "This is the third book in the series, and the formula is roughly the same as the first two. The settings are well described, which helps with the flow of the stories, however, there is still the lo..."

Lovely sentiment, Jill, I agree! I always enjoy a visit to Cadfael, which is why I started rereading this series a few years ago in between other books. Great escapism, and the hardships and uncertainties of life back then really puts things in perspective!

Jill wrote: "These books are really a short time spent with the characters rather than any great mystery, but I do enjoy company as I would a short visit to old friends"

I've finished this now (turned out I was nearer the end than I thought, as there is a preview for the next book at the end of the Kindle edition!) Jill, I do agree with your description of the books - the atmosphere and the character of Cadfael are the attractions.

I do feel so far they are rather lacking as mysteries and are very slow, so I don't think this series is likely to become a favourite of mine, but I find them reasonably enjoyable.

The difference between Welsh and English law as regards inheritance was an interesting twist in this one.

I found it a bit frustrating when Cadfael let the killer off, as happens so often in historical mysteries - how could he be sure that he wouldn't kill again? Of course, though, it's understandable that he didn't want to condemn a young man to death.

This is probably not my favourite in the series as the plot plods along a bit, but the characters make up for a lot. About 15 years' ago, we visited Shrewsbury and took a Cadfael-themed walk around the town. The remains of the abbey is now a parish church and the castle is still there. I therefore enjoy these books particularly given that I can picture bits of the setting.

I have visited Shrewsbury but wasn't aware of the Cadfael connection at that time - hope to return in future and look out for the settings from the series!

Peters is somewhat boxed in, in the sense that monks (and people in general during that time period) didn't travel around much, so the mysteries are limited in their scope and range. Setting them in the midst of a civil war does add drama, as well as a greater movement of people than you would find in ordinary circumstances.
I thought the method of murder was clever. Only in such a structured and rules based society could the killer ensure that only the intended victim would eat the poisoned food (as he was the head of the household and it was intended exclusively for him).

Judy wrote: "I have visited Shrewsbury but wasn't aware of the Cadfael connection at that time - hope to return in future and look out for the settings from the series!"

Oh, that would be fun!

Tara wrote: "Peters is somewhat boxed in, in the sense that monks (and people in general during that time period) didn't travel around much, so the mysteries are limited in their scope and range. Setting them i..."

Good point about the murder method- that’s why I enjoy this series and other historical mysteries so much - if done well they really give a taste of how different life was!

I have just watched the episode based on this book from the Cadfael series, which I thought was pretty good. A very young Jonny Lee Miller plays Edwin!

It's only 75 minutes, so has to cut out quite a bit, but stayed fairly true to the book. I thought it emphasised Cadfael's own past romance more than the book does, and made it seem as if he might indeed have taken his vows because of Richeldis.

Judy wrote: "I have just watched the episode based on this book from the Cadfael series, which I thought was pretty good. A very young Jonny Lee Miller plays Edwin!

It's only 75 minutes, so has to cut out quit..."

Interesting- I loved the Cadfael series when it was originally broadcast here in the US - led me to the books, which I devoured, and made me a fan of historical mysteries. I may have to see if I can find that episode, I think it is available on Apple TV or Netflix (have to ask my husband’s help, I’m rather tech challenged!)

Enjoyable comfort food rather than an enjoyable, fairly-clued puzzle with plenty of red herrings to sift through. As previously, “follow the romance”: With Aldith favouring Aelfric rather than Meurig, whodunnit in the world of a Cadfael mystery was obvious, even without the inheritance aspects that pointed in one direction! I read all of these when they originally came out and I can’t honestly remember whether the outcome became more difficult to predict as the series progressed, but I shall enjoy finding out!