• An Excellent Mystery

  • By: Ellis Peters
  • Narrated by: Roe Kendall
  • Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (307 ratings)

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An Excellent Mystery  By  cover art

An Excellent Mystery

By: Ellis Peters
Narrated by: Roe Kendall
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Publisher's summary

This is the eleventh chronicle of Brother Cadfael, of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, at Shrewsbury.

In the year of our Lord 1141, August comes in golden as a lion, and two monks ride into the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul bringing with them disturbing news of war...and a mystery.

The strangers tell how the strife between the Empress Maud and King Stephan has destroyed the town of Winchester and their priory. Now Brother Humilis, who is handsome, gaunt, and very ill, and Brother Fidelis, youthful, comely (and totally mute) must seek refuge at Shrewsury. And from the moment he meets them, Brother Cadfael senses something deeper than their common vows binds these two good brothers. What the link is he can only guess...what it will lead to is beyond his imagining. But as Brother Humilis' health fails, and nothing can stop death's lengthening shade, Brother Cadfael faces a poignant test of his discretion and his beliefs as he unravels a secret so great it can destroy a life, a future, and a holy order.

©1984, 1985, 1987 Ellis Peters (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Absorbing, superbly crafted....Unflagging tension which builds to a swift, satisfying climax....Peters never disappoints" (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about An Excellent Mystery

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Among Peters’ best

This is among my favorite of the Brother Cadfael adventures, and most mysterious of murder mysteries. The story is less centered on Brother Cadfael than most, lifting up other members of the community, but as always Peters’ rich portraits of the inner workings of people and detailed knowledge of medieval life bring to life of a far distant world. Roe Kendall’s superb narrative excellently complement the story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good historical mystery .

I enjoyed the story. The narration was well done but,missed the Welsh accent by a continent for the series lead man Cadfael.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best plots ever

this is my favorite Cadfael book. The story is weaved together so well.

I love Roe Kendalls narration. Great voice actor

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A poor choice for reader

The narrator made Cadfael sound like a young Indian rather than old Welshman. It was difficult to listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very refreshing!

I know it may seem weird for me to title this was very refreshing, but with all the whodunits that are filled with murder and other scandal, the solving of what could be called a Cold Case was quite a surprise. I really enjoyed this novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good mystery!

Very enjoyable. I enjoy the Brother Cadfael mysteries, and this was no exception. Good narrator, too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Cadfael pulls off a caper

No murder here just the mayhem of mistaken identities. The tangled mystery becomes clear fairly early on in the tale but how it will be untangled isn't revealed until our favorite Benedictine brother pulls off An Excellent Caper.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding narration

This is an outstanding narration of a fascinating mystery that cannot be second-guessed. As usual in the Cadfael series, the characters make the story engaging and real. I’ve now enjoyed it twice, so I will wait about a year to listen anew!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

The story was enjoyable, the narration was excellent. I did figure out the twist at about the halfway point in the story, but the reveal and resolution were excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

This is a very good story . It has a novel twist even for Brother
Cadfael.

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