Monk's-Hood

The Third Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

By: Ellis Peters

Narrated by: Stephen Thorne

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Gervase Bonel, with his wife and servants, is a guest of Shrewsbury Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul when he is suddenly taken ill. Luckily, the Abbey boasts the services of clever and kindly Brother Cadfael, a skilled herbalist. Cadfael hurries to the man's bedside, only to be confronted by two very different surprises. In Master Bonel's wife, the good monk recognises Richildis, whom he loved many years ago before he took his vows. And Master Bonel has been fatally poisoned by a dose of deadly monk's-hood oil from Cadfael's herbarium. The Sheriff is convinced that the murderer is Richildis' son Edwin, who had reasons aplenty to hate his stepfather. But Cadfael, guided in part by his tender concern for a woman to whom he was once betrothed, is certain of her son's innocence. Using his knowledge of both herbs and the human heart, Cadfael deciphers a deadly recipe for murder....

©1980 Ellis Peters (P)2011 Hachette Digital

I love Cadfael!

I really, really liked the book, but I LOVE Cadfael. Cadfael gets ten stars. These books may be classified as stand-alones,but I believe you should read them in order, starting with the second book. Why? Because it is important to know who each one of the characters really is, their souls, what makes them tick, how they think and behave. In book two I came to understand who Beringar was. Book three has now taught me, showed me, who Cadfael is. I have seen the choices he makes, and I absolutely love him. I wish I had had this knowledge before I tackled the later books. Personally I think you can skip the first, or go back and read that when you want o fill in lost details because you know you love the whole series.

Super narration by Stephen Thorne.

One more thing. I guessed who the murderer was after two or three chapters, but you do not read these books to "solve the mystery". You read them to be with people you admire and respect. You read to see how they will deal with what is thrown in their path. The books let you escape into a completely different world. Is this why I less often enjoy picking up books set in modern times?

I really enjoyed this book; I do not want to leave Shrewsbury so I will move on to "Virgin in the Ice". I have read all the books between this and that one.

Good Stuff

Great culture, great history of Cadfael and Remigus, (the Woman) Larriping good story
and excellent ending. Prior Robert and Borther Jerome in the thick of things. A repeater.

WE WANT THE COMPLETE SERIES

Why is it only three books available in this series narrated by Stephen Thorne, he did all the Cadfael series. This is by far the best version. Brother Cadfael deserves better rendition than a female one.

A Wonderful Escape from Today’s World

This Brother Cadfael mystery, as in all of the books, takes place in a time when news traveled slowly, no one was checking their cell phones, and there was place and time for thinking. In that, it is a quieter detective story, but very welcome for the peace and quiet it offers. When my mind is going crazy at night, I often conjure up the world in these books, and it calms me.

Stephen Thorne is Brother Cadfael

This is not the best Brother Cadfael book but Stephen Thorne is the best narrator for the series. Hopefully Audible will soon have all of the Stephen Thorne Cadfaels available. Good reading without the worry of something objectionable leaping out at you after you've settled down to listen to a good story.

Welsh place-names beautifully read

It was a delight to hear the Welsh place-names read so beautifully.

As is often the case, the author has worked both compassion and humor into the story-line. Forgiveness-of-sins and laughter-at-foibles infuse this story of twin-like lads who support one another through trials and tribulation.

Monk’s Wisdom, Monk’s Poison, and the Human Heart

Another great tale with Brother Cadfael at the helm coaxing out the truth. With his healing herbs, his gentle ways, and his kind heart, he always gets to the bottom of things. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us: “The heart is more deceitful than anything else and mortally sick. Who can fathom it?” That certainly holds true in this story. Things aren’t as they seem, and even Brother Cadfael comes under suspicion, since the oil came from his own private herbarium. Rich with atmospheric detail, the tale of Richildis, the widow and the woman that Cadfael had once loved, and her son, Edwin accused of the murder comes full circle by the end, and once again Cadfael finds the culprit and solves the mystery. BRAVO! Great listen!

This Series Just Keeps Getting Better

What made the experience of listening to Monk's-Hood the most enjoyable?

Well written, faster pace, performance had clear and quicker delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

One could always answer that Brother Cadfael was but I thoroughly enjoyed Edwin and Edwy also. They were so adventurous and fun.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Thorne – was your favorite?

Most certainly, Brother Cadfael.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Suspenseful and humorous reactions were plentiful.

Entertaining escape

Low key approach to well constructed tales of the time with an interesting protagonist, Brother Cadfael.

Wonderful book, wonderful narration

Any additional comments?

I listened to a lot of the Stephen Thorne recordings of Cadfael years ago during a long illness, and they were an enormous source of pleasure. Re-listening to this one, and the other two which are available on Audible, was just as good as the first time. His voice and style is perfect for this material, so that listening to him is much better than reading the book. He is also WAY better than Johanna Ward who reads a lot of the other Cadfael recordings on here.

I do wish Audible would offer all the rest of the the Stephen Thorne readings of Cadfael. I have been waiting for them to do so for ages, but there's no sign of it. Pleeeease, pretty please!

Please finish the series

Heartfelt request that you get Stephen Thorne to complete the rest of this series, as soon as possible.

A great story, well read

Like David Suchet as Poirot, or Jane Hickson as Miss Marple, Stephen Thorne IS Brother Cadfael.

Another excellent Cadfael story and performance

Another excellent Cadfael story from Ellis Peters and performance from Stephen Thorne. I read the books years ago, then watched the TV programmes and these audible versions are just brilliant. Stephen Thornes narration and performance evoke the world of Cadfael among the cloister, the border lands of England and Wales at a time of unrest during the 12th century. Please can Stephen narrate more of these brilliant series of books

Brilliant reading of the book

I have read all the Cadfael books and watched the Derek Jacobi performances so wondered if I would enjoy the audiobooks. I have bought & listened to the first three in the series narrated by Stephen Thorne & found his voice & performance conjured up a perfect picture of Cadfael in my head. Sooooo disappointed to find he's only done the 1st three books in the series. I would have bought the whole series if he'd done it.

Well written well read and enjoyable

I'm still on the rebound from Shardlake, however these Cadfael stories, new to me, are entertaining and transportive. They are beautifully written and engagingly read. Treat yourself

Superb reading of an Ellis Peter's Cadfael tale

I really loved the reading of this book. The clearly defined characters were made to come alive by the accent used by this clever narrator. It made for a truly wonderful hearing.

Enjoyable in a gentle way

Ellis Peters crafts a really enjoyable story with details of monastic life and of herbs and medicines . Read beautifully by Stephen Thorne.

Monk's Hood

One of a brilliant series. Mediaeval England made as cosy as a teapot, with an endearing cast of characters.

Cosy crime before it was cool

Ellis Peters knew her stuff not only about medieval Britain but how to construct a ripping yarn.

The narrator is also great.