One Corpse Too Many

The Second Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

By: Ellis Peters

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the castle of Shrewsbury is taken during the war between Empress Maud and King Stephen, 94 prisoners are taken, 94 are hanged. When Brother Cadfael arrives to perform the burial rites, he finds one corpse too many among the bodies stacked about the fortress. Cadfael reports the discrepancy to Stephen's newly appointed Sheriff Gilbert Prescote, who reluctantly announces it to the town, asking if anyone can identify the unknown man.Godith identifies the murdered man as Nicholas Faintree, a squire of the rebel leader FitzAlan.

Investigate another case with Brother Cadfael.

©1979 Ellis Peters (P)1991 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"Delightful...a colorful and authentic medieval background fraught with swordplay and a challenge to the death." ( Publishers Weekly)

A Must-Listen!

This, the second of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, introduces Cadfael to Hugh Beringar, who becomes a valued friend and the under-sheriff of Shrewsbury.

In the summer of 1138, the two contenders for the throne of England have brought civil war to Shrewsbury as King Stephen battles the Empress Maud for the throne of England. Two murders have happened, both related to Stephen's conquest of the town and the flight of Maude's chief supporters. Two young people, both important to Maude's cause, are caught in the town, in hiding from Stephen. Cadfael shelters them and plots their escape, follows the clues to the murderers, and finds Hugh Beringar first a worthy opponent and eventually a staunch friend. Along the way Hugh meets the love of his life.

Wonderful story, top-notch characterizations, and some thoughtful discussions on the nature of friendship and love. I've become convinced that Patrick Tull has a perfect voice for Cadfael, regardless of my love for Derek Jacobi from the PBS TV adaptations.

A good listen

Patrick Tull has a very realistic Welsh voice, but is still very understandable.

I love this series

These books do a great job of capturing the Middle Ages, the monastic life, & the role the church played in every day life. Add to that great characters, good plots, early forensics, & a narrator whose voice fits the story perfectly, and what's not to love? (Note: I don't care much for the versions read by a woman, simply because there are SO many male characters that it just works better when read by a man.)

A favorite

This is one of my favorite Brother Cadfael stories. The story, the crime, the chase are all done very well.

Worth Every Single Moment

I'd have to break out the ole' Roget's to get enough words to describe how much I enjoyed every moment of this book and performance.

So much to love

Cadfael and Hughe Berengar meet. The tension in the relationship keeps the book moving. Love between three pairs of characters balances the story. No one is better to tell the story than Patrick Tull.

It’s the very best!

Can’t even count how many times I’ve listened to it. Nothing about it gets old!

Great combo of history, mystery, & romance!

I love Ms. Ellis' characters, and the twisting stories that they live through in the Brother Cadfael books. Cadfael is unfailingly curious about all that is around him and supportive of those in need who cross his path. On the way to solving these mysteries during a time of English Civil War (of which I was completely ignorant), he's even occasionally irreverent. The fact that the language is artful and beautifully descriptive is the uncommon surprise. Wonderful stories delightfully performed.

Great absorbing story with a mystery on the side

This, the second story in the Brother Cadfael series, is more of a captivating adventure story set in medieval England than a detective mystery. The mystery lies behind the adventure, and does get solved in the end, but it isn’t the lifeblood of the story. It tends to have more of a flavor of a cozy mystery. The characters are mostly quite likeable and the reader gets drawn in to Brother Cadfael’s clever plotting. Patrick Tull isn’t my favorite narrator, but he doesn’t detract from the book. I read this series a long time ago, and I find I am enjoying them again. All in all, well worth listening to.

Wonderfully vivid!

I loved everything about this book and the narrator was very clear!!! Recommend it totally