The Heretic's Apprentice

The Sixteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

By: Ellis Peters

Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

It is June in the Year of Our Lord 1143 when Elave, young clerk to William of Lythwood, returns from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his elderly master's body. His mission is twofold, to bury William in his home abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, and to deliver a dowry to William's adopted daughter Fortunata. But Elave, suspected of harboring views inimical to church doctrine, is held for ecclesiastical trial. And when Aldwin, the Lythwood family clerk hired in Elave's absence, is stabbed to death, Elave is incarcerated not only for heresy, but for murder. Fortunata's dowry, an intricately carved box with mysterious contents, holds the key to the mysteries that spring up around Elave and the Lythwood family. Shrewd and patient, Brother Cadfael is at his best here.

Performed by Tony Award-winning actor Derek Jacobi, this sixteenth chronicle of Brother Cadfael is sure to delight old friends and new fans.

©1989 Ellis Peters (P)1995, 2014 Dove Audio, Phoenix Books

Critic reviews

"Peters' historical mysteries are vivid standouts...an old-fashioned joust between good and evil." (Chicago Sun-Times)

Love the series

Wish it was unabridged like the ones read by Patrick Tull. This is a terrific series!

Having Cadfael read Cadfael: Excellent!

My first experience of the Cadfael chronicles was through the TV series with the great Derek Jacobi cast as Brother Cadfael. For Cadfael fans who love that series, the audiobooks narrated by Jacobi himself will bring his Cadfael back to life for you! I for one am happy that he did read some of the titles. When they were producing that series, Ellis Peters/Edith Pageter herself was happy with Jacobi being cast in the lead role.

My one complaint is the fact that this is an abridged version. Pity.

[Note: Some reviewers seem not to know who Jacobi is (must not follow the Shakespeare circuit) or that he was the original Cadfael, so this lovely double-gift of having him read these books may not resonate with them. But for those who love Jacobi's endearing version of this much-beloved medieval Benedictine sleuth, you will not be disappointed.]

Simon Prebble Preferred

This is one of my favorite Cadfael stories, but Jacobi is not my favorite reader. Simon Prebble is my hands down favorite of all the Cadfael narrators.

Great as Usual

I have been an Ellis Peters Fan for many years, and a fan of Sir Derek Jacobi for much longer. Perfect combination!

abridged leads to disappointment

I love the Cadfael books. I truly do. I love the way Peters develops the plot and characters, not to mention the period flavor. all of which is lost in an abridged version. it's like watching the trailer for a movie, but not seeing the film itself. you get a feel for it, but not the intricacies.

The Heretic's Apprentice

Please know that Cadfael becomes addictive! Each performance by Sir Derek Jacobi is a masterpiece. I only wish this one were longer!

Avoid this

I love Ellis Peters, but this is so abridged you missed half the story. Seemed like they randomly chopped out chapters. Have to read the whole book now to find out the whole story. Very poorly done. Audible shouldn’t even offer this.

Very Bad (annoying) Narrator

Just because a man has been knighted doth not render him in possession of all talents. Dignified title or not, this *Sir* Jacobi will leave your ears ringing. Every sentence has one of two rhythms, neither of which sound like anything but bad acting. Every voice is the same high pitched, pestering whine.

Needless to say, it got in the way of enjoying the book.

Too Abridged

What disappointed you about The Heretic's Apprentice?

This version was so abridged that it lost all of the story

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed to miss so much of the book.

Abridged version

Where is Peter Tull? I certainly respect Sir Jacoby, but in one page I could tell he is reading an abridged version and I can’t easily follow with my Kindle.