The Brother Cadfael Mysteries: In Order of Publication
Brother Cadfael, the Benedictine monk and herbalist, is a beloved fictional character created by the late Ellis Peters. His series of historical mystery novels, set in 12th-century Shropshire, England, are a delight for fans of both historical fiction and detective stories.
If you're new to the world of Brother Cadfael, or if you'd like to revisit the series in publication order, here's a complete list of the books, ready for your reading pleasure:
**1. ** A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977): The first book to introduce Brother Cadfael. The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton in the grounds of Shrewsbury Abbey, leading Cadfael to investigate the events surrounding the death of a young woman.
**2. ** The Sanctuary Sparrow (1978): A young woman seeking sanctuary in the abbey becomes the prime suspect in a murder, and Brother Cadfael must use his skills to uncover the truth.
**3. ** The Leper of Saint Giles (1979): A leper is found dead near Shrewsbury, and Cadfael is drawn into a complex case involving betrayal, love, and secrets.
**4. ** The Virgin in the Ice (1980): A young woman is found frozen in a river, leading to a murder investigation that uncovers long-buried secrets and ancient grudges.
**5. ** An Excellent Mystery (1981): A young woman is accused of witchcraft after she becomes pregnant outside of marriage. Brother Cadfael must find the true culprit to save her life.
**6. ** The Raven in the Foregate (1982): The discovery of a dead knight brings Brother Cadfael into a tangled case of treachery and conspiracy.
**7. ** The Devil's Work (1983): A series of mysterious deaths at the abbey, including the death of the Abbot himself, throws Brother Cadfael into a race to find the murderer.
**8. ** The Rose Rent (1985): Cadfael investigates the murder of a wealthy widow, a case complicated by a shadowy figure from her past.
**9. ** The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1986): Brother Cadfael becomes involved in a case that takes him deep into the Eyton Forest, where he uncovers a web of secrets and a hidden identity.
**10. ** The Pilgrim of Hate (1987): When a pilgrim is found murdered, Cadfael is forced to face his own past, uncovering a hidden conspiracy that could threaten the abbey.
**11. ** The Summer of the Danes (1988): The arrival of Danish invaders throws Shrewsbury into chaos, and Brother Cadfael must investigate a murder amidst the unrest.
**12. ** The Confession of Brother Haluin (1989): Brother Cadfael helps to uncover the truth behind a long-held secret that threatens the Abbey and its inhabitants.
**13. ** The Potter's Field (1990): A murder in the Potter's Field forces Brother Cadfael to solve a complex case that involves a thief, a jealous lover, and a hidden treasure.
**14. ** The Holy Thief (1991): Cadfael is tasked with investigating the theft of a sacred relic, a case that leads him to the heart of a powerful conspiracy.
**15. ** The Woman Who Died a Thousand Deaths (1992): A mysterious woman is found dead, and Cadfael must untangle her secrets to discover who murdered her and why.
**16. ** The Heretic's Apprentice (1993): A young apprentice is accused of heresy, and Brother Cadfael must uncover the truth behind the accusation to protect him from the authorities.
**17. ** The Counterfeit Nightingale (1995): Brother Cadfael investigates the murder of a singer, a case that involves jealousy, betrayal, and a hidden identity.
**18. ** The Christmas Treasure (1996): A festive mystery that sees Brother Cadfael investigate a robbery at the abbey during the Christmas season.
**19. ** The Bones of the Dead (1997): The discovery of a skeleton leads Cadfael into a case of ancient secrets and a long-forgotten murder.
**20. ** The Fool of the World (1999): Brother Cadfael's final adventure sees him investigating the death of a jester, uncovering a dark secret that threatens the peace of the abbey.
Enjoy your journey through the world of Brother Cadfael!
