Review by Library Journal Review
The golden autumn of 1145 finds Brother Cadfael's peaceful world of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul greatly disrupted when an official courier brings news of a terrible betrayal. Philip FitzRobert, the Empress Maud's greatest champion, has turned his coat and declared for King Stephen, imprisoning 30 of his vassal knights and squires who held true to the Empress. All of this political upheaval should not really affect an elderly monk, but when Hugh Beringer sees the list of imprisoned men, he and Cadfael recognize the name of Olivier de Bretagne. Fans of the series will also recognize the name of Cadfael's son, who was conceived during the Crusades, years before Cadfael was a monk. This young man has cropped up previously, but he is a pivotal character here because it is to rescue him that Cadfael breaks his vow of obedience and leaves his cloistered life. This is the 20th and final entry in Peters's beloved series and one of her best books. Listeners to Stephen Thorne's expert narration will be enthralled by the fascinating details of medieval siege warfare; the poignant ending is guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat. Essential.-Barbara A. Perkins, Irving P.L., TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
