by Ellis Peters
Part of Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, book 9
First published 1984
Civil war tears through England in 1141. The sheriff of Shropshire falls into enemy hands, and officials arrange a prisoner exchange. They will trade Elis, a young Welshman held captive, for their captured sheriff. The plan seems straightforward until someone kills the sheriff at the abbey where the exchange takes place. All eyes turn to Elis as the prime suspect. The young man has complicated matters by falling for the dead sheriff's daughter. With only his Welsh honor as defense, Elis turns to Brother Cadfael for assistance. The monk agrees to help, unaware that uncovering the real killer will test his own conscience and beliefs in ways he never expected.
Genres: historical, historical-fiction, mystery, crime
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Shropshire, England, Wales
Period: 1141
275 pages · Paperback · Mysterious Press