by Ellis Peters
Part of Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, book 7
First published 1983
Brother Cadfael hears the baying of hounds pierce the midnight prayers at Shrewsbury Abbey in 1140. A terrified young man crashes through the doors seeking sanctuary as an angry mob pursues him with weapons drawn. The fugitive is Liliwin, a wandering minstrel who performed at a goldsmith's wedding celebration. The townspeople accuse him of robbing and killing the goldsmith, a known miser. Cadfael fights off the armed crowd to protect the frightened musician. Dawn reveals the goldsmith lives, though beaten and robbed of his strongbox. Cadfael suspects Liliwin's innocence, but sanctuary law grants only temporary protection. The monk must locate the real thief and recover the stolen treasure before Liliwin's refuge expires. His investigation uncovers something more dangerous than mere theft. A forbidden passion drives someone to desperate acts, and this secret love may prove deadlier than any robbery. Time runs short as Cadfael races to expose the truth and save an innocent man from the gallows.
Genres: classic-literature, historical-fiction, mystery, detective, medieval
Vibes: atmospheric, contemplative, intricate, medieval-intrigue, suspenseful
Tropes: hidden-passion, innocent-accused, race-against-time
Setting: Shrewsbury Abbey, England
Period: 1140, 12th century
271 pages · Paperback · Warner Books
Content warnings: murder, violence