by Ellis Peters
Part of Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, book 6
First published 1982
Brother Cadfael enjoys peaceful days at his Shrewsbury abbey until the brutal winter of 1139 brings chaos to his door. Civil war drives desperate refugees north from Worcester, including two noble orphans and their companion, a young Benedictine nun. The three vanish somewhere in the harsh countryside before reaching safety. When Cadfael discovers a wounded monk stripped naked and left bleeding on the roadside, the man's delirious words provide the first clue to what happened to the missing travelers. Cadfael ventures into dangerous territory to find them, following a trail that leads to a shocking murder and a story of desire turned deadly. His search will reveal both the cruelty and compassion that define human nature.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Shrewsbury, Worcester
Period: 1139
225 pages · Kindle Edition · MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Content warnings: violence