The Devil's Novice

In her usual manner, Ellis Peters drip-feeds her hero and her readers alike with tantalising but measured trickles of information, permitting both to proceed but piecemeal (and at about the same pace as each other) towards the final revelation and the story's sudden resolution. Along the way, we are treated to the author's characteristically over-glamorised view of Mediaeval English life, with her entirely comforting (and rather touching) view of the honest goodness of the (Saxon) poor, as well as the essentially corrupt nature of those who would aspire to power (usually those overbearing Normans, of course).

In common with others of this series, this book presents a mix of romance and murder mystery, all set against a back-drop of political intrigue. In essence, then, we have here another classic from the Cadfael mould - an engaging read that taxes neither imagination nor credulity over much and which provides some fascinating glimpses of how things might have been in twelfth century Salop. It can be recommended to both established Cadfael fans and newcomers alike.


An old but always great story - Abel and Cain   January 22, 2002
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Ellis Peters brings us an old but always compelling and emotional story - two brothers, one well loved, the other one not so well. The emotions reflected in this book are so deep that it can move you to tears and, at the same time, the suspense about the murder and which of the two brothers did it is and mounting throughout the book. Time is crucial and we are given all the clues but in the end we just want the devil's novice to return to his home, father and choose rightly between two women, one of them his brother's bride. This book has everything but love between father and son, between brothers, between man and woman is the point and makes it a thrilling read.