An Excellent Mystery

by Ellis Peters
Category: "Fiction - Mystery"
Pages:190
Year of Publication:1985
Date Added:08/28/2008
Date Read:01/17/2015
Notes:Brother Humilis, a former soldier now monk, arrives at the abbey in Shrewsbury with Fidelis, a young monk, mute and devoted to the older man. Humilis is dying. He is visited by a former comrade, Nicholas Harnage, who asks permission to marry Julian Cruce. Humilis has been engaged to the girl when she was very young, but his injuries prevent him from being an husband and prompted him to become a Brother. But Nicholas discovers that Julian has disappeared, perhaps murdered. He seeks the truth, along with Hugh, the sheriff, while Brother Cadfael ponders — and soon figures out that Fidelis is Julian, devoting herself to her espoused husband. But to reveal this would cause scandal. Humilis has a final wish — to be rowed down the Severn and have a last look at his childhood home. On the way back, a storm hits and the boat is destroyed. Humilis dies. Cadfael grabs the opportunity and, with the aid of Hugh's wife, spirits Fidelis away while spreading the news that "he" had drowned. Shortly thereafter, Julian resurfaces with a story about her disappearance. She gives Nicholas reason to hope that he will win her hand shortly. A few people figure out the truth, but most never do.
My Rating: 5

Reviews for An Excellent Mystery

Review - An Excellent Mystery

I figured out that Fidelis was Julian very early in the book. Thereafter, I had a hard time caring about the plot devices while I waited impatiently for all the other characters to figure out what I already knew. The only mystery for me was how Cadfael could make Fidelis disappear and Julian reappear without everyone knowing.
Back to the list