timebug Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter) I know these have been around for a while now, and I remember my eldest son suggesting I would like them, when he read them way back. I have never got around to them until a couple of weeks ago,when I got the whole series as ebooks! Loving them,and about to start reading the seventh. There are twenty actual novels, and then one 'prequel' book, which contains three short stories,and chronologically, should be read first; so I read it first! Easy reading, good plots that offer a mystery, without having to analyse every word or action of individual characters. Edith Pargeter wrote these as well as other series of modern day crime novels, and I am finding them a refreshing change from car chase/gun fight/ drug addict crime stories. As complex as you want them to be, depending what you read into them and how you interpret the tales. Otherwise, simply good simple crime stories, well written and well told. I must admit that at this stage, I am a fan! Edited September 15, 2016 by timebug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I've also had these for years, in paperback, and have never got round to reading them, although I loved the TV series. I like historical crime, as you say it's a change from guns and drugs etc although they had their own vices then! Thanks for the hint about the short story collection, I'll read that first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip Martian Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 My wife's a big fan, and in a similar vein has just discovered the books of Mel Starr - similar period murder mystery stuff. I think some say its very similar to Cadfael. In any case she discovered and devoured all 8 books of his very quickly! Might also be worth investigating to see if you like them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doublethink Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I enjoyed them, and still read them occasionally - though you do start to pick up repeats in her descriptive writing and plot ideas after a while. I like the Sister Fidelma novels too - similar premise but set earlier in time and in the Irish context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Susanna Gregory's series about Matthew Bartholomew, a physician, and his friend Michael, a Benedictine monk, is also worth a look in this genre, it's set slightly later than Cadfael in 13th century Cambridge and has a fair bit of humour in it, and isn't too gruesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I read the first book in the series some years ago and really liked it. I never got into the rest of the series, never even gave the second book a chance... I'm wondering if I should try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Well I am currently almost at the end of the seventeenth of these, and still loving them every bit as much as when I read the first one (which was in fact the 'prequel' written much later but chronologically, the first few things that Cadfael solved!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 And now.... I have finished them! A thouroughly enjoyable romp through turbulent times, with a friendly and logical 'hero'. I will check out Edith Pargeters other detective books when I get the chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 I bought the entire series when they came up on special offer a few years ago, and although I have only read the first, I was captivated by Cadfael. It is so good to read that you enjoyed all of them so much and that their appeal does not diminish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) As an additional goodie, I recently came into possession of the entire TV shows for the Cadfael series, 13 episodes only, spread over four 'series' and (of course) not filmed in the same order as the books! (are they ever?) But so far, I have watched three episodes, and while they are sort of condensed, by cutting out lots of side issues that are mentioned in the books, I am still recognising the stories, and enjoying them! I know this forum is not to discuss TV or films, but I thought it was a happy accident, that I got hold of the films, just after reading the books! Edited October 23, 2016 by timebug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I watched some of the TV series a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them, they've also been done on radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) I have seen coupe of the episodes, which is why I thought I would enjoy the books, and confession time......I did 'see' Derek Jacobi in my as I read the book. Great casting! Edited October 24, 2016 by Chrissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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