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  • A Morbid Taste For Bones

  • By: Ellis Peters
  • Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
  • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (477 ratings)
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A Morbid Taste For Bones

By: Ellis Peters
Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
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Summary

In 1137 the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the remains of Saint Winifred for his Benedictine order. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales, where they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines' offer for the saint's relics.

Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn't surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winifred herself dealt the blow. Brother Cadfael knows that a carnal hand did the killings, but he doesn't know that his plan to unearth a murderer may dig up a case of love and justice, where the wages of sin may be scandal - or his own ruin.

©1984 Ellis Peters (P)2011 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about A Morbid Taste For Bones

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Morbid Taste For Bones

This is my first taste of Ellis Peters, and I have to say I'm enjoying it very much. It is an excellent story and the narrator, Stephen Thorne, gives a rich variety of voices to the characters.

The first of her Brother Cadfael murder mysteries, set in the 12th Century, is based on a true story of the removal of a saint’s relics from a Welsh village to the Benedictine Abbey at Shrewsbury. It might not be a strictly realistic representation of the period, but that doesn’t matter in a novel of this style. It is easy and enjoyable to listen to, and I would recommend it without hesitation.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best historical mystery series.

In 1137 the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the remains of Saint Winifred for his Benedictine order. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales, where they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines' offer for the saint's relics.

Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn't surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winifred herself dealt the blow. Brother Cadfael knows that a carnal hand did the killings, but he doesn't know that his plan to unearth a murderer may dig up a case of love and justice, where the wages of sin may be scandal - or his own ruin.

In this book, Ellis Peters introduces her beloved character Brother Cadfael, herbalist to the 12th Century Shrewsbury Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, on the western boarder of England and Wales. A man who was well past his prime when he entered the Benedictine order, and had been, done and seen more than any man in the cloister.

I love this series, it's richly historical settings and the characters Ellis Peters created.

Personally I think this is one of the best historical mystery series about, and well worth reading.

The books are available in all formats, paperback, Kindle/ebook (free to read if you are on Kindle Unlimited at the time of reviewing) and on audiobook.

This is a review on the audio narration by Stephen Thorne, who brings the story to life in his reading.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Cadfael at his best

What made the experience of listening to A Morbid Taste For Bones the most enjoyable?

The narration in this book is very good, I especially enjoyed the welsh accents, and the easy listening pace, which lulls you into comfort belying the action taking place.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Morbid Taste For Bones?

The ecstatic trances of the good brother were very well written, especially seen from cadfael's point of view

Which character – as performed by Stephen Thorne – was your favourite?

Cadfael himself was the most memorable character in my opinion

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Who lies there?

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I loved the TV series with Derek Jacobi & then read all of Ellis Peters books. This audible rendition is excellent & the performance is top notch. Will download another one next month.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cadfael Brought to Life

First read Cadfael about 30 years ago and thought I'd while away a few Lockdown hours listening to someone else reading them! Certainly one of the better things about these days of anxiety; Stephen Thorne's lilting Welsh tones carry you away, back through the centuries into Brother Cadfael's strangely addictive mixture of monastery and murder. Wonderful... I could spend hours just listening; a perfect antidote to the troubled time we live in.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this book immensely.

Characters were brought to life. Narrator told story well. Really enjoyed it. Look forward to reading further Ellis Peter's Cadfael titles.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

lost in the world of Cadfael, forgot it was a book. it was so real.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic.

A great medieval murder mystery. Having watched the television series of Cadfaell, and bought the DVD box set many moons ago, I thought I would give the Audible version a listen. It is superbly well narrated. Helping easily to bring the tale to life.
10/10.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great read

love this series of books. Great stories, wonderful characters, well read. well worth listening to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nostalgia for a time LOOOONG gone!

I read these books first in my teens and remember much of the fine descriptive detail of countryside, seasons and characters. Is it a tad overwritten for my tastes now? Perhaps. But I have huge affection for Brother Cadfael and his world and enjoyed this production. Stephen Thorne has a good strong delivery and his Cadfael has a robust accent. Difficult to produce the range of Welsh voices this story required, but he did well.

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