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Historical Fiction · 2014 · PG

The Holy Thief

by Ellis Peters

Stolen relics and a murdered monk test Cadfael's faith and his wits

Strangers seek refuge at the abbey as floodwaters rise, a body falls, and a relic vanishes—in this "top drawer" mystery featuring the twelfth-century monk ( Chicago Sun-Times) In the chill, rainy autumn of 1144, two groups of visitors seek the hospitality of the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, and Brother Cadfael fears trouble has come in with them. Among the first arrivals is Brother Tutilo, a young Benedictine with a guileless face and—to Brother Cadfael's shrewd eyes—a mischievous intelligence. The second group, a ribald French troubadour, his servant, and a girl with the voice of an angel

For10+GenreHistorical FictionLength240 pagesRead time~6.5 hours

This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →

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What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.

Violence

Some

A murder; non-graphic medieval violence

Language

Barely any

Mild, archaic language

Sexual Content

Barely any

No sexual content

Substance Use

Barely any

Mead and ale; Cadfael's herbal expertise

Emotional Intensity

Barely any

Mild mystery tension; themes of religious rivalry and greed

What this book is about

During a catastrophic flood, the relics of Saint Winifred are stolen from Shrewsbury Abbey. When a monk is found murdered, Brother Cadfael investigates both the theft and the killing, navigating the jealous rivalries between religious houses that covet the saint's bones. A mystery of faith, greed, and institutional competition in medieval England.

Notes for sensitive readers

Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.

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