THE RAVEN AT THE FOREGATE

Ellis Peters brings medieval England to life with rich and wonderful descriptions of scenery, clothing, manners, and ritual. Our hero, Brother Cadfael, is a Benedictine monk, late of the Holy Crusades, through which he acquired his medicinal knowledge from the better-educated Muslims. In Shrewsbury, 1141, he needs all the wisdom he can evoke to solve a murder with no forensic medicine extant. When the harsh and unpopular Father Ailnoth is found murdered one viciously cold winter morning, there are more than enough suspects to go around. Stephen Thorne is an old hand here, having narrated many titles in this delightful series. He gives Cadfael a deep, comfortable character, bringing his kindness and gentle wisdom to the fore as the story progresses. He has a voice as easy to listen to as any heard today. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/ JAN 02]