Review by johnafair (2006-12-28)
Published only a year before her death, this book is the most ambitious by far of the Cadafel books, both in terms of length and of the subject covered.

We get an unusual look at Brother Cadfael - he's out of his abbey surroundings and he's not looking for a murderer - at first any way. But his son is lost and he feels it is his duty to find Olivier even though Cadfael has not acknowledged the young knight. Cadfael also gets to interact with some of the 'Great and Good' of the time as he seeks his son.

This time Cadfael's actions will have implications for the fate of the nation.

In all too many cases, authors find their powers diminishing as they age, but this book, published a year before Ms Peters' death shows no evidence of such a slow down. A truly excelent read.