Monk's Hood

The Third Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

By: Ellis Peters

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

When a fatal draught of Monk's Hood turns up in the dinner plate of a guest at the Shrewsbury abbey, fingers point at half a dozen likely suspects, including an abashed and bewildered Cadfael.©1980 Ellis Peters (P)1991 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Pure pleasure ... Peters' stories have everything - colorful monks, touching young love, marvelous atmosphere, a fascinating and complex detective, and most important of all, ingenious puzzles." ( The Armchair Detective)

Highly Recommend!

Where does Monk's Hood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of the best historical mystery series (in general) that I know of. This particular book is one of the best so far. First in series I've listened to. I've read some, and watched many on TV--with Derek Jacobi playing the part of Cadfael. Any way I encounter this series I have loved. But this is the first time I've heard it read. And I'd like to say that the narrator was wonderful. I believe a different reader could have spoiled the entire experience. Characters are well-drawn, by the end of the book I felt as if they were each a clear individual--with his/her own place in the twelfth century world of England & Wales (set in and near Shrewsbury Abbey).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well, Cadfael is always my favorite--he is rich with his own history of having lived in the secular world--indeed even having fought in the Crusades--before becoming a monk. So he is gifted with uncommon insight into the minds and hearts of people, and uses that ability to sleuth the crimes. In this book, his compassion in one part of the book, toward the end, probably is what makes this book so outstanding.

Which character – as performed by Patrick Tull – was your favorite?

All of them. Patrick Tull was the perfect narrator. I especially loved his rendition of Cadfael himself. But he makes each person have a unique (and memorable) voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, one scene toward the end, in which Cadfael sensitively works to resolve the crime in a surprising manner.

Any additional comments?

The series is wonderful, this reading of this book is one I'd listen to again, just because I so enjoyed the narration (and I rarely re-read mysteries).

The Series Hits Its Stride

The early books (at least chronicles 1-5) in the Brother Cadfael series are a must for anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries. Indeed, Ellis Peters pioneered the genre, now littered with many such series covering almost all periods of history and just about every continent (no Antarctic sleuths yet, that I know of).

I think Monk's Hood, the "third chronicle," is the book in which this series really hit its stride. The mystery itself is sound and has a unique resolution that may sadden some. The revelations from Cadfael's past expand the hero's character, and the "monastic politics," as exemplified by Prior Robert and his lackey Brother Jerome, lend spice to the action.

I decided to try the Patrick Tull narration for this one. I've listened to a couple of the books read by Stephen Thorne, who I find to be competent but dull, and one by Derick Jacobi, whose voice for some reason seems wrong (it's probably me, I'm afraid Sir Derick will never be anyone but Emperor Claudius to me). I wavered between finding Tull's delivery painfully slow (his renditions of any book are always much longer than other readers' presentations of the same material) and thinking it eminently suitable to the setting and character of the story. I'll have to give Johanna Ward a try next.

I'm not sure whether the number of "Caedfaelic" narrators available to choose from is a testament to the enduring popularity of this series or to liberal copyright availability; probably a bit of both, and it's nice to have the variety.

Loved it!

Very well done historiacal mystery. One of the better noveels in the series.

Another delightful Brother Cadfael story

Delightful reading with intriguing twists and compelling storylines. Well performed on Audible. Give it a try.

Love Brother Cadfael!

Wonderfully well-wrought story, beautifully well read. Classic historical
mystery set in 12th century England and Wales.

Wonderful and not abridged!!

Patrick Tull does an excellent job of reading yet again, enhancing the story with nuanced and illuminating narration. I truly enjoy listening to him, especially in this one near the end of the book, where he renders a description of the community’s response to the meeting of their new abbott. I also appreciate that this edition is NOT abridged, as are the Cadfael books read by Sir Derek Jacobi.

Good listen

I read this series years ago and now am enjoying listening to it. Patrick Tull is awesome as a reader

I love this whole series

What made the experience of listening to Monk's Hood the most enjoyable?

These books do a great job of capturing the Middle Ages, the monastic life, & the role the church played in every day life. Add to that great characters, good plots, early forensics, & a narrator whose voice fits the story perfectly, and what's not to love?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Any additional comments?

Note: I don't like the versions narrated by women as well, mainly because there are SO many male characters that it just works better when read by a man.

Audio Muffled, but tolerable

I love these books so far. They are good, short mysteries with interesting characters and situations. The only thing that grates on me from time to time is the muffled audio throughout the books. It sounds like he's putting a towel over his mouth or something. So weird. It isn't tooooo distracting, just makes me wish someone would fix the problem.

would have been 5 stars full but...

I love Cadfael and Patrick Tull is a great reader. Too bad this book kept "mufgling" the sound which was a little distracting.