The Confession of Brother Haluin: The Fifteenth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael, of Thebenedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, at Shrewsbury

In the severe winter of 1142, the roof of the Abbey of St.Peter and St.Paul collapses under the weight of the heavy snowfall. One of the monks assigned to the task of repairing the roof is Brother Haluin who falls and crashes to the ground, unconscious and badly hurt. Cadfael nurses hin through the first night and is present when he awakens and gives a deathbed confession to the Abbot. Recovering, he is given permission to make a pilgrimage to the grave of a young woman that he feels he has wronged and accompanied by Cadfael, hobbles on crutches to the manor where he was formerly employed before becoming a monk. There they meet Roscelin, a noble youth in fosterage there to learn his knightly skills, as was the custom, and to separate him from Helisande, a girl of his own age and, because of his father's second marriage, his aunt! The two has become fonder of each other than was proper and so were separated by the family to prevent incest. At the manor, Helisande's old nurse is murdered and the lady of the manor delights in reminding Haluin that the poisonous herbs, whose use had been taught to him by Cadfael, caused the death of Bertrade, his love. It's an involved but absorbing plot which is sorted out by Cadfael in his inimical style and to everyone's satisfaction.

BUT! Now Brother Cadfael belongs to history, and the readers who love him so. Start at the beginning and READ THIS SERIES! Miss Peters had an unparalleled gift for conjuring the most beautiful images with her words. I mean, how many people can write about the grim and gritty middle ages and almost make you want to live there? When Cadfael digs in his garden and breathes in the scent of his herbs, you are there, my friend. In this volume we meet Brother Haluin, whom we take to our hearts straight away. This book never fails to wring my heart, and yet leave me with a sweet feeling of satisfaction at the end. A 'keeper'. Like me you will read this book over and over again.

Sometimes I can figure out "who done it," but not this one. It keeps you hooked until the end. A monk who has been with the order for 18 years is seriously injured, and given Last Rights. He wants to give a final confession: That he killed his former lover and their unborn child! Alas, he eventually recovers from his injuries, although permenantly crippled. He goes in search of the girl's mother to confess to her and ask forgiveness. He goes on foot, with crutches, accompanied by Brother Cadfael. The story doesn't become an strange mystery until he arrives at his destination. Then, you're on the edge of your seat until all the questions are answered. A very good book, as are all of Ellis Peters' Cadfael stories.

I was deeply impressed by the book. I really like the fact that English monasticism of the early 12th century is presented in a positive light and the characters are so human. Typically, monks are presented as irrelevant to understanding the human condition. Here, Ellis Peters give us a glimpse of a very positive "alternative lifestyle The note of redemption so common in this series was especially striking here. Through unbelievable horrors, strength for good arises.

A quick read book. Brother Haluin is such a great character. To do what he did and then forget about his past is true devotion to God. I loved this one.