Akron Public Library

During the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, the ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through 40 years of social and political upheaval as internal church politics affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists.

A respite in the 12th-century struggle for the English throne between King Stephen and Empress Maud lends Brother Cadfael the opportunity to accompany a friend to Wales on a diplomatic venture. But they soon find themselves involved in another royal feud.

Charges of heresy and murder are complicated by the contents of a mysterious treasure chest In the summer of 1143, William of Lythwood arrives at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, but it is not a joyous occasion-he's come back from his pilgrimage in a coffin. William's body is accompanied by his young attendant Elave, whose mission is to secure a burial place for his master on the abbey grounds, despite William's having once been reprimanded...

A savage killing occurs before the wedding between an aging nobleman and a very young woman, and Brother Cadfael is called to investigate the leper house of Saint Giles where the killer may be hiding.

A young widow's gain could be the abbey's loss if Brother Cadfael can't unravel a thorny case of murder A late spring in 1142 brings dismay to the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, for there may be no roses by June 22. On that day the young widow Perle must receive one white rose as rent for the house she has given to benefit the abbey, or the contract is void. When nature finally complies, a pious monk is sent to pay the rent-and is found murdered...

Magdalene la Bâtarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark. People expect her and her women to indulge in a number of sinful activities, but bloody murder isn't one of them. Then Baldassare, the messenger, dies. The Bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, puts Sir Bellamy of Itchen, his most trusted knight, in charge of the investigation. Sir Bellamy must find out how and why Baldassare died or else watch...

The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through four decades during which social and political upheaval and the internal politics of the church affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists.

England in 1145 is beset by chaos, brought about by two cousins battling for the throne. Brother Cadfael leaves for Coventry to attend the council, only to discover that peace is not universally welcome.

Brother Cadfael becomes involved in a mystery when the corpse of a young woman is plowed up in a potter's field in 1143.