History and Mystery Reads

Rating: 7/10

• Accuracy: Based on the real siege of Shrewsbury in 1138 by King Stephen during the civil war, the Anarchy.
• Plot: After the king hangs the castle’s defenders, Cadfael counts the bodies and finds one more than there should be.
• Clues: Fair and intelligent, with the extra corpse a superb starting point.
• Reveal: Satisfying, with a well-staged final duel.
• Science bonus: Cadfael finds the extra corpse by examining the bodies, since this man was strangled, not hanged, a forensic distinction that starts the whole investigation.

In 1138 King Stephen captures Shrewsbury Castle from supporters of the Empress Maud. He orders the execution of ninety-four defenders. Cadfael is assigned to prepare the bodies for burial and discovers ninety-five. One man was murdered and hidden among the executed.

This is the second Cadfael novel, and it establishes key elements of the series. It introduces Hugh Beringar, a clever young nobleman whose loyalties are uncertain, and who becomes Cadfael’s friend and ally. It also shows how the civil war shapes the lives of ordinary people.

The mystery is excellent, and the historical detail is rich. A young woman disguised as a boy provides the romance, and the book ends with a dramatic trial by combat.

The weakness is that the romance is conventional and some characters are thin.

The 7 reflects a strong entry that set the series on its path. Many readers consider it one of the best early Cadfael novels.