A Morbid Taste for Bones

A Morbid Taste for Bones is my first Brother Cadfael mystery, and I will be back for more. I discovered this series when searching for NOOK bargains. I always enjoy a historical mystery, and Wales in the 12th century was new ro me so I gave it a try. I was pleased from the beginning by the many maps provided (If you ready my reviews regularly you know this is a pet peeve of mine), as well as a pronunciation guide to the Welsh language. This made me a little nervous at first, worrying that so much would be in the vernacular that it would slow down my understanding and enjoyment, but it is just proper nouns, places and people, that are in Welsh. But Ellis Peters has written the dialog in a modern way, although the story takes place more than 800 years ago,  Brother Cadfael is an interesting character, a man who has joined a religious order late in life, essentially as a place of retirement. He has lived a life of adventure far from the shores of England and his birthplace of Wales, fought in the Crusades, been to sea, and had a woman in every port. Now he tends the gardens of his priory at Shrewbury in Western England and lives a quiet life that isn't so much religious as common sensical, which many religious people of this era are not.
In this first novel of the series, Cadfael embarks on a journey to Wales with a group of monks, where he will be the interpreter, since he is the only one who knows the language. What should be a short journey turns into something much longer when an important local man, holder of the most land is found murdered after having quarreled with the monk leading Cadfael's group. In addition to Prior Robert, suspicion falls on the possibility of one of his yes-men and a local. In his common sense way, Cadfael works with the area blacksmith and other villagers to find the true killer.
In addition to the history,I enjoyed the mystery, and wasn't sure who had done it until Cadfael figured it out. I liked that Cadfael gave information and plans to get information to other characters that the reader isn't privy to until the plot or information comes in to play. It all gets wrapped up nicely, and gave me a chuckle, which is something else I really liked, the wry humor that had me laughing aloud.

This series has been around since 1977, so the books are in libraries and paperback trading stores all over. Even though the setting is not cozy, with the characters constantly sleeping outdoors or in barns and being wet and tired I would classify this as a "cozy mystery" because we follow the characters and setting. Try one if you like historical mysteries. I am using this for my Historical Reading Challenge.