A Morbid Taste for Bones

In the year of our Lord 1137, Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk and former Crusader with a keen intellect and a worldly past, finds his tranquil life at Shrewsbury Abbey disrupted. The abbey's ambitious abbot decides to acquire the relics of Saint Winifred from her Welsh resting place to bolster the monastery's prestige and coffers. Brother Cadfael, being of Welsh descent, is sent as part of the delegation to Gwytherin. However, the mission is met with fierce resistance from the local Welsh villagers, who are deeply attached to their saint. When the relics are finally exhumed, a brutal murder occurs – the body of Rhisiart, a powerful local man who vehemently opposed the removal of Saint Winifred, is discovered. Cadfael, with his unique blend of medical knowledge, understanding of human nature, and a sharp eye for detail, must navigate a labyrinth of ancient loyalties, religious fervor, and raw human passions to uncover the killer among the superstitious villagers and the devout, yet flawed, monks.