THE LEPER OF SAINT GILES

A welcome fifth appearance for Brother Cadfael, that compassionate sleuth-monkherbalist of medieval Shrewsbury Abbey--whose mystery once again involves a starcrossed romance. Iveta de Massard, doll-like granddaughter of a long-dead Crusades hero, is in love with young squire Joscelin Lucy. But Iveta's rapacious uncle/guardian Sir Godfrid Picard has a profitable marriage planned for her--to arrogant, 50-ish Baron Huon de Domville. So, as soon as Picard's cold-eyed wife catches on to the romance, Joscelin is framed as a thief, taken prisoner. And when Joscelin's escape is quickly followed by the murder of would-be groom Domville, the poor lad is the top suspect--and he takes refuge in a nearby leper sanctuary. . . while Brother Cadfael is hard at work uncovering the real killer (who has now also dispatched Picard). Complete with a dramatic public confrontation and a final bit of Cadfael deduction: another Peters delight, featuring vital characters, a beautifully organized puzzle, and history made real.