Brother Cadfael's Penance: The Twentieth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael [B0739]

1994 HCDJ in nice clean condition. To save his estranged son, a monk risks breaking his vows in this "moving and suspenseful" entry in the Silver Dagger Award-winning medieval mystery series (Booklist). For Brother Cadfael in the autumn of his life, the mild November of our Lord's year 1145 may bring a bitter-and deadly-harvest. England is torn between supporters of the Empress Maud and those of her cousin Stephen. The civil strife is about to jeopardize not only Cadfael's life, but his hopes of Heaven. While Cadfael has sometimes bent the abbey's rules, he has never broken his monastic vows-until now. Word has come to Shrewsbury of a treacherous act that has left thirty of Maud's knights imprisoned. All have been ransomed except Cadfael's secret son, Olivier de Bretagne. Conceived in Cadfael's soldiering youth and unaware of his father's identity, Olivier will die if he is not freed. Like never before, Cadfael must boldly defy the abbot. The good brother forsakes the order to follow his heart-but what he finds will challenge his soul.

From the many recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "An apt ending to the Brother Cadfael series. Enjoyed all the books."; "Lovely final book. Will enjoy re-reading the series at some point."; "Sad to reach the end of this lovely series, but what a delightful, satisfying ending - with not just one thrilling, daring rescue, but three - and no one even drew a sword. Brother Cadfael to the rescue, armed only with decency, bravery and faith."