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The Virgin in the Ice

The Sixth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael

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The Virgin in the Ice

By: Ellis Peters
Narrated by: Vanessa Benjamin
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About this listen

The winter of 1139 will disrupt Brother Cadfael's tranquil life in Shrewsbury with the most disturbing events. Raging civil war has sent refugees fleeing north from Worcester. Among them are two orphans from a noble family, a boy of thirteen and an 18-year-old girl of great beauty, and their companion, a young Benedictine nun. But the trio, never reaching Shrewsbury, have disappeared somewhere in the wild countryside.

Cadfael feels afraid these three lost lambs, but another call for help sends him to the Church of Saint Mary. A wounded monk, found naked and bleeding by the roadside, will surely die without Cadfael's healing arts. Why this holy man has been attacked and what his fevered ravings reveal soon give Brother Cadfael a clue to the fate of the missing travelers. Now Cadfael sets out on a dangerous quest to find them. The road will lead him to a chill and terrible murder and a tale of passion gone awry. And at journey's end awaits a vision of what is best, and worst, in humankind...in Ellis Peters's most stunning depiction yet of love and war.

©1982 by Ellis Peters (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks Mystery Traditional Detectives
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I always enjoy the Brother Cadfael mysteries, as long as I don't listen to them one after the other - the utterly formulaic nature of the writing becomes irritating. There is something very soothing and engaging about these books, and the Virgin in the Ice is very typical of the series.
The narrator has a nice voice, but she give Cadfael a very posh, pompous upper class accent. This is really a strange choice, given that Cadfael is very Welsh (a fact that is repeatedly commented on in the narrative) and very down-to-earth. The accent and characterisation is completely wrong for him. I found that jarring throughout the book.
Otherwise, a nice, fun mystery that unfolds gently.

medieval mystery tour

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The narrator has a very relaxing voice. She also is able to narrate a range of voices from middle age monk, young boy to teenage girl without sounding silly or strained. Ellis Peters as always has a great nose for mystery and drama alike, as well as medieval England during the Anarchy.

Trigger warning for future readers: rape.

Great narrator

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I love the Cadfael books, but this narration was disappointing. The men’s voices in particular sounded like a school stage play. I couldn’t recognise Cadfael, the strong yet gentle Welsh monk, at all from the strident voice.

Narration jarred.

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Loved the book but didn’t enjoy the reading. Some pronunciations were odd and inconsistent, harsh loud noises in some places, and regular tiny glitches that missed a word or two.

Love the Brother Cadfael series

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The reader spoilt it. Not up to the task of doing justice to Ellis Peter's wonderful characters.

Disappointed .

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Garbled and screeching recording in many parts. A bit disappointed as the work is fine but the reading was bland and flawed.

Problematic

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