Edith Pargeter was born in 1913 and wrote under a number of names - of which Ellis Peters was one. It's this name that may be best known, as it appears on the covers of her hugely popular Cadfael series. (Derek Jacobi appeared in the title role, when it was adapted for television). She won a number of awards, including the Edgar Award and the Cartier Diamond Dagger, from the the British Crime Writers Association. She died in 1995 at the age of 82, shortly after returning home from hospital after a stroke. In 1997, a new stained glass window was installed in Shrewsbury Abbey - where Cadfael was based - and was dedicated to her memory. "A Morbid Taste for Bones" was the first book in the Cadfael series and was first published in 1977.

"A Morbid Taste for Bones" opens in 1137, with Cadfael working in the gardens of Shrewsbury Abbey. He'd come to religious life late and sees life in the Abbey nearly as a gentle retirement. (He's been known to doze his way through mass). As a young man, Cadfael had been on the Crusades and spent time as a sailor. While he didn't quite have a girl in every port, he's hasn't been quite as chaste as some of his current colleagues. Cadfael has two assistants in the Abbey's gardens. One is John, a likeble, down-to-earth sort and Columbanus, a rather more ambitious sort, who sometimes suffers fits. (Cadfael has doubts about John's vocation and Columbanus' illness. He would be a little more forgiving with the former than the latter - John, he feels, may have made an honest mistake, whereas Columbanus is possibly being a little more cynical).

The Abbey's near neighbours, the Cluniac House at Wenlock, have recently re-discovered the grave of their now-sainted founder. They've placed her relics on display, something that has attracted pilgrims and inspired miracles. This has left a few noses out of joint at Shrewsbury Abbey, not least that belonging to Prior Robert. (He doesn't appear to be the most humble, Prior Robert - he's very autocratic, and seems to enjoy a spot of smiting and damnation. Figuratively, of course). Anyhow, Robert is determined to find the Abbey its own set of saintly relics. After Columbanus is struck with a fit during mass one evening, Robert's assistant, Jerome, claims to have been visited by one Saint Winifred in a vision. According to the vision, if Columbanus bathes in her well - conveniently located in nearby Wales - he will be cured. A small expedition is mounted and Columbanus returns, apparently hale and hearty.

At Robert's request, the Abbot approves a trip into Wales to bring Winifred's remains to Shrewsbury. Cadfael manages to secure a spot for himself and John on the expedition. (Cadfael is originally Welsh, and will be able to act as a translator). It's lucky he's on hand for another reason - a local nobleman, who had opposed Winifred's removal from the church grounds, is murdered while the expedition are in town. Cadfael unofficially investigates the case.

A very easily read, enjoyable book - one that you could nearly read, cover to cover, in one sitting. It's also a little educational : I was surprised to discover there is a St Winifred's Well, and that her relics were really brought to Shrewsbury Abbey. (Though the ending of this book might leave you wondering about that...)

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