A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977)

A Morbid Taste for Bones is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters set in May 1137. It is the first novel in The Cadfael Chronicles, first published in 1977.

It was adapted for television in 1996 by Central for ITV.

The monks of Shrewsbury Abbey seek the relics of a saint in Wales for their chapel. The locals object to this translation of the relics, and a local leader is found murdered. Brother Cadfael is challenged to uncover the truth of the murder and help bring right endings to all parties, in both Wales and in the Abbey.

This novel was listed on the 1990 list of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time by the Crime Writers' Association in the UK, and also on the top 100 list compiled in 1995 by the Mystery Writers of America. In 2010, The Wall Street Journal named it one of their "Five Best Historical Mystery Novels".

Plot

In May 1137, Prior Robert of Shrewsbury Abbey is determined that the Abbey must have the relics of a saint. Finding no suitable local saint, Robert finds one in nearby Wales.

Brother Cadfael has two novices assisting him in his herb and vegetable gardens: John (practical and down-to-earth, whose vocation Cadfael doubts) and the ambitious Columbanus (about whose "falling sickness" illness Cadfael is sceptical, although he treats him with sedating poppy syrup). After one such fit, Brother Jerome, Robert's clerk, claims that a vision of St. Winifred instructed him that Columbanus must go to Saint Winifred's Well in North Wales for a cure. When they return, Columbanus says Saint Winifred appeared to him, saying that her grave at Gwytherin was neglected; she wished to lie somewhere more accessible to pilgrims. Abbot Heribert approves the trip to Wales to retrieve Winifred's remains. Robert, Sub-Prior Richard, Jerome and Columbanus are joined by Cadfael (a Welshman, as interpreter) and John (for menial work).

The bishop of Bangor and Owain Gwynedd (prince of Gwynedd) consent to the Abbey's request. When the monks reach Gwytherin (on the Cledwen River), the local priest, Father Huw, objects to Winifred's remains being removed without approval by the free men of the parish. Rhisiart, the community's most influential landowner, opposes Winifred's removal. Robert tries to bribe him, and Rhisiart storms off. The assembly dissolves, agreeing with Rhisiart. Father Huw persuades Robert to ask Rhisiart for another meeting the next day, to which Rhisiart agrees. While John helps the servants (and Jerome and Columbanus keep vigil at Winifred's chapel), Robert, Richard, Cadfael and Huw await Rhisiart; he does not appear. The landowner is found dead in the woods, with an arrow in his chest bearing the mark of Engelard (an Englishman alltud working for Rhisiart and in love with Rhisiart's daughter Sioned). When Engelard appears, Robert insists he be taken into custody. Engelard flees, and Brother John impedes the only local man close enough to stop him. Robert orders John held for breaking the law of Gwynedd and his vow of obedience; this pleases John as he is held where his new love, Annest, the local blacksmith's niece, lives.

Cadfael realises that Engelard's arrow did not kill Rhisiart: his back is damp from rain-soaked grass and earth, while his front is dry. Cadfael's conclusion: Rhisiart was stabbed from behind by a dagger, falling face-down. After it rained, someone turned him over and pushed an arrow into the wound from the front. The locals see Rhisiart's death as an omen, and agree to Winifred's removal; Robert plans to exhume her remains after a three-night vigil. Cadfael hopes the superstition that a corpse will bleed if touched by the murderer will force a confession, and at his suggestion Sioned asks that after each night's prayer those keeping watch place their hands on Rhisiart's heart. The first night, Jerome and Father Huw keep the vigil. Father Huw readily lays his hand on Rhisiart. Jerome hesitates, but says he will do so if Prior Robert feels it justified. Prior Robert gives him leave. The third night, Cadfael and Columbanus keep watch. Columbanus has another seizure; he is removed unconscious in the morning, evading Sioned's request. He recovers after mass, saying that Winifred told him Rhisiart should be buried in her grave when she is removed.

St. Winifred is exhumed, her linen-wrapped skeleton placed in the reliquary brought from Shrewsbury and the coffin sealed with wax. As Rhisiart is prepared for burial, Sioned asks Peredur (another suitor) to place a jeweled cross on his body. Peredur refuses, confessing that he found Rhisiart dead and pushed Engelard's arrow into the wound so Engelard would disappear as rival for Sioned's hand. Cadfael finds the flask of poppy syrup (brought for Columbanus) nearly empty, recalling that on the night Rhisiart was murdered, only Jerome drank the wine provided for the vigil; if Jerome slept through the vigil, he would be ashamed to admit it. Before the monks depart, Columbanus offers to keep vigil and drowses; a vision of a veiled young woman wakes him, identifying herself as St. Winifred and demanding to know why he murdered Rhisiart. In terror of divine retribution, Columbanus confesses, begging forgiveness. However, the "vision" comes too close, and touching her veil Columbanus realises the saint is a disguised Sioned and slashes at her with a knife before fleeing. Cadfael and Engelard tackle him outside, and Engelard, enraged at Columbanus' wounding of Sioned, accidentally breaks Columbanus' neck. Cadfael acts quickly; he, Engelard and Sioned undress Columbanus, open the reliquary, replace her in the grave above Rhisiart's body and place Columbanus's body in the reliquary, ensuring that the seals on the coffin appear undisturbed.