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  • The Devil's Novice

  • The Eighth Chronicle of Brother Cadfael
  • By: Ellis Peters
  • Narrated by: Vanessa Benjamin
  • Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (197 ratings)
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The Devil's Novice cover art

The Devil's Novice

By: Ellis Peters
Narrated by: Vanessa Benjamin
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Summary

Outside the pale of the Abbey of Saint Peters and Saint Paul, in September of the year of our Lord 1140, a priestly emissary for King Stephen has been reported missing. But inside the pale, what troubles Brother Cadfael is a proud, secretive 19-year-old novice.
Brother Cadfael has never seen two men more estranged than the Lord of Aspley and Meriet, the son he coldly delivers to the abbey to begin a religious vocation. Meriet, meek by day, is so racked by dreams at night that his howls earn him the nickname the Devil's Novice. Shunned and feared, Meriet is soon linked to the missing priest's dreadful fate. Only Brother Cadfael believes in Meriet's innocence, and only the good sleuth can uncover the truth before a boy's pure passion, not evil intent, leads a novice to the noose.
©1983 by Ellis Peters (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks
Amateur Sleuths Cosy Historical Traditional Detectives
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Critic reviews

"Each addition to the series is a joy. Long may the Chronicles continue." ( USA Today)

What listeners say about The Devil's Novice

Average customer ratings
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Polly

Since when has Cadfael been Chinese?

Great story, poor reader. Why not just read it, not use stupid voices all the time?

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for S GEE

Good story

As above a good story but could have done without the am-dram voices, Would have been better just read in a straight voice.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mary Carnegie

Poor Cadfael, genre Flowerpot Men

Narration barely tolerable, but I'm fond of Cadfael and his society. Our hero sounds more pompous then wise. and I'd mistrust him from the start for his fluctuating accents (never convincingly Welsh).

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for FCG

Great story, rubbish reader

Love Father Cadfael stories, but V Benjamin misprounces 'compline' and failed to be convincing when attempting a deep voice for the men

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Dustin Gweever

almost there

performance is good save for the voices given to men, which are just too strident and occasionally irritating

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Pam Herbert

gripping listen

A really good story
The narrator used good vocal characterisation. plenty twists & turns in the story to keep one listening

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for xBethyboox

Went on a bit!

The story seemed to be dragged out! The narrator was ok but some of the voices were god awful, especially Cadfael’s voice! It was just ridiculous!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for HistorianLaura

Excellent story well read shame the sound levels were all over the shop

Excellent story and it was well read, but it is a shame the sound levels were all over the shop.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for lizzie

Cadfael at his best

I enjoy the books and when available the TV series of this interesting character This one does not disappoint

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for NICOLA

the devil's novice

great story but why oh why have a story about monks with few female characters read by a woman!

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4 people found this helpful