Mystery!: Cadfael (TV Series) The Devil's Novice (1996) User Reviews

Everybody is wrong!!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 23 December 2013]

In some ways, "The Devil's Novice" is pretty funny. After all, folks keep confessing to crimes or assuming someone did it and they didn't! So, if you think you know who dunnit, hold on--you're probably wrong.

This show begins with the obligatory rich jerk arriving in town. I say obligatory because in most of the previous installments of "Cadfael", some rich jerk acts boorish...and is soon killed. Well, no surprises here--though it takes a while for everyone to find the corpse. But you can scratch one more rich jerk! Well, oddly, a guy who didn't do it confesses and everyone seems ready to hang the guy. Everybody except Brother Cadfael, of course.

This one has a very interesting plot and is well worth your time--as are the other Cadfael shows. I just wish they'd kill more ordinary or poor folks--and ones that AREN'T jerks in order to keep the viewer in suspense!

Even in the worst deed, there is some good.

[Bernie4444 · 10/10 · 15 October 2023]

You know this is going to be a good one when it starts with a bloody face staring at you. Later there is the bragging priest and you know if he is not the one to die that he should be. And what is about the soon to be bride playing on both sides of the fence?

A new novice that speaks strangely in his sleep, a missing king's chaplain who should have staid in the cars or rather not go out alone, and a mystery wild man is just the right mix for a murder mystery.

Once again Cadfael uses forensics, logic, and intuition (with a little last-minute information) to smoke out the truth and bring the culprit(s) to justice.

You will suspect everyone up to the end.

The Devil's Novice

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 23 March 2020]

Ellis Peters did not like wealthy arrogant types. Peter Clemence is a cousin of Leoric Aspley, the lord of modest Aspley manor.

As Peter is introduced to his cousins, he takes a shine to flirty Rosana, who is engaged to the eldest son Tristan. Surprisingly as Peter is a cleric, the randy kind.

Over dinner Peter continues to flirt with Rosana. Both Tristan and his younger brother Meriet look on in concern. Even Meriet carries a bit of torch towards his brother's fiance.

The story kicks off as Peter who rides on to continue with his mission goes missing. Leoric brings his son Meriet to the Abbey so he can become a monk.

Leoric obviously thinks that his son had something to do with Peter's disappearance and Meriet has nightmares. At one point he nearly throttles Brother Jerome for which he gets severely punished rather than a round of drinks.

Of course Peter Clemence has been murdered. Someone close to King Stephen, Canon Eluard comes searching for him.

Probably not a too complex mystery for Cadfael. Leoric who cares more for his heir and eldest son. A woman who is a bit easy, her brother who is nice enough but a bit bland.

It could had expanded more on the politics of the time. England under King Stephen was in civil war, barons took opposing sides with spoils promised to those on the winning side.