Outside the pale of the abbey of Saint Peter 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, Brother Cadfael's attention is turned on Meriet, a proud, secretive, nineteen year old novice who has been delivered to the abbey by his over-bearing father the Lord of Aspley, to begin a religious vocation.
Meriet, meek by day, is so racked by dreams at night that his howl earns him the nickname of the Devil's Novice. Shunned and feared, Meriet is soon linked to the missing priest's 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.
- ISBN10 0333351703
- ISBN13 9780333351703
- Publish Date 28 June 1990 (first published 1 December 1984)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 February 1997
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pan Macmillan
- Imprint Macmillan
- Edition 2nd edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 192
- Language English