"The Holy Thief" is a bit unusual in that it does not begin as a murder mystery but is about a theft. Only later in the show does the murder occur. And, it's unusual because it's a follow up from an earlier show "A Morbid Taste for Bones".
The show begins during a torrential rain--and folks are afraid for their lives. In the midst of all the chaos, the Curate, Father Herluin arrives. Herluin was the leader of a nearby abbey--and abbey that was burned down during the recent civil war. According to Herluin, his assistant, Tutulo, had a vision of St. Winifred--therefore the bones of this dead lady (owned by Cadfael's abbey) are now theirs! It was VERY easy for the viewer to hate Herluin...very easy. And, surprisingly, he was NOT murdered. I say surprisingly because most of the time in this series, the rich and obnoxious guy is murdered! So how does Cadfael get involved with his super sleuthy skills? Well, someone tries to steal the holy bones--and in the process a young slave is kidnapped. Only later does someone end up dead--and Cadfael (as usual) believes that the man being blamed is innocent.
This is a pretty typical sort of installment of Cadfael. This means the acting and look of the Middle Ages are quite nice and the story interesting BUT very confusing if you aren't paying close attention. Worth seeing. However, if you saw "A Morbid Taste for Bones", then you'll have a laugh about the whole thing...but I can't say more, as it would ruin "A Morbid Taste for Bones" if you haven't seen it.
The show begins during a torrential rain--and folks are afraid for their lives. In the midst of all the chaos, the Curate, Father Herluin arrives. Herluin was the leader of a nearby abbey--and abbey that was burned down during the recent civil war. According to Herluin, his assistant, Tutulo, had a vision of St. Winifred--therefore the bones of this dead lady (owned by Cadfael's abbey) are now theirs! It was VERY easy for the viewer to hate Herluin...very easy. And, surprisingly, he was NOT murdered. I say surprisingly because most of the time in this series, the rich and obnoxious guy is murdered! So how does Cadfael get involved with his super sleuthy skills? Well, someone tries to steal the holy bones--and in the process a young slave is kidnapped. Only later does someone end up dead--and Cadfael (as usual) believes that the man being blamed is innocent.
This is a pretty typical sort of installment of Cadfael. This means the acting and look of the Middle Ages are quite nice and the story interesting BUT very confusing if you aren't paying close attention. Worth seeing. However, if you saw "A Morbid Taste for Bones", then you'll have a laugh about the whole thing...but I can't say more, as it would ruin "A Morbid Taste for Bones" if you haven't seen it.