Ellis Peters: Murderous monks, Benedictine banquets and Medieval matchmaking

In this episode of Whodunnit Dinners, hosts Helen Barbour and Katie McLaughlin delve into the world of murder mysteries in the 12th Century. We explore the intricacies of 12th-century monastic life, focusing on the food and social customs of the time. The discussion transitions to the book 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' by Ellis Peters, introducing the character of Brother Cadfael and the historical context of the story. We analyze the writing style, character development, and the murder mystery's unfolding, while also sharing insights into the author's background. We discuss whether anyone could be better than Derek Jacobi as Cadfael and finish on the next food challenge!00:00 Introduction to Whodunnit Dinners01:07 Exploring 12th Century Food and Monastic Life06:32 Introducing Brother Cadfael and His World09:41 The Historical Context of the Cadfael Series14:46 The Plot Thickens: The Quest for St. Winifred's Relics19:10 Murder and Intrigue in the Monastery22:12 Writing Style and Legacy of Ellis Peters22:39 The Influence of Television on Writing23:36 Plausibility in Murder Mysteries24:33 Character Development and Series Structure26:41 Exploring Earlier Works in Series27:35 Casting Choices for Adaptations29:33 Monastic Diets and Culinary Traditions32:21 Historical Recipes and Modern Adaptations39:18 Creating a Festive Culinary ExperienceMusic composed by Dan McCulloughhttp://www.whodunnitdinners.com