This is one of the few mysteries that really relies on the setting for its plot. It just wouldn't work anywhere else, and I'm not referring to the Abby setting. I won't say more about that for fear of giving it away. 
 There were some really good parts in this story. There is something so true to life about the conflict between Jerome, Prior Robert and just about everyone. That made for some maddening and hilarious moments. 
 (view spoiler)[ I can't say I really liked the ending. Well, the ending was alright, but the solution for the criminal was not to my liking. Cadfael chose to take the law into his own hands not by exacting revenge but by pardoning a confessed murderer. Now, this wasn't in response to an accidental murder or even one carried out in the heat of the moment. It was a preplanned murder that took an hour to carry out. How does a life of good deeds pay for that? It wasn't a crime against Cadfael so how could he forgive it? He took upon himself authority that no one man should ever have. I just didn't like that part. (hide spoiler)] 
 I did like the detection and the buildup to the climax. That was perfect. 
 It is very Catholic in practice, no surprise there, but not very Catholic in teaching. I think maybe the Catholicism is more to make it unique than to promote Catholic theology. 
 Overall I enjoyed it.