Publishers Weekly finds this one of the best in the series: Brother Cadfael, 12th-century herbalist, sleuth and sometime cupid, outdoes himself in this, his 16th chronicle, in which Peters imbues the familiar territory of murder, young love and odious villainry with fresh vigor and new subtleties.
Magill Book Reviews is positive towards the novel, in particular how it weaves the elements of twelfth century life for historical fiction at its best: Elave plays into the hands of his enemies when he reveals in an unguarded moment religious convictions which appear to verge on heresy.