Once More, From the Beginning by Wendy Bertsch

He is no match of wits for the cunning Conrad but can he, perhaps, at least encourage the wayward monk to behave a little better? Conrad Monk and the Great Heathen Army takes the reader on a hugely entertaining and highly informative trip through the Anglo-Saxon world, in the company of a persuasive and likeable - if frequently despicable - tour guide. By his side throughout is the gentle and honourable Brother Odo, a man so naturally and completely good that even animals sense it. His tricks include selling his brother monks into slavery, witnessing the death of a king, juggling his loyalties between his own people and the Danes, robbing corpses and impersonating a bishop. And so it comes to pass that Conrad finds himself constantly dodging death by various means, some reasonable, some. Conrad is also clever, charming, entirely self-serving, self-absorbed and almost completely without scruple - but in Anglo-Saxon England, when the Danish invaders come calling, those are very helpful attributes to have.

So, it is fair to say that his heart isn't really in it. 'If I was being invaded by raping, massacring Vikings, Conrad would be the perfect companion to lighten the mood.' - Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and The French Revolution & What Went Wrong '.entertaining, memorable and often very funny.' - Historical Novel Society 'An engrossing plot, powered by a realistic measure of laughs - imagine Cadfael, if Ellis Peters had just had a long lunch with Terry Pratchett.' - Jem Roberts, author of Tales of Britain Conrad is a monk, but he has become a monk through trickery and against his will.

Once More, From the Beginning by Wendy Bertsch