The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

Synopsis

The Year is 1327. Franciscans in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate.. When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detecive. His tools are the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, the empirical insights of Roger Bacon-all sharpened to a glistening edge by wry humor and a ferocious curiosity. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey, where "the most interesting things happen at night."

I saw the film adaptation, starring Sean Connery as Brother William and also Christian Slater, F. Murray Abraham, and Ron Perlman, several years ago. Picture Sherlock Holmes as a monk during the Inquisition. Reading this book reminded me of the another detective monk which I remember watching on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre. That being Cadfael played by Derek Jacobi. I guess I'm just a sucker for a good mystery. 

Next up is James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans.