The late Edith Pargeter, who wrote under the pen name of Ellis Peters, created two wonderful series during her lifetime. Most readers will know her for the marvelous historical mysteries she wrote about Brother Cadfael, the 12th Century monk. My favorite of those remains "An Excellent Mystery
," and, if you have never read any of the Cadfael stories, it is a wonderful way to meet him. Peters creates characters who make you care deeply about what happens to them, and the people you will meet in "An Excellent Mystery" will haunt your memory long after you finish the book. It is truly an excellent mystery.
Before writing the Cadfael mysteries, Peters wrote another series featuring the contemporary detective work of Inspector George Felse. Most of these are still readily available. I would argue that the best of these is the marvelously titled "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Heart
." The action takes place at a folk festival, and - as with the Cadfael mysteries - you will fall in love with the characters. Even the villains in Peters' novels will evoke sympathy from the reader. These are books to be savored, and you will find on re-reading them that they have lost very little of their power even if you know in advance what will happen. They are excellent companions on a long winter's night.
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