Edgar Award Best Novel Winner

Death and the Joyful Woman

by Ellis Peters

Summary

When a wealthy and widely disliked brewer is murdered, Inspector George Felse investigates while his teenage son becomes drawn to a young woman caught up in the case. Ellis Peters blends a country house style mystery with tender attention to the people surrounding the crime. The story balances detection with warmth and a coming of age strand that lifts it above a simple puzzle.

Historical Context & Significance

Ellis Peters was the pen name of Edith Pargeter, who later created the medieval monk detective Brother Cadfael.