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The Felse Investigations #2
Death and the Joyful Woman
A millionaire is murdered and Inspector Felse, after sifting through the few shreds of evidence, finally arrests Kitty Norris, his teenaged son Dominic's first love. A young man's infatuation soon becomes something far more dangerous, though, as Dominic takes on Kitty's cause--in direct opposition to his father's investigation.
251 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
263 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Ellis Peters
210 books1,149 followersA pseudonym used by Edith Pargeter.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
Edith Mary Pargeter, OBE, BEM was a prolific author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics; she is probably best known for her murder mysteries, both historical and modern. Born in the village of Horsehay (Shropshire, England), she had Welsh ancestry, and many of her short stories and books (both fictional and non-fictional) were set in Wales and its borderlands.
During World War II, she worked in an administrative role in the Women's Royal Naval Service, and received the British Empire Medal - BEM.
Pargeter wrote under a number of pseudonyms; it was under the name Ellis Peters that she wrote the highly popular series of Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries, many of which were made into films for television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 26, 2018
Real Rating: 4.25* of five
Dominick Felse at sixteen made my reading experience brighter than the first installment of the series. I loved his pash for the red Karmann Ghia and the pretty owner thereof. Peters's moving evocation of George Felse's sense of himself changing in reference to Dom's adulting was so tenderly rendered and sensitively felt that I was amazed afresh at her unmarried childlessness. Although permaybehaps that was the source of her clarity and compassion...I shall never know.
How fun to rediscover a writer whose many series mysteries gave me so many hours of joy.
Dominick Felse at sixteen made my reading experience brighter than the first installment of the series. I loved his pash for the red Karmann Ghia and the pretty owner thereof. Peters's moving evocation of George Felse's sense of himself changing in reference to Dom's adulting was so tenderly rendered and sensitively felt that I was amazed afresh at her unmarried childlessness. Although permaybehaps that was the source of her clarity and compassion...I shall never know.
How fun to rediscover a writer whose many series mysteries gave me so many hours of joy.
February 5, 2022
Some books you have to work to love. Death and the Joyful Woman was love at first sight. Kitty was beautiful and charming, the sort of woman who draws men like sugar water draws bees. But Dom Felse, through whose eyes this book is told, saw both the light gaiety, but also her generosity, kindness, rueful smile, and profound sadness. Kitty "stayed with him… all the way home, and upset his life and all his relationships for months." (p. 9).
It's hard, after that beginning, to not fall in love with Kitty – or Dom, whose love is pure, unselfish, and allows him to see Kitty as a person rather than as the caricature that most young men saw (beautiful, charming, rich).
It's not that Dom did not appreciate her beauty (or her red Karmann Ghia), but that he was able to appreciate all of her, while ultimately letting her go.
This is only the second Felse mystery I've read, although as I often do with mysteries, I read this selection out of order. I had no difficulty here in having done so – and perhaps some advantages. In Death and the Joyful Woman, Dom's relationships with his parents – and theirs with him – are sensitively and insightfully drawn. They are fun to listen to (both their conversations and internal dialogues.
Ellis Peters' attention to relationships is also seen in this interaction,
With so much, how could she have fretted about the minor difficulties? How could she have felt anything but an enormous pity for old Alfred Armiger, who had so much and couldn’t afford to give any of it away? And how, above all, could she ever have feared dissatisfaction or disappointment with this husband of hers who had nothing and could yet afford to make so magnificent a gift? (p. 137)
Peters' characters are allowed to be free enough to make mistakes, correct them, and rejoice in the beauty of their fellow travelers. They are fun to join.
It's hard, after that beginning, to not fall in love with Kitty – or Dom, whose love is pure, unselfish, and allows him to see Kitty as a person rather than as the caricature that most young men saw (beautiful, charming, rich).
It's not that Dom did not appreciate her beauty (or her red Karmann Ghia), but that he was able to appreciate all of her, while ultimately letting her go.
This is only the second Felse mystery I've read, although as I often do with mysteries, I read this selection out of order. I had no difficulty here in having done so – and perhaps some advantages. In Death and the Joyful Woman, Dom's relationships with his parents – and theirs with him – are sensitively and insightfully drawn. They are fun to listen to (both their conversations and internal dialogues.
Ellis Peters' attention to relationships is also seen in this interaction,
With so much, how could she have fretted about the minor difficulties? How could she have felt anything but an enormous pity for old Alfred Armiger, who had so much and couldn’t afford to give any of it away? And how, above all, could she ever have feared dissatisfaction or disappointment with this husband of hers who had nothing and could yet afford to make so magnificent a gift? (p. 137)
Peters' characters are allowed to be free enough to make mistakes, correct them, and rejoice in the beauty of their fellow travelers. They are fun to join.
May 28, 2025
We’ve been on a cruise on the Rhine where I’ve had a lot of time to binge read easy crime like this Felse series by Ellis Peters. I think I’ve read four of them, whatever our library had available electronically. The internet is a wonderful thing, much of the time.
April 13, 2017
Death and the Joyful Woman by Ellis Peters.
The callous millionaire owner of the Jolly Barmaid, Alfred Armiger, is found with his head bashed in at the bottom of the stairs in the old barn (now redone) adjacent to the pub. This gruesome discovery brings Detective-Sergeant George Felse into the forefront of the investigation. The Inspector soon finds that the list of the victims enemies has no end.
Dominic Felse, The Detective's son, has met a fascinating and breathtakingly lovely young lady by the name of Kitty Norris. They chanced upon one another at a blood donation bank where young Felse was called out due to his adolescent age. Too young to give blood left him quite humiliated in front of his new acquaintance. But things were going to take a drastic and foreseen change and there was nothing either one of them could do to stop it.
This author and this series never fails to involve me in it's deduction into the crime with marvelous details. It was the last 3rd of the book that had me transfixed to each paragraph as the climax unraveled at breakneck speed.
The callous millionaire owner of the Jolly Barmaid, Alfred Armiger, is found with his head bashed in at the bottom of the stairs in the old barn (now redone) adjacent to the pub. This gruesome discovery brings Detective-Sergeant George Felse into the forefront of the investigation. The Inspector soon finds that the list of the victims enemies has no end.
Dominic Felse, The Detective's son, has met a fascinating and breathtakingly lovely young lady by the name of Kitty Norris. They chanced upon one another at a blood donation bank where young Felse was called out due to his adolescent age. Too young to give blood left him quite humiliated in front of his new acquaintance. But things were going to take a drastic and foreseen change and there was nothing either one of them could do to stop it.
This author and this series never fails to involve me in it's deduction into the crime with marvelous details. It was the last 3rd of the book that had me transfixed to each paragraph as the climax unraveled at breakneck speed.
May 21, 2021
I decided to give this series another try after my friend Nicole mentioned it. I loved this story which includes Felse’s son. Four stars within the genre.
July 26, 2018
Due to a lingering illness, my second rendevous with the Felse family was the day after I’d read #1. Noting that it won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, I was excited to see Peters continue and I wasn’t disappointed.
This installment expands the world beyond the fictional Comerford to include the equally fictional Comerbourne, and we get a sense that the Felse family itself is engaging with a larger world as Dominic develops. While the methods were completely different, I became concerned that Dominic sticking his foot into it again would become formulaic. This concern continued through the resolution of the crime and I hope it doesn’t continue so closely in future editions.
That aside, the incredible tension Peters creates between Dom and his father was stunning! These are the kind of things worked out as family relationships shift with adolescence. Peters illustrates Dom’s slide between child and man, repentence and pride, submission and ambition right alongside his parents confidence in him and anxiety for him, desire to provide room to grow and inclination to censure mistakes. Once again, these family dynamics, while highlighted by their continued presence in our adventures, do not overshadow an intriguing crime and thorough investigation whose solution unravels characters, events, and the interaction among them.
Peters also includes a few brief references to the utter loneliness of the human experience that I found touching and reminiscent of Andre Brink’s profound exploration of that theme in “A Dry White Season.”
Another enjoyable read has me looking forward to the next one… tomorrow.
A Dry White Season, Brink, 1978
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There’s More!
Flight of the Witch (Felse #3), Peters, 1964
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This installment expands the world beyond the fictional Comerford to include the equally fictional Comerbourne, and we get a sense that the Felse family itself is engaging with a larger world as Dominic develops. While the methods were completely different, I became concerned that Dominic sticking his foot into it again would become formulaic. This concern continued through the resolution of the crime and I hope it doesn’t continue so closely in future editions.
That aside, the incredible tension Peters creates between Dom and his father was stunning! These are the kind of things worked out as family relationships shift with adolescence. Peters illustrates Dom’s slide between child and man, repentence and pride, submission and ambition right alongside his parents confidence in him and anxiety for him, desire to provide room to grow and inclination to censure mistakes. Once again, these family dynamics, while highlighted by their continued presence in our adventures, do not overshadow an intriguing crime and thorough investigation whose solution unravels characters, events, and the interaction among them.
Peters also includes a few brief references to the utter loneliness of the human experience that I found touching and reminiscent of Andre Brink’s profound exploration of that theme in “A Dry White Season.”
Another enjoyable read has me looking forward to the next one… tomorrow.
A Dry White Season, Brink, 1978
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
There’s More!
Flight of the Witch (Felse #3), Peters, 1964
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 14, 2017
This mystery is the sequel to Fallen Into the Pit, which I read a few weeks ago as the first in the series. Death and the Joyful Woman won the Edgar Award in 1963. The title gave me a certain mental picture of a gleeful female murderer, but in fact The Joyful Woman is the name of a pub in the Welsh town where Inspector George Felse lives and solves crimes.
Either because I was now familiar with the scene or because Ms Peters got better at writing mystery (probably both) I enjoyed this one more than Fallen Into the Pit.
Inspector Felse is still the Inspector for the local police department and his son Dominic still runs around doing his own detecting, mostly behind his father's back. (I wonder if the entire series of 13 books will continue with that arrangement.) Thus Dominic is the one who discovers the murderer of the unpopular millionaire in town who owned The Joyful Woman.
The boy is now 14 years old and has developed a private crush on a 20-something beautiful woman. When she is charged with the murder, Dominic does not rest and in fact puts himself into extreme danger while following his hunches.
I was impressed by the way the author handled the dynamics of families in the story and the mystery was just convoluted enough to keep me guessing. I was waiting to read this one before deciding if I would continue with the series. I must thank the Mystery Writers of America organization for their long running award, named after Edgar Allen Poe of course, and for introducing me to a mystery writer worth following. I have decided that Dominic Felse is a lot like the reckless, daring side of V I Warshaswki in Sara Paretsky's series. After just two books, I am hooked.
November 24, 2015
Ellis Peters's voice is delicate, charming, and just exciting enough in the action sequences, exactly what you want out of a cozy English murder mystery. The only real complaint I have about this otherwise worthy successor to the enjoyable Fallen Into the Pit is that
Still, a perfectly enjoyable series, if less fascinating than her better known Cadfael books.
Still, a perfectly enjoyable series, if less fascinating than her better known Cadfael books.
February 22, 2022
2-3⭐️
The way the mystery is solved in Death and The Joyful Woman is almost a replica of the trick used in book one, Fallen Into the Pit. I found the first book much better, though the story in this book was interesting enough for me to keep reading. Peters scattered a few red herrings in and if the reader isn’t paying attention will miss the obvious clue to who the murderer is in the first part of the story.
Dominic, nearing 16yrs, has a first-love crush on Katie (in her early 20’s).
Some kissing involved at the end of the book, which felt off to me with the scene coming off as a for-service-rendered episode.
The way the mystery is solved in Death and The Joyful Woman is almost a replica of the trick used in book one, Fallen Into the Pit. I found the first book much better, though the story in this book was interesting enough for me to keep reading. Peters scattered a few red herrings in and if the reader isn’t paying attention will miss the obvious clue to who the murderer is in the first part of the story.
Dominic, nearing 16yrs, has a first-love crush on Katie (in her early 20’s).
Some kissing involved at the end of the book, which felt off to me with the scene coming off as a for-service-rendered episode.
August 23, 2022
Just found the series by Ellis Peters and am working my way through it. This book features George's son, Dominic, more than George. I have read later books in the series and Dominic has appeared in this book and one other. I would rather read about George solving the mystery. The main character, Kitty, was not appealing to me...just a silly little girl. Still waiting to receive other books in this series that is out of print.
September 15, 2017
Ellis Peters' Inspector Felse novels are, if possible, even better than her Brother Cadfaels.
Read
February 22, 2025Listened
March 3, 2021
I like Ellis Peters, though I prefer Brother Cadfael to the Felse family series. I did read this book once about 30 years ago and thought I had no memory of it, but this time I began to have an inkling early on whom the murderer was (and I was right), so I wonder if I didn't after all retain some bit of memory of the plot. Although I like the characters, and it comes out all right in the end, I have a hard time believing that George Felse, the father, would be so indulgent with respect to his son Dominic's interference with police business. And I can't quite believe in the "romance" between Kitty and Dominic--too much difference in age and experience. However, mysteries are fantasies, and one can indulge a bit in willing suspension of disbelief.
The book I read was a paperback published in 1970 in the Avon Classic Crime Collection (it cost 95 cents). GoodReads does not offer this option in its selection of editions.
The book I read was a paperback published in 1970 in the Avon Classic Crime Collection (it cost 95 cents). GoodReads does not offer this option in its selection of editions.
April 30, 2017
An unpleasant victim, April 29, 2017
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Death and the Joyful Woman (The Felse Investigations) (Kindle Edition)
As one would expect from an Edgar winning mystery, this book is pretty good. I do not find Felse as engaging as Brother Cadfael but if you have read all of Peters' Cadfael stories you may want to give Felse a try. One note of warning. Most of the action and activity in this book follow Felse's sixteen year old son. This is very close to being a mature young adults novel.
The novel makes a lot more sense if you begin with chapter one instead of chapter three which is where my Kindle opened the book. I need to start paying more attention to chapter headings.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Death and the Joyful Woman (The Felse Investigations) (Kindle Edition)
As one would expect from an Edgar winning mystery, this book is pretty good. I do not find Felse as engaging as Brother Cadfael but if you have read all of Peters' Cadfael stories you may want to give Felse a try. One note of warning. Most of the action and activity in this book follow Felse's sixteen year old son. This is very close to being a mature young adults novel.
The novel makes a lot more sense if you begin with chapter one instead of chapter three which is where my Kindle opened the book. I need to start paying more attention to chapter headings.
June 20, 2018
A joyful read.
Dominic the teenage son of our resident detective is heart smitten by a sad beauty. She gets involved in the murder of a rich loveless man. Dominic sets out to prove her innocence. Beautifully written with relationships conveyed in subtle ways. Leisurely but all the better for it. This is not a car chase, shoot-em-up fest. Wonderful sense of another time, place and attitudes. A joy, an absolute joy.
Dominic the teenage son of our resident detective is heart smitten by a sad beauty. She gets involved in the murder of a rich loveless man. Dominic sets out to prove her innocence. Beautifully written with relationships conveyed in subtle ways. Leisurely but all the better for it. This is not a car chase, shoot-em-up fest. Wonderful sense of another time, place and attitudes. A joy, an absolute joy.
January 10, 2019
I really like the mysteries in this series, but my biggest reluctance is the teenage sleuth. It just seems so unrealizstic that the father would share so much with him. In this book, it was especially troublesome because the young man shares vital info with a suspect and nobody is held accountable for that. I will continue to read them, because the writing is so fine and the characters are well-done. Also: where was Pussy?! I loved her in the first book.
April 29, 2021
Compared to the first book, Fallen in the Pit, I found the written language much easier to read.
I liked the book a lot but found Dominic a bit too precocious. Also the parents are very calm and forgiving.
I only gave 3 stars as the story was good with a nice twist but the story framework showed a bit too much resemblance with the previous book.
I definetly going to carry on with the series as it is nice, easy reading which gets your brain cells going.
I liked the book a lot but found Dominic a bit too precocious. Also the parents are very calm and forgiving.
I only gave 3 stars as the story was good with a nice twist but the story framework showed a bit too much resemblance with the previous book.
I definetly going to carry on with the series as it is nice, easy reading which gets your brain cells going.
November 18, 2020
I enjoyed this, especially the history of the Joyful Woman. But I missed Pussy. She was Dom's best friend and the two seemed inseparable so it was odd to have no mention of her. I guess Ms. Peter's improved her finales as time went on. The ending of this one was copy and paste.
August 18, 2014
Written in 1960 with all the charm of describing relationships without graphic depictions. Loved it.
December 26, 2025
Jako bonus k bloku o historické detektivce, ergo i Ellis Petersové, jsem si přečetl i oblíbenou detektivku mého dětství. A tedy, chápu, proč se mi tehdy líbila. Její hrdinou je náctiletý kluk, který se zamiluje do starší holky a když je obviněná z vraždy, pustí se do pátrání a riskuje pro to i svůj život. Je to romantický, je to heroický, je to prostě všechno, co si člověk v tom věku přeje, aby prožíval.
A jelikož jsem se za ta léta naučil údery hormonů líp vykrývat, můžu se na to teď podívat pubertou neovlivněnýma očima.
Jako detektivka je to velmi anglické a velmi přímočaré. Máte tu jen jednu mrtvolu, a to ještě mrtvolu někoho, koho vlastně nikdo neměl rád, takže kdyby se pachatel neobjevil, nebude vás to ani moc mrzet. Pátrání je poměrně jednoduché, žádné velké zvraty, ve finále jedna akčnější scéna… jinak je to, jak je to u Petersové obvyklé, spíše takové bukolické. Vlastně tam není moc negativních věcí – i když hrdina soupeří se svým otcem, který zločin vyšetřuje, je to bez nějakých zlých emocí a se vším respektem. Stejně tak je tu několik milostných rovin, které jsou naprosto čisté a pozitivní. Hodní lidé jsou tak hodní, že by je člověk nejradši nakopal… a zlí jsou spíš karikatury ze štědrovečerní pohádky, než že by je člověk mohl brát vážně.
Přijde mi, že Petersová tušila, kde jsou její hranice, takže se snažila detektivku spojit vždycky s něčím dalším. Tady s příběhem o dospívání, později pak s historickými epizodami. A samozřejmě, vždycky s romantikou. Protože romantika je základ.
A jelikož jsem se za ta léta naučil údery hormonů líp vykrývat, můžu se na to teď podívat pubertou neovlivněnýma očima.
Jako detektivka je to velmi anglické a velmi přímočaré. Máte tu jen jednu mrtvolu, a to ještě mrtvolu někoho, koho vlastně nikdo neměl rád, takže kdyby se pachatel neobjevil, nebude vás to ani moc mrzet. Pátrání je poměrně jednoduché, žádné velké zvraty, ve finále jedna akčnější scéna… jinak je to, jak je to u Petersové obvyklé, spíše takové bukolické. Vlastně tam není moc negativních věcí – i když hrdina soupeří se svým otcem, který zločin vyšetřuje, je to bez nějakých zlých emocí a se vším respektem. Stejně tak je tu několik milostných rovin, které jsou naprosto čisté a pozitivní. Hodní lidé jsou tak hodní, že by je člověk nejradši nakopal… a zlí jsou spíš karikatury ze štědrovečerní pohádky, než že by je člověk mohl brát vážně.
Přijde mi, že Petersová tušila, kde jsou její hranice, takže se snažila detektivku spojit vždycky s něčím dalším. Tady s příběhem o dospívání, později pak s historickými epizodami. A samozřejmě, vždycky s romantikou. Protože romantika je základ.
April 1, 2024
This second in the Felse series seemed to move faster than the first title. The family dynamics are very realistic and quite well developed as Dominic is becoming more of an adult. Both George and Bunty seem to be genuine, thoughtful people, and Peters captures quite well the mixed feelings parents have as a child starts to grow in independence. There is a philosophical aspect to the two mysteries that is appealing and adds depth to the mystery part. In the first title, it was the residual WWII effects on people in the community. In this, it is the infatuation of a young man, his father's recognition of that as well as his own ambivalence to the original crime resolution, and the mother's awareness of the interplay between her son and husband in regard to her.
Having said that, I thought when I first read the book that Dominic was referred to as 14, and then later he was described as 16. Not that much time had elapsed in the story, so am not sure what happened. Also, Dominic's solving of the crime took much the same form as in the first book--same time, same modus operandi with getting someone to call his father. I am not sure if Dominic will be his father's sounding board in the rest of the series, but if so, Peters should develop some different tactics. Still, I enjoyed the read and will do a couple more at least.
Having said that, I thought when I first read the book that Dominic was referred to as 14, and then later he was described as 16. Not that much time had elapsed in the story, so am not sure what happened. Also, Dominic's solving of the crime took much the same form as in the first book--same time, same modus operandi with getting someone to call his father. I am not sure if Dominic will be his father's sounding board in the rest of the series, but if so, Peters should develop some different tactics. Still, I enjoyed the read and will do a couple more at least.
July 25, 2018
Wavering between three and four stars. As always, Peters presents real people in difficult situations. Young teen Dominic is a likeable boy, and I was invested in the young couple, Leslie and Jean. The mystery of the Joyful Woman (an inn sign) was very satisfying, and, as to the main murder, both victim/bully and murderer were well portrayed. Finally, the portrait of young Kitty Norris was outstanding. But--
As others have mentioned, young Dominic uses the exact same gambit in this second mystery that he did in the first. Also, in two separate conversations, characters get told a salient fact readers aren't privy to. That's frustrating. Another structural problem, to me, is the frame. The book begins fifteen months or so before the main story, and ends a year after the main story ends. I'm just not sure what I think of this, especially since, in this case, young Dom really isn't the protagonist--or is he?
In short, if you're a Felse fan, or even an Ellis Peters fan, you will want to read this book. And you'll enjoy it. But it is not as strong as some others, such as "Fallen Into the Pit" and "The Grass Widow's Tale".
As others have mentioned, young Dominic uses the exact same gambit in this second mystery that he did in the first. Also, in two separate conversations, characters get told a salient fact readers aren't privy to. That's frustrating. Another structural problem, to me, is the frame. The book begins fifteen months or so before the main story, and ends a year after the main story ends. I'm just not sure what I think of this, especially since, in this case, young Dom really isn't the protagonist--or is he?
In short, if you're a Felse fan, or even an Ellis Peters fan, you will want to read this book. And you'll enjoy it. But it is not as strong as some others, such as "Fallen Into the Pit" and "The Grass Widow's Tale".
November 2, 2020
I have enjoyed many of Ellis Peters' medieval mysteries featuring Brother Cadfael but this is my first experience with her traditional detective stories.
It was enjoyable, but not compelling in any way for me. Inspector Felse and his family were interesting characters and I found Peters' other characters equally engaging. But, the story itself wasn't either challenging or compelling for me. I am not a reader who tries to solve the puzzle---I am far more interested in the character development and setting. So, I rarely (if ever) spot the evil-doer in advance --- but, this one fairly leapt off the pages to me. Perhaps a reader will say that the author provided all the proper clues---I think it was just a fairly obvious suspect in this case.
The charm of the Cadfael series is in the complexities of her protagonist's character as well as the opportunity to learn about the social and political climate of the era. This series is clearly not attempting to offer those incentives to a reader, so I was left with nothing but a mediocre mystery story.
It was enjoyable, but not compelling in any way for me. Inspector Felse and his family were interesting characters and I found Peters' other characters equally engaging. But, the story itself wasn't either challenging or compelling for me. I am not a reader who tries to solve the puzzle---I am far more interested in the character development and setting. So, I rarely (if ever) spot the evil-doer in advance --- but, this one fairly leapt off the pages to me. Perhaps a reader will say that the author provided all the proper clues---I think it was just a fairly obvious suspect in this case.
The charm of the Cadfael series is in the complexities of her protagonist's character as well as the opportunity to learn about the social and political climate of the era. This series is clearly not attempting to offer those incentives to a reader, so I was left with nothing but a mediocre mystery story.
November 20, 2018
Three and a half stars. Hard to believe or swallow that Inspector Felse would allow 16 yr old Dominic quite such a free reign to investigate on his tod, son or not, 1961 or not. I got kind of tired of the "oh look, my little boy has become a man" thing, though I will admit I enjoyed this more than Felse 1.
There really wasn't much of a sixties period feel to this installment, no contemporary references to music or TV or even football. Outside of the cars, it could have been anywhen from the 1950s on. At least we weren't subjected to yards of tell; Peters knows how to show us the action, even if it is mostly crammed into the final three chapters of the book. Even though I figured out who the killer was about halfway through the book, and the killer (of course) spouts all in the final scene. What really saved it for me was Simon Prebble's reading; a good reader who feels no need to go for the Tony awards with faux accents or emoting.
There really wasn't much of a sixties period feel to this installment, no contemporary references to music or TV or even football. Outside of the cars, it could have been anywhen from the 1950s on. At least we weren't subjected to yards of tell; Peters knows how to show us the action, even if it is mostly crammed into the final three chapters of the book. Even though I figured out who the killer was about halfway through the book, and the killer (of course) spouts all in the final scene. What really saved it for me was Simon Prebble's reading; a good reader who feels no need to go for the Tony awards with faux accents or emoting.
July 15, 2023
I'm very fond of Ellis Peters' Cadfael mysteries but wasn't aware that she'd written a (what was then) contemporary mystery series. I broadly enjoyed it, but won't be seeking out more of the series. I think the division of sleuthing labours between Felse and his son Dominic was interesting but wound up leaving the ostensible main character Felse sort of high and dry (I especially didn't like all the comments about them being ). I also thought the whole thing with ? Overall it was really relationships between characters that made this, rather than the mystery.
I wasn't sure if this counted as a classic mystery - Peters is considered one of the "later Queens of Crime", but it didn't have a classic feel - so I've shelved it under "other mysteries".
I wasn't sure if this counted as a classic mystery - Peters is considered one of the "later Queens of Crime", but it didn't have a classic feel - so I've shelved it under "other mysteries".
July 19, 2020
A mystery novel from the early 1960s. An overbearing beer magnate is found murdered, bashed to death with a magnum of champagne, in a heat-of-the-moment crime. Was it his estranged son, who had been disinherited for marrying a penniless girl instead of the heiress his father had picked out for him? Or was it the heiress herself? The two men in the Felse household, George, the police detective, and Dominic, his 16-year old son in the throes of calf love, try to find out what really happened in that renovated pub that night, and what the original pub sign of The Joyful woman has to do with it all.
I thought the book was OK, not more. It was not that hard to figure out who the murderer was, and Dominic Felse's crush on the pretty heiress was a bit overdone, as was the relationship between the victim's son and his wife.
I thought the book was OK, not more. It was not that hard to figure out who the murderer was, and Dominic Felse's crush on the pretty heiress was a bit overdone, as was the relationship between the victim's son and his wife.
June 7, 2025
I am really enjoying the way Ellis Peters writes family dynamics. The grace & respect that each family member has for each of the others is such a nice change from the more common way families are written.
I liked the mystery, but WHERE'S PUSSY!? She and Dom were thick as thieves in the first book, and she doesn't even get a mention in this one? Tragic. Also, hilarious that this time Dom falls for a girl named Kitty. I was more invested in the intrigue of the painted sign than the murder mystery, mostly because the deceased seemed to have had it coming.
Audiobook narrator Simon Prebble is excellent. I left the speed at 1.2x, which is my usual speed for library books.
I liked the mystery, but WHERE'S PUSSY!? She and Dom were thick as thieves in the first book, and she doesn't even get a mention in this one? Tragic. Also, hilarious that this time Dom falls for a girl named Kitty. I was more invested in the intrigue of the painted sign than the murder mystery, mostly because the deceased seemed to have had it coming.
Audiobook narrator Simon Prebble is excellent. I left the speed at 1.2x, which is my usual speed for library books.
August 19, 2025
Dominic is only 16 when he sees Kitty Norris - the beer heiress. When she is convicted of murdering the rival beer millionaire, Dom sets out to prove that she is innocent. Peters understands 16-year-old crushes. She is respectful, yet understands that they come and go quickly. Dom is "in love" enough to be determined that his father is wrong. Yet, he gets over it quickly enough and will not marry a girl who is 22. The final meeting between the two is sensitive, emotional, but not sappy or ridiculous. Extremely believeable and gracious in her understanding of lonely heiresses and young teenagers struggling into manhood.
Content warning for younger readers: the solution resolves around an affair; the woman involved terms herself a "bitch". Peters also hints at the relationship between George and his wife without ever going into details.
Content warning for younger readers: the solution resolves around an affair; the woman involved terms herself a "bitch". Peters also hints at the relationship between George and his wife without ever going into details.
April 19, 2025
This was an absolute joy for me to read from start to finish though, admittedly it did take me an embarrassingly long time to actually finish reading the book which isn't a laborious read by any means.
The language used in the book is beautiful and I adore Ellis Peters' storytelling.
Although the ending left a little something to be desired from me it in no way poisoned my time with the book what so ever. I can see myself not only picking this book up time and time again despite knowing the twist ending but also see myself pursuing more works from the author!
The language used in the book is beautiful and I adore Ellis Peters' storytelling.
Although the ending left a little something to be desired from me it in no way poisoned my time with the book what so ever. I can see myself not only picking this book up time and time again despite knowing the twist ending but also see myself pursuing more works from the author!
May 11, 2020
Once again young Dominic inserts himself into one of his father's cases. When a beer baron is found murdered, a young heiress becomes a suspect. But Dominic is so sure of her innocence he defies his father to find proof on his own, putting his own life in danger. Quick-paced, partly police-procedural, this well-plotted mystery is hard to put down. Highly recommended.
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