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The Felse Investigations #9
Mourning Raga
As a favour to his girlfriend Tossa's beautiful but erratic filmstar mother, Dominic Felse agrees to escort a teenage heiress back to her father in India. But travelling with the spoilt, precocious Anjli is no sinecure—and the task of delivering her back to her family proves even less easy.
Dominic and Tossa find themselves embroiled in a mystery that swiftly and shockingly becomes a murder investigation. For behind the colourful, smiling mask of India that the tourist sees is another country—remote, mysterious—and often shatteringly brutal...
Dominic and Tossa find themselves embroiled in a mystery that swiftly and shockingly becomes a murder investigation. For behind the colourful, smiling mask of India that the tourist sees is another country—remote, mysterious—and often shatteringly brutal...
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
98 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Ellis Peters
207 books1,148 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 44 reviews
March 3, 2018
I associate Ellis Peters so much with the medieval Welsh monk, Brother Cadfael, that I was really surprised to find myself plunged into central Delhi, though the cover should have made me take more notice.
It made for a good light read, and I’ve found another series, her Dominic Felse books, that I can dip into when I feel the need for a light mystery with an interesting story line, characters who are decent on the whole, and no sadistic cruelty.
It made for a good light read, and I’ve found another series, her Dominic Felse books, that I can dip into when I feel the need for a light mystery with an interesting story line, characters who are decent on the whole, and no sadistic cruelty.
April 25, 2023
My least favorite Peters so far.
September 24, 2023
Disappointing after the Brother Cadfael Books, but still worth reading.
January 10, 2019
In another inventive title, Peters take the reader from an idiosyncratic production of a Sense & Sensibility musical to the warm hues of Dehli, India. I found it a wonderful tonic for a post-holiday cold!
I love how Peters has anchored some of the Felse titles in merry old Comerford (fictional), and others far afield in absolutely non-fiction locales. In Mourning Raga, she respectfully delves into the sights, settings, characters and culture of India, providing a presentation that has aged well.
The plot contains the delightful twists and turns that have become familiar from Peters, and yet refuses to remain formulaic. For example, I realized there were two things I was anticipating (because they had happened previously in Peters’ series) that didn’t happen. I don’t think I’m giving much away by saying that Dominic doesn’t consult his parents midstream of this adventure, and that the role of the police was diminished in this title (partly due to the absence of George Felse) compared to others.
As a result, we see more of Dominic Felse, young man. The leader of his delegation, he has to walk a tightrope between providing direction and letting events –and strangers—clarify next steps. Through him, Peters shows us a situation in which a young person must wait in tremendous tension for an open way to continue. It’s compelling story telling, but also a good discipline for us all to cultivate. Perhaps I’m especially drawn toward that theme because I’m doing some heavy life and death waiting myself these days.
Tossa’s character left me a bit disappointed. After starting strong by drawing connections between Anjli and Tossa’s upbringing, Tossa faded from view. I confess, I have not warmed to Tossa, although the color palate of India and the acquaintance of another story draw her closer. But, is she the right match for our precious Dominic?
There’s more!
The Knocker on Death’s Door (Felse #10), Peters, 1970
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I love how Peters has anchored some of the Felse titles in merry old Comerford (fictional), and others far afield in absolutely non-fiction locales. In Mourning Raga, she respectfully delves into the sights, settings, characters and culture of India, providing a presentation that has aged well.
The plot contains the delightful twists and turns that have become familiar from Peters, and yet refuses to remain formulaic. For example, I realized there were two things I was anticipating (because they had happened previously in Peters’ series) that didn’t happen. I don’t think I’m giving much away by saying that Dominic doesn’t consult his parents midstream of this adventure, and that the role of the police was diminished in this title (partly due to the absence of George Felse) compared to others.
As a result, we see more of Dominic Felse, young man. The leader of his delegation, he has to walk a tightrope between providing direction and letting events –and strangers—clarify next steps. Through him, Peters shows us a situation in which a young person must wait in tremendous tension for an open way to continue. It’s compelling story telling, but also a good discipline for us all to cultivate. Perhaps I’m especially drawn toward that theme because I’m doing some heavy life and death waiting myself these days.
Tossa’s character left me a bit disappointed. After starting strong by drawing connections between Anjli and Tossa’s upbringing, Tossa faded from view. I confess, I have not warmed to Tossa, although the color palate of India and the acquaintance of another story draw her closer. But, is she the right match for our precious Dominic?
There’s more!
The Knocker on Death’s Door (Felse #10), Peters, 1970
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 20, 2018
Much better than I thought it would be, but she captures the India of that era well, for a Westerner. Her writing is wonderful.
In summary, Dominic Felse and his Tossa are manipulated by her actress mother into acting as (very young) escorts for the child of another famous, wealthy and neglectful actress into India. India! OMG, I as an adult would hesitate to bring a valuable child into a such completely foreign place like that, without a known face, not even a photo of the girl’s long-absent father, escaped back to India after a bitter divorce. Who to trust? Obviously no one, after the girl is abducted. But decisions to trust someone have to be made, equally obviously. It does turn into quite a nail biter- might make a great Bollywood film, actually, music and all.
My husband visited a dozen years later, and India had changed, mainly in the greatly increased population and therefore the amplification of all the sights, sounds and smells that Peters describes. I would say that of the writers about modern (post WWII) India I have read, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is best (but then she is a native-born Indo-Westerner married to an Indian), followed by Rumer Godden (Kingfishers Catch Fire).
Peters makes a brave attempt and largely avoids the racist and colonialist thinking and judgement traps. The fact remains, India even today is another world to many, not just Westerners; ranging from horrifying, shocking, cruel, casual, to beautiful and mind-boggling sights, sounds, smells. Proud of their ancient and learned cultures and language from which so many others derive, much of which they (or at least, the masses of citizens) have, unfortunately, left far behind. Every month in the current news bears this out, sadly. Hard to avoid making judgements.
In summary, Dominic Felse and his Tossa are manipulated by her actress mother into acting as (very young) escorts for the child of another famous, wealthy and neglectful actress into India. India! OMG, I as an adult would hesitate to bring a valuable child into a such completely foreign place like that, without a known face, not even a photo of the girl’s long-absent father, escaped back to India after a bitter divorce. Who to trust? Obviously no one, after the girl is abducted. But decisions to trust someone have to be made, equally obviously. It does turn into quite a nail biter- might make a great Bollywood film, actually, music and all.
My husband visited a dozen years later, and India had changed, mainly in the greatly increased population and therefore the amplification of all the sights, sounds and smells that Peters describes. I would say that of the writers about modern (post WWII) India I have read, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is best (but then she is a native-born Indo-Westerner married to an Indian), followed by Rumer Godden (Kingfishers Catch Fire).
Peters makes a brave attempt and largely avoids the racist and colonialist thinking and judgement traps. The fact remains, India even today is another world to many, not just Westerners; ranging from horrifying, shocking, cruel, casual, to beautiful and mind-boggling sights, sounds, smells. Proud of their ancient and learned cultures and language from which so many others derive, much of which they (or at least, the masses of citizens) have, unfortunately, left far behind. Every month in the current news bears this out, sadly. Hard to avoid making judgements.
April 23, 2020
Interesting Atmosphere
I loved the setting of this book, so different from the four other Felse Investigations I have read. India is full of colors, aromas and timeless philosophies, and Peters manages to weave these into her story of kidnap and ransom. Dominic and Tossa play a part here but are hardly the center of the plot, nor do they do much to unravel the crime. A variety of other characters provide the impetus behind the action. Once again I was drawn in by the author's prose even amid the formulaic genre in which she writes. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the next Felse book soon!
I loved the setting of this book, so different from the four other Felse Investigations I have read. India is full of colors, aromas and timeless philosophies, and Peters manages to weave these into her story of kidnap and ransom. Dominic and Tossa play a part here but are hardly the center of the plot, nor do they do much to unravel the crime. A variety of other characters provide the impetus behind the action. Once again I was drawn in by the author's prose even amid the formulaic genre in which she writes. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the next Felse book soon!
July 22, 2021
Strange Land
Reading this felt so close to actually being in a foreign land. Vivid, mysterious - thoughtfully revealing eastern thinking, customs.
Reading this felt so close to actually being in a foreign land. Vivid, mysterious - thoughtfully revealing eastern thinking, customs.
May 30, 2025
Interesting setting...implausible story...A bit grad fetched.. Pardon the pun.
Wish there was more about Dominic False and his girlfriend Roses who should be central to this story. Still do not know much about them...though they were guardians, temporarily to the young woman the story centered on...I would love to know more about the characters. MS Ellis describes the setting and the scenery to th nth degree but leaves the full development of her characters to the imagination. She describes Characters physically very adeptly...you can visualise the m easily...as to real character, I do wish for more.
Her books are 'puzzling' , as they should be! Her plots are complex highly suspenseful... Again, as they should be...and I long for more details about not just The personalities of the Main characters but the Persons!
I found this stort to be a tad fantastic and was a bit incredulous t the plot itself and the denouement... just a bit implausible... though I imagine things like this Have Happend.
Not a 'Bad' Story...just wanted more Characterization... So to zpeak.
Recommended.
Wish there was more about Dominic False and his girlfriend Roses who should be central to this story. Still do not know much about them...though they were guardians, temporarily to the young woman the story centered on...I would love to know more about the characters. MS Ellis describes the setting and the scenery to th nth degree but leaves the full development of her characters to the imagination. She describes Characters physically very adeptly...you can visualise the m easily...as to real character, I do wish for more.
Her books are 'puzzling' , as they should be! Her plots are complex highly suspenseful... Again, as they should be...and I long for more details about not just The personalities of the Main characters but the Persons!
I found this stort to be a tad fantastic and was a bit incredulous t the plot itself and the denouement... just a bit implausible... though I imagine things like this Have Happend.
Not a 'Bad' Story...just wanted more Characterization... So to zpeak.
Recommended.
October 2, 2024
You know, you hesitate to read a book about another country and culture set back in the day, but Peters does fairly well, all things told. She is, at least, essentially respectful and appreciative in her attitude. Knowing nothing about India at this time, I cannot speak to her accuracy one way or the other.
There are some underdeveloped characters, like Tossa, and while I find the Swami fascinating and wish that I knew him personally, he is just a tiny bit of a deus ex machina, isn't he? But the plotting is tight, the twists are twisty enough for me, and the setting evocative and interesting. And the ending is very well done, layer in layer in layer. I think the Felse books I've read are better, by and large, than Peters' standalones, but that may just be because these books are short and you have borrowed emotional investment one book to the next when you're reading a series.
There are some underdeveloped characters, like Tossa, and while I find the Swami fascinating and wish that I knew him personally, he is just a tiny bit of a deus ex machina, isn't he? But the plotting is tight, the twists are twisty enough for me, and the setting evocative and interesting. And the ending is very well done, layer in layer in layer. I think the Felse books I've read are better, by and large, than Peters' standalones, but that may just be because these books are short and you have borrowed emotional investment one book to the next when you're reading a series.
December 23, 2022
Al heel lang stond dit boek naast alle delen van de Broeder Cadfael serie op de plank. Het wilde er maar niet van komen om het te lezen. Terecht, naar nu is gebleken. Om dit te kunnen waarderen moet je belangstelling hebben voor en kennis van India. Die bezit ik te weinig.
De personages kwamen ook niet zo goed uit de verf, waarbij het feit dat dit het tiende deel was van de Inspecteur Felse serie en in de eerste negen niet heb gelezen, natuurlijk meespeelde.
Tenslotte: ik las dit in een goedkope paperback versie, waar je het boek met twee handen open moest houden, met enig geweld. Niet prettig. Geef mij de e-reader maar.
De personages kwamen ook niet zo goed uit de verf, waarbij het feit dat dit het tiende deel was van de Inspecteur Felse serie en in de eerste negen niet heb gelezen, natuurlijk meespeelde.
Tenslotte: ik las dit in een goedkope paperback versie, waar je het boek met twee handen open moest houden, met enig geweld. Niet prettig. Geef mij de e-reader maar.
September 5, 2025
Forse un po' troppo love&peace per i miei gusti, un po' troppo volemose bbene e buoni sentimenti, e l'India vista come un paese meraviglioso et perfetto (mmmh, 'nzomma) e gli indiani come tutti usciti da un film di Bollywood degli anni '90, PERÒ è stata una lettura carina e d'intrattenimento.
Un giallo piuttosto piacevole con delle belle descrizioni dei luoghi, molto evocative.
Ormai il narratore onnisciente non è più tra le mie corde e mi è parso che in alcuni casi abbia fuorviato le idee che mi facevo per capire il colpevole, però tutto sommato è stato carino seguire l'intera vicenda.
Adatto a chi ama i gialli in stile Agatha Christie.
Un giallo piuttosto piacevole con delle belle descrizioni dei luoghi, molto evocative.
Ormai il narratore onnisciente non è più tra le mie corde e mi è parso che in alcuni casi abbia fuorviato le idee che mi facevo per capire il colpevole, però tutto sommato è stato carino seguire l'intera vicenda.
Adatto a chi ama i gialli in stile Agatha Christie.
August 9, 2018
A spoiled actress sends her 14 yo daughter, Anjili, to New Delhi India to visit her estranged father, whom neither had seen since the divorce years ago. Anjili was sent under the protection and guidance of two college students, Dominic Felse, son of the famous C.I.D detective inspector, and his girlfriend, Tossa Barber. When they arrive they soon find out the father has been missing for over a year. The story moves quickly with murder and kidnapping as its storyline, The Indian setting, music, monuments, and discussion of Buddha's life make it all the more interesting.
June 5, 2020
When Tossa and Dominic undertake the job of escorting Anjli, a half-Indian teenager, to India, they have no idea that they will soon be enmeshed in mystery. But Anjli's father disappeared a year ago, and her grandmother is on her deathbed, so the two English college students still feel responsible for the girl. And then Anjli disappears! When a ransom depend is received, they seek help, but not from the police. Very fast-paced mystery set against the backdrop of an ancient land. Highly recommended.
January 27, 2024
Oh India!
George Felse is left pretty much out of this one. His son Dominic exercises his prowess a little bit. Dominic and Tossa are enlisted to escort a young girl to India to deliver her to her wealthy father. If he wants her. And if they can find him. In the search for the father, we find extortion, murder, kidnapping and deceit enough to go around. A Swami seems to be a suspect along with several others, but it seems he figures it all out after all. Does he?
George Felse is left pretty much out of this one. His son Dominic exercises his prowess a little bit. Dominic and Tossa are enlisted to escort a young girl to India to deliver her to her wealthy father. If he wants her. And if they can find him. In the search for the father, we find extortion, murder, kidnapping and deceit enough to go around. A Swami seems to be a suspect along with several others, but it seems he figures it all out after all. Does he?
July 14, 2025
Dominic Felse and his girl Tessa have been asked to escort a teenage girl back to her father in India. All expenses paid; a once in a life time opportunity. What could go wrong? Plenty apparently! Her father is missing, her grandmother dying, and then the girl is kidnapped! This one has a different feel than some of the others - but it is exotic and curious. I couldn't put it down until I knew what happened!
September 1, 2020
As another said, it’s a good light mystery read and the setting in India adds interest. I read the Felse series early in the COVID-19 isolated days. The Cadfael series were favorites from several years ago—the books rather than the miniseries.
September 7, 2023
"Felse Investigations" is a misnomer on this one since Dominic is late to realize anything that occurs-- the reader will solve the mystery much faster. Good characterization as always, but a bit of Anglocentrism in its judgments of Indian culture.
March 26, 2018
Dominic and his girlfriend star in this Felse novel, encountering adventure when they escort a girl to meet her father in India.
Read
January 9, 2021It has been good have a soothing book to read these last few days.
July 20, 2021
Good character development, fast-paced, and an interesting twist and drama.
November 30, 2021
I enjoyed Peters’s depiction of India, but the mystery was thin and I missed the main detective in this series, George Felse.
April 24, 2022
Re-reading old favorites. This is Ellis Peters’ non-Cadfael series, set in the 60’s and 70’s. Still a lot of charm, though the India atmosphere is that of dying British imperialism.
Read
February 2, 2023I enjoyed the book, and the setting. Intrigue, plot twists with some hints so you're not completely blindsided! A good read for sure!
September 10, 2024
So now we're in India!
October 17, 2011
I LOVE Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series and was thrilled to find this book, evidently from another series at my local used book store. Mourning Raga transports us to India via England where two young college students are asked to “deliver” an international star’s 14-yr-old daughter to her Indian father who, because of a bitter custody battle, she hasn’t seen in nine years. Upon arrival in India, things begin to fall apart and before you know it, we have a murder, a kidnapping and a couple of missing key characters.
In this story, which takes place mostly in Delhi, we have an introduction to the Indian culture and our connection is partly through the film industry. According to Peters, a Raga is “the basic material for all (Indian) classical music, and there are thousands of them, the ragas, each for a special time and season, and a special mood, so that in a few rising and descending notes you have the mind’s first statement, the one thought out of which a work of art grows.”
I enjoyed the story. Evidently this is book 3 or 4 of a series and not having read the others first, I was not acquainted with any of the characters. It is quite possible that I did not enjoy this as much as I do the Cadfael novels because I did not have that sense of familiarity with the characters and setting as I do with Cadfael and in a book of less than 200 pages, there was not much room to develop extensive backgrounds to characters beyond those featured in the current mystery.
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy this book, I did. I found the cultural and historical references interesting and the story picked up speed and intensity significantly about halfway through. I just didn’t find this as compelling as I do her Brother Cadfael novels where I let them envelope me. With Brother Cadfael, every time I pick up the book I look forward to being lost in his world and am ready to sit in his shop and listen to him putter and wax lyrical. With Raga, I was much more willing to stay at arm’s length and view the story from a distance. Part of this could have been because this was my right-before-bed reading and numerous other activities have meant that my nightly, exhausted attention span was less than optimal and spread what was meant to be a very short read over a couple of weeks.
If I find others in this series I will certainly give them a try. Ellis Peters’ use of language is a delight to behold. Because most of her writing was done in the middle of the 20th century her stories are usually devoid of graphic elements that would tend to scare of the squeamish (like me!) and her research and love of history comes through so I never read one of her books where I don’t learn something new.
In this story, which takes place mostly in Delhi, we have an introduction to the Indian culture and our connection is partly through the film industry. According to Peters, a Raga is “the basic material for all (Indian) classical music, and there are thousands of them, the ragas, each for a special time and season, and a special mood, so that in a few rising and descending notes you have the mind’s first statement, the one thought out of which a work of art grows.”
I enjoyed the story. Evidently this is book 3 or 4 of a series and not having read the others first, I was not acquainted with any of the characters. It is quite possible that I did not enjoy this as much as I do the Cadfael novels because I did not have that sense of familiarity with the characters and setting as I do with Cadfael and in a book of less than 200 pages, there was not much room to develop extensive backgrounds to characters beyond those featured in the current mystery.
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy this book, I did. I found the cultural and historical references interesting and the story picked up speed and intensity significantly about halfway through. I just didn’t find this as compelling as I do her Brother Cadfael novels where I let them envelope me. With Brother Cadfael, every time I pick up the book I look forward to being lost in his world and am ready to sit in his shop and listen to him putter and wax lyrical. With Raga, I was much more willing to stay at arm’s length and view the story from a distance. Part of this could have been because this was my right-before-bed reading and numerous other activities have meant that my nightly, exhausted attention span was less than optimal and spread what was meant to be a very short read over a couple of weeks.
If I find others in this series I will certainly give them a try. Ellis Peters’ use of language is a delight to behold. Because most of her writing was done in the middle of the 20th century her stories are usually devoid of graphic elements that would tend to scare of the squeamish (like me!) and her research and love of history comes through so I never read one of her books where I don’t learn something new.
December 17, 2012
This is an odd book, because while there is a well written mystery within it, the heart of the story is a child coming to know her father's home and learning about the life of the Buddha. Anjli has spent her life with her mother, an American film actress, but is going to live with her father in Dehli, Dominic Felse, the son of Peter's modern day detective ends up helping. His fiancee is also a daughter of a movie actress and so is glad to provide some stability for Anjli on her trip, yet when they get there things aren't as they seem. The mystery itself is a simple one of finding people and isn't terribly complex but Peters uses the story to discuss the life of Buddha and the lessons of his life. I would recommend this book to readers who know Peters but wish to read her take on India and spiritual traditions of another continent.
February 7, 2017
this was really good. I like the setting in India and love the Dominic stories.
October 11, 2011
Literary theory, among other things, has made me very twitchy about depictions of India in western books. I was worried about this one, despite my deep affection and respect for Peters. I do feel that Peters honestly respected the Indian culture and if she made generalizations they were regional rather than cultural. Still, her books set in Shropshire remain my favorites. [Mar. 2010]
April 10, 2012
One of my inherited books, picked up as a quick read while waiting for a friend to arrive on Saturday morning. I rather like this Ellis Peters series featuring Dominic Felse and set in contemporary times (well the 70s) - make a change from Cadfael. This is set in Delhi, some local colour and not TOO imperialist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews