The Hidden Assassins

by: Robert Wilson

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Ellis Peters

Ellis Peters is the pseudonym of Edith Pargeter, who wrote some sixty-five books before her death in October of 1995 at the age of 82. She wrote under the name of Ellis Peters to clearly delineate her mystery stories from her other work, taking the name Ellis from her brother, and Petra (Peter) from a friend in Czechoslavkia.

Edith Pargeter was born September 13, 1913, at Horsehay, Shropshire, England. Her father was a clerk at the local ironworks there. She did not attend a university, but instead studied the surrounding country of Shropshire, which she evidently loved. If you believe in reincarnation, it's not difficult to suppose that Edith Pargeter, writing as Ellis Peters, had a life in that area during the twelfth century - so clearly does she portray that time and those circumstances in all her famous Brother Cadfael novels, as well as 'The Heaven Tree Trilogy'.

Before World War II Edith Pargeter worked at Dawley in the capacity of a chemist's assistant. During those years she bean to write for publication as well as studying the effects of medicine. Almost instinctively Ms. Pageter knew the healing properties of certain herbs and natural mixtures; all of which would come in handily when she proceeded to compose her nineteen Brother Cadfael mysteries, begun much later in 1977. Before that, in 1962 or thereabouts, Edith Pargeter wrote 'The Heaven Tree Trilogy' - also set in the the twelfth century - and a book not to be missed, even though it's not among her mystey output.

Always interested in Czechoslovakia (another lifetime, perhaps?) Ms. Pargeter met a number of soldiers from that country during the war, later taking the trouble to learn the language and also to translate several books into English.

Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters won many awards, from both the British Crime Writers Association and the Mystey Writers of America. Ms. Pargeter was recipient of the Order of the British Empire, held an honorary degree from Birmingham University, and got the Gold Medal from the Czechoslovak Society for Foreign Relations. There is also a memorial to Ms. Pargeter in Shrewsbury Abbey. Her Brother Cadfael books have been portrayed on TV, and are still a constant favorite.

Murder Mystery Reviews

Books by this author we have reviewed:

The Summer of the Danes

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