Best known in America for her brilliantly imagined twelfth-century Benedictine monk/detective, Brother Cadfael, Ellis Peters has also enthralled fans on both sides of the Atlantic with her superbly constructed stories featuring British police detective George Felse. Inspector Felse first appeared in what has since been called a classic of the genre, "Fallen into the Pit." Never before available in the United States, this multilayered, most ingenious whodunit is long-awaited and, as mystery fans will soon discover, well worth waiting for.

"Understand me once and for all, fighting is something not to be considered short of a life-and-death matter.... it proves nothing. It solves nothing," Chad Wedderburn tells thirteen-year-old Dominic Felse. A classics master who fought with the Resistance, Wedderburn came home to Comerford to teach school. Ironically, when the peace of the little village is shattered by the murder of a former German prisoner of war,, it is the peaceful Wedderburn who becomes the primary suspect.

Police Sergeant George Felse is deeply disturbed that his son Dominic is the one who discovers the body, and that the boy has begun doggedly pursuing clues in Comerford's isolated countryside. Murder is a deadly business, and the closer young Felse comes to the truth, the more likely he is to become a victim himself. His father knows this all too well, and for the first time in his career his personal life is threatened by his policeman's duties.

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Good mystery, Post WWII period, concerns the mysterious death of a former german prisoner of war living in england and other entanglements.

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Edith Pargeter has written wonderful mysteries under the pen name Ellis Peters. This one features a British policeman named George Felse. The novel follows Felse's son, Dominic, who is fascinated by his father's police work. Discovering a body, he wants to help his father identify the murderer or even find the culprit himself. The deceased is a former German prisoner of war who has decided to stay in Britain. The murdered man, Eddie Haskell, is hated by many so there are many suspects.

As the case unfolds a respected teacher, Chad Wedderburn a war hero who killed many, becomes the chief suspect. Dominic doesn't believe this peaceful man could murder anyone. Indeed, he discourages violence of any kind among his students. Consequently, Dominic sets out to investigate on his own to help his father solve the case and prove Wedderburn âs innocence. Because of the danger, George, doesn't want Dominic's help but the boy goes ahead anyway. With a second murder, the village people focus more on Wedderburn. Fortunately, George and his son arrive at the same conclusion at the same time although itâs a harrowing experience for Dominic who traps the killer who tries to kill him.

The author delves into the trauma of post WWII and how it affects people at home and in the front lines. Obviously, this changes how they see murder, focusing on skills exhibited by Wedderburn as he served. That experience changed him to a man who abhors violence of any kind. and, the author does a wonderful job with the characters, the plot and telling the story. Very nice read!

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The author took the time to develop the characters before getting into the crime/mystery. The plot moved along more slowly than plots today, but had more substance. By reading the book, I got a feel for what post-WWII in England was like. And I learned some new terms (such as "collier"). Am looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

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This first book in the Sergeant Felse series is so different than Ellis Peter's Cadfael series that at times I thought it must be by a different author. At times it seemed to bog down into what I consider to be the least attractive characteristic of English mystery authors - too much discussion of matters not pertaining to the plot.

Still, other parts were fascinating - especially the last few chapters - and I plan to continue reading in this series. At least, the two other books that I have on hand, before I make a final decision on whether to read them all.

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