Literary Birthday – 28 September – Ellis Peters

Ellis Peters was born on 28 September 1913 and died on 14 October 1995.

Ellis Peters Quotes

1. I write early in the day, when I am fresh. I write looking out on my garden, using a portable typewriter. I write right on through till I get tired; if I’m really going well I may write right through a meal. I generally stop then, and do something else to refresh myself.
2. I cook a bit, and I play music. I used to read thrillers voraciously. . . . I particularly like the medieval music that is being discovered and recorded.
3. Apart from treating my char­acters with the same respect as in any other form of novel, I have one sacred rule about the thriller. It is, it ought to be, it must be, a morality. If it strays from the side of the angels, provokes total despair, willfully destroys–without pressing need in the plot–the innocent and the good, takes pleasure in evil, that is unforgivable sin. I use the word deliberately and gravely.
4. It is probably true that I am not very good at villains. The good interest me so much more.
5. I had to research into police procedures to some extent, but I must confess I was more interested in the family relations and the police officer’s relationships with the people be encounters in the case, which sometimes become personal in a way, and make the whole thing more interesting, I think.
6. My writing is extremely visual. It is definitely based on where I am, since I’m describing pictures I can see in my own mind from around me.
7. Bitter though it may be to many, Cadfael concluded, there is no substitute for truth, in this or any case. (Cadfael Chronicles)
8. I have been writing since I was at school. I always knew what I wanted most of all. I am lucky enough to have been doing exactly what I most wanted to do.
9. As [the OBE] is supposed to be for services to literature, for a writer who has not been the critics’ absolute pet it means a lot. It is a serious acknowledgement. Actually, I do get pretty good reviews, but the critics tend to classify mystery writing as something apart from literature.

Source for quotes 1-4: Mother Earth News and 5-6: Mystery File and 8-9: Shropshire Star

Ellis Peters was the pen name of British author Edith Mary Pargeter, who wrote mystery novels, historical fiction, and non-fiction. She also translated Czech literature into English. Pargeter wrote several novels before creating her two best-known mystery series: the Inspector George Felse Series and the Brother Cadfael Series. Her interest in the history and landscape of Shropshire inspired her to write A Morbid Taste for Bones, the first Brother Cadfael mystery, set in 12th-century Shrewsbury. The series features Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk and herbalist who had lived a colourful life before taking his vows. He had been a lover, sailor, soldier, and participant in the First Crusade. [He is one of the best priest detectives in fiction.] Peters combined historical detail with intricate plotting and strong characterisation, while exploring morality, human relationships, loyalty, and justice. Many of the Cadfael cozy mysteries were adapted for television, with Derek Jacobi playing the title role. Peters received numerous honours for her work, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1994. After her death, the Crime Writers’ Association established the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger in 1999 to honour the best historical crime novel of the year. It was later renamed the Ellis Peters Historical Award.

Source for photograph: Rose City Reader

by Amanda Patterson
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