Inspector Evariste Clovis Desire Pel is one of crime fiction’s great grumps. Created by Mark Hebden in 1979, Pel works for the French police in Burgundy, where he solves murders and other serious crimes with a mix of dogged persistence and bad temper. He is a chronic worrier, especially about his own health, and is rarely satisfied with the efforts of his officers.
What makes Pel so entertaining is the gap between his constant complaining and his actual ability. He may grumble his way through every investigation, but he always gets results. Over the course of 25 novels, readers also see his personal life develop, including an unlikely marriage that softens him slightly without removing his essential grouchiness. The Burgundy setting gives the books a distinctive atmosphere, and Pel’s interactions with the locals and his team provide plenty of dry comedy.
Reading Order
See the complete Inspector Pel reading order for all books in the series.