How to Read the Peter & Kori Brichter Series
The Peter & Kori Brichter mystery series, written by Mary Monica Pulver, is a unique blend of police procedurals and cozy amateur sleuth stories. The series follows the professional and romantic lives of Peter Brichter, a cynical police detective, and Kori Price Brichter, a dedicated Arabian horse breeder. Because the series timeline features a flashback prequel, readers often debate the best entry point.
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order is the most popular way to experience the series. This allows you to meet Peter and Kori as an established, married couple in the first book before diving into the backstory of how they met and fell in love in the second. It preserves the natural progression of the author's writing style and the development of the characters' world.
- Murder at the War (1987) – Also published as Knight Fall
- The Unforgiving Minutes (1988)
- Ashes to Ashes (1988)
- Original Sin (1991)
- Show Stopper (1992)
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer a linear progression of Peter and Kori's relationship, you may want to start with the prequel first. Chronologically, their story begins with their initial meeting and goes forward as follows:
- The Unforgiving Minutes (1988) – Details how Peter and Kori first met at Tretower Ranch.
- Murder at the War (1987) – Set during a Society for Creative Anachronism medieval reenactment.
- Ashes to Ashes (1988) – Follows Peter's investigation into a fatal appliance store fire.
- Original Sin (1991) – A snowed-in, locked-room mystery at Tretower Ranch during Christmas.
- Show Stopper (1992) – Kori takes center stage to solve a murder at an Arabian horse show.
Book-by-Book Breakdown and Context
1. Murder at the War (1987) / Knight Fall
The series debut introduces us to Peter Brichter (Lord Stefan von Helle in the Society for Creative Anachronism) and Kori Price Brichter (Lady Katherine of Tretower). Set against the backdrop of a massive medieval reenactment event, the festive atmosphere is shattered when an unpopular participant is murdered on the battlefield. Because the local authorities are baffled by the SCA subculture, Peter must use his real-life detective skills to solve the case and clear Kori's name when she becomes a prime suspect.
2. The Unforgiving Minutes (1988)
Though published second, this book serves as a prequel. It goes back to the beginning of their relationship, when Kori Price is still a reclusive horse breeder mourning her parents' unsolved murder. Peter Brichter arrives at her Tretower Ranch to investigate a crime ring, leading to their first meeting, a shared investigation, and the start of their romance.
3. Ashes to Ashes (1988)
In this installment, Peter investigates a suspicious fire at Dave Wagner's appliance store that leaves a body in the ashes. As Peter untangles a web of arson, murder, and organized crime, he and Kori face a major milestone in their marriage: Kori is pregnant, and she must find a way to tell Peter, who has long insisted he does not want children.
4. Original Sin (1991)
Widely regarded by fans as a standout in the series, this novel is a classic locked-room mystery. During a snowed-in Christmas gathering at Tretower Ranch, a family power outage sets the stage for the murder of one of Kori's relatives. Cut off from outside help, Peter must parse family secrets to find the killer within the house.
5. Show Stopper (1992)
The final novel shifts the spotlight directly to Kori. While Peter is away, Kori travels to a prestigious Arabian horse show to exhibit her stock. When an unpopular horse trainer is murdered in the stables and her own groom is accused, Kori must step up as the lead investigator to clear her employee and find the real culprit.
Behind the Pseudonyms: Mary Monica Pulver
Readers of the Peter & Kori Brichter series may recognize Mary Monica Pulver's writing under her other popular pen names. After finishing this series, she went on to write the highly successful Needlecraft Mysteries under the pseudonym Monica Ferris. Additionally, she collaborated with Gail Frazer to write the first six books of the popular Sister Frevisse medieval mystery series under the joint pen name Margaret Frazer. Her experience in medieval recreation and historical detail shines brightly in both the Brichter series and her later historical mysteries.
What to Know Before You Start
- Tone: The series effectively bridges the gap between cozy mysteries and police procedurals. While there is a warm relationship and unique hobbies, Peter's police work brings a touch of realistic grit.
- Availability: The books were originally published by St. Martin's Press and Berkley. While some were later reissued by FTL Publications, they can sometimes be difficult to find in print and are highly sought after by collectors.