THE B-LIST: Get cozy with Brother Cadfael, a rare Benedictine

For the last decade, I've had a yearly routine: Every winter, I re-read the "Brother Cadfael Chronicles," a mystery series set in medieval England/Wales starring the titular soldier-turned-monk/sleuth, by Ellis Peters (the pen name of historian Edith Pargeter).

Why every winter? Mostly because — despite the abundance of murders and war at the center of the plots — Peters' books have a sense of coziness to them that far outshines any modern "cozy mystery" crammed with cats, knitting patterns or peach cobbler recipes.

It's a series that pairs perfectly with warm blankets, hot tea and windy nights. There's something about a historical mystery that suits slate grey skies and freezing temperatures.

Here are six reasons why you should pick up "A Morbid Taste For Bones," the first Cadfael mystery, from the local library and start your own marathon read:

6. THE HISTORY. Set during the oft-ignored Anarchy (the English civil war sparked by King Stephen and Empress Maud's fight over the throne) in the border town of Shrewsbury between 1137 and 1145, several of the mysteries revolve around battles, spies and shifting allegiances. Peters has plenty to say about medieval England (she spares none of the grittier details of a time before plumbing) and the monastic life; nearly every aspect of the period was exactingly researched, and it shows. But unlike some historical series, the "Chronicles" never get too bogged down in boring minutiae. Peters does a great job of bringing a long-dead time back to life with energy and urgency, showing that humanity hasn't changed all that much.

5. THE PROSE. Want a series with real meat on its bones and vivid descriptions? Peters' settings are evocative but she never meanders for pages like Tolkien; her characters are so well-crafted you can picture them instantly, but they're rarely stereotypical. Yes, her stories happen 900 years ago — but don't let that deter you. Her dialogue is straightforward and heroes relatable for all of their Ye Olde Times trappings. You don't need an Oxford education to enjoy Cadfael.

4. THE HERO. Brother Cadfael is a Welsh Crusader who was a sailor in the Holy Land before he returned to England and converted in his late 40s — when the series kicks off, he's been a Benedictine monk and herbalist at the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul for almost 20 years. This means Cadfael is no ordinary man of the cloth: He has the skills and worldly experience to be a great detective and a sterling judge of people. I often describe him as the "Middle Ages' Gil Grissom, only kinder," because he loves to play matchmaker and isn't afraid to bend the rules if it helps a deserving person out of a bad situation.

3. THE TV ADAPTS. In the mid-'90s, ITV Central made 13 adaptations starring Sir Derek Jacobi as Cadfael and featuring a star-studded supporting cast that included Sean Pertwee, Anna Friel, Jonny Lee Miller, Tara Fitzgerald, Julian Glover and Jonathan Hyde. Filmed entirely in Hungary (a pretty darn good stand-in for medieval England), some adapts are truer to the source material than others, but are generally quite good (my favorite remains "The Sanctuary Sparrow").

2. THE DUAL MYSTERIES/ROMANCES. What I love most about the Cadfael series is that they're equal parts mystery and romance; in the course of our hero's investigations, he inevitably comes across a star-crossed pair of lovers who need his help to have a happy ending. It's a nice balance of light and dark, so none of the novels are too heavy or depressing, though they're often poignant or gripping.

1. THE VIEW OF RELIGION/MORALITY. Thanks to its unorthodox hero, the "Chronicles" is equal parts secular and sacred. Peters doesn't sugarcoat the problems of the Catholic Church: Some monks are intolerant and puritanical to the point of cruelty; several stories center around priests who abuse their positions, or address how the church has often turned its back on the needy or exploited the desperate. But she also shows how religion and faith can guide, protect and help others. Cadfael cheerfully acknowledges that he's broken plenty of the church's rules (in book six he meets the half-Saracen son he didn't know he left behind in the Holy Land) but knows he's still a good person regardless. Because of his wordly experience, he's a more forgiving man than some of his fellow Brothers, and he never blindly adheres to the law if it will harm the innocent. He's a hero who truly practices what Jesus Christ preached and has no patience for hypocrisy in the church. His moral compass and earthy kindness make him a character anyone can love and relate to, regardless of your religious background — case in point, the fact that this Buddhist has read every one of his stories at least 10 times, and will probably read them 10 times more.

• ANGIE BARRY is a page designer and columnist for The Times. To suggest future topics for The B-List, which covers pop culture, history and literature, contact her at abarry@shawmedia.com.