THE BODY IN THE TRANSEPT (Jeanne Dams)

American widow Dorothy Martin is possessed of the best traits of Jessica Fletcher with a touch of Hyacinth Bucket.  She is intelligent and inquisitive, sensitive and self-sufficient, but doesn't feel completely decked out without a beautiful hat.  Having recently lost her beloved husband, Frank, Dorothy has decided to continue with their plans of settling in Sherebury, an English academic town, in the shadow of a great cathedral.  After the Christmas Eve service Dorothy trips over the dead body of a brilliant but universally disliked canon of the church in the transept, and so begins her career as an amateur sleuth.  Dorothy is wonderful: low key, logical, and refined.  Dams manages to present Dorothy as a fully developed character despite the fact that this is the first in the Dorothy Martin series.  Will I read more?  Without a doubt (and I already have, come to think of it!).  The mystery is great and the characters are even better.  The setting is thoroughly Englad - you can almost feel the damp and cold fog coming in under your door as you read.  This is a great series for any time of year and any time you want to just escape from everyday life and be thoroughly entertained.