kartrick's review against another edition
2.0
This one certainly had me mentally blurting "dammit" a few more times than "The Last Bus to Woodstock", but my verdict ends up the same (sadly).
The plot is really interesting, and the multiple mistakes Morse makes adds to the fun of it. His change in attitude (not caring for the case any longer) as he reaches these dead-ends is slightly off-putting, but forgivable. As one other reviewer mentioned, part of Colin Dexter's skill lies in how he manages to distract the reader and lead them down a completely hopeless alley the moment they start getting close to the truth. As I got to the final pages, I remember having started to think along those lines earlier, but somehow had gotten sidetracked. The smoothness of the transitions are impressive.
Perhaps this book left slightly fewer loose ends than did the previous one, but I cannot say for sure whether I like the ending any better. For one, it was terribly rushed. Secondly and more importantly, I don't understand why Thirdly, the ending for me was a disappointment. My reaction to it would be a sarcastic scoff. It wasn't a meaningful climax. I get the kind of effect he was going for, but I don't feel it fits well with the story.
The plot is really interesting, and the multiple mistakes Morse makes adds to the fun of it. His change in attitude (not caring for the case any longer) as he reaches these dead-ends is slightly off-putting, but forgivable. As one other reviewer mentioned, part of Colin Dexter's skill lies in how he manages to distract the reader and lead them down a completely hopeless alley the moment they start getting close to the truth. As I got to the final pages, I remember having started to think along those lines earlier, but somehow had gotten sidetracked. The smoothness of the transitions are impressive.
Perhaps this book left slightly fewer loose ends than did the previous one, but I cannot say for sure whether I like the ending any better. For one, it was terribly rushed. Secondly and more importantly, I don't understand why
Spoiler
they don't pursue her, when they have at least one lead, which is the petrol pump attendant who saw her waiting for a hike. It certainly shouldn't be much trouble, as Morse has questioned countless bus conductors and the like earlier.kamzilla's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
tjh23's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
anyadurrant's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Lots of 70s misogyny and racism including slurs
tash95's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
eskimonika's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
richardpierce's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly the best Morse. Interminable twists and turns, and a deep insight into the darkness of his mind. Genius (Morse and Dexter).
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another great Morse-Lewis investigation.
This time, the unlikely duo is charged with finding a girl who vanished 2 years prior and, through ups and downs comes a murder that thickens the plot further until all pieces fall into place.
For some reasons, I find that the book has aged better than the tv series and I remember Morse as a leecherous old man in the show but that was the 80ies
This time, the unlikely duo is charged with finding a girl who vanished 2 years prior and, through ups and downs comes a murder that thickens the plot further until all pieces fall into place.
For some reasons, I find that the book has aged better than the tv series and I remember Morse as a leecherous old man in the show but that was the 80ies