tartancrusader's review against another edition
3.0
Rather tortuously convoluted, with a (what felt to me) 'trick' reveal at the end, this wasn't the best of the series so far, but decent enough.
clarentium's review
mysterious
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
3.0
The mystery worked but it got so convoluted that I became uninvested in the solution, which ended up being both confusing and anti-climactic.
conprimo's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is number 6 in the Inspector Morse series. Morse is more reflective here, thinking of his past, perhaps lost opportunities at school and in love and even his relationship with Lewis. The case involves a body pulled from the canal with all identifiying features removed, head, hands and even legs. Everything points to a missing Oxford don named Browne-Smith, but the more Morse investigates the more muddied the case becomes. Who was the body in the canal and who put him there?
This case is full of misdirections, links to the past briefly mentioned, red herrings and mistaken identity. I definitely had to slow down my reading to follow what was happening. There is some interesting discussion of “politics” at institutions of higher learning and the examination process. There are also references to WWII and the repurcussions for certain characters. A well done mystery and a really enjoying read. I particularly liked the headings of the chapters giving you hints of what was to come. I also appreciated getting this glimpse into the life events that have made Morse the man he is today. A must read for Morse fans!
This case is full of misdirections, links to the past briefly mentioned, red herrings and mistaken identity. I definitely had to slow down my reading to follow what was happening. There is some interesting discussion of “politics” at institutions of higher learning and the examination process. There are also references to WWII and the repurcussions for certain characters. A well done mystery and a really enjoying read. I particularly liked the headings of the chapters giving you hints of what was to come. I also appreciated getting this glimpse into the life events that have made Morse the man he is today. A must read for Morse fans!
ruthiella's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably the most convoluted plot I have come across in an Inspector Morse mystery and honestly, the motivation for murder and the logistics of how it was done seem unlikely to me. Still it was enjoyable if only for the further development of the relationship between Morse and Lewis.
theelliemo's review against another edition
3.0
Weakest in the Morse series so far, with a convoluted and not really believable plot. Saved only by some great lines.