inquisitive_chap's review against another edition
3.0
A really nice twist on a Morse novel as he investigates a case 120 years old that he discovers from a fellow patient following a stay in hospital. Morse has to undertake research (with the aid of a much younger woman who, as is common in Morse novels, is instantly attracted to him) to uncover the inconsistencies in the original verdict
It's a really nice plot if with little character development. The only issue is I (unusually) managed to solve the puzzle very early on in the book. The clues were a little too obvious.
A good read
It's a really nice plot if with little character development. The only issue is I (unusually) managed to solve the puzzle very early on in the book. The clues were a little too obvious.
A good read
rojaed's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kat132's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lisa_mc's review
3.0
I've seen a bunch of the British Morse mysteries but hadn't ever read one, so when I found a copy of this at a garage sale, I picked it up. This is probably not the best place to start because it's not a typical police procedural -- Morse is in the hospital almost the entire time, solving a century-old mystery he reads about in a book given to him by the very recent widow of a fellow patient.
But it's an engrossing read: the story held my attention and the author conveyed a strong sense of place, even if that place no longer exists as it was. Morse is an interesting, if not entirely likeable (not that he needs to be) character, and I'll be reading more of Colin Dexter's mysteries.
But it's an engrossing read: the story held my attention and the author conveyed a strong sense of place, even if that place no longer exists as it was. Morse is an interesting, if not entirely likeable (not that he needs to be) character, and I'll be reading more of Colin Dexter's mysteries.
annie_reads848's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-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
2.25
I found this a bit of a chore to get through. I liked the premise of working through an old murder case and finding information, but found some of the characters and the storyline a bit difficult to keep track of. I was also put off by many crude and sexist references to women and in describing them. I did like the description of the canals/Oxford though.
oftalone90's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A break from Morse’s usual cases - this one is cold! Short chapters and an easy, satisfying read