aniennis's review
4.0
Considering how much of my life I've spent watching Inspector Morse on the TV, it's shocking that I'd never read any of the original novels before this year, but I'm glad to say I was not disappointed in the slightest. I wasn't surprised by this, because the show makes it easy to believe the source material is of high literary quality, but still, it was a thrill to realize that after enjoying this one, I have so many more Morse stories to look forward to.
wrongwayhome's review against another edition
4.0
Šī manā lasāmo grāmatu plauktā bija nepilnus 20 gadus, un šogad to beidzot izlasīju tādēļ, ka bija iespēja piedalīties vienas goodreads grupas "putekļus krājošo sējumu plaukta" izaicinājumā, kurā tad nu piespiedu brīvprātīgā kārtā varēju izvēlēties tās grāmatas, ko jau sen esmu vēlējies izlasīt, bet ir pietrūcis vajadzīgās disciplīnas. Savā ziņā arī kā atdots parāds Inspektoram Mōrsam, kura seriālu biju iecienījis, kad to kaut kad deviņdesmitajos rādīja viens no Latvijas televīzijas kanāliem.
Man kaut kā atmiņā viņš bija palicis kā melanholisks intelektuālis, un dzīves jēgu meklējošam pusaudzim jau īpaši daudz nevajag, lai tādus viedus autsaiderus iemīļotu.
Kā izrādījās, Mōrss nav nekāds dižais snobs, bet sava tiesa inteliģences šim vīrelim piemīt gan. Viņš nav nekāds superpolicists, kas visu laiku iet pa taisnu meklējumu ceļu, bet gan dažādu kaišu piemeklēts vīrs gados ar tieksmi iestiprināties lenča laikā ar pinti vai vairākām, dienas laikā vēl norunāt dažas tikšanās krogā pie pintes (jāpiemin, ka viņš nekad nepiedzeras, un kā pats saka - jo vairāk pintes, jo skaidrāka galva), viņam noziegumu atklāšana iet līku loču, bieži kļūdoties, grāmatas laikā viņam iepatīkas vairākas sievietes un viņš pēc viņām visām arī ilgojas. Tāds interesants onka. Mōrss kā tēls dzima laikā, kad skandināvu šokētgribošie autori vēl zem galda skraidīja, tad vēl laikam autoriem nebija tieksme savus varoņus izmeklētājus padarīt tik pārspīlēti slimus un dzīves/personīgo dēmōnu nomocītus, kā tas ir modē mūsdienās. Tāpēc man viņš patīk, jo viņa kaites ir mērenas, bet ne tik mērenas, lai būtu vienalga. Patīk labāk par to pašu Hariju Hōlu, jo nav tās sajūtas, ka ar mani kā lasītāju manipulē. Lasīšu vēl.
Izskatās, ka pašiem britiem arī inspektora Mōrsa universs patīk, jo, lai gan autors, pats Mōrss un vecā Mōrsa tēlotājs jau ir miruši, vēl labu laiku tika filmēts spinoff seriāls "Lewis" par Mōrsa kolēģi inspektoru Lūisu, kam grāmatā bija pārinieka seržanta loma, bet diezgan nozīmīga, man neradās tāda sajūta, ka viņš būtu Mōrsa ēnā. Un šobrīd, ja nemaldos, jau astoto gadu tiek uzņemts prīkvels "Endeavour", kas stāsta par Mōrsa agrākajiem darba gadiem.
Karoč, šis patiks tiem, kam patīk diezgan klasisks policijas krimiķis ar interesantiem tēliem un britu humors (nē, šis nav ne noir, ne hardboiled ar asajiem večiem, kas mētā FRĀZES pa labi, pa kreisi, te vairāk ir angļu absurdais humors, kas tik dabiski padodas Mōrsam).
Man kaut kā atmiņā viņš bija palicis kā melanholisks intelektuālis, un dzīves jēgu meklējošam pusaudzim jau īpaši daudz nevajag, lai tādus viedus autsaiderus iemīļotu.
Kā izrādījās, Mōrss nav nekāds dižais snobs, bet sava tiesa inteliģences šim vīrelim piemīt gan. Viņš nav nekāds superpolicists, kas visu laiku iet pa taisnu meklējumu ceļu, bet gan dažādu kaišu piemeklēts vīrs gados ar tieksmi iestiprināties lenča laikā ar pinti vai vairākām, dienas laikā vēl norunāt dažas tikšanās krogā pie pintes (jāpiemin, ka viņš nekad nepiedzeras, un kā pats saka - jo vairāk pintes, jo skaidrāka galva), viņam noziegumu atklāšana iet līku loču, bieži kļūdoties, grāmatas laikā viņam iepatīkas vairākas sievietes un viņš pēc viņām visām arī ilgojas. Tāds interesants onka. Mōrss kā tēls dzima laikā, kad skandināvu šokētgribošie autori vēl zem galda skraidīja, tad vēl laikam autoriem nebija tieksme savus varoņus izmeklētājus padarīt tik pārspīlēti slimus un dzīves/personīgo dēmōnu nomocītus, kā tas ir modē mūsdienās. Tāpēc man viņš patīk, jo viņa kaites ir mērenas, bet ne tik mērenas, lai būtu vienalga. Patīk labāk par to pašu Hariju Hōlu, jo nav tās sajūtas, ka ar mani kā lasītāju manipulē. Lasīšu vēl.
Izskatās, ka pašiem britiem arī inspektora Mōrsa universs patīk, jo, lai gan autors, pats Mōrss un vecā Mōrsa tēlotājs jau ir miruši, vēl labu laiku tika filmēts spinoff seriāls "Lewis" par Mōrsa kolēģi inspektoru Lūisu, kam grāmatā bija pārinieka seržanta loma, bet diezgan nozīmīga, man neradās tāda sajūta, ka viņš būtu Mōrsa ēnā. Un šobrīd, ja nemaldos, jau astoto gadu tiek uzņemts prīkvels "Endeavour", kas stāsta par Mōrsa agrākajiem darba gadiem.
Karoč, šis patiks tiem, kam patīk diezgan klasisks policijas krimiķis ar interesantiem tēliem un britu humors (nē, šis nav ne noir, ne hardboiled ar asajiem večiem, kas mētā FRĀZES pa labi, pa kreisi, te vairāk ir angļu absurdais humors, kas tik dabiski padodas Mōrsam).
angrygreycatreads's review
5.0
The Daughters of Cain is a Detective Morse mystery from Colin Dexter. We are getting close to the end of the series and there is a lot of foreshadowing of that here. Morse himself talks of his retirement and his health issues are definitely featured here. There are two murders here and Morse, with the help of Lewis, seeks to find the connection. Along the course of the investigation, Morse meets with three women, the titular Daughters of Cain.
In this outing, I found myself rooting for the killer(s), at least when it came to the second victim, by all accounts a reprehensible human being. Morse seems to have regrets himself at the resolution, yet another missed opportunity in a lifetime of romantic disappointment. Superbly written and executed mystery!
In this outing, I found myself rooting for the killer(s), at least when it came to the second victim, by all accounts a reprehensible human being. Morse seems to have regrets himself at the resolution, yet another missed opportunity in a lifetime of romantic disappointment. Superbly written and executed mystery!
maisiee's review
3.0
I loved the beginning of this book. The story was written is the brilliant way Colin Dexter writes all his Morse stories. The build up of the characters made you understand all of their personalities. There are 2 murders. Each by a different person. Morse thinks he knows what’s happened the whole way through but does he really? The worst part of the book was Morse deteriorating. One of my favourite characters, who has taught me so much and I will always cherish, realising himself what end he is coming, to really made me sad. The ending of this book threw me a bit. Morse falls in love with someone called Morse. There are multiple killers. I wasn’t how I thought it would end. But any Morse book has a place in my heart so to read and listen to the way he spoke and how he acted was an honour. I would still recommend to everyone!
ruthiella's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is possibly the most enjoyable Morse mystery I have read thus far, probably because it wasn’t super complicated; I could actually follow it.
In terms of development of the characters, it was interesting because this is the third to the last title in the series and there are intimations of Morse’s retiring or perhaps even expiring due to ill heath in the near future.
As a constant, Morse is his usual prickly, slightly icky self. I will never understand how women in the books are attracted to him, yet they always are. Lewis however is making strides in terms of becoming a detective (as we know he will due to the T.V. show).
In terms of development of the characters, it was interesting because this is the third to the last title in the series and there are intimations of Morse’s retiring or perhaps even expiring due to ill heath in the near future.
As a constant, Morse is his usual prickly, slightly icky self. I will never understand how women in the books are attracted to him, yet they always are. Lewis however is making strides in terms of becoming a detective (as we know he will due to the T.V. show).
chalexdv's review against another edition
3.0
I grew up watching Morse and Lewis on TV, and remember the show fondly.
This is the only book I've read in the series (picked it up in a used book store a long time ago), and I don't expect to read the rest of the series, despite the book being fairly well written.
Colin Dexter simply hits one of my major pet peeves from ageing, male writers with ageing, male protagonists: Woman sees protagonist; attraction is certain.
Three (technically four, I think) good-looking, younger women appear in the character gallery, and they are all attracted to our male protagonist despite him being "nearly pension age," overweight, smoking, alcoholic, somewhat awkward, and by no means a charmer.
Sure - that beautiful 20-something-year old had serious daddy issues, but a 40-ish year age gap is far, far on the wrong side of icky.
Worth the read, but probably not a repeat experience for me. I'll stick to watching my Morse and Lewis on TV.
This is the only book I've read in the series (picked it up in a used book store a long time ago), and I don't expect to read the rest of the series, despite the book being fairly well written.
Colin Dexter simply hits one of my major pet peeves from ageing, male writers with ageing, male protagonists: Woman sees protagonist; attraction is certain.
Three (technically four, I think) good-looking, younger women appear in the character gallery, and they are all attracted to our male protagonist despite him being "nearly pension age," overweight, smoking, alcoholic, somewhat awkward, and by no means a charmer.
Sure - that beautiful 20-something-year old had serious daddy issues, but a 40-ish year age gap is far, far on the wrong side of icky.
Worth the read, but probably not a repeat experience for me. I'll stick to watching my Morse and Lewis on TV.
samanthawattam's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting characters you pretty much know who has done one of the murders but it is a matter of how all the threads tie together that makes it interesting. Morse's ill health is becoming more and more evident and it is almost like he doesn't care he makes no or little effort to improve his health like he has a death wish which is actually quite sad to read. I have never found Morse a particularly likeable character but then I think he pretty much doesn't care what any one thinks of him. To be honest if anyone asked what detective novels to read Inspector Morse wouldn't be one of those I would recommend. I am reading them because I enjoyed the TV show for so long so have wanted to read them just to say I have. But I would say you are better off reading DCI Banks which I find more enjoyable.
nce14210's review against another edition
4.0
I watched Inspector Morse on mystery some time ago and went on to watch Endeavor and Inspector Lewis which were spin offs. This is the first time I've read one of Colin Dexter's books and I really enjoyed it. Much more complex than the other things I was reading at the time. Keeping track of a great cast of characters required more concentration. Good for pushing the worries of the day aside. I enjoyed the relationship between Morse and Lewis. Filled with laughs without losing the intensity of the mystery. Frederick Davidson was a good narrator. I'm going to look for more of these. I'm very sorry that the world has lost Colin Dexter. He lives on in these wonderful stories.
shrewsie_shrew's review against another edition
4.0
I mostly read this one in audio, which was good. It mostly just made me wish that we had Inspector Lewis novels, since I love DI Lewis and Sgt Hathaway so much. Morse feels very dated. But it was a good mystery novel and I love the Oxford setting.