Scan barcode
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I love watching Morse the show on BBC. I think this is the first book from the series which the television show is based that I've read. I will be on the lookout for more after reading this one.
It was a book within a book and the mystery happened long ago. Morse gets bored if he isn't kept occupied, I think. He is handed several books for his hospital recovery, but only one intrigues him. He picks away at it, gets others to do his bidding to help in his investigation since he can't get out and about.
I love how he manipulates people. They can't seem to stay angry at him for all his bluster. They can't seem to help themselves to aid him in his search no matter the difficulty.
The story moves quickly. I look forward to more of his investigations and grumpy manipulations.
Definite recommend
It was a book within a book and the mystery happened long ago. Morse gets bored if he isn't kept occupied, I think. He is handed several books for his hospital recovery, but only one intrigues him. He picks away at it, gets others to do his bidding to help in his investigation since he can't get out and about.
I love how he manipulates people. They can't seem to stay angry at him for all his bluster. They can't seem to help themselves to aid him in his search no matter the difficulty.
The story moves quickly. I look forward to more of his investigations and grumpy manipulations.
Definite recommend
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun read!!! One of my favorite Morse books (so far!).
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.