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Inspector Morse #10.5, 4
Morse's Greatest Mystery/Service Of All The Dead
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Paperback
First published December 3, 2004
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About the author
Colin Dexter
182 books714 followersNorman Colin Dexter was an English crime writer, known for his Inspector Morse novels.
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 17, 2022
I must say that I didn’t really understand this one. A woman loses money meant for charity when it is stolen from her bag. It seems that the inspector “found” it by replacing it himself with his own money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 25, 2019Read as part of "A Very Murderous Christmas: Ten Classic Crime Stories for the Festive Season"
September 18, 2011
Always meant to read some of the Morse stories, as they get alot of mention and there's the TV show.
Now, that I have, I'm not sure what the big deal is. Morse is a mildly interesting character and most of the mysteries are well done, but there's no real spark to it all.
The humor is dry to the point having evaporated, Morse is so low key that he makes Nero Wolfe look hyper, and the rest of the cast is mostly just flat 'types'.
Not bad, but really can't see why all the fuss is about.
Maybe, like Lovejoy, the TV show is better than the books.
Now, that I have, I'm not sure what the big deal is. Morse is a mildly interesting character and most of the mysteries are well done, but there's no real spark to it all.
The humor is dry to the point having evaporated, Morse is so low key that he makes Nero Wolfe look hyper, and the rest of the cast is mostly just flat 'types'.
Not bad, but really can't see why all the fuss is about.
Maybe, like Lovejoy, the TV show is better than the books.
January 31, 2021
Very readable, and quite forgettable. I thoroughly enjoyed the spoof of Holmes, Watson and Mycroft. I hear Sergeant Lewis' voice reading the books while I read them as I have listened to some of Colin Dexter's audio books while I cook or clean. Very pleasant listening.
September 3, 2012
I am loving these books. Great stories. Comfort books.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews