Excellent murder mystery and cleverly positioned, since Morse is in hospital and Oxford isn't the murder capital of England. Dexter's writing is clever and his use of the Oxford canals makes this especially enjoyable for anyone who has been on a narrowboat. Nice mixture of odd characters and interesting twists. ( )

Dexter's version of The Daughter of Time, with Morse solving a hoary crime from his hospital bed. Does he fall for his nurse? It's Morse we're talking about! Does she fall for him? Now's where the mystery starts to thicken. ( )

Eighth in the Chief Inspector Morse series set in Oxford, UK. This one has Morse laid up in hospital with a bleeding ulcer as he reads a mystery given to him by the wife of a ward-mate who has died. Not having any real mysteries to ponder, Morse attempts to solve the mystery in the book, a hundred and twenty year old case centering around the Oxford canal, certain that the judge and jury acted too hastily and wrongly in convicting several members of a crew on a river boat of murdering one of their female passengers. Enjoyable read, as are all the Morse books; liking them just as much this time around as I make my way through a re-read of the series. ( )

Morse is in hospital reading a book about a Victorian murder....
As, I have mentioned before, I came to Morse via the TV series and this particular story, I remember from the radio, where I did not enjoy same. Dexter's lightness of touch, however, makes this, elongated short story, an entertaining read. Not his best, but fun anyway. ( )

Talk about adopting a different conceit! Inspector Morse is hospitalized for a dangerous ulcer, and during his recuperation reads an account of a murder on the Oxford Canal in 1859. Something doesn’t jibe right with the murder record and Inspector Morse sets out to re-investigate the century-old murder from his hospital bed. Oddly this may be the most entertaining and well-written Morse novel I’ve yet read!

“He was somewhat of a loner by temperament – because though never wholly happy when alone he was usually slightly more miserable when with other people.” -p. 154 ( )