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18th out of 103 books
—
48 voters
The Way Through The Woods (Inspector Morse #10)
by
Colin Dexter
"Cunning...Your imagination will be frenetically flapping its wings until the very last chapter."
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
Morse is enjoying a rare if unsatisfying holiday in Dorset when the first letter appears in THE TIMES. A year before, a stunning Swedish student disappeared from Oxfordshire, leaving behind a rucksack with her identification. As the lady was dishy,...more
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
Morse is enjoying a rare if unsatisfying holiday in Dorset when the first letter appears in THE TIMES. A year before, a stunning Swedish student disappeared from Oxfordshire, leaving behind a rucksack with her identification. As the lady was dishy,...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
March 2nd 1994
by Ivy Books
(first published January 1st 1993)
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The more I read Morse, the more I want to read Morse, December 6, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: The Way Through the Woods (Inspector Morse) (Mass Market Paperback)
"The Way Through the Woods"
I have been spoiled rotten by Colin Dexter or shall I say Inspector Morse. This, my 3rd in this series (although not in order) is no exception. The strange but certain comraderie between Inspector Morse and Lewis is delightful. This particular mystery does not end at all the way it...more
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: The Way Through the Woods (Inspector Morse) (Mass Market Paperback)
"The Way Through the Woods"
I have been spoiled rotten by Colin Dexter or shall I say Inspector Morse. This, my 3rd in this series (although not in order) is no exception. The strange but certain comraderie between Inspector Morse and Lewis is delightful. This particular mystery does not end at all the way it...more
Maybe I'm not eligible to rate this book because this book went bouncer over my head. The last book I read of Colin Dexter, The Dead of Jericho, forced me to go back and search for specific words/hints the author had planted earlier in the story narration. So for this book, I tried to remember every word/instance that the author had written in the beginning. But this book is so long (around 500 pages) that after some time I became tired of trying to remember everything, because my efforts were n...more
The Way Through the Woods is a classic Inspector Morse murder mystery. We have Morse’s drinking problems, his overt and inevitably doomed attempts at wooing the female characters, and his beetling down every wrong track he can find until he triumphantly identifies the killer.
Colin Dexter’s novel is held together by a mysterious poem that is sent anonymously to the Times, presumably by the killer of a backpacking Swedish student. Morse’s devious mind unravels the clues in the poem one by one – wi...more
Colin Dexter’s novel is held together by a mysterious poem that is sent anonymously to the Times, presumably by the killer of a backpacking Swedish student. Morse’s devious mind unravels the clues in the poem one by one – wi...more
My first acquaintance with Inspector Morse, and I liked the guy. For much of the book, I wondered if this review would be three or four stars. What won me over after a slow start was Dexter’s fine writing and the development of both Morse and his partner and fellow police officer Lewis. The story surrounds the disappearance of a lovely Swedish young woman about a year before the story takes place. The general conclusion is that she has been murdered and it’s only when a mysterious poem alluding...more
The British like to say that when one has had a terrible shock the very best medicine is a good cup of strong, sweet tea.
After finishing that gruesome Mo Hayder book I decided to pick up my first Inspector Morse remembering that my mother had really enjoyed these books. And it was the PERFECT cup of tea to soothe me right back into the joys of a good British mystery.
Yes, I have fallen head-over-heels in love with dear Morse and have already ordered the first two omnibuses of Dexter's books from...more
After finishing that gruesome Mo Hayder book I decided to pick up my first Inspector Morse remembering that my mother had really enjoyed these books. And it was the PERFECT cup of tea to soothe me right back into the joys of a good British mystery.
Yes, I have fallen head-over-heels in love with dear Morse and have already ordered the first two omnibuses of Dexter's books from...more
A very enjoyable mystery, and just what I need to kick-start my reading in 2012, which has been in a bit of a slump and I have been suffering a bit from restlessness.
I love the characters of Morse and Lewis, as well as the the supporting cast at Kidlington HQ. There lots of little touches to bring a smile to one's face.
This book sees the introduction of Dr Laura Hobson, after the death of Max, and she experiences, much like all women in Oxford seem to, an uncontrollable attraction to Morse.
The...more
I love the characters of Morse and Lewis, as well as the the supporting cast at Kidlington HQ. There lots of little touches to bring a smile to one's face.
This book sees the introduction of Dr Laura Hobson, after the death of Max, and she experiences, much like all women in Oxford seem to, an uncontrollable attraction to Morse.
The...more
A pretty interesting mystery, I must say. Being my first attempt at reading at a Dexter novel, I was quite attracted to the English style of writing, and a very English novel in all sense! Morse is a very quirky character that I have come across, but makes for a good detective! The plot about finding a missing Swedish Maiden, was quite simple in the beginning, but got very complicated with too many characters thrown in (I guess to deliberately confuse the reader), but ends up on a satisfying not...more
This book was chosen by my local library for the book club selection of the month. I didn't finish it before the meeting nor did I go, but I'm planning on attending more book club meetings in the future and I appreciate the opportunity to read new books that I might not have picked out on my own.
This story was a bit heavier on the sex, alcohol and violence than I typically like (I'm more of a "cozy mystery" fan), but it was a fascinating tale and I enjoyed the English setting. The story was fai...more
This story was a bit heavier on the sex, alcohol and violence than I typically like (I'm more of a "cozy mystery" fan), but it was a fascinating tale and I enjoyed the English setting. The story was fai...more
Sep 18, 2011
Doug
added it
A young girl disappears on a hot summer day. The police don't suspect foul play but Morse insist that she has been murdered but with no body how can he prove it. A year later anonymous letter containing a cryptic poem is published in the local paper, which causes many letters offering solutions to the crime. Lewis has to take a trip to Sweden to interview the girl's mother and Morse of course is not lucky in hes relations with the opposite sex even though he tries. \
But in the end is it a murder...more
But in the end is it a murder...more
This is my favorite Inspector Morse book and one of my all time favorite mysteries. The Way Through the Woods contains Dexter's usual literary references, hilarious consequences from Morse's stubborn hunches, but this book is particularly tasty because of the haunting setting in Wyndham Woods. There are twists and turns in the plot, some I guessed, and one that hit me like a mac truck, which is always my preference concerning mysteries.
A must read for mystery fans who enjoy vivid characters and...more
A must read for mystery fans who enjoy vivid characters and...more
My second Inspector Morse, and a good one. Dexter leads us through a number of twists and turns around the Swedish Maiden but ties it all up almost believably.
The quotations that open each chapter were especially apt and entertaining. Morse (and Dexter) are crossword puzzle fans, so it's fitting that Dexter throws in a few unusual words. He sent me to the dictionary twice, which I thoroughly appreciate.
The quotations that open each chapter were especially apt and entertaining. Morse (and Dexter) are crossword puzzle fans, so it's fitting that Dexter throws in a few unusual words. He sent me to the dictionary twice, which I thoroughly appreciate.
#10 in the Chief Inspector Morse and Sergeant Lewis mystery series set in the Oxford area. Morse takes over a year old missing person's case investigation that has stagnated. As Morse and Lewis make progress on the case, it becomes more complicated and starts involving other issues. There are also several subplots involving various characters in the story.
As a fan of the Inspector Morse series, I thought that this might give me added insight to what makes the main character tick. It did, to a point. This book just wasn't nearly as good as I had expected it to be, though. It was a fair, average, I could take it or leave it kind of book.
I give it 2.5 stars.
I give it 2.5 stars.
I have always enjoyed the Inspector Morse TV episodes of Masterpiece Mystery ... And decided it was time to experience the stories in their original form. This one was particularly good as there were two murders, not one and Morse develops two potential romantic relationships.
I live for British detective novels, and the Inspector Morse series, set in Oxfordshire, is just well-written and literate (if not actually literary) enough to alleviate some genre guilt. At the same time, this entry in the series revolves around a porn ring, so it's not all snooty Oxford shenanagins, either. Be forewarned: everyone in this series is always eating cheese sandwiches and drinking bitters, so if you're trying to eat healthily and would find this triggering, you must find a detectiv...more
Another Inspector Morse mystery with nearly as many twists and turns as there are pages. The ending was a nearly complete surprise, although looking back there were hints here and there, though even Morse did not pick up on all of them until near the end.
I like how the mystery seemed relatively simple at first, involving only a few people, and then grew to become more complicated, involving many people. The portrayal of Morse also differs from the TV series: more success with women and drinks much more.
The only reason I am giving this a three is because the murder is associated with pornography. While I could debate that it was only referenced and not described, I couldn't recommend this book to a friend. I want to read others because of enjoy the writer's style and ability to weave a good mystery. Next time I will double check the reviews.
With the different terminology, and his writing style I had a problem with the book at first but then I started liking (though still not sure if I understand) some of the characters and actually enjoyed it
Another win for Chief Inspector Morse! He is able to solve a crime, the "Swedish Maiden mystery," and cut through all the red herrings. Another successful novel for Colin Dexter.
Enjoyed this one good story, kept you guessing. Liked the opportunity for Lewis to branch out on his own independent of Morse although he didn't find out much!
Nov 01, 2012
Paul Secor
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorite-mysteries
Typically fine Dexter. The solution to the mystery is overly complicated, but I read Colin Dexter's novels to read about Morse, not to find out whodunit.
Colin Dexter gives us another great Chief Inspector Morse crime story, full of twists and turns and red herrings. Sometimes though Morse is just a little too clever for me, but flawed enough to redeem himself.
A disappointing entry in the Morse library, this book is slow and plods along without predicably but without must to inspire interest either.
My second Morse book. Not in any order, but I feel familiar with the character from the tv show. I really enjoyed it.
I think Dexter is improving in the later Morse mysteries. Maybe it's just that he has been able to develop Morse more.
Great read. particularly if you're a fan of:
pints
the English woods
letters
verses
quotes
and lovable irascibility
pints
the English woods
letters
verses
quotes
and lovable irascibility
I'm a huge Coliin Dexter fan and read this (and all his works) a decade or so ago.
I loved the Morse series--wished Colin Dexter had not killed Morse off so soon.
Very enjoyable Summer reading, not great literature, but not trash either.
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Norman Colin Dexter, OBE, (born 29 September 1930 in Stamford, Lincolnshire) is 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...more
More about Colin Dexter...
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...more
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“This was exactly why holidays were so valuable, he told himself: they allowed you to stand back a bit, and see where you were going rusty.”
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