English Mysteries Club discussion
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Buddy read an Inspector Morse?
I finished my very first Inspector Morse. I had to keep a clear mind and not be influenced by the TV movies. It fit my idea that first books are never the best. At least in this case, I hope not. I did enjoy how Morse and Lewis got together. I liked how Penny referenced the 1970's atmosphere like with the tyewriters. I mean this in the kindest way but I got a kick out of Margaret killing herself in the oven. She even put a little pillow in for herself. It was so Sylvia Plath and I never hear of anyone killing themselves that way any more. I know I shouldn't chuckle but I did.
I decided not to watch the TV episode before the book ( I'd seen it many years ago- I have a mind like a sieve- makes it useful for reading mysteries!) and I'm glad I did because the TV episode deviated somewhat from the story. Like Susan I also enjoyed Morse and Lewis meeting for the first time.I found the storyline quite gripping- especially the last 50 pages flew past. When I read the book I couldn't help thinking John Thaw was made for Morse's character- just as Suchet is for Poirot.
The story is quite dated, I agree with you Susan.If only Bernard Crowther and Sue had cellphones - life would have been much simpler and murder could have been avoided.
I loved Dexter's writing in parts- especially his initial descriptions of the roads leading out of Oxford. Look forward to reading more with you all.
I also found this book dated, but not in a good way. I hate to say that I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought, but I found it quite a disappointment. However, there were positive things about it and I will try the next in the series to see if I enjoy that more.
This is one of the reasons I wanted to read a series all the way through - as we have often found the first is not the best. Also I quite like the datedness of it (is that a word?) instant messaging etc actually makes crime fiction more tricky I think as there is often help a click away.I had to smile at Susan with Margaret's cushion - I hadnt really acknowledged that when I read it.
What did you all make of the suspense? did the plot hold together enough for you?
I did find the romance quite clunky in that my view of Morse was sort of late 40's and the girl was too young for him. I dont like it so much when crime novels get too personal - the attacker coming to the cop's home or kidnapping their child etc Many authors do this often and I find it annoying if not well done.
I enjoyed Dexter's handling of the marital discord with the Crowthers - within a couple of paragraphs the reader could tell the type of relationship that was taking place.
What did you make of the women characters? I wonder how differently this would be portrayed today.
It's open, free discussion now so let us know all your opinions!
I read a lot of Golden Age crime novels, which are obviously (very) dated. However, I suppose this reminded me uncomfortably of 1970's police shows, with a lot of casual sexist remarks and attitudes. I know you have to accept that books were written in a particular time, but I didn't particularly like any of the characters.
is that part of the appeal of Morse? That he is a bit of a crusty old thing?I wasnt keen on the women at all - the young girls were insipid and vacuous - couldnt seem to find a brain cell or a decent motive between them!!
I didn't find the relationship between sUe and morse very believable. I kept thinking Sue's ulterior motive would be revealed at any time.Penny , I do think morse's caustic remarks are part of his appeal. In the movies one has to cringe though at his pathetic attempts at romanticizing( there he revealed his very mushy heart)- I guess this was portrayed as one of his flaws in the movies.
Don't forget the young doctor too Ann! I found this aspect of the novel rather clever. The statement we'll have a giggle about this on the morning- the suspicion was thrown immediately on someone at the workplace. Did anyone suspect Sue at any point?
I also didn't find the relationship between Sue & Morse believable but it did add some pathos to the conclusion. The 70s feel to the book didn't bother me, perhaps because I can remember those times (including hitchhiking), but I was bothered by Morse's fumbling & trying to date possible suspects - it was so unprofessional!@Shera - the link you posted goes to a login page. Maybe you could cut & paste what you were trying to link to?
@Susan - I wonder whether something has been added to natural gas so that it no longer is effective as a method of suicide? I too noticed the pillow, which to me meant she was serious about committing suicide - she didn't want any excuse (such as discomfort) for stopping.
I felt sorry for Bernard - he is involved in a murder, his wife commits suicide, his mistress is homicidal...
Ann wrote: "Natural gas replaced town gas which contained carbon monoxide which would kill. That I think that was in the 1960s."Natural gas, which is basically methane, can kill you just as well as carbon monoxide unless there is some emetic to make you nauseous before inhaling too much.
At 8:00 PM Eastern time there will be a screening of the first episode of Inspector Lewis on the Masterpiece Theater website. This will be followed by interviews with people involved in the series
yes Morse and being involved in suspects seems slightly odd as a cop probably wouldnt do that.Sue was a calculating woman wasnt she? I would like to see Morse with a steady, feisty girlfriend who gives as good as she gets!!! Yes I do find his crustiness endearing - I think its more interesting that way.
I recently read the first Agatha Raisin and although I wasnt too impressed with the book I really liked Agatha telling it like it is!!
Bernard was surrounded by devastation - but I suppose that is what happens at times. I worked in critical care for many years and with violent crime it was the people around those committing the act whose lives were also so ruined - echoes of We Need To Talk About Kevin there!!
Shouldnt Morse have been more horrified about Sue? Margaret is obviously so mortified by suspecting Bernard of all sorts of crimes - do you think Morse was?
We dont really get Lewis' opinion of it all - he's just the errand boy most of the time. I hope he comes out more in the next one!
I am curious to see how Morse & Lewis's relationship progresses.
Arpita wrote: "Don't forget the young doctor too Ann! I found this aspect of the novel rather clever. The statement we'll have a giggle about this on the morning- the suspicion was thrown immediately on someone ..."
I read the blurb on the back cover. Spoiler alert! But I kept reading to see if I was right as well as to see how Morse and Lewis figured if out.
Attitudes toward women have changed all over in the last half century, haven't they?
Ann wrote: "I like the Lewis series even more than Morse."Me, too, Ann.
Penny wrote: "Just wondered - with all our discussions of 'first in a series' with their pros and cons - if anyone fancied reading an entire series??Maybe no one will, but I have all the Inspector Morse books t..."
Sounds like a great idea!
This is a great discussion. I was not bothered by the 70's setting as I remember it so well. It is true with cell phones they could have carried out their affair so much more easily. There would have been no coded letters dropped in the mailbox although I find that much more charming.I was creeped out by Morse and Sue. It was wrong on so many levels. Sue then writes to her fiancee to break her engagement after one date with Morse. Really?
I am looking forward to the next one to see how things progress. I think this is a great idea, Penny.
By the way, I like Inspector Lewis better too. I have a thing for Hawthorne. He is a great character and he blushes so nicely.
did you mean Sergeant Hathaway played by Lawrence Fox?? sometimes they do change names when switching things across the pond, isnt it Inspector Lewis over there too? I think Lawrence Fox has quite a following, he apparently was quite a rebel in his early days.
He's called Hathaway here too in the US, I think that was a typo on Susan's part. Susan I prefer pre- war ( WW2) stories to the 80s era. This goes for movies as well. I like vintage black and white movies more than 70s technicolor. I don't know why.I think I like the way the Lewis series is shot compared to the Morse series (it is more contemporary) but I do miss John Thaw. Very charismatic guy.
Back on the 70s when I was in my 20s, a guy like Laurence Fox would have been called a hunk. What is the current Term of Art? Susan, he DOES blush nicely.
I too like Sergeant Hathaway :) I also find it fascinating how Hathaway is so similar to Morse - his interests in religion, his education, etc. The writers did a good job of maintaining or reproducing a dynamic between the two policemen which I had liked a lot with Morse & Lewis; it is one reason I feel this spin-off has been successful.
I agree with you, Leslie, that Hathaway is much like Morse. I'm glad the writers were able to preserve that dynamic. I also really enjoy watching Lewis be "the old guy". ;:)
I think Hathaway's cool too. Nobody says hunk nowadays. A shame :)
My apologies. I did mean Hathaway not Hawthorne. It's just brain freeze. I knew what I wanted to say but the brain wouldn't let me say it right. I am glad I'm not his only fan. His religious background makes him interesting and he's so unpolished around women. I think it's a shame that hunk is no longer used.
Susan wrote: "My apologies. I did mean Hathaway not Hawthorne. It's just brain freeze. I knew what I wanted to say but the brain wouldn't let me say it right. I am glad I'm not his only fan. His religious backgr..."Well, let's bring it back. Laurence Fox is such a hunk!
Did you see the cameo of Colin Dexter in Lewis Sunday on PBS? He was the older man with a cane at the bottom of the steps in the Oxford Natural History Museum. I love the Lewis series, and so pleased series 6 has begun. Too bad there's only 5 or 6 shows in the series.
Liz wrote: "Did you see the cameo of Colin Dexter in Lewis Sunday on PBS? He was the older man with a cane at the bottom of the steps in the Oxford Natural History Museum. I love the Lewis series, and so pleas..."I'm in England so I didnt see this!
JULY READ LAST SEEN WEARING - MORSE NO. 2As this book has been chosen as the whole group's BOTM we will be doing that particular discussion under the BOTM banner.
We will be back under this thread for August!!
(Jean-Luke preferred that we didnt start a new thread for each book so the whole Morse will be under this banner)
Would love to join but I've seen them all on TV... grrr
Susan wrote: "Would love to join but I've seen them all on TV... grrr"I too have seen the TV versions but this is my first experience with the books. I would encourage you to join even having already seen them as there are some differences (plus it provides a great excuse to rewatch the John Thaw episodes).
The TV series was so well done, that it's one of the few that I can watch over and over, even if I remember the plot. John Thaw was wonderful - I only wish there were more of them. I feel that way about Midsomer Murders too - although admittedly, the quality isn't quite as good as Morse - but they are fun to watch anyway, even if sometimes the plots can get a bit ridiculous - doesn't matter though - it's all about the characters and less about the plot.
As August is approaching, I thought that I would remind us that the next Morse book is The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn.
Super! I was afraid that this thread was going to end. Glad to be mistaken :-)
I hope many of you find your way back here for the third Morse book for August!
Penny wrote: "I hope many of you find your way back here for the third Morse book for August!"I' ll be reading with you guys.
I just read the first three and would love to join a discussion.
Hi Kaywe usually give the group until the 15th to read the book - although sometimes we post our thoughts before if we can do so without spoilers. After that date everyone just dives in!!
Hi. I think I've gotten lost. I can't seem to find any postings on our second Morse read. Would someone point me in the right direction, please?
Found it. Thanks Jean-Luke.Will future Morse reads have their own thread, she asked with hope :-)
I have finished - how is everyone else doing? I have to say it got so convoluted towards the end I thought I should sit down and write notes of times and places and people!
Due to being away, I am still waiting on the library to deliver my copy on interlibrary loan... hope it comes soon!
I finished it, Penny, and found it a remarkable change from the last one. When do we start discussion?
I will be starting in a couple of days! :)
I start today. IF the planets remain in alignment, i should be finished by Saturday. IF ...
I think you'll like it Portia. It seems like a different Morse to me. I can't wait to hear what you think.
Susan, I will let you know as soon as I do :-)
Mod
In the meantime, here's the link to my reviews of the first 2 books, if anyone's interested:
Last Bus to Woodstock
Last Seen Wearing
Jean, we are glad to have you join our buddy read. It's a lot of fun and Morse is quite entertaining.
English Mysteries Club
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Zry6Is3OA
Just in case the link doesn't work, the video title is M7RSE (somewhat obscure!).