Aug / Sep 2016 Group Read - Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter

[Bill]

This is the thread to discuss Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter, the first Inspector Morse mystery. M.L. is the moderator. Enjoy.

[M.L.]

Hi Bill, thanks! I'm looking forward to reading Last Bus to Woodstock and seeing everyone's thoughts about it. I've watched several of the Inspector Morse series and enjoyed them.

[Bill]

Same here, M.L. I'm just now starting to get into the books. I've enjoyed the TV series and also the two spin-offs, Lewis and Endeavour. I also look forward to seeing what people have to say about this book.

[M.L.]

I haven't had a chance to watch Lewis and didn't know about Endeavour so I look forward to watching those as well.

I asked Tom to please be co-moderator and he graciously agreed! Tom is the moderator for another great GR group. I hope everyone that would like to read it has a chance to join!

[Tom]

Thanks fir the invitation and for nominating this one M.L.. I've never read any of Colin Dexter's books and have only watched a couple episodes of Inspector Morse (enough to know I covet his Jaguar) but I have watched every episode of Inspector Lewis and Endeavour. The latter has really sparked my interest in this brilliant yet prickly detective.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I have to take a pass on this one since I have a hefty TBR for the remainder of the summer but have fun.

[Terri]

It has been years since I read it but I DID like it and I actually saw it on Morse recently.

Love Lewis and Endeavor as well

[Lynn]

I haven't read any of the books nor watched Morse or Lewis but am on Season 2 of Endeavour, it's really good.

[Gisela]

Hmm, I have to say that I was and am a great fan of the Morse series. When I watched them for the first time in the 80s/90s not sure, they were really very different from what had come before. John Thaw was absolutely brilliant and yes that Jaguar combined with Oxford, is a magical combination. I then read a few Colin Dexter books hoping for the same atmosphere and gripping story line, but somehow I thought the books far less exciting than the films. I say this very, very rarely. I found the writing very superficial and schematic. Came to the conclusion that it is the excellent acting by John Thaw which makes Morse such a success. Do like Lewis, but mainly those with the excellent Hathaway, who again acts very much in the style of John Thaw.

[Terri]

Gisela wrote: "Hmm, I have to say that I was and am a great fan of the Morse series. When I watched them for the first time in the 80s/90s not sure, they were really very different from what had come before. John..."

I wouldnt mind Hathaway having his own show....

[Wend]

Read the book many, many moons ago, looked to see if I still had it in the put away to re-reads. No, must have given it away. it's quite expensive to buy on UK kindle, so my give this one a miss as a bit behind on reading. Seem to remember it was a nice book, but not excellent. May pick on Colin Dexter in the future when I've got to the end of some other author's I'm reading through the catalogue. the Inspector Morse tv series with John Thaw was brilliant.

[Tom]

Terri wrote: "I wouldnt mind Hathaway having his own show.... ."

Me neither.

[Portia]

I watched the Morse series with my hub who is a great fan. I read Last Bus for the first time about three years ago and was struck by how different things are since it was written. I really enjoyed the story. What was accepted without question regarding women set my teeth on edge HOWEVER, I decided to take the attitudes as part of the time and focus on the plot/story/writing and ended up liking the book.

[M.L.]

I got my copy yesterday and about 54 pages along. I'm enjoying it, following the investigation and police procedures. Getting to 'know' the book version of Morse. He is physically different from the John Thaw version and at the moment Morse seems to me more a combination of the book versions of Holmes and Poirot than the TV version of himself, which may sound a bit weird! That perception could change of course but, present impression. I like the book!

[Tom]

M.L. wrote: "I got my copy yesterday and about 54 pages along. I'm enjoying it, following the investigation and police procedures. Getting to 'know' the book version of Morse. He is physically different from th..."

You are a faster reader than I am. I've only read four chapters so far. I agree that Dexter's Morse is different than Thaw's. There's something very unusual about his personality that I hope will coalesce into an obvious display of brilliance. His mind always seems to be wandering off-track on subjects like crossword clues, stars and offtrack betting. If this is as formulaic as Gisela suggests then I'm sure there will turn out to be a method to his madness. As it stands, though, the biggest mystery is what is going on in that head of his.

I like it too,

[Tom]

Sergeant Lewis strikes me very much like his character as played by Kevin Whately. I can see him in everything the book's Lewis says or does.

[M.L.]

Tom wrote: "Sergeant Lewis strikes me very much like his character as played by Kevin Whately. I can see him in everything the book's Lewis says or does."

Me too, Kevin Whatley is spot on. He is the perfect counterpart, the even keel, to the somewhat unorthodox and temperamental Inspector Morse.

[M.L.]

Portia wrote: "I watched the Morse series with my hub who is a great fan. I read Last Bus for the first time about three years ago and was struck by how different things are since it was written. I really enjoyed..."

Yes, I agree, the attitudes that seem taken for granted make me cringe. Some of that came up recently with Miss Marple and I had to take into consideration the time it was written.

[M.L.]

Gisela wrote: "Hmm, I have to say that I was and am a great fan of the Morse series. When I watched them for the first time in the 80s/90s not sure, they were really very different from what had come before. John..."

About the atmosphere, I've found that to be the case with Poirot, David Suchet, much more atmospheric than the books. I'm thinking as of now, about 2/3ds of the way through the Morse book, the more ordinary (if that is the right word) feeling seems to duplicate the ordinary routine nature of police work. Maybe that is more so with the steady, even keel Inspector Lewis as contrasted with Morse who has somewhat ignored standard procedures. I do love that Jag in the TV version.

[Gisela]

M.L. wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Hmm, I have to say that I was and am a great fan of the Morse series. When I watched them for the first time in the 80s/90s not sure, they were really very different from what had co..."

Morse and Lewis definitely go together as do Lewis and Hatthaway. One steady Eddy and the other impulsive genius. Again Morse and then later Hatthaway are so vulnerable, which is maybe why they are so perceptive about other peoples weaknesses?

[M.L.]

Gisela wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Hmm, I have to say that I was and am a great fan of the Morse series. When I watched them for the first time in the 80s/90s not sure, they were really very different fro...
Morse and Lewis definitely go together as do Lewis and Hatthaway. One steady Eddy and the other impulsive genius. Again Morse and then later Hatthaway are so vulnerable, which is maybe why they are so perceptive about other peoples weaknesses?"

That's a good point. I had been thinking of him as a romantic, which may be similar, but vulnerable, yes. That's part of his appeal, a big part I imagine. Philip Marlowe too is vulnerable, both in the books and the Bogart movies?

Adding, it's part of their toughness too, vulnerability, seeing their own weakness and maybe not liking it sometimes and knowing they have to still do the job, maybe they over compensate and get tougher, perhaps?

[M.L.]

Hi - Checking in at about a week here. Anyone finished, reading, decided not to continue, like, don't like! What are your thoughts?

[Tom]

I'm about 100 pages in. Mostly I am enjoying it but the societal mores sure have changed since this was written, particularly when it comes to gender issues. If this were written today, I'm pretty sure Dexter wouldn't be able to find a publisher for it.

[Gisela]

Tom wrote: "I'm about 100 pages in. Mostly I am enjoying it but the societal mores sure have changed since this was written, particularly when it comes to gender issues. If this were written today, I'm pretty ..."
Agree, in that respect it is definitely of its time.

[M.L.]

I finished. I agree it's definitely of its time and the mores have thankfully changed.

It was different from what I expected. John Thaw does wonders as Inspector Morse. I found the book version to be less compelling. It seems like Dexter was more intent on making him a 'character' than giving him a lot of character.

It's always interesting to me when the author mentions other literary characters, so I took particular note that he mentioned Holmes, Poirot, and Philip Marlowe, so maybe he was after something of a mix.

My favorite parts were probably around the initial investigation and the background of the victim and her associates. I would like to have seen more of Lewis. I think he ended up being my favorite character. I was also impressed with the 'normalness' of the crime, the victim, the rate of progress during the investigation. It lent itself to how 'normal' crime unfortunately is, regular people with bad things happening, not sensationalized until caught up by the media. There were a lot of threads which showed how many different people can get caught up in something.

I'm glad I read it. If anyone has a recommendation for the next one to read (not necessarily in order), a favorite in the series, I'd be happy for recommendations.

[Bill]

Excellent review. I've got the second in the series on my book shelf to read. For some reason, when they televised the series, this wasn't shown until Season 2. The first book to be televised was The Dead of Jericho, which was the 5th book.

[M.L.]

Bill wrote: "Excellent review. I've got the second in the series on my book shelf to read. For some reason, when they televised the series, this wasn't shown until Season 2. The first book to be televised was [..."


Thanks! I added #2 and #5 to my TBR.
I almost forgot the 'car' which I was looking for also; the Jaguar really adds to Morse's panache (view spoiler)[ turned out to be a Lancia, not as glamorous but Morse was sentimentally attached to it so that's a nice touch! (hide spoiler)].

[Tom]

M.L. wrote: "Thanks! I added #2 and #5 to my TBR.
I almost forgot the 'car' which I was looking for also; the Jaguar really adds to Morse's panache (view spoiler). "

I missed the Jaguar. I enjoyed seeing its cameos in the recent series of Endeavour.

I hope to finish the book today. I have a suspicion of how it will end. If I'm right, this will be a plot line that I have seen once or twice before.

[Tom]

I have long wanted to read Last Bus to Woodstock, the first book in the series that brought us the Inspector Morse TV series. Sometimes the reward doesn't justify the wait. Here is my review.

[Bill]

Very thoughtful review, Tom.

[M.L.]

Nice review! I really feel like I need to watch one of the TV episodes again as it seemed there was a big change from my first impression of Morse as portrayed by Thaw (I've only watched 2 and one was the last episode) and the one Dexter put in print, at least as far as this first book is concerned. The word vulnerable was used to describe him, and for a while I thought of him as a romantic, but finally settled on 'capricious.'

In addition to the mores and views, it bothered me when Morse actually screamed at Lewis. Coming from the perspective of respect for the individual, I thought how dare him!

The other thing I was looking for, and could have missed but don't remember, is how Morse got to be (earned the title and rank of) Chief Inspector. Interestingly, Dexter referred to Inspector Lewis's wife as 'the long-suffering Mrs. Lewis' meaning his duties calling him away at any and all times, but really I think Inspector Lewis is the long-suffering one due to his temperamental boss.

[Bill]

He was around a long time, M.L. and I'm assuming he just rose through the ranks. In Endeavour, in the most recent episode, he was writing his Sgt exams.

[M.L.]

Bill wrote: "He was around a long time, M.L. and I'm assuming he just rose through the ranks. In Endeavour, in the most recent episode, he was writing his Sgt exams."

Oh, ok. Hmm, maybe I should start with Endeavor. I like to know how things get to certain places.

[Bill]

It might be a way to go. It's interesting that it was the 3rd series of the bunch. I'd be interested to see what changes and / or similarities if you go through them from Endeavour to Morse to Lewis.. :)

[Kelly]

I found this book unnecessarily convoluted. There were parts that I enjoyed and parts that I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on. I don't know if it was the writing style, or me, but I just didn't connect very well with this one. It wasn't horrible, and I did finish it and found the resolution to be interesting. It just was only okay in my opinion.

[Mariah]

Horrendously late in adding my thoughts on this! I did manage to make it to the end of the book, but it was touch and go. I love Morse on TV (and Lewis, and Endeavour) but this Morse was just to boorish and rude for me. I guess that's what happens when you become invested in an actor's portrayal before you actually get around to reading the book!
But I'm pleased I read it, and pleased that I stuck it out till the end. I must try a couple more in the series to see if Morse develops any redeeming features ... (!)

[Zoe]

I actually prefer the morse in the books because that's who and what the character is. He is supposed to be rude and boorish and that's why I love how his character and Lewis develop over time. The TV is good don't get me wrong but they kinda had to tone it down a bit but I love morse as it is written.

[Bill]

He is a bit like R.D. Wingfield's Inspector Frost, although I think Frost, for all his boorishness, has a bigger heart.

[Mariah]

Yes I think I would agree with that, Bill ... it's a while since I read any RD Wingfield, but I seem to recall Frost in the books being a much more empathetic character than Morse.
I'm glad the first Dexter I read was the first in the series, though ... there is a lot to be said for starting at the beginning and seeing how the characters develop.