Wench Is Dead (Inspector Morse Mysteries) [Paperback]

Colin Dexter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1991 | ISBN-10: 0330313363 | ISBN-13: 978-0330313360

In 1856 the body of Joanna Franks was found at Duke's Cut on the Oxford canal. In 1989 Inspector Morse is taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with a perforated ulcer. As Morse begins his recovery he comes across an account of the investigation of Joanna's death and subsequent murder trial.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Pan Books (July 12, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330313363
• ISBN-13: 978-0330313360
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Inspector Morse nightmare, February 15, 2007

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wench Is Dead (Inspector Morse Mysteries) (Paperback)

Hard drinking Inspector Morse collapses at home but is luckily found by his cleaning woman who recognises the signs of a perforated ulcer, as her late husband had died from that same condition. A reluctant Morse is hospitalised and forced to rest while undergoing treatment. He is given a copy of a book based on an actual murder case which took place in 1859, in which the crew of a canal boat were executed for the murder of a young female passenger. Despite pleading their innocence, the boatmen's story was never believed. Morse is fascinated by the case and gets the visiting, librarian daughter of another patient in his hospital ward to bring him in copies of the old newspapers which carried the stories. He then fills in his days in bed with solving several puzzling aspects of the case. This book was very well portrayed in the tv series Inspector Morse, which starred John Thaw and was played in the two eras...the hospital and the canal boat trip in 1859.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery Reviews and You the Reader, August 18, 2007

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wench Is Dead (Inspector Morse Mysteries) (Paperback)

There are many good mysteries but there are almost no good mystery reviews. There's no mystery about this state of affairs - even the simplest description of storyline immediately lessens the unique pleasure mystery readers find in their pastime. What is fine and desired in regular fiction - a basic overview of some of the characters, setting, and plot, some comments on the quality of writing and the themes - quickly turns a mystery review into a series of blatant spoilers. In an Inspector Morse novel it's the equivalent of some prankster filling in half Morse's morning Times' crossword puzzle, then putting it back on the step. God help the CDI when Morse hits the office after that!

Thus it's a pleasure to point out the marvelous review of this Inspector Morse novel by Ms Strong, unfairly listed below mine due to my Amazon vine tag, as an example showcasing a rare and practiced appreciation for just HOW to describe and review a mystery novel without in anyway destroying it's special attraction. Moreover, she has written a well-nigh perfect review, with not a wasted word, enticing the reader to pick up the book. Go back and read it again - there are few reviews on Amazon any better, even by their professionals. Hats off! Many people avoid reading mystery reviews because the reviewer inevitably discloses far too much - here is one you can confidently peruse without any fears of stumbling across a crucial plot incident out of sequence.

Later: I followed up Ms Strong's suggestion and watched the television version - certainly one of the better shows of the series, though without Lewis. (Not I hope a spoiler - Listen carefully near the end to the first lines of the modern day Irish policeman - he's given quite possibly the best line in perhaps the entire series!)

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Morse, December 1, 2011

By 

JSmalls - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wench Is Dead (Inspector Morse Mysteries) (Paperback)

This is one of the best Morse books. Dexter does a good job of creating a solid mystery while also keeping the story moving. I enjoyed this a bit more than I enjoyed some of his earlier efforts.