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M S Morris

Aspire To Die: An Oxford Murder Mystery (Bridget Hart) Paperback – November 27, 2019

by M S Morris (Author)

4.3 5,407 ratings

Book 1 of 7: Bridget Hart

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Lust. Ambition. Murder.

When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. The murdered girl appeared to have no enemies, yet was killed in a brutal and bloody assault.

Haunted and driven by her own personal tragedy, newly promoted DI Bridget Hart has a lot to prove as she leads her first murder case. Her investigation uncovers a tangled web of lies, lust and ambition, and brings her into conflict with powerful interests.

But no one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where students and academics live and work side by side, and a ruthless killer waits to strike again.

Set amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford University, the Bridget Hart series is perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, JR Ellis, Faith Martin and classic British murder mysteries.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publication date

November 27, 2019
Dimensions

5 x 0.76 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

1914537009
ISBN-13

978-1914537004
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From the Publisher


When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. The murdered girl appeared to have no enemies, yet was killed in a brutal and bloody attack. Haunted and driven by her own personal tragedy, newly promoted DI Bridget Hart has a lot to prove as she leads her first murder case. Her investigation uncovers a tangled web of lies, lust and ambition, and brings her into conflict with powerful interests. But no one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where students and academics live and work side by side, and a ruthless killer waits to strike again.	When reclusive artist, Gabriel Quinn, is gunned down outside a gallery on Oxford High Street, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart investigates the world of contemporary art, where paintings can change hands for millions in the auction room. Bridget is convinced that the last words spoken by the artist – a mysterious code of 8 digits and a letter – are key to unravelling the mystery of his death. But when her ex-husband, Ben, now a senior detective with the Metropolitan Police in London shows up with new information about the murdered man, Bridget’s personal and professional lives are brought crashing together with dramatic consequences.	When Detective Inspector Bridget Hart returns to her old Oxford college for a reunion dinner, she’s hoping for a fun weekend catching up with old friends. But the reunion takes a macabre turn when body parts are served up at the college feast, and one of her friends is found murdered. With Bridget’s arch rival Inspector Baxter leading the murder enquiry, and herself a potential suspect, Bridget is forbidden from taking part in the investigation. But that doesn’t stop her from carrying out her own private enquiries. Bridget soon realises that the murderer is someone known to her. And as the weekend continues and more bodies are found, it becomes clear that they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Can Bridget uncover the dark secrets of the past in time to halt the killer, or will she be next on the murderer’s list?

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a roller coaster ride! Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is in charge of her first murder case since her promotion. Her team is new but dedicated, hardworking, and perseverant. This is a twisty, unusual case as evidence collapses and new evidence is found. Finale is exciting and dangerous! Goodreads reviewer.

For fans of Morse and Hilary Greene, Oxford provides a scintillating background to this classy murder mystery. Goodreads reviewer.

This book is action-packed and entertaining. The characters are well-developed and the setting is deceptively idyllic since scandals are happening around every corner. Goodreads reviewer.

About the Author

M S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. They both studied at Oxford University, where they first met in 1990. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. They are married and live in Oxfordshire.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Landmark Media; 2nd ed. edition (November 27, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1914537009
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1914537004
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.76 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #64,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,784 in Police Procedurals (Books)
- #3,721 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- #4,953 in Cozy Mysteries (Books)

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4.3 5,407 ratings

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M S Morris

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M S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. They both studied at Oxford University, where they first met in 1990. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. They are married and live in Oxfordshire.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

5,407 global ratings

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Lillith

Disappointed

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2021

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I was hoping to have found a new series of detective novels I could enjoy, and Oxford is my home town, so.... but oh dear. Throughout, I cringed at the flat-footed writing: "Last but not least..." and some sentence like, "It seemed that some problems just couldn't be solved." Painstaking explanations about the university system, and concepts like 'old money' versus 'new money etc...very clumsy. It was also very derivative: the high-ranking female officer who struggles to have a life outside work, date men, deal with teen offspring, cf Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books. She envies other women their looks all the time (sigh). Her implausible love life development made me cringe......even her original motivation to go into the police, which also seemed to have been lifted from Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books - a sibling murdered long ago, and no one ever caught. The plea to hang onto the case when her boss has doubts and wants to placate the VIP related to the murder victim. Seen it all before. The characters are not well developed, so the supposed scandal (which I had guessed early on) wasn't all that interesting. Why did the victim behave as she did? Why did she want ...certain matters brought to light at a certain point - (a fateful decision of hers. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, so won't spell it out.) The last dramatic scene seemed to be written for cameras, but didn't make much sense as part of the plot, esp. as it was never clear how a certain person knew the contents of a certain other person's conversation with the police. It did make me want to read Colin Dexter and see how he approaches the writing of Oxford-based crime stories. D.I. Hart's interest in opera seemed to be a reference to the Morse series, for which I longed by the time I'd finished this. I don't know if it's harder to create interesting female senior police officers but I don't see why it should be. Vera - I've seen the series, not read the books - is a great character. Admittedly, Vera is single, so maybe the challenge is to create a non-single female detective with kids who is really an interesting person. Also - my suspicion is that the authors were aiming at a US audience that would be sufficiently excited by the mystique of Oxford, and of glamorous types within that setting, that a feeble plot and thin character development would be excused (is that why we had to hear the difference between old and new money explained? News flash: Americans, who scoff at our 'class system' have far less equality than we, and their own WASP aristocracy...and cf 'legacy admissions' in the US, which you don't get in the UK. Then the embarrassing obsession with the blond and rich was supposed to be offset by some political correctness - the bisexual, go-it-alone female police officer that men slobber over in vain; the inclusion of a homeless character. Don't bother.

23 people found this helpful

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Kim J.

What an ending!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 22, 2022

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I was not sure how I was going to feel about this book. First in a series is always drawn out, and very involved in character development so that you become invested in the series. I like all of the characters in this first book. It was a great plot, not one I've seen before. And a good build up to the outcome, not just dropping into it. And I'm already invested in Bridget and her team! Can't wait to read the next one!

3 people found this helpful

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Constant Reader

Very Good British Procedural in Oxford

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 18, 2021

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Things to like about this book: pretty much everything if you are a fan of well-written British mystery stories. The setting is Oxford, and the author does an exceptionally fine job of capturing the look and feel of both the university and the surrounding areas. This book is the first in a series of British police procedurals featuring Detective Inspector Bridget Hart. Bridget is leading her first murder investigation. The pressure is high because the murder was at the university, and because the deceased is the extremely well-liked daughter of a prominent wealthy family. The first book in a series is always tricky because the author must establish the setting, develop the cast of continuing characters, and tell a story that is entertaining enough to motivate a reader to continue to the next book. I’ve already bought the next book. This is a true procedural as the investigation is revealed step by step. Secrets are revealed; suspects are added and eliminated. The murderer seemed obvious to me, but the book was entertaining. The writing is fluent, the pacing is brisk, and the pages turn quickly. The book is not as good as the very top tier of literary mysteries such as those by Elly Griffiths, Anne Cleeves, Martin Walker, Paul Doiron, Louise Penny, Jean-Luc Bannalec, and a few others, but it is much better than average. Verdict: Very good.

30 people found this helpful

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CarlinK

Oh my, what a wonderful start to a mystery series.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 17, 2022

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Set in Oxford, one of my favorite places, Bridget Hart is a 38 year old recently promoted Detective Inspector in the Oxford PD (bringing back memories of Morse) who is assigned a murder case involving a young woman student at Christ Church College. The girl's father, the college dean, and Bridget's commander are each less than confident in her ability to find the killer, but she proves them wrong. I was impressed with how she led her investigation team and followed all the clues to the solution. I will happily continue reading the series to see what's next!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

This series is set in Oxford. The descriptions of the city and the university are very interesting. The police detectives and their interactions make them quite likable.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Em

Another female detective?

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 6, 2020

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Why not? We are 52% of the population, are we not? I always start new authors and series with trepidation but ASPIRE TO DIE was a good read, well-written, pretty good plot, and most importantly, likeable characters. While Bridget is the main focus around whom the story plays out, Jake, Ffion, Chloe, et all, are all ripe with possibilities, especially in the shadow of Oxford, which is not really within their comfort zone. The detail the Morris' s bring to the setting helps raise the plot a notch above the numerous mysteries set there. And, the plot has some good twists, too. So I am on to the second book in my new series.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 16, 2022

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This was a fun new series that I enjoyed from the beginning to the end. Would definitely recommend that others who like a little mystery give it a try.

2 people found this helpful

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Elaine D.

An Enjoyable Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a pleasant police procedural filled with interesting characters. The mystery and motive were good and made sense. I have two quibbles. The police are unhappy that they can't test a key piece of evidence against the victim's brother because they can't get a sample of his DNA - well the victim's DNA would show a familial match with the brother which they could use if it was his DNA on the evidence. My second unrest is the lead detective buys a chocolate cake early in the day and leaves it in the car all day until she can get home. It's summer! Why would she do that - she knows it will melt! I've already ordered the second in the series and would recommend this book.

16 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Traditional "who-dun-it"

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

If you like a traditional “who-dun-it”, this isn’t bad, but it is not for readers who like a story with more bite. The characters are just stereotypes so it is hard to care very much about them: they are parts of a puzzle and of about as much interest as the deceased is in Cluedo.

The device of a painfully ignorant young detective being told by his seniors how Oxford works was a bit laborious; and if it really was necessary for him to be told what the Cotswolds were, God help Oxford police!

I was disappointed too in the number of factual errors about Oxford, which would have had the pedantic Inspector Morse turning in his grave. No boat anywhere has a “team” and the cox would certainly not have used this word: all boats have crews. Oxford does not have a Mayor: it has a Lord Mayor. The leader of the council does not get a salary: he/she is just a councillor, so perhaps the authors meant the Chief Executive? The term “Christ Church College” is never used: it is just “Christ Church”. Wearing a bowler hat does not make the porter of an Oxford college a bulldog: the bulldogs were the Proctor’s men (university police, long abolished). The term Isis is nothing to do with an Egyptian goddess but is an abbreviation of Tamesis, the Latin name of the River Thames.

50 people found this helpful

Jennyanydots

Really enjoyed this easygoing series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 14, 2022

Verified Purchase

I've read all 7 books in this series now with increasing enjoyment. They remind me a little of the Elly Griffiths archaeology/crime series with Dr Ruth Galloway, in that the mysteries are good and you want to know what happens and whodunnit, but it's the relationships between the characters that intrigue and charm and leave you wanting to know more at the end of each book. These are easy reads, but the detail about Oxford is excellent, the authors have done their homework, and the settings for the murder mysteries are all authentic. You could easily navigate your way around Oxford using these books as guides and I know Oxford well. The authors are not Colin Dexter, neither are they trying to be, and after a rather stiff start you are drawn effortlessly into the world of Inspector Bridget Hart, a single mum to a teenage daughter, with a tricky ex, a grouchy but not unlikeable boss, and a wonderful set of young colleagues who are immensely likeable and about whom you care, together with a skilfully drawn cast of characters from across Oxford, from a tour guide, a host of academics, the students and the homeless. Some of the denouements are a bit forced, too many tops of towers and teetering on balconies perhaps, but Oxford is the City of Dreaming Spires after all. I can't wait to find out what happens to these sharply drawn characters next, where the murders, ingenious and intriguing as they are, are always secondary to the development of Bridget, her daughter Chloe, sister Vanessa, partner Jonathan, together with Jake, Ffion and Ryan, her young colleagues. This would make a great gentle mysteries tv series, maybe on Amazon Prime.

8 people found this helpful

tamzin

Unexpectedly Good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

I wondered if this would be a poor imitation of Faith Martins, Hilary Greene books, but was pleasantly surprised to find it had a character all of its own, despite being set in Oxford, with a female DI. I thought the story was well written and believable. I liked the way the story developed and the ending was excellent. I liked the main characters who are obviously going to feature in later books. So all in all a very enjoyable read a d looking forward to the next in the series.

19 people found this helpful

flowerpot

More Murders in Oxford

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

I guessed the guilty person pretty early on. It was an OK police book and I may read further books by this author.
However, reading some of the other reviews, and not being an Oxford graduate (!), or any graduate at all, I was rather surprised to see how many errors about Oxford there were. These things matter if specifically Oxford and not just any University town.
I too know that Councillors do not get a salary, only expenses and that it is rowing crew, not team, and the origin of the name of the river. Come on editors.

8 people found this helpful

NinaD

Don't expect Colin Dexter...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book started well, and I had high hopes of it. Unfortunately, the beginning was the best bit, although the end wasn't bad. The story is thin, the characters stereotyped. And even when there's a major revelation - I won't say what because it would be a spoiler - there's never much reaction from either the police or the other characters. The police officers are more rounded and interesting characters, but there's not enough of the inner life of ANY of the characters to make me care about them, not even Bridget, the lead. And sorry to be a grammar pedant, but please, please put your apostrophes in the right place. The home of the murder victim's family is referred to as 'the Hamilton's home/house' several times. It should be 'the Hamiltons' home/house'!

5 people found this helpful

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