The Secret of Annexe

Rating:
Summary: Not Dexter's best effort
Review: A good read, but this mystery is not up to the author's standards. The dialogue was not as humorous and imaginative, especially between Morse and Lewis, as it was in previous novels. For some reason the characters come off a little flat in this book. The plot suffers a little as well - just not the usual Dexter potboiler.

Rating:
Summary: A nice, middling Morse
Review: I came across this in a used book store and recognized it immediately for what it was: a Morse mystery that I had never read. As Inspector Morse stories go, this one is good but not exceptional. It is always good to be in the presence of the cranky Inspector, especially since he is so clearly personified by the late, great John Thaw, and this story has some very unique elements in the telling of a good story, but it relies a little too much on coincidence for its final resolution. It was a necessary device in this case, but if Morse hadn't been in that particular pub at that particular time... Oh, well. I think we read these as much for the enjoyment of Morse's cognitive processes and his relationship with Lewis, his long-suffering sergeant. And there are far worse ways to spend and evening! (I don't want this back.)