Rating: 
Summary: Please pass the Prozac
Review: I never approach an Inspector Morse mystery (is "Morse" a contraction of "morose"?) expecting an upbeat experience. But this one, billed as "the final Morse novel," took the prize for anti-upbeatness. Colin Dexter's marvelous writing and exquisite plotting (no cheap dei-ex-machina here!) were certainly up to their usual level, and the characterizations were painfully real. I suppose that was the problem (for me). Great book. But if you're feeling less than robust, mood-wise, at the moment, go read a mystery by Veronica Black and set aside this book for another day.
Rating: 
Summary: I cried
Review: I remember calling the friend who had introduced me to Inspector Morse - a couple of books ago - and crying "He's going to kill him off..."
Knowing this didn't make it any easier. I can't remember the last time I sobbed so completely. A tribute to the gifts of Colin Dexter and John Thaw, both of whom made Morse so much more than a name in a book.
On one had I wanted the death so be so much heroic, on the other hand that would have been so artificial for a man who basically killed himself.
As Lewis says "Inspector Morse is dead!" But Lewis isn't, and I hope Colin Dexter can't help but pick up the thread with him...
Rating:
Summary: I cried
Review: I remember calling the friend who had introduced me to Inspector Morse - a couple of books ago - and crying "He's going to kill him off..."
Knowing this didn't make it any easier. I can't remember the last time I sobbed so completely. A tribute to the gifts of Colin Dexter and John Thaw, both of whom made Morse so much more than a name in a book.
On one hand I wanted the death so be so much heroic, on the other hand that would have been so artificial for a man who basically killed himself.
As Lewis says "Inspector Morse is dead!" But Lewis isn't, and I hope Colin Dexter can't help but pick up the thread with him...
Rating:
Summary: Dexter saved the best for the last.
Review: I was awfully sad when I finished the novel as there will be no more Morse novels for us to cherish. As always, you will enjoy the classic detection and the delightful company of Cheif Inspector Morse (and, ofcourse, Sgt. Lewis) in this book too. Ah, there will be no more Morse..books... Dexter, don't you have any remorse ? Hope there will be his memoirs... Dear readers, don't ever hesitate to by this great book. Remember, there will be no more Morse novel, as Colin Dexter threatens.. So why are you waiting ..Get out and grab the book. Cyril Thomas Kerala, India
Rating:
Summary: Goodbye friends
Review: I was very apprehensive to read this book knowing it would be the last in this series. The book was wonderful every step of the way. Morse reminds me of someone I know with diabetes who chooses to ignore the diagnosis but does try now and again. Morse was never perfect but thats what made him lovable but he always had a sense of what what right . This book had a great storyline and as you read you are taken along with the plot the deeper I got into the story the more I wanted to read. I must admit I had to re-read certain chapters to get the charactors in order. To me the plot was like a snowball that got bigger as it progressed through the snow. I think the end was very fitting for our bachelor friend. I will miss him very much. When I put the book down I felt as if I had lost an old friend. Colin Dexter has a wonderful way with words and I thank him for the enjoyment he has given me over the years.
Rating: 
Summary: An underserving end to a more deserving character
Review: In his final work of the Inspector Morse series, Colin Dexter appears to have vicariously dealt with his impending own demise by cheating his readers. The inspector we have come to know an love in both books and television was far more deserving of a better final chapter than the one spawned by his own creator. Mr. Dexter chose, however, to turn the intelligent, practical Morse into a seemingly feeble sole unable to deal intelligently with his diabetes. Inspector Morse was far more deserving of a more appropriate "retirement". For die hard Morse fans, my advice would be to skip this last installment and keep Inspector Morse alive and well listening to his music, completing his crosswords in record time and sipping the odd glass of Glenfiddich .
Rating:
Summary: An underserving end to a more deserving character
Review: In his final work of the Inspector Morse series, Colin Dexter appears to have vicariously dealt with his impending own demise by cheating his readers. The inspector we have come to know an love in both books and television was far more deserving of a better final chapter than the one spawned by his own creator. Mr. Dexter chose, however, to turn the intelligent, practical Morse into a seemingly feeble sole unable to deal intelligently with his diabetes. Inspector Morse was far more deserving of a more appropriate "retirement". For die hard Morse fans, my advice would be to skip this last installment and keep Inspector Morse alive and well listening to his music, completing his crosswords in record time and sipping the odd glass of Glenfiddich .
Rating:
Summary: Not a fitting sendoff
Review: Inspector Morse is my favorite detective and I was disappointed in the book in that I found the mystery part to be completely boring. The investigation and clues had no points of interest and seemed unworthy of Morse's attention. The highlight of the book is the interaction between Morse and Lewis (who, to my delight, has a much bigger role than usual), and Morse and Strange. I was truly touched by Morse's actions towards Lewis and Strange at the end of the book. The writing itself was to Colin Dexter's high standard. I've always appreciated that he doesn't 'write down' to the audience. It was courageous of him to show Morse's abuse of alcohol and drugs in such a realistic way. I give this book 1 star for the mystery and 5 stars for everything else.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever!
Review: It breaks my heart that this is the final Morse, but it was exceptionally well done...will Lewis continue to stay the course? I really hope so!
Rating:
Summary: And so a great mind leaves us for that long good night...
Review: It never ceases to amaze me concerning certain circumstances. Shortly after PBS discontinued the series on Colin Dexter's books on Inspector Morse, John Thaw who played the part died. A similar track of events happened after PBS stopped making Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett, he also died. So forever will my mind see these two great actors in their final appearances as the intensely brilliant, very British, very demanding crime-solvers that they were in spite of the other parts they played throughout their lives. And so when I read this final book of Dexter's concerning Inspector Morse's final days and his last case, I see a curmudgeon with a shock of white hair, an obvious limp, and a tendency to use big words wandering throughout this book. I also see a perplexed Kevin Whatley as Morse's very long-suffering sidekick Seargeant Lewis. And at the end when Morse is dead, and Lewis is struggling so hard to come to terms with information left behind that seems to implicate Morse as a less then perfect officer of the law, only to find out that Morse had been protecting their soon-to-retire senior officer and his dying wife...when Lewis breaks down and cries for his loss finally, my heart breaks with him. Dexter was right to stop his series. His writing remained magnificently British to the end, but all series get stail and sometimes the authors just need the opportunity to move on to something else. And like with Jeremy Brett's death, even the production of a prequel could not be done, because the man who ultimately 'is' the part of Morse is no longer with us. Since this is the last in the series, I gave it a five. Some of the earlier stories are better, and this one was a bit confusing in some spots. There seem to be suspects all over the place, and yet, some don't make sense. But the writing is so much better than most American mystery writers, and as I said, the end nearly brought me to tears. Morse himself, while treating his symptoms which he knows indicate a heart attack in happening with acid reflux medicine, he continues to be himself and solve the one case from which he tried to distance himself, because of personal involvement with the victim. Morse never finds the happiness of human companionship in his life. But his life is full never-the-less with his job, with his music and reading, and with his relationship with Lewis (who is surprised at the end with being the recipient of an inheritance from this man he thought did not respect him. but who loved him nevertheless). An appropriate ending to a wonderful series. Karen Sadler
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