The Way Through the Woods

An interesting point in this book was that Colin Dexter takes into account what happens in between novels. To clarify, The Way Through The Woods was published in 1993, two years after The Jewel That Was Ours, in which time two series of Inspector Morse had been shown on ITV. Having recently seen both 'Promised Land' and 'The Death of the Self', neither of which were novels, I noticed something that, had it been absent, would grind at the eyes and ears of die hard fans. Dexter mentions that, hithero to the events in 'The Way Through The Woods', Lewis's only travel abroad had been (in addition to a single afternoon in a Calais supermarket) three weeks in Australia and two weeks in Italy. I consider this a compliment from Mr Dexter to those who both read his novels and watch the television films, which they inspired, as he knows that we would notice, was this left out.

Other than this, I would consider this the best Morse book of them all.


Another Quality Morse Novel   August 1, 2000
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

This novel begins oddly with Morse on holiday, but it's not long before he's called back to Oxford where new evidence has emerged on a year old case.

This Morse novel is probably one of the best in the series. It has a multilayered plot that leaves the reader pondering many aspects of it during the reading and trying to work out who did what and why. The writing has the quality that is expected from Colin Dexter and the characterisation is excellent.

The resolution at the heart of the case was a little predictable, but it was a suprise when it was revealed.

If you've only seen the television Morse, then read the real thing. The television films are very good, but I find the books Morse more satisfying.