One of the best is 'Last Bus to Woodstock'. It sets the tone for the series with Morse's complex character and the engaging mystery. The story has a great sense of place and the plot twists keep you hooked.
'The Riddle of the Third Mile' is often mentioned as a top pick. It's a story full of academic intrigue and mystery. Morse is faced with a complex case where the motives are not clear at first, and he has to use his intelligence and intuition to solve it.
The author is Colin Dexter. His works featuring Inspector Morse are known for their intellectual puzzles and in - depth characterizations. Dexter was able to bring the world of Oxford, with its academic and social hierarchies, to life in his novels. His writing style and the way he developed the character of Morse made the series of novels a classic in the detective genre.
The complex characters are a great aspect. Inspector Morse himself is a brooding, intelligent man with many layers to his personality. His flaws make him more relatable.
Apart from the Inspector Morse novels, Colin Dexter wrote other works that explored different aspects of crime and mystery. He delved deeper into the characters and settings he had already established in the Morse series. Some of his works might be collections of short stories that further expand on the ideas and themes present in the novels.
Well, in the first three novels, Inspector Morse is often portrayed as a highly intelligent and somewhat moody detective. He has a sharp eye for detail which helps him solve complex cases. He is also shown to be a bit of a loner, preferring to work on his own terms.
One of the well - known Morse novels is 'The Remorseful Day' by Colin Dexter. It's a great one as it wraps up the story of Inspector Morse in a rather poignant way.