Last Bus to Woodstock

Colin Dexter

Two young women missed the bus and hitch a ride to Woodstock. One is found dead later that evening in a local pub's parking lot. Inspector Morse is called in to discover who murdered Sylvia Kaye. Witnesses come forward. None are the woman who accompanied Ms. Kaye into the car.

Sergeant Lewis is assigned to work with Morse. He starts to learn that Morse is an unusual character. Morse denies Lewis alcohol while on duty, then waits in the local pub while Lewis is interviewing people about the case. One woman saw the two girls waiting at the bus stop, then leave to accept a ride with someone. Morse soon observes from her comments that the woman with Kaye probably worked with her. They interview all the women from her office to no avail.

One co-worker is singled out by Morris as the person with Kaye. He starts visiting her flat to interview her, talking with her and her attractive roommate. Then a man comes forward admitting to having seen the women. As Morse pulls on the knots, he slowly untangles a tale of adultry and deceit that ended in murder.

This is the first Inspector Morse novel. Morse' and Lewis' characters are still being molded. Morse' eccentricities are not quickly noticeable. Lewis is quickly turned into the competent assistant, often long-suffering, usually a step behind Morse in the solution to the crime. This is an intricately set up novel. Dexter has not yet found the voice he wants for Morse; the writing is average. I can recommend it as part of the series, and the reader will find others better.

Notice: Non-graphic violence, Strong indecent language

The Last Bus to Woodstock
Last Seen Wearing
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
Service of All the Dead
The Dead of Jericho
The Riddle of the Third Mile
The Secret of Annexe 3
The Wench is Dead
The Jewel that Was Ours
The Way Through the Woods
The Daughters of Cain
Death is Now My Neighbor
The Remorseful Day