Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
England, Oxford, 1978
Morse er 47 år gammel og på ferie nær en kirke, St Frideswide's, hvor der blev begået et drab i september året før. Bogen er delt i afsnit kaldet The First Book of Chronicles (kapitel 1-5), The Second Book of Chronicles (6-37), The Book of Ruth (38-40) og The Book of
Inden Morse dukker op på banen er scenen fra året før kridtet op. Præsten Lionel Lawson mistænkes af organisten Poul Morris for at være pædofil. Poul er enkemand, for hans kone blev dræbt i en bilulykke for nogle få år siden, så nu er han og sønnen Peter flyttet og Poul underviser som lærer på den lokale skole og er organist i kirken som bijob. Kirkeværgen Harry Josephs drikker lidt rigeligt og har svært ved at holde på et job. Måske fordi han har en fortid som kommandosoldat? Harry er arbejdsløs udover jobbet som kirkeværge og har forresten også mistet kørekortet midlertidigt pgra spirituskørsel. Konen Brenda har en affære med Peter Morris og Harry har en affære med Ruth Rawlinson i nr 14. Ruth gør gratis rent i kirken en gang om ugen. Lawson har opdaget at nogen snupper lidt af det indsamlede beløb, når der er kollekt og det kan kun være Harry, men hvad skal han nu gøre ved det.
Morris er jaloux på sin elskerindes mand og ville græde tørre tårer, hvis han døde. Morris har brudt ind ved præsten for at lede efter beviser på pædofili, men han blev overrasket af en lidt lurvet mand, der vist er præstens bror. Under indbruddet lægger Morris mærke til en superskarp papirkniv. Den lurvede mand presser efterfølgende penge af Morris for at holde mund med det passerede.
Da Morse dukker op, får vi at vide at kirkeværgen blev stukket ihjel med en superskarp papirkniv midt under gudstjenesten. Men morderen blev ikke set, og er stadig på fri fod. Morse spekulerer med det samme over om organisten kan have set noget, som han holder for sig selv. Lawson faldt ned fra kirketårnet en måneds tid senere, lige efter gudstjenesten og med døden til følge. Peter Morris rejste væk uden varsel og Brenda Josephs rejste også, så bysladderen har selvfølgelig forbundet de tos forsvinden. Morse bliver nysgerrig og begynder at bore i hvad der faktisk skete. Han overværer tilfældigt en fatal motorcykelulykke og spekulerer en del over sin egen fejhed, når han konfronteres med ulykker og voldelig død.
Han læser avisudklip om Lawsons død og tænker over at der sjældent kommer folk op i det kirketårn. Han får fat i Lewis og på trods af Morse's højdeskræk kommer de op i tårnet og finder et mandslig, der har ligget der længe og næsten er skeletteret.
I krypten finder de et lig af en dreng. Harrys kone, Brenda, bliver fundet myrdet i en nærliggende by,, hvor hun har arbejdet som sygeplejerske. Lewis og Morse graver videre. På et tidspunkt får Morse den ide at den myrdede i kirken måske slet ikke var Harry. Det er nøglen til gåden, for præsten Lionel blev som ung smidt ud af skolen, fordi han forsøgte at stikke sin bror Poul ihjel. Lionel har arvet en del penge og ved hjælp af dem har han fået en hel venner, der gerne vil hjælpe med et alibi. Dvs Lionel har dræbt sin bror Poul. Alle de efterfølgende mord er Harry Josephs mester for. Først skaffer han Lionel af vejen. Så Poul Morris og hans søn Peter. Derefter sin kone Brenda og endelig forsøger han at slå Ruth Rawlinson og kriminalkommisær Morse ihjel, men bliver selv dræbt i forsøget, da Lewis slår ham ud af balance, så han falder ned fra kirketårnet.
Ruth får 18 måneders fængsel for medvirken til at give Lionel et falsk alibi og skjule sandheden for politiet. Hun kommer ud efter 11 måneder og hende og Morse mødes senere og indleder et forhold.
Morse er 47 år gammel og på ferie nær en kirke, St Frideswide's, hvor der blev begået et drab i september året før. Bogen er delt i afsnit kaldet The First Book of Chronicles (kapitel 1-5), The Second Book of Chronicles (6-37), The Book of Ruth (38-40) og The Book of
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Revelation (41-44).Inden Morse dukker op på banen er scenen fra året før kridtet op. Præsten Lionel Lawson mistænkes af organisten Poul Morris for at være pædofil. Poul er enkemand, for hans kone blev dræbt i en bilulykke for nogle få år siden, så nu er han og sønnen Peter flyttet og Poul underviser som lærer på den lokale skole og er organist i kirken som bijob. Kirkeværgen Harry Josephs drikker lidt rigeligt og har svært ved at holde på et job. Måske fordi han har en fortid som kommandosoldat? Harry er arbejdsløs udover jobbet som kirkeværge og har forresten også mistet kørekortet midlertidigt pgra spirituskørsel. Konen Brenda har en affære med Peter Morris og Harry har en affære med Ruth Rawlinson i nr 14. Ruth gør gratis rent i kirken en gang om ugen. Lawson har opdaget at nogen snupper lidt af det indsamlede beløb, når der er kollekt og det kan kun være Harry, men hvad skal han nu gøre ved det.
Morris er jaloux på sin elskerindes mand og ville græde tørre tårer, hvis han døde. Morris har brudt ind ved præsten for at lede efter beviser på pædofili, men han blev overrasket af en lidt lurvet mand, der vist er præstens bror. Under indbruddet lægger Morris mærke til en superskarp papirkniv. Den lurvede mand presser efterfølgende penge af Morris for at holde mund med det passerede.
Da Morse dukker op, får vi at vide at kirkeværgen blev stukket ihjel med en superskarp papirkniv midt under gudstjenesten. Men morderen blev ikke set, og er stadig på fri fod. Morse spekulerer med det samme over om organisten kan have set noget, som han holder for sig selv. Lawson faldt ned fra kirketårnet en måneds tid senere, lige efter gudstjenesten og med døden til følge. Peter Morris rejste væk uden varsel og Brenda Josephs rejste også, så bysladderen har selvfølgelig forbundet de tos forsvinden. Morse bliver nysgerrig og begynder at bore i hvad der faktisk skete. Han overværer tilfældigt en fatal motorcykelulykke og spekulerer en del over sin egen fejhed, når han konfronteres med ulykker og voldelig død.
Han læser avisudklip om Lawsons død og tænker over at der sjældent kommer folk op i det kirketårn. Han får fat i Lewis og på trods af Morse's højdeskræk kommer de op i tårnet og finder et mandslig, der har ligget der længe og næsten er skeletteret.
I krypten finder de et lig af en dreng. Harrys kone, Brenda, bliver fundet myrdet i en nærliggende by,, hvor hun har arbejdet som sygeplejerske. Lewis og Morse graver videre. På et tidspunkt får Morse den ide at den myrdede i kirken måske slet ikke var Harry. Det er nøglen til gåden, for præsten Lionel blev som ung smidt ud af skolen, fordi han forsøgte at stikke sin bror Poul ihjel. Lionel har arvet en del penge og ved hjælp af dem har han fået en hel venner, der gerne vil hjælpe med et alibi. Dvs Lionel har dræbt sin bror Poul. Alle de efterfølgende mord er Harry Josephs mester for. Først skaffer han Lionel af vejen. Så Poul Morris og hans søn Peter. Derefter sin kone Brenda og endelig forsøger han at slå Ruth Rawlinson og kriminalkommisær Morse ihjel, men bliver selv dræbt i forsøget, da Lewis slår ham ud af balance, så han falder ned fra kirketårnet.
Ruth får 18 måneders fængsel for medvirken til at give Lionel et falsk alibi og skjule sandheden for politiet. Hun kommer ud efter 11 måneder og hende og Morse mødes senere og indleder et forhold.
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Genres
Publication
London : Pan, 2010.
Description
The sweet countenance of Reason greeted Morse serenely when he woke, and told him that it would be no bad idea to have a quiet look at the problem itself before galloping off to a solution. Chief Inspector Morse was alone among the congregation in suspecting continued unrest in the quiet parish of St Frideswide's. Most people could still remember the churchwarden's murder. A few could still recall the murderer's suicide. Now even the police had closed the case. Until a chance meeting among the tombstones reveals startling new evidence of a conspiracy to deceive ...
Media reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Tricky Mr. Dexter is again a tad too tricky for his own good in this fourth case involving Inspector Morse. It begins beautifully--40 pages setting up the potentially explosive situations among people attached to Oxford's Church of St. Frideswide. Then, however, Dexter jumps forward in time--as
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moody Morse, on semi-vacation, starts looking into the casualties that have indeed ensued at St. Frideswide's: though the characters are fine, the atmosphere perfect, and Morse darkly intriguing, one can only concur when the local magistrate says: "Doesn't all this seem to you an extraordinarily complicated business, Inspector?" It is indeed, and only those partial to super-contrived crime puzzles will fully enjoy the benefits of Dexter's wry, cool, quintessentially British talents. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Noisy
Labyrinthine, absorbing, and just a well-crafted detective story.
Morse is on holiday, but doesn't know what to do with himself. After an abortive attempt at a get-away, he's back to his old haunts in and around Oxford and just happens to come across some mysterious events surrounding a church.
This has more of a classic detective story structure to it than previous outings, but still has the requisite red herrings and blind alleys. Thinking back on it a few weeks after reading, the intricacies of plot and development seem slight, but the mythos of Morse is engaging and the tantalising question about his first name is dangled before us. Morse's predilection for beer is apparent, as is his eye for the ladies.
While this is a solid story, with the sort of literate style that I really enjoy, I'm still thinking that this series doesn't hold a candle to the Lord Peter Wimsey books by Sayers, or the Appleby stories by Innes. However, I have to admit that it is a substantial number of years since I read those books, so it is possible that my view is clouded.
Morse is on holiday, but doesn't know what to do with himself. After an abortive attempt at a get-away, he's back to his old haunts in and around Oxford and just happens to come across some mysterious events surrounding a church.
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He's soon back in harness - dragging Lewis along with him. The suspect list is long (at the start - a few fall (!) by the wayside). This has more of a classic detective story structure to it than previous outings, but still has the requisite red herrings and blind alleys. Thinking back on it a few weeks after reading, the intricacies of plot and development seem slight, but the mythos of Morse is engaging and the tantalising question about his first name is dangled before us. Morse's predilection for beer is apparent, as is his eye for the ladies.
While this is a solid story, with the sort of literate style that I really enjoy, I'm still thinking that this series doesn't hold a candle to the Lord Peter Wimsey books by Sayers, or the Appleby stories by Innes. However, I have to admit that it is a substantial number of years since I read those books, so it is possible that my view is clouded.
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LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
The best Morse that I have read to date. This is a fast paced story where the solution to the mystery comes to one early in the book, only for it to be dismissed with many red herrings before the end.
In the hands of a less skilful writer, this story would fall flatter than any pancake, but Dexter
In the hands of a less skilful writer, this story would fall flatter than any pancake, but Dexter
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knows exactly how to keep the plot racing along at such a break-neck pace that the reader simply does not have time to consider the unlikelihood of such a set of occurrences happening. for a magical couple of hours, one is transported to a land where the solution is assured and all will be well in the world once it is attained. Excellent entertainment. Show Less
LibraryThing member Othemts
This novel begins with Morse on holiday, being unable to keep his mind off of a cold case from the previous autumn. He becomes obsessed with details of the case that don't match up and ends up dragging in Lewis to reopen the case. The writing and plotting of this story are an improvement over its
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predecessor (albeit it again gets absurdly convoluted toward the end) and a the reader can see Morse's character evolving (as I go through the series I'll have to note if this is a watershed book). On a good note, this may be the best book of the series yet. On a down note, I find it hard to believe that there could be so many murders in Oxford, nor that so many protagonists would have such a callous attitude toward tragic death. I'm still waiting for a good mystery that does not involve murder and/or one where the survivors are suitably scarred by their experience with sudden death and treachery. Show Less
LibraryThing member jburlinson
We, and Dexter, are getting to know Morse, so this one is not an unqualified success. Morse bears acquaintance. (I love that phrase.)
LibraryThing member ishtahar
The one where they all keep falling off the Church tower.
LibraryThing member mrtall
The Service of All the Dead is good solid Colin Dexter. Morse becomes enamored of, and then pulled into a strange killing carried out during a service at St Frideswide’s church. As the investigation goes on – and the killings add up – it becomes clear there was a lot more going on in the
Although Dexter gets plenty cute in his plotting and red herrings, this one holds together quite well, and maintains its momentum right through to the end.
An added bonus is a legitimate and attractive love interest for Morse; her character adds intrigue and depth to the story.
Recommended.
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parish than fetes and jumble sales. Although Dexter gets plenty cute in his plotting and red herrings, this one holds together quite well, and maintains its momentum right through to the end.
An added bonus is a legitimate and attractive love interest for Morse; her character adds intrigue and depth to the story.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member fdholt
This is the story of a parish in Oxford along with murder, lies, infidelity, and a budding romance between a middle aged spinster and Morse. The interactions between Morse and Lewis were further developed in this, the 4th book in the series.
As a fan of the Morse mysteries, both novels and the PBS
As a fan of the Morse mysteries, both novels and the PBS
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series, I was dissatisfied with this one. First there were bodies all over the place, including a young boy. It took longer to get into the story and the solution to the murders (and one possible suicide) is a bit thin and mostly conjecture. If you a reading Morse for the first time, don’t start with this title. Show Less
LibraryThing member FKarr
double murder in a local church; Detective Morse was enjoyable, but I prefer the PBS show
LibraryThing member leslie.98
I found myself disappointed in this 4th entry in the Inspector Morse series. I liked the way Morse's character has firmed up somewhat but the actual mystery I thought was too convoluted and the behavior of many of the characters was unconvincing.
LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
Now that was a very satisfying detective story.
LibraryThing member ClicksClan
As usual I don't think Dexter gives the reader enough information to be able to solve the case themselves.
Quite complicated case with the question of whether the body identified as Rev. Lawson was actually him.
The bodies seemed to mount up really quickly, it was like Midsomer Murders!
Liked the
Think I might have seen the TV adaption of this one; looking forward to watching them all at some point.
Quite complicated case with the question of whether the body identified as Rev. Lawson was actually him.
The bodies seemed to mount up really quickly, it was like Midsomer Murders!
Liked the
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story, even though I couldn't really solve it myself, got through it quite quickly.Think I might have seen the TV adaption of this one; looking forward to watching them all at some point.
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LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
The ever-tenacious and intractable Inspector Morse could be on vacation in Greece. In fact, he should be sailing happily around the Greek islands right now - taking his meticulously-planned and highly-anticipated moment of ease, sunning himself beside the rolling waves of the Aegean Sea. Instead,
But he finds the crime - the brutal killing of a suburban churchwarden - remarkably fascinating and extraordinarily difficult to solve. In fact, he believes that he's discovered not just one murder but two; for Inspector Morse suspects that the fatal fall of St. Frideswide's vicar from the church's bell tower is actually murder as well. And as he digs deeply into the private lives and the myriad unsanctified lusts of the late vicar's erring flock, the list of the dead only grows longer.
Not even the oddly appealing woman he finds scrubbing the floor of the church can properly compensate Inspector Morse for the imposition he has brought upon himself. Most especially not for the high risk of probable danger he's bound to get himself into. So he has another pint, follows his hunches, and settles in to untangle the deadly business of homicide...
I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that I may have several of Colin Dexter's books on my bookshelf, although this is the first one that I've read. In my opinion, this story was quintessentially English - the writing seemed to be slightly grandiose to me; maybe even a tad pompous. Although, I would say that my feelings are due in large part to Colin Dexter's writing style; Inspector Morse is probably meant to come across as supercilious and slightly overbearing.
I found the mystery itself to be rather convoluted as well, but still very intriguing for me to read. Overall, I found Service of All the Dead by Colin Dexter to be quite good and very enjoyable - I would give it a B+!
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he is investigating a murder that the police have long since written off. Although, he really only has himself to blame this time.But he finds the crime - the brutal killing of a suburban churchwarden - remarkably fascinating and extraordinarily difficult to solve. In fact, he believes that he's discovered not just one murder but two; for Inspector Morse suspects that the fatal fall of St. Frideswide's vicar from the church's bell tower is actually murder as well. And as he digs deeply into the private lives and the myriad unsanctified lusts of the late vicar's erring flock, the list of the dead only grows longer.
Not even the oddly appealing woman he finds scrubbing the floor of the church can properly compensate Inspector Morse for the imposition he has brought upon himself. Most especially not for the high risk of probable danger he's bound to get himself into. So he has another pint, follows his hunches, and settles in to untangle the deadly business of homicide...
I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that I may have several of Colin Dexter's books on my bookshelf, although this is the first one that I've read. In my opinion, this story was quintessentially English - the writing seemed to be slightly grandiose to me; maybe even a tad pompous. Although, I would say that my feelings are due in large part to Colin Dexter's writing style; Inspector Morse is probably meant to come across as supercilious and slightly overbearing.
I found the mystery itself to be rather convoluted as well, but still very intriguing for me to read. Overall, I found Service of All the Dead by Colin Dexter to be quite good and very enjoyable - I would give it a B+!
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LibraryThing member smik
Six dead bodies makes this story feel very complicated. How many of them are murders and how many are connected to each other? Morse himself is responsible for the death of the final person.
This is almost a cold case, or at least an unsolved mystery. The first murder took place in the vestry during
It takes Morse's peculiar brain to work out how all the deaths are connected to each other.
The novel is divided into four books. Each book takes its name from a book of the Old Testament and follows a different style of writing. Notably, the third is in the form of a statement taken from a witness and the fourth (mostly) takes the form of court proceedings.
It is a very convoluted set of events, and I don't feel that the structure of the novel helped create a particularly successful audio production, although the narration is excellent once again.
The final events show us just how human Morse is.
This is almost a cold case, or at least an unsolved mystery. The first murder took place in the vestry during
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a service when the church warden was stabbed by an intruder as he was counting the collection. The second followed soon after when the vicar threw himself off the bell tower. The most recent was nursing sister found dead in a hotel room. It took some time to work out her identity.It takes Morse's peculiar brain to work out how all the deaths are connected to each other.
The novel is divided into four books. Each book takes its name from a book of the Old Testament and follows a different style of writing. Notably, the third is in the form of a statement taken from a witness and the fourth (mostly) takes the form of court proceedings.
It is a very convoluted set of events, and I don't feel that the structure of the novel helped create a particularly successful audio production, although the narration is excellent once again.
The final events show us just how human Morse is.
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LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
The 4th Inspector Morse book did not disappoint. It was a tad unbelieveable that all of those murders happened in one place. What a huge cover-up that led to death and destruction! On to the next book . . .
LibraryThing member sarahlh
Another thrilling book in the Inspector Morse series. Probably one of my favorites so far. The Morse & Lewis scenes were outstanding and the ending had me smiling a bit, especially the last line about Morse's first name. I can't wait to see how this story played out on the TV series.
Subjects
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Winner — 1979)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1979
Physical description
324 p.; 17.7 cm
ISBN
0330261487 / 9780330261487
Local notes
Omslag: Michael Trevillion
Omslagsfoto: Michael Trevillion
Omslaget viser nogle gamle engelske bygninger set indefra
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Morse (engelsk), bind 4
Købt som del af samlet morseudgave i genbrugsen
Side 52: Tuesday, 27 September of the previous year.
Omslagsfoto: Michael Trevillion
Omslaget viser nogle gamle engelske bygninger set indefra
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Morse (engelsk), bind 4
Købt som del af samlet morseudgave i genbrugsen
Side 52: Tuesday, 27 September of the previous year.
Other editions
Messe for alle de døde by Colin Dexter (Paperback)
Similar in this library
Series
Pages
324
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |