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Inspector Morse #3
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
Nicholas Quinn is deaf, so he considers himself lucky to be appointed to the Foreign Examinations Board at Oxford, which designs tests for students of English around the world. But when someone slips cyanide into Nicholas's sherry, Inspector Morse has a multiple-choice murder. Any one of a tight little group of academics could have killed Quinn. Before Morse is done, all their dirty little secrets will be exposed. And a murderer will be cramming for his finals.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
266 people are currently reading
1812 people want to read
About the author
Colin Dexter
180 books713 followersNorman Colin Dexter was an English crime writer, known for his Inspector Morse novels.
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
He started writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday: "We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining - it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales. The children were moaning ... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel." Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the world to the character of Inspector Morse, the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords, English literature, cask ale and Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter's plots are notable for his use of false leads and other red herrings.
The success of the 33 episodes of the TV series Inspector Morse, produced between 1987 and 2001, brought further acclaim for Dexter. In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock, he also makes a cameo appearance in almost all episodes. More recently, his character from the Morse series, the stalwart Sgt (now Inspector) Lewis features in 12 episodes of the new ITV series Lewis. As with Morse, Dexter makes a cameo appearance in several episodes. Dexter suggested the English poet A. E. Housman as his "great life" on the BBC Radio 4 programme of that name in May 2008. Dexter and Housman were both classicists who found a popular audience for another genre of writing.
Dexter has been the recipient of several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996 Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story Evans Tries an O-Level. In 1980, he was elected a member of the by-invitation-only Detection Club.
In 2000, Dexter was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
From Wikipedia
Series:
* Inspector Morse
Awards:
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 1979: Service of all the Dead
◊ 1981: The Dead of Jericho
Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
◊ 1989: The Wench is Dead
◊ 1992: The Way Through the Woods
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
April 22, 2025
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, the third novel about Inspector Morse, moves outside the Colleges to an independent organisation - The Oxford Examinations Syndicate - which runs exams for overseas students. The eponymous Nicholas Quinn is a recently appointed employee, though the decision by the committee had only been made after some disagreement, which hinged on the fact that he was profoundly deaf.
The novel centres round the small group of people working at this establishment, where there is a murder - and then a secondary murder. There are occasional visits to the Radcliffe hospital (where the narrator makes his views on modern architecture crystal clear) and a rather sleazy cinema, but otherwise the setting is the Syndicate building. And the fusty, claustrophobic feeling of a small, rather oldfashioned institution whose sole purpose is to make money by getting so-so students through exams, is conveyed very well.
What I disliked yet again about this novel, was the narrator's misogyny. It was published in 1977, and I had really hoped by now that Dexter would not still be viewing his female characters in such a shallow way. Morse is depicted as unpleasant throughout; bad-tempered, arrogant, viewing every female he meets in terms of their "bedworthiness", and only grudgingly covering his true feelings to all and sundry with a thin veneer of politeness. Sometimes he does not even bother with this, behaving in an appalling manner to Lewis (who well knows his moods, but wishes he wasn't "so coarse".) On one occasion he actually calls a female witness a "whore" to her face. (We are led to believe that this is because he is attracted to her himself, which means that he has not only double but probably triple standards.) This is certainly an antidote to the "gentleman detective" who has hitherto been so standard in British detective fiction.
It is difficult, but not impossible, to reconcile this side of Morse with his skill at crosswords, or fiendishly devious mind. (Other intellectual pursuits seem so far to have been inserted by scriptwriters in the TV versions.) What is unacceptable is that the narrator himself shares this tits-and-bum view of females. If a new male character is introduced we have a straightforward description. Sometimes there is not even that. The character is gradually built up and revealed through the telling of the story. A familiar and perfectly acceptable way of writing a novel. But a female character? No - the process is very different. There will probably be a few loaded words of description to sum them up; an instant judgement. Additionally they will be there solely to fulfil a role adjunct to the male characters. There is one exception - Monica Height - who is the token female in the academic establishment. The fact that Dexter has decided she is sexy, and that every male is besotted with her, is thrust down our throat at every opportunity. Women are a distraction. Men cannot help but be at the mercy of their baser instincts. There are 2 sorts of women - those who know this and capitalise on it ("whores") and those who are dowdy and stupid. This seems to be Dexter's world view in a nutshell. Dexter's - not Morse's. Morse is frequently nowhere around when the narrator is pontificating.
The reader may wonder whether it is worth reading these rather sad, sleazy novels, with the characters - including the coppers - indulging in voyeuristic viewings of a film about a busty nymphomaniac. (Sigh. Please keep your own fantasies outside your novels Mr Dexter.) However the plot is rather good. I would have preferred it though if the ending had been written in a more straightforward way; not with the action all being reported. There is a long exposition at the end, where Morse goes through at length, and in great detail, how he sees the crimes having been committed. This is rather reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Poirot. True to form, Morse has made so many inspired guesses that turn out to be incorrect, that the convoluted ending is far from clear. It is one of the more enjoyable parts of the characterisation, however, that Morse gets his results from inspired guesswork, leaving the detail and hard work to Lewis. The contrast makes for an entertaining read.
Incidentally, for Morseophiles, this is the first novel where it is noticed that nobody knows Morse's first name. Lewis comments on it. It is also the first novel where there is a brief mention of Lewis's wife.
Almost a quarter through the series, the reader has to expect that the characters have now been broadly determined. The plots are definitely worth sticking with, and the sense of place is quite good. It is really of small account that the main character is disagreeable. But it is to be hoped that the narrator (who does seem to speak with the author's voice) does not continue to have such a heavy-handed presence in the rest of these novels, given that he has such prejudicial views.
Edit: May 2015
It is worth adding a comment here, as I have now read and reviewed all 13, and the novels do indeed get better! I suspect John Thaw's interpretation of Morse's character may have fed into Colin Dexter's future portrayal of him. I'm also now rewatching the entire TV series, which adds yet another dimension.
The novel centres round the small group of people working at this establishment, where there is a murder - and then a secondary murder. There are occasional visits to the Radcliffe hospital (where the narrator makes his views on modern architecture crystal clear) and a rather sleazy cinema, but otherwise the setting is the Syndicate building. And the fusty, claustrophobic feeling of a small, rather oldfashioned institution whose sole purpose is to make money by getting so-so students through exams, is conveyed very well.
What I disliked yet again about this novel, was the narrator's misogyny. It was published in 1977, and I had really hoped by now that Dexter would not still be viewing his female characters in such a shallow way. Morse is depicted as unpleasant throughout; bad-tempered, arrogant, viewing every female he meets in terms of their "bedworthiness", and only grudgingly covering his true feelings to all and sundry with a thin veneer of politeness. Sometimes he does not even bother with this, behaving in an appalling manner to Lewis (who well knows his moods, but wishes he wasn't "so coarse".) On one occasion he actually calls a female witness a "whore" to her face. (We are led to believe that this is because he is attracted to her himself, which means that he has not only double but probably triple standards.) This is certainly an antidote to the "gentleman detective" who has hitherto been so standard in British detective fiction.
It is difficult, but not impossible, to reconcile this side of Morse with his skill at crosswords, or fiendishly devious mind. (Other intellectual pursuits seem so far to have been inserted by scriptwriters in the TV versions.) What is unacceptable is that the narrator himself shares this tits-and-bum view of females. If a new male character is introduced we have a straightforward description. Sometimes there is not even that. The character is gradually built up and revealed through the telling of the story. A familiar and perfectly acceptable way of writing a novel. But a female character? No - the process is very different. There will probably be a few loaded words of description to sum them up; an instant judgement. Additionally they will be there solely to fulfil a role adjunct to the male characters. There is one exception - Monica Height - who is the token female in the academic establishment. The fact that Dexter has decided she is sexy, and that every male is besotted with her, is thrust down our throat at every opportunity. Women are a distraction. Men cannot help but be at the mercy of their baser instincts. There are 2 sorts of women - those who know this and capitalise on it ("whores") and those who are dowdy and stupid. This seems to be Dexter's world view in a nutshell. Dexter's - not Morse's. Morse is frequently nowhere around when the narrator is pontificating.
The reader may wonder whether it is worth reading these rather sad, sleazy novels, with the characters - including the coppers - indulging in voyeuristic viewings of a film about a busty nymphomaniac. (Sigh. Please keep your own fantasies outside your novels Mr Dexter.) However the plot is rather good. I would have preferred it though if the ending had been written in a more straightforward way; not with the action all being reported. There is a long exposition at the end, where Morse goes through at length, and in great detail, how he sees the crimes having been committed. This is rather reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Poirot. True to form, Morse has made so many inspired guesses that turn out to be incorrect, that the convoluted ending is far from clear. It is one of the more enjoyable parts of the characterisation, however, that Morse gets his results from inspired guesswork, leaving the detail and hard work to Lewis. The contrast makes for an entertaining read.
Incidentally, for Morseophiles, this is the first novel where it is noticed that nobody knows Morse's first name. Lewis comments on it. It is also the first novel where there is a brief mention of Lewis's wife.
Almost a quarter through the series, the reader has to expect that the characters have now been broadly determined. The plots are definitely worth sticking with, and the sense of place is quite good. It is really of small account that the main character is disagreeable. But it is to be hoped that the narrator (who does seem to speak with the author's voice) does not continue to have such a heavy-handed presence in the rest of these novels, given that he has such prejudicial views.
Edit: May 2015
It is worth adding a comment here, as I have now read and reviewed all 13, and the novels do indeed get better! I suspect John Thaw's interpretation of Morse's character may have fed into Colin Dexter's future portrayal of him. I'm also now rewatching the entire TV series, which adds yet another dimension.
September 3, 2018
Colin Dexter's third novel featuring Oxford's Chief Inspector Morse is another complex puzzle surrounding the murder of a man named Nicholas Quinn. Quinn is deaf, and he's recently been hired by the Foreign Examinations Syndicate, which supervises Oxford Colleges' examinations for students who live overseas.
It appears that someone may be selling the examinations and that Quinn may have discovered the scandal. But before he can do anything about it, someone slips poison into his Sherry. The other members of the syndicate are, naturally, the obvious suspects, and as Morse begins to sort through their secrets and rivalries, things get increasingly curious--and dangerous.
This is a typical entry in the series and it will appeal to those readers who enjoy British mysteries which really consist of puzzles to be solved by the lead detective. I enjoy reading one of these occasionally, but those who like their crime fiction on the more hard-boiled side might want to look elsewhere.
It appears that someone may be selling the examinations and that Quinn may have discovered the scandal. But before he can do anything about it, someone slips poison into his Sherry. The other members of the syndicate are, naturally, the obvious suspects, and as Morse begins to sort through their secrets and rivalries, things get increasingly curious--and dangerous.
This is a typical entry in the series and it will appeal to those readers who enjoy British mysteries which really consist of puzzles to be solved by the lead detective. I enjoy reading one of these occasionally, but those who like their crime fiction on the more hard-boiled side might want to look elsewhere.
November 18, 2022
I was sitting in the hospital with my kindle app, fully loaded, only to find that I could not connect to the wi-fi and could therefore only open books I had already downloaded to the library. There were three…and one of them was the third book in the Colin Dexter series of Inspector Morse stories. As everyone here is a reader, everyone will understand that I would rather read that than not read at all…so, I found myself committed to an unintended book.
I’m kind of glad it happened, because I had decided that I would just pass on any more of the Morse novels. The first two were so-so, but very disappointing in terms of what I had expected. The third was a marked improvement. The overall story was much more captivating and I found myself caught up in trying to solve the mystery before the reveal. Aside from the fact that Dexter apparently thought Morse should salivate every time an ample breast is revealed (and they are revealed far too frequently for my tastes), the novel was a bit above average grade.
I’m giving it a 3.5 and rounding down, while the first two were 2.5’s rounded up. They all settle at 3-stars, but this one is by far the best of the three. Again, not anxious to acquire book four, but it is encouraging to think that they got better as Dexter progressed. Hey, maybe Morse will even begin to get control of his urges and see women in a less misogynistic perspective before the series is concluded.
I’m kind of glad it happened, because I had decided that I would just pass on any more of the Morse novels. The first two were so-so, but very disappointing in terms of what I had expected. The third was a marked improvement. The overall story was much more captivating and I found myself caught up in trying to solve the mystery before the reveal. Aside from the fact that Dexter apparently thought Morse should salivate every time an ample breast is revealed (and they are revealed far too frequently for my tastes), the novel was a bit above average grade.
I’m giving it a 3.5 and rounding down, while the first two were 2.5’s rounded up. They all settle at 3-stars, but this one is by far the best of the three. Again, not anxious to acquire book four, but it is encouraging to think that they got better as Dexter progressed. Hey, maybe Morse will even begin to get control of his urges and see women in a less misogynistic perspective before the series is concluded.
September 28, 2025
Lunchtime Listen Sept 2025
Well I have to say this was truly wonderful, both the story and the audible narration by Samuel West (he of “All creatures Great and Small” fame).
Who murdered the deaf graduate who was a member of the exam board syndicate, and why, was it the afternoon or evening of the Friday. All these questions are discussed by Morse and Lewis as they go through one scenario after another , and none of them really fit.
Just a brilliant story and as with any loved detective that has been on tv, I will always see (older) Morse as John Thaw and Kevin Whateley as Lewis , if I read the book or listen to it.
Well I have to say this was truly wonderful, both the story and the audible narration by Samuel West (he of “All creatures Great and Small” fame).
Who murdered the deaf graduate who was a member of the exam board syndicate, and why, was it the afternoon or evening of the Friday. All these questions are discussed by Morse and Lewis as they go through one scenario after another , and none of them really fit.
Just a brilliant story and as with any loved detective that has been on tv, I will always see (older) Morse as John Thaw and Kevin Whateley as Lewis , if I read the book or listen to it.
August 3, 2022
4 stars - English Ebook
Morse had never ceased to wonder why, with the staggering advances in medical science, all pronouncements concerning times of death seemed so disconcertingly vague.
The newly appointed member of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate was deaf, provincial and gifted. Now he is dead . . .
And his murder, in his north Oxford home, proves to be the start of a formidably labyrinthine case for Chief Inspector Morse, as he tries to track down the killer through the insular and bitchy world of the Oxford Colleges.
Walked the grounds of many oxford collages. Loved this novel to. Puzzle making, classic music lover Morse and his great side-kick Lewis.
Morse had never ceased to wonder why, with the staggering advances in medical science, all pronouncements concerning times of death seemed so disconcertingly vague.
The newly appointed member of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate was deaf, provincial and gifted. Now he is dead . . .
And his murder, in his north Oxford home, proves to be the start of a formidably labyrinthine case for Chief Inspector Morse, as he tries to track down the killer through the insular and bitchy world of the Oxford Colleges.
Walked the grounds of many oxford collages. Loved this novel to. Puzzle making, classic music lover Morse and his great side-kick Lewis.
March 24, 2019
I had come across this book as one of the best among mysteries in many lists, the latest being a booklist by Peter Swanson where a literarily inclined father tells his son that this is one of the 5 best college /educational institute background mysteries . This made me determined to read it asap, and when I encountered it in storytel , immediately started listening to the audiobook. Never did find it scintillating , moreover it was mildly boring most of the time. I took a dislike to inspector Morse, especially as he berated one of the female staff and called her a slut. This smacked of extreme gender discrimination, and from there ( not necessarily due to this very fact) things went downhill.
I somehow completed the audiobook and heaved a sigh of relief when it ended.
Nicholas Quinn is a deaf English teacher who is hired by an educational syndicate who teaches and sets exam questions for foreign students , mostly in the middle East, and there is some opposition when he is hired. Soon he is found dead and Inspector Morse comes into picture.
I somehow completed the audiobook and heaved a sigh of relief when it ended.
Nicholas Quinn is a deaf English teacher who is hired by an educational syndicate who teaches and sets exam questions for foreign students , mostly in the middle East, and there is some opposition when he is hired. Soon he is found dead and Inspector Morse comes into picture.
May 18, 2020
A newly appointed member of the Oxford Examinations Board, the gifted, provincial and deaf Nicholas Quin is found murdered, leading Morse and Lewis to try and determine the truth amongst the portrayal of a very insular, highly competitive and bitchy world of academia. 6 out of 12
October 19, 2025
This is a traditional English murder mystery, with an intricate plot, plenty of red herrings, a detective who can connect the dots that most of us can't, and the big reveal at the end. Satisfying to fans of the genre.
Nicholas Quinn, new appointee to the Foreign Examinations Syndicate in Oxford, has been murdered - and all of his colleagues are under suspicion. Inspector Morse must get into the act to discover the motive, the modus operandi, and - most importantly - the culprit. Of course, he does it with the finesse of a magician pulling the proverbial rabbit out of the proverbial hat, and we are all suitably flabbergasted and delighted.
What I liked about the novel is the fact that victim's handicap of being virtually deaf is crucial to the plot. It would not have worked with a person having normal hearing. The title itself is a clue to what we should look out for - but don't worry, this is no spoiler, since you will miss it like all the people (other than Morse) in the novel.
What I didn't like was the character of Inspector Morse, who comes across as a predatory male who mentally undresses every female he meets. And there is too much of the male gaze in the novel, some of which is necessary but mostly reads like adolescent masturbation fantasy. (Female readers may get very triggered.)
I was in need of a light read and this fit the bill.
Nicholas Quinn, new appointee to the Foreign Examinations Syndicate in Oxford, has been murdered - and all of his colleagues are under suspicion. Inspector Morse must get into the act to discover the motive, the modus operandi, and - most importantly - the culprit. Of course, he does it with the finesse of a magician pulling the proverbial rabbit out of the proverbial hat, and we are all suitably flabbergasted and delighted.
What I liked about the novel is the fact that victim's handicap of being virtually deaf is crucial to the plot. It would not have worked with a person having normal hearing. The title itself is a clue to what we should look out for - but don't worry, this is no spoiler, since you will miss it like all the people (other than Morse) in the novel.
What I didn't like was the character of Inspector Morse, who comes across as a predatory male who mentally undresses every female he meets. And there is too much of the male gaze in the novel, some of which is necessary but mostly reads like adolescent masturbation fantasy. (Female readers may get very triggered.)
I was in need of a light read and this fit the bill.
April 28, 2020
le gioie della quarantena: la nuova stagione de "il giovane ispettore morse" su paramount e scoprire che in casa hai un libro di dexter che non avevi ancora letto.
January 17, 2021
There's something about these that keeps drawing me back to them, despite the fact that I don't really like Morse at all, or find him particularly impressive as a detective.
July 18, 2025
The board of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate is looking to fill a vacancy. Two candidates stand out, but one of them is deaf and the older board members see this as a disqualifying disability. One younger member argues the case for Nicholas Quinn, though, and eventually he is chosen, not without some grumblings in the ranks. Quinn is not completely deaf. He has minimal hearing in one ear, aided by a hearing aid. But he is fortunate to be a naturally skilled lip reader, a skill he has practised and honed since he learned he was going deaf some years before. He finds the work easy and the workplace congenial, with his only real problem being an inability to use the telephone. So he’s settling in well. But then one day he doesn’t turn up to work and when he’s still absent the next day, one of his colleagues is dispatched to check up on him. But Quinn is already dead and it looks very much like murder. Enter Chief Inspector Morse and his sidekick, Sergeant Lewis…
A few days before his death, Quinn had attended a social function with some Arab clients who provided much-needed income to the Syndicate. As always in this kind of function, Quinn’s lip-reading skills meant that he sometimes “overheard” things that were meant to be private. Had he overheard something he shouldn’t? Or is it his growing friendship with his very attractive colleague, Monica Height, that has stirred up jealousy towards him? Or is there some other motive for his murder that Morse has yet to discover? Will Morse have time to investigate between drinking sessions and leching over Ms Height?
As with the previous books in this series, I’m torn. I like Dexter’s writing and the plots are usually interesting. But his attitude to women remains hideously sexist, well beyond the level of most other crime writers of the same era – this book was first published in 1977. The blatant misogyny of the first book is somewhat toned down by this point, but one feels it’s still floating just beneath the surface. If he were simply showing sexism as being prevalent in society, which it was, I’d be fine with that. But no, we have to share every one of Morse’s lecherous thoughts, and sometimes his sex dreams, about every female character under the age of thirty-five. It’s adolescent and tiresome, and makes Morse a deeply unpleasant person to spend time with. Lewis is much nicer, but he’s also largely peripheral, at least in these very early books.
Otherwise this one is rather better than the previous two in that it doesn’t get so bogged down in repetition in the middle. However the style remains that Morse throws out a solution and accuses someone, is proved wrong quite easily, then accuses someone else, and so on. It becomes a kind of last man standing thing. The basic plot here is good, for the first time being firmly based in the academic world which I think of as Morse’s domain. There are some weaknesses, such as why it never occurs to Morse to see if anyone outside the Syndicate may have had a reason to kill Quinn – are all murders committed by co-workers? And to make the plot work, an incredible number of people have to bunk off work in the afternoons to watch blue movies at the local fleapit. Is this a feature of Oxford academic life?
I know I sound (and feel) highly critical of this, but I do think it’s an improvement on the earlier books, hence the four-star rating. The characterisation of the suspect pool is very good (except for the women, obviously), and Dexter makes much better use of the Oxford setting and the world of academia. While still not a full sidekick, Lewis is developing well and I have hopes he’ll become a more important player in later books. As for the sexism, I try to tell myself it probably wouldn’t have bothered me so much at the time, but I can’t convince myself – it’s so blatant that I think even my younger, more tolerant self would have jibbed at it. But maybe Dexter will grow out of it, though I doubt that sad old lecherous Morse ever will. To be honest, I’d probably give up on the series, except that a couple of the later books are included in a CWA challenge I'm doing on my blog, so I shall grit my teeth and pretend I enjoy Morse’s fantasy sex life...
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
A few days before his death, Quinn had attended a social function with some Arab clients who provided much-needed income to the Syndicate. As always in this kind of function, Quinn’s lip-reading skills meant that he sometimes “overheard” things that were meant to be private. Had he overheard something he shouldn’t? Or is it his growing friendship with his very attractive colleague, Monica Height, that has stirred up jealousy towards him? Or is there some other motive for his murder that Morse has yet to discover? Will Morse have time to investigate between drinking sessions and leching over Ms Height?
As with the previous books in this series, I’m torn. I like Dexter’s writing and the plots are usually interesting. But his attitude to women remains hideously sexist, well beyond the level of most other crime writers of the same era – this book was first published in 1977. The blatant misogyny of the first book is somewhat toned down by this point, but one feels it’s still floating just beneath the surface. If he were simply showing sexism as being prevalent in society, which it was, I’d be fine with that. But no, we have to share every one of Morse’s lecherous thoughts, and sometimes his sex dreams, about every female character under the age of thirty-five. It’s adolescent and tiresome, and makes Morse a deeply unpleasant person to spend time with. Lewis is much nicer, but he’s also largely peripheral, at least in these very early books.
Otherwise this one is rather better than the previous two in that it doesn’t get so bogged down in repetition in the middle. However the style remains that Morse throws out a solution and accuses someone, is proved wrong quite easily, then accuses someone else, and so on. It becomes a kind of last man standing thing. The basic plot here is good, for the first time being firmly based in the academic world which I think of as Morse’s domain. There are some weaknesses, such as why it never occurs to Morse to see if anyone outside the Syndicate may have had a reason to kill Quinn – are all murders committed by co-workers? And to make the plot work, an incredible number of people have to bunk off work in the afternoons to watch blue movies at the local fleapit. Is this a feature of Oxford academic life?
I know I sound (and feel) highly critical of this, but I do think it’s an improvement on the earlier books, hence the four-star rating. The characterisation of the suspect pool is very good (except for the women, obviously), and Dexter makes much better use of the Oxford setting and the world of academia. While still not a full sidekick, Lewis is developing well and I have hopes he’ll become a more important player in later books. As for the sexism, I try to tell myself it probably wouldn’t have bothered me so much at the time, but I can’t convince myself – it’s so blatant that I think even my younger, more tolerant self would have jibbed at it. But maybe Dexter will grow out of it, though I doubt that sad old lecherous Morse ever will. To be honest, I’d probably give up on the series, except that a couple of the later books are included in a CWA challenge I'm doing on my blog, so I shall grit my teeth and pretend I enjoy Morse’s fantasy sex life...
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
February 5, 2018
I have been assured by Colin Dexter fans that the Inspector Morse series gets better as it goes along and so I read the third book in the series, though not without qualms. Published in 1977, the book is set in the claustrophobic world of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate and centres on the murder of a deaf academic. The case is as labyrinthine as the earlier two books in the series, but in this instalment Inspector Morse seems less like a bumbling fool and more like a man gifted with the ability to make intuitive leaps of deduction. He and Sergeant Lewis seem more in tune with each other, with Lewis providing the dogged methodical police work. And my major gripe with the series so far – Morse’s sexist attitudes to women – is a little less acute in this book (perhaps because there is only one female character). The books have an oddly old-fashioned feel about them, because of their lack of forensic evidence and modern-day technology, and also because of Dexter’s writing style. He was born in 1930, in the midst of the ‘Golden Age’ of detective fiction, and his books have the same feel of being a cerebral puzzle as writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers (whose work I admire enormously). It is this aspect of Dexter’s work that I enjoy – the task of pitting my brains against Inspector Morse’s. I have to admit that Morse won. I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end, which offered a most satisfying twist. Of the three Colin Dexter books I have read in recent weeks, this was the most enjoyable. It is up to Colin Dexter fans to convince me to keep on reading the series.
June 3, 2025
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn by Colin Dexter
In Oxford, it’s not the students you have to worry about—it’s the staff.
A dead man, a glass of poisoned sherry, and a room full of academic overachievers who wouldn’t mind seeing each other fail—permanently. In The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, Colin Dexter invites us into the hallowed, and hazardous, halls of Oxford’s Foreign Examinations Syndicate, where exams are serious business.
The Scene: Murder at the Oxford Syndicate
Nicholas Quinn is the newest (and first deaf) member of the Syndicate—a fancy club of exam-makers who oversee testing for students abroad. His appointment ruffles feathers from day one. Why? Because academic circles are like high school; but with better vocabulary and deeper grudges.
Soon after settling in, Quinn is found dead—his favorite sherry laced with cyanide.
The Suspects: Brilliant, Bitter, (and Terribly British)
The suspects are all Quinn’s colleagues, and frankly, any one of them could’ve done it—most of them had motive, means, and very little charm.
Dr. Bartlett, the tightly wound secretary with a penchant for procedure.
Monica Height, the only woman in the room, who’s clever, ambitious, and constantly being underestimated by the men around her.
Mr. Ogleby, who seems to be hiding secrets under that tweed jacket.
Mr. Brand, an exam officer with connections abroad and a suspicious past that might be more than bureaucratic baggage.
Everyone's got something to hide—affairs, ambitions, office politics—and Dexter makes sure we get a front-row seat to all the awkward silences and poorly disguised rivalries.
The Investigation: Clues, Red Herrings, with a Side of Sherry
Morse and his reliable sidekick Lewis return, sniffing out secrets with their usual mix of brilliance and mutual frustration. Morse charges in with intuition and beer breath; Lewis quietly keeps everything from falling apart.
The investigation zigzags through tangled alibis, false leads, and a second murder (because of course one body wasn’t enough). A cheating scandal slowly emerges, hinting that this isn’t just about personal vendettas—someone’s got a bigger game to protect.
Dexter keeps the pace thoughtful, with enough tension to make you suspicious of every smile and every polite cup of tea. The final twist is neat, shocking, and makes you want to reread everything to see what you missed (spoiler: quite a bit).
Dexter’s Style: Sharp, Slow-Burning, and Deliciously Dry
Reading Dexter is like sitting down for a slow, satisfying meal—you need to pay attention, but it’s worth it. He doesn’t rush the plot; instead, he lets the characters unravel themselves one awkward conversation at a time.
He’s also funny, in that very British way where sarcasm is layered under impeccable grammar.
That said, some parts haven’t aged particularly well. The story carries traces of outdated views, especially around gender, which may make modern readers raise an eyebrow. Monica Height is written with depth, but she’s also stuck in a narrative that occasionally ogles more than observes.
Perfect For Fans Of: Slow-burn mysteries with complex plots and intelligent suspects, Murder in closed-room settings, British crime fiction with a side of dry wit, Academic drama that isn’t afraid to get a little… deadly
Final Thoughts:
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is a tightly woven tale of academic ambition, subtle betrayals, and one very unlucky glass of sherry. It’s smart, sly, and deeply satisfying—with just enough twists to keep your brow furrowed.
If you like your mysteries intelligent, your suspects snobby, and your endings unexpectedly tidy, this one’s for you. Final thought; don’t drink anything offered by a colleague in a crystal decanter.
In Oxford, it’s not the students you have to worry about—it’s the staff.
A dead man, a glass of poisoned sherry, and a room full of academic overachievers who wouldn’t mind seeing each other fail—permanently. In The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, Colin Dexter invites us into the hallowed, and hazardous, halls of Oxford’s Foreign Examinations Syndicate, where exams are serious business.
The Scene: Murder at the Oxford Syndicate
Nicholas Quinn is the newest (and first deaf) member of the Syndicate—a fancy club of exam-makers who oversee testing for students abroad. His appointment ruffles feathers from day one. Why? Because academic circles are like high school; but with better vocabulary and deeper grudges.
Soon after settling in, Quinn is found dead—his favorite sherry laced with cyanide.
The Suspects: Brilliant, Bitter, (and Terribly British)
The suspects are all Quinn’s colleagues, and frankly, any one of them could’ve done it—most of them had motive, means, and very little charm.
Dr. Bartlett, the tightly wound secretary with a penchant for procedure.
Monica Height, the only woman in the room, who’s clever, ambitious, and constantly being underestimated by the men around her.
Mr. Ogleby, who seems to be hiding secrets under that tweed jacket.
Mr. Brand, an exam officer with connections abroad and a suspicious past that might be more than bureaucratic baggage.
Everyone's got something to hide—affairs, ambitions, office politics—and Dexter makes sure we get a front-row seat to all the awkward silences and poorly disguised rivalries.
The Investigation: Clues, Red Herrings, with a Side of Sherry
Morse and his reliable sidekick Lewis return, sniffing out secrets with their usual mix of brilliance and mutual frustration. Morse charges in with intuition and beer breath; Lewis quietly keeps everything from falling apart.
The investigation zigzags through tangled alibis, false leads, and a second murder (because of course one body wasn’t enough). A cheating scandal slowly emerges, hinting that this isn’t just about personal vendettas—someone’s got a bigger game to protect.
Dexter keeps the pace thoughtful, with enough tension to make you suspicious of every smile and every polite cup of tea. The final twist is neat, shocking, and makes you want to reread everything to see what you missed (spoiler: quite a bit).
Dexter’s Style: Sharp, Slow-Burning, and Deliciously Dry
Reading Dexter is like sitting down for a slow, satisfying meal—you need to pay attention, but it’s worth it. He doesn’t rush the plot; instead, he lets the characters unravel themselves one awkward conversation at a time.
He’s also funny, in that very British way where sarcasm is layered under impeccable grammar.
That said, some parts haven’t aged particularly well. The story carries traces of outdated views, especially around gender, which may make modern readers raise an eyebrow. Monica Height is written with depth, but she’s also stuck in a narrative that occasionally ogles more than observes.
Perfect For Fans Of: Slow-burn mysteries with complex plots and intelligent suspects, Murder in closed-room settings, British crime fiction with a side of dry wit, Academic drama that isn’t afraid to get a little… deadly
Final Thoughts:
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is a tightly woven tale of academic ambition, subtle betrayals, and one very unlucky glass of sherry. It’s smart, sly, and deeply satisfying—with just enough twists to keep your brow furrowed.
If you like your mysteries intelligent, your suspects snobby, and your endings unexpectedly tidy, this one’s for you. Final thought; don’t drink anything offered by a colleague in a crystal decanter.
February 20, 2024
Nicholas Quinn is a young man who has been losing his hearing. Apparently he was a hearing person at one time. Now he has lost his hearing entirely in one ear and a hearing aid for the other helps somewhat. Mostly, however, he manages with a very good ability to read lips. One doesn't have to think hard that this ability allows one to "listen in" to conversations across the room even though the voice isn't heard at all. Unfortunately, this ability didn't prevent his murder.
Morse and Lewis will solve the murder, one can rest assured. I think there weren't so many red herrings in this as that Morse needed to wander down many paths toward a solution. Lewis did his duty in following instructions as to who to question. There was at least one instance in particular when Lewis didn't know what to ask and Morse wasn't helpful in giving directions. Lewis is a good follower and is more important than I think Morse gives credit.
I had enjoyed watching Morse on TV and I'm glad to have embarked on the series. I intend to read in order only because I can keep better track, but as far as I can tell the books can be read in any order. I have marked the next in the series as wish list and I'll see about acquiring it sooner rather than later just so I don't forget about it. If this title climbs over the 4-star fence, it quickly drops to the bottom of that group and even so, I might be exaggerating.
Morse and Lewis will solve the murder, one can rest assured. I think there weren't so many red herrings in this as that Morse needed to wander down many paths toward a solution. Lewis did his duty in following instructions as to who to question. There was at least one instance in particular when Lewis didn't know what to ask and Morse wasn't helpful in giving directions. Lewis is a good follower and is more important than I think Morse gives credit.
I had enjoyed watching Morse on TV and I'm glad to have embarked on the series. I intend to read in order only because I can keep better track, but as far as I can tell the books can be read in any order. I have marked the next in the series as wish list and I'll see about acquiring it sooner rather than later just so I don't forget about it. If this title climbs over the 4-star fence, it quickly drops to the bottom of that group and even so, I might be exaggerating.
April 7, 2023
Oh dear Mr Dexter. You won't of course read this having passed six years ago. I have been revisiting the early days of Inspector Morse and this is number three. Perplexing? Bemusing? I am close to saying - boring. Sorry, but I struggled to maintain a level of enthusiasm to finish The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn - could almost say it fell on deaf ears (dreadful pun, I know).
The Oxford Colleges - home of the privileged few, and the deaf, provincial and gifted Nicholas Quinn, the newly appointed member of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate. And now he is dead...
Noted as a formidably labyrinthine case for Chief Inspector Morse and that poor schmuck DS Lewis who trots around behind his boss having nothing much to add to the investigation as Morse tries to track down the killer through this world of Oxford academia. One train of thought and more hits the buffers and Morse at times seems to lose interest as he struggles with one possible solution after another. Frankly, the plot lost me and became something of a yawn until perhaps the ending, a somewhat Poirot like disclosure of the facts that Morse has finally resolved, after many pints of ale!
I am not sure that I want to continue on this journey through the early Morse procedurals if they are not a great deal better than this...
The Oxford Colleges - home of the privileged few, and the deaf, provincial and gifted Nicholas Quinn, the newly appointed member of the Oxford Examinations Syndicate. And now he is dead...
Noted as a formidably labyrinthine case for Chief Inspector Morse and that poor schmuck DS Lewis who trots around behind his boss having nothing much to add to the investigation as Morse tries to track down the killer through this world of Oxford academia. One train of thought and more hits the buffers and Morse at times seems to lose interest as he struggles with one possible solution after another. Frankly, the plot lost me and became something of a yawn until perhaps the ending, a somewhat Poirot like disclosure of the facts that Morse has finally resolved, after many pints of ale!
I am not sure that I want to continue on this journey through the early Morse procedurals if they are not a great deal better than this...
July 21, 2024
“Non riesco a capire dove lei voglia andare a parare, ispettore.”
“Ah, non se ne preoccupi.… Molto spesso non lo so neppure io.”
Incredibilmente ci si affeziona all’ispettore Morse, che pure è scorbutico, a volte anche antipatico, leggermente autistico (nel senso che vive quasi completamente dentro le acrobazie funamboliche del suo cervello), sessualmente represso (almeno così pare) e, per finire, piuttosto irriconoscente verso il suo pazientissimo sergente Lewis.
Ma, insomma, alle persone geniali si tende a perdonare tutto. E ai personaggi pure.
In questa terza indagine siamo immersi completamente nel mondo accademico di Oxford (Dexter ne faceva parte) che viene improvvisamente sconvolto dall’omicidio di Nicholas Quinn, un professore da poco assunto, con gravi problemi di sordità.
Per arrivare alla soluzione del caso bisogna attraversare la selva delle relazioni difficili o scabrose tra i colleghi dell’ateneo, nonché le menzogne e le finzioni per proteggere, come sempre, l’avidità di denaro e la brama di potere.
Un intreccio ingarbugliato che porterà infine il tenace Morse, attraverso prove ed errori come di consueto, a trovare il bandolo della matassa. Mettendo a dura prova chi legge che deve a sua volta districarsi fra ipotesi e indizi quanto mai misteriosi e contraddittori.
E tuttavia la perizia di Dexter nel costruire ragionamenti contorti ma impeccabili ancora una volta soddisfa e conquista.
“Ah, non se ne preoccupi.… Molto spesso non lo so neppure io.”
Incredibilmente ci si affeziona all’ispettore Morse, che pure è scorbutico, a volte anche antipatico, leggermente autistico (nel senso che vive quasi completamente dentro le acrobazie funamboliche del suo cervello), sessualmente represso (almeno così pare) e, per finire, piuttosto irriconoscente verso il suo pazientissimo sergente Lewis.
Ma, insomma, alle persone geniali si tende a perdonare tutto. E ai personaggi pure.
In questa terza indagine siamo immersi completamente nel mondo accademico di Oxford (Dexter ne faceva parte) che viene improvvisamente sconvolto dall’omicidio di Nicholas Quinn, un professore da poco assunto, con gravi problemi di sordità.
Per arrivare alla soluzione del caso bisogna attraversare la selva delle relazioni difficili o scabrose tra i colleghi dell’ateneo, nonché le menzogne e le finzioni per proteggere, come sempre, l’avidità di denaro e la brama di potere.
Un intreccio ingarbugliato che porterà infine il tenace Morse, attraverso prove ed errori come di consueto, a trovare il bandolo della matassa. Mettendo a dura prova chi legge che deve a sua volta districarsi fra ipotesi e indizi quanto mai misteriosi e contraddittori.
E tuttavia la perizia di Dexter nel costruire ragionamenti contorti ma impeccabili ancora una volta soddisfa e conquista.
October 4, 2020
This is a particularly sordid little mystery, involving the hiring of a deaf person to the syndicate in charge foreign examinations; systematic cheating on these same exams; an adulterous affair, and who went to see an X-rated movie. Morse has it all wrapped up with the guilty parties in jail, when he suddenly realizes one of the parties is innocent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2023
Vaguely remember some parts of the book in the tv adaptation another classic Morse story though not one of my favourites however always makes me laugh when him and Lewis go to a good English pub
July 28, 2024
So wonderfully clever.
January 23, 2025
Another entertaining story. Nicholas Quinn is a newly appointed profoundly deaf administrator for educational qualifications. He is poisoned and Morse with Lewis investigate who and what was the motive for his murder.
Once again this puzzle has lots of red herrings. The motive in the end seems weak. However an entertaining story in Oxford. Very 70s with attitudes and lots of sherry and beer drinking.
Once again this puzzle has lots of red herrings. The motive in the end seems weak. However an entertaining story in Oxford. Very 70s with attitudes and lots of sherry and beer drinking.
August 25, 2013
4 stars
This is my third Colin Dexter and am very glad I started reading this series.
The story begins when Nicholas Quinn gets appointed (not unanimously - because though he is qualified, he is deaf) as an administrator to Oxford's Foreign Examinations Syndicate. Before long into the book, Nicholas is murdered. Chief Inspector Morse and Lewis are on the case to figure out who from the closed group of Quinn's colleagues could be the murderer.
As the case progresses, it is interesting to see how Morse and Lewis slowly 'peel the onion' and get past the complex equations among Quinn's colleagues.
I found this book slightly better from the previous book. Morse seemed much more confident in this book and though he made many guesses - he seemed to know what he was doing and seemed able to notice the gaps in his theories.
A good mystery you will finish in couple of days.
This is my third Colin Dexter and am very glad I started reading this series.
The story begins when Nicholas Quinn gets appointed (not unanimously - because though he is qualified, he is deaf) as an administrator to Oxford's Foreign Examinations Syndicate. Before long into the book, Nicholas is murdered. Chief Inspector Morse and Lewis are on the case to figure out who from the closed group of Quinn's colleagues could be the murderer.
As the case progresses, it is interesting to see how Morse and Lewis slowly 'peel the onion' and get past the complex equations among Quinn's colleagues.
I found this book slightly better from the previous book. Morse seemed much more confident in this book and though he made many guesses - he seemed to know what he was doing and seemed able to notice the gaps in his theories.
A good mystery you will finish in couple of days.
January 20, 2010
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is the third of thirteen Chief Inspector Morse detective mysteries by Colin Dexter. It is a story to read in a single sitting, because the plotting gets into quite a tangle. If I put it down, I forget who claimed to be where with whom. I have a picture of the author with sticky notes all over his office trying to remember what each character had said and where they were supposed to be.
I have enjoyed every one of Colin Dexter’s novels. He never assumes his readers are stupid. Still, the basic premise of a victim who relies on lip-reading would be more interesting if he had not died at the start of the book. Never kill off your most interesting character with so many chapters to go.
I have enjoyed every one of Colin Dexter’s novels. He never assumes his readers are stupid. Still, the basic premise of a victim who relies on lip-reading would be more interesting if he had not died at the start of the book. Never kill off your most interesting character with so many chapters to go.
September 26, 2021
The murder on Nicholas Quinn, a practically deaf secretary of an Oxford institution that conducts examinations abroad. Almost all the supervisors of Quin appear suspicious. Inspector Morse soon discovers that someone is cheating with the exams and that others are giving false alibi's. Another member is killed in the course of the investigation. Morse commits a number of missteps but still manages to unveil the mystery.
The plot is not that strong because first a completely different, acceptable explanation is given by Morse, who then suddenly changes his mind and focuses on someone till then completely unsuspected.
The plot is not that strong because first a completely different, acceptable explanation is given by Morse, who then suddenly changes his mind and focuses on someone till then completely unsuspected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2013
In this 3rd book of the Inspector Morse series, for the first time Morse reminds me of the PBS character played by John Thaw. He is less fumbling, although still capable of being wrong, and relies on his intuition less.
Certain aspects of the murder seemed obvious, yet Dexter kept me guessing until the end.
Certain aspects of the murder seemed obvious, yet Dexter kept me guessing until the end.
February 4, 2025
The series just gets better and better!
Want to read
April 21, 2019Synopsis: Nicholas is on the Foreign Examinations Board. But someone slips him cyanide. It's a multiple-choice murder for Morse.
March 11, 2020
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is the 3rd book in the Chief Inspector Morse mystery series by Colin Dexter. All in all it was an entertaining, well-written, enjoyable story to read.
Nicholas Quinn is a partially deaf man who works for a university agency at Oxford, the Oxford Examination Syndicate. Basically this agency prepares O - level exams for foreign students in foreign countries so they can pass their high school exams and possibly go to university. (In its simplest form) Quinn is newly appointed to this agency. It basically has five members plus admin staff. Each member is responsible for a different subject; history, sciences, English, etc.
Shortly after his appointment, Quinn is found dead in his apartment, seemingly murdered with cyanide. This brings CI Morse and his erstwhile assistant, DS Lewis, on to the case. This begins a fascinating case with possible exam cheating, sexual indiscretions, etc. Morse and Lewis seem to spin their wheels for the early parts as they try to grasp the people involved, what the agency actually does and how the crime could have been committed.
Morse is a fascinating character, on the elderly side of middle-aged, a bit of a misogynist, or maybe he's just a lonely man, and an investigator who relies on his instincts to solve cases. This case is confusing with little side lanes that crop up with possible clues that might influence the case. The 'suspects' are all interesting; Miss Height is a sexy, intelligent manipulator who grabs Morse's attention, Dr Bartlett runs this agency with strict rules and seems to want to make it an honorable, dedicated organization, Mr. Ogleby is a secretive man, intelligent but what's he hiding? Everybody seems to be holding something back. And what does Quinn's upstairs neighbour know? Was she having a relationship with Quinn? And then there is the invigilator in the Arab country of Al-jamara, who had previously held Quinn's position, Mr. Brand. What's he all about?
There are neat little threads that make the story more interesting and teasing. The investigation follows both the plodding interviews and forensic examination (cue Lewis) and bouts of insight and imagination (cue Morse). All in all a most enjoyable, flowing mystery. (4.5 stars)
Nicholas Quinn is a partially deaf man who works for a university agency at Oxford, the Oxford Examination Syndicate. Basically this agency prepares O - level exams for foreign students in foreign countries so they can pass their high school exams and possibly go to university. (In its simplest form) Quinn is newly appointed to this agency. It basically has five members plus admin staff. Each member is responsible for a different subject; history, sciences, English, etc.
Shortly after his appointment, Quinn is found dead in his apartment, seemingly murdered with cyanide. This brings CI Morse and his erstwhile assistant, DS Lewis, on to the case. This begins a fascinating case with possible exam cheating, sexual indiscretions, etc. Morse and Lewis seem to spin their wheels for the early parts as they try to grasp the people involved, what the agency actually does and how the crime could have been committed.
Morse is a fascinating character, on the elderly side of middle-aged, a bit of a misogynist, or maybe he's just a lonely man, and an investigator who relies on his instincts to solve cases. This case is confusing with little side lanes that crop up with possible clues that might influence the case. The 'suspects' are all interesting; Miss Height is a sexy, intelligent manipulator who grabs Morse's attention, Dr Bartlett runs this agency with strict rules and seems to want to make it an honorable, dedicated organization, Mr. Ogleby is a secretive man, intelligent but what's he hiding? Everybody seems to be holding something back. And what does Quinn's upstairs neighbour know? Was she having a relationship with Quinn? And then there is the invigilator in the Arab country of Al-jamara, who had previously held Quinn's position, Mr. Brand. What's he all about?
There are neat little threads that make the story more interesting and teasing. The investigation follows both the plodding interviews and forensic examination (cue Lewis) and bouts of insight and imagination (cue Morse). All in all a most enjoyable, flowing mystery. (4.5 stars)
September 1, 2018
i was a superior student in elementary and junior high school because, at my Mother's insistence, i had learned to read early, i collected stamps of the world, played monopoly on rainy days, and grew up in a fairly remote rural setting without a television. we did have a radio which gave us wonderful rainy day stories like the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows, and Bobby Benson and the B bar B Boys.
But when i arrived to high school i was introduced to real girls, big boy football and fast basketball and baseball and golf, and algebra. i had been a whiz at math up until 9th grade, but with all these other new distractions i couldn't sustain my curiosity about the x's and o's and congruence and hypotenuses of advanced mathematics and soon lost interest.
so it is for me with Colin Dexter's popular Inspector Morse detective stories. i just finished The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, where two good souls get murdered by some not so good souls. there are suspects by the dozen and clues everywhere, but only Inspector Morse is patient enough and curious enough to sort them all out and catch the culprits.
i enjoyed the beginning and the middle, but the clues overwhelmed me and i couldn't keep up with all the possibilities. those of you who loved to wrestle with algebra, geometry, and trig will most likely also love this mystery. just a wee bit too complicated for my simple mind. i recommend it to all readers over 15 . . . j
But when i arrived to high school i was introduced to real girls, big boy football and fast basketball and baseball and golf, and algebra. i had been a whiz at math up until 9th grade, but with all these other new distractions i couldn't sustain my curiosity about the x's and o's and congruence and hypotenuses of advanced mathematics and soon lost interest.
so it is for me with Colin Dexter's popular Inspector Morse detective stories. i just finished The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, where two good souls get murdered by some not so good souls. there are suspects by the dozen and clues everywhere, but only Inspector Morse is patient enough and curious enough to sort them all out and catch the culprits.
i enjoyed the beginning and the middle, but the clues overwhelmed me and i couldn't keep up with all the possibilities. those of you who loved to wrestle with algebra, geometry, and trig will most likely also love this mystery. just a wee bit too complicated for my simple mind. i recommend it to all readers over 15 . . . j
February 4, 2022
The mystery is passable but again, the sexism ruins the story for me. One character, an attractive young divorcee, is labeled a nymphomaniac and a tart. A porn film is an alibi for several characters and we have to hear all about the film’s star, a blond babe with enormous breasts. For me it gets sickening. No more Morse for me!
April 12, 2023
L'ispettore Morse, coadiuvato dal fido Lewis, indaga sull'avvelenamento di un professore sordo di Oxford..
trama arzigogolata, menzogne da smascherare, qualche intoppo: tutto come da copione.
Bella l'ambientazione, come sempre, nei gialli di Colin Dexter. Carino.
trama arzigogolata, menzogne da smascherare, qualche intoppo: tutto come da copione.
Bella l'ambientazione, come sempre, nei gialli di Colin Dexter. Carino.
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