The Colin Dexter mysteries featuring Chief Inspector Morse of the Thames Valley CID and leading up to this book have prepared the reader for the likely end of the great detective. He drinks far to much, easts poorly, can't resist the occasional cigarette, and (most recently) has been diagnosed with diabetes and a host of impending health disasters requiring a far more strict lifestyle. The murder in this mystery has baffled his fellow detectives for more than a year, and, when new evidence, surfaces and Morse is asked to head a new investigation, Morse refuses for reasons puzzling to his supervisor as well as the ever-faithful Sergeant Lewis. Further, despite refusing to tackle the case, Morse does seem to be investigating it privately. It soon becomes clear to Lewis that Morse knew the dead woman and may have been involved not only in her life but in her death. The case is coarse, raw, and crude--in short, as unlike Morse as even his closest few friends might guess. And, of course, his meddling in the investigation and manipulation of evidence (if it truly has occurred as Lewis suspects) is the kind of behaviour Morse has deplored in other policemen and agencies throughout his long life of service.Lewis is desperate to solve the case and to prove to himself and to Morse that he is capable of brilliant detection like his long-time boss. Morse is in and out of hospital while ignoring the writing on the wall, to Lewis's disgust and frustration. His hospital stays and intermittent recuperations force Morse to face the "new" world from which he seems to have grown more and more distant. Oxford is still the beautiful city of spires, but, like all other large and diverse cities, its crimes have become even more distasteful with the passing years. The times, it seems, have finally passed Morse by.Like all the Morse stories, the two principle characters are fascinating studies. Morse is just as arrogant as ever, despite facing what may be his last case and his own mortality. Lewis seems a man of simple tastes and ordinary abilites by contrast; but, in many respects, he is Morse's superior because of his human, caring approach and the lessons he has learned--almost in direct opposition--from the great man himself. The quotes that lead off each chapter are as tantalizing as the plot twists. And the red herrings abound. Trying to tell much of the story is tricky because spoilers are likely. The biggest spoiler--or not--appears on the book's cover with the notation "The Final Inspector Morse Novel". Given Morse's life style and medical history, we know the likely outcome, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept. Dexter doesn't dwell on Morse's departure, however; it is done with taste, gentleness, affection, and fact along with some final revelations that fans will cherish. Dexter wrote thirteen Morse mysteries, and their collective construction ending on that fateful number is as carefully and skillfully done as every other aspect of Dexter's books. It remains to be seen whether or not loyal readers can back away with the same dignity.
As underwhelmed as I was by LAST BUS TO WOODSTOCK, I was equally overawed by the richness and depth of THE REMORSEFUL DAY. The novel simply was masterful, a completely satisfying coda to the Morse cycle, as well as a dignified and fitting epitaph for the character himself.At first I was put off by the epigrams which head each chapter. However, as the plot advanced and grew more intense, I became converted to the concept. This novel revolves not so much around the action as the setting, a characteristic which it shares with the more superior Conan-Doyle stories. Dexter uses these epigrams to incubate a mood which rolls across the pages like a twilight mist upon the Thames. The reader is first inveigled into, then completely consumed by,a sense of closure, of crossing the tees and jotting the eyes.I felt like LAST BUS TO WOODSTOCK seemed tentative and amateurish. THE REMORSEFUL DAY, however, was the work of a master. It was polished and elegant, weaving a very complete and satisfying picture of Morse the man, Morse the mentor, Morse the mind. With a few spare, simple acts, Morse expresses his love for his protege Lewis with such stark, unambiguous and raw power that you will join the latter in weeping.I cannot recommend this book more highly. If you read only one of the thirteen Morse novels, make this your choice.
What do You think about The Remorseful Day (2000)?
Dexter, Colin. THE REMORSEFUL DAY. (1999). *****. This was Dexter’s last novel in his Inspector Morse series of detective tales, and, likely, one of his best. It is set in Oxford, as are most of the novels, where Superintendent Strange (Morse’s superior) has decided to reopen a case that is a year old. A woman of about 40 was found murdered in her flat. She had been handcuffed to her bed, naked, with a gag in her mouth, and brutally killed with some kind of heavy bar. Back when the case was fresh, the husband, a successful executive in the City for a bank, was the first obvious suspect. After coming up with what seemed to be air tight alibis, the focus was then turned on the woman’s son and, eventually, her daughter. They, too, were cleared because of their alibis. The murdered woman, a nurse at the local hospital, was known for her randy spirit and her extramarital adventures. Her husband was also know to enjoy other women on the side. It seemed as if they had a marriage of convenience and total sexual freedom. Morse was not on the original case. He and his sidekick Lewis had another murder on their plate at the time. Now that Strange has re-opened the case, he assigns Morse to lead the investigation. Morse does everything he can to avoid taking on the case, but in the end has no choice. All the original information has to be gone back over, and new interviews made to see if any of the previous interviewees have changed their stories or remembered something that they didn’t before. Morse is his usual anal retentive self. He comes up with a serial list of suspects that are ultimately eliminated, but only after applying his hound-dog perseverence along with Lewis’ dedicated attention to details. Dexter is known for having Morse scatter red herrings around quite liberally, but he always has him do so in such a way that it always makes sense. Morse, again, is his usual pedantic self; managing to correct everyone’s usage of English while routinely solving the Times Crossword puzzles. This was Dexter’s thirteenth adventure for Morse. I suspect he got too busy with the BBC adaptions to write any more of them. We just have to treasure what we have. Highly recommended.
—Tony
It's always so very bittersweet moment to say goodbye to one of your favorite literary characters. I know I am gonna dearly miss reading more adventures from our classy and intelligent Inspector Morse. On the other hand, I am so happy to know Dexter never lost his grip with the series but was able to provide something memorable all the way throughout this 13 book series. That's the best end I could wish for."Ensanguining the skiesHow heavily it diesInto the west away;Past touch and sight and soundNot further to be found,How hopeless under groundFalls the remorseful day."- A.E. HousmanAlso posted at: http://hfk.booklikes.com/
—Hunger For Knowledge
Morse's last case. With reluctance he takes up an unresolved murder of the local nurse with a vast circle of admirers. It turns out Morse was one of them, as was his superintendent Strange. The sergeant Lewis is disappointed with Morse, and only after his death Strange explains to him that it was him Morse was covering for to save his marriage. Morse having a premonition that his time is running out makes notes of the case to suggest who the murderer was. Lewis finds them after Morse's death. The murderer reports to police with confession soon after.Well written with references to the actual places in Oxford. Should read the earlier Morse's stories.
—Andrew Davis
