The Secret of Annexe 3 is the seventh book in Colin Dexter's "Inspector Morse" series. We are now at the midpoint of the series, and Morse is firmly fixed in his irascible curmudgeon role. He is now 54. One minor character says he is "distinctly brusque and hostile" on her first encounter with him. Another describes him as "disturbingly strange, this man with the hard-staring, startling eyes - eyes that reminded her of the more fanatical politicians… that seem uncommunicative or unseeing, eyes fixed, it seemed, upon some distanced, spiritual shore." Morse seems to be evolving into looking more like the character played by the late much-loved John Thaw. He is described in this novels as, "a man of medium height who had filled out into a somewhat barrel-shaped figure with his … shirt now stretching tight round his chest. His unshaven jowls suggested an age of nearer 60 and his face seemed cast in a slightly melancholy mould." It may come as a surprise to viewers of the TV series that Lewis, played by tall, slim Kevin Whately, is "a thick-set, slightly awkward looking man, for whom the only blemishes on a life of unexciting virtuousness were a gluttonous partiality for egg and chips, and a passion for fast driving." Each chapter has an apt quotation at its head, a style which seems to be becoming a favourite of Dexter's - and this particular reader's too. Actually, these earlier chapters are very entertaining in their own right. It would be quite possible to forget that this is a detective novel. As usual Morse himself is not present until a fair way into the book. The chapter introduces us to a couple of characters, the Bowmans, and we quickly deduce that their marriage is rocky. A possible crime is signalled here. But we know this author of old, and this would seem suspiciously straightforward.The next 5 chapters are hilarious. Character after character are introduced, all having their own little cameo role. The writing is very witty and droll. They are set in a hotel which is struggling to survive, and hosting New Year short breaks to get some revenue. The characters, costumes and situations described are a delight. Who would have thought Mr Dexter to have had so much humour in him? Inevitably, they end with a murder, although unusually for Dexter, this is the only one. From then on though - and actually as soon as Morse himself enters the scene - the humour peters out. It becomes more of a standard mystery novel, and because of the number of characters now involved, quite a few already being in the building at the time, unravelling the mystery takes quite a while. We have several minor characters who are mere red herrings. Morse, true to form leaps to the wrong conclusion - in fact more than one. It is not as fiendishly complicated as some of Dexter's plots tend to be, however, although there is one thread left hanging at the end. Again, this ambiguity seems to be becoming a favourite "trick" by the author. Certainly he obscures the main explanation until very near the end.Because the second half of the book concentrates on Morse and Lewis' attempt to work out what happened, we get far more interaction between these two characters than we have seen so far. We still get a lot more of Morse's internal thoughts than is typical of a crime novel. There is far less dialogue, but this is part of Dexter's uniqueness and charm. The relationship between the two detectives is becoming more even-handed. We get the impression that some mutual respect has developed. When Morse says "Well done, my son!" perhaps now it is not only mere words. Interestingly, this is the first novel in which Morse seems to value Lewis' input, in turn suggesting that some of the more routine work is left to other officers.The other big plus for this half of the novel is its sense of place. Most of the book takes place in a very small area of Oxford around St. Giles and Brasenose College. We learn that he regularly drinks in "The Eagle and Child", where "The Inklings" (C. S. Lewis' little clique) also used to meet and drink. Also, we learn that he lives in a flat on the Banbury Road in North Oxford. A crucially important event in the novel takes place at Carfax tower. These and other places are well-known to this reviewer, (who also lived in the area for a couple of years) and I can attest to the authenticity of their depiction.I would however take issue once again with Dexter's apparent misogyny. Time after time the male characters have more depth and variety than the females. How would you feel if I commented in this review that a character "filled his trousers well"? Amused? Irritated? Offended? Possibly all three? The point is that Dexter has a tits-and-bums view of women in these novels which becomes very tiresome. It would be perfectly reasonable for this to be a feature of Morse's character himself, but it is not. Yes, Morse is known to be coarse, but he is also an aesthete and highly intelligent. There are many layers to his character. These attitudes do not always come from his mouth.In addition, the crime in this novel hinges on an incredible misunderstanding. I use the word in its true sense; it is incredible to this reader. Once again we have Dexter's penchant for disguise and substitution playing an important part. In this case though we are expected to believe that (view spoiler)[ a blacked-up white man was able to pass as a Rastafarian in close proximity to quite a few people, nuances of speech, gesture, facial features, skin tone notwithstanding. Even more laughably the reader is expected to believe that a black Rastafarian was able to pass as a white man, blacked up and playing the part of a Rastafarian. (hide spoiler)]
Read by................... Michael PenningtonTotal Runtime.......... 6 hours 42 minsDescription: 'Morse sought to hide his disappointment. So many people in the Haworth Hotel that fatal evening had been wearing some sort of disguise - a change of dress, a change of make-up, a change of partner, a change of attitude, a change of life almost: and the man who had died had been the most consummate artist of them all...' Chief inspector Morse seldom allowed himself to be caught up in New Year celebrations. So the murder inquiry in the festive hotel had a certain appeal. It was a crime worthy of the season. The corpse was still in fancy dress. And hardly a single guest at the Haworth had registered under a genuine name... As an easy mnemonic, this is the one on a New Year's Eve where the dress-up West Indian Reggae player bites the mattress.Time for some Marley, how sad he never got around to his own version of Auld Lang Syne.4* Last Bus to Woodstock (Inspector Morse, #1)3* Last Seen Wearing (Inspector Morse, #2)3* The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Inspector Morse, #3)3* Service of All the Dead (Inspector Morse, #4)3* The Dead of Jericho (Inspector Morse, #5)4* The Riddle of the Third Mile (Inspector Morse, #6)3* The Secret of Annexe 3 (Inspector Morse #7)3* The Wench Is Dead (Inspector Morse, #8)3* Morse's Greatest Mystery and Other Stories
What do You think about The Secret Of Annexe 3 (1997)?
If there's one thing I hate about Crime novels it's not knowing exactly what happened. This book pushed my OCD to the extreme. Yes at the end of the book we know who the killer was, but we don't know exactly how the murder took place (which is why this gets such a low rating).The author appears too hung up on his red herrings and his cleverness surrounding a fancy dress party.This was the perfect time of year to read this book, being based around the events at a hotel during new year. A man is m
—Charlotte (Buried in Books)
I'm on a Colin Dexter jag at the moment, thanks to a generous gift of an entire box of Dexters and PD James....I love the TV Morse series, but, Dexter's books are rich in vocabulary, interesting observations, and quotes from the Classics. Dexter is not like Christie. You pretty much know who did it from the start...it's the slow unravelling of how, why..and Morse's thinking that winds you into the story. Yes, I'm a die-hard mystery lover; it is my brain-candy. and Colin Dexter is endlessly satisfying to read.
—Fiona
Thomas Bowman finds a letter incriminating his wife Margaret for adultery. Inspector Morse must connect him to the body of a Rastaferian-costumed first place winner killed in a hotel annexe (addition) after a New Year masquerade. He won first prize, and left black actor grease-paint prints on ladies' light colored clothes.If boyfriend Edward Wilkin's pub audience gave him an alibi, how could his Rastafarian band-mate Winston Grant be at the scene either? Eating little, Muslim avoiding pork, is not the same as consuming a few vegetables recounted off menu for phoned question. The trail of clues is weak; conclusion impossible. Enough to finish, but I'm hornswoggled, stick to TV.Book is unlike TV emphasis on Oxford scenery, erudite opera music, though literary quote precedes every chapter "Beware of all enterprises that require fancy clothes - Thoreau" p40 ch6. Partner Lewis is there more practical. Here Morse wants to sleep with guest who offers midway, and book finale - hotel "working girl" hooker hired attractive brunette Phillipa Palmer "Would you like to treat me to a night?" p128. Too many red herrings like cancellation Doris Arkwright, assumed to be "old biddy" p71, at end turns out to be "beautifully moulded" p282 brunette. Author has a thing for dark hair? Definitions:p2 hebdomadal - weekly (meetings)p3 nigritude - negro-ness qualityp97 emendations - edited correction
—An Odd1
