Dexter is famous for a series of mystery detective novels which take place in modern Oxford. Chief Inspector Morse is middle aged, drinks a lot, has as many vices as virtues, is revered by most and always gets his man. Smarter than Mycroft, etc. The stories are OK, but the writing is too contrived, too patently revealing clues on a schedule, and too stilted. Also, Dexter gets downright insulting as he brags about his ability to spell correctly, to use proper grammar, and to quote accurately. There is the thinnest of veils covering his sneers in which (for example) he dares the reader to catch the three misspellings in the victim's note. You're expected to be impressed, I guess, by an author who knows the difference between their, they're, and there.

And that's not all. Another disappointment is the awkward presentation of Oxford, its environs, and its people. Dexter's opinion of detail is apparently to describe the plaque on the side of some actual door, or to explain in detail which street intersects with which. He completely misses conveying the sense that you've been there. Furthermore Dexter overdoes it when establishing Morse's rare and admirable qualities. It's as if he thinks that he can boast more if he only remembers to point out weaknesses as well. Enough, enough, enough.

I read two or three of these in situations when anything would do for a read. They were so well recommended. Well, I'll save the rest for another hard up moment.