The Wench is Dead is the eighth novel in Colin Dexter's Oxford-set detective series. That night he dreamed in Technicolor. He saw the ochre-skinned, scantily clad siren in her black, arrowed stockings. And in Morse's muddled computer of a mind, that siren took the name of one Joanna Franks . . . The body of Joanna Franks was found at Duke's Cut on the Oxford Canal at about 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 22nd June 1859. At around 10.15 a.m. on a Saturday morning in 1989 the body of Chief Inspector Morse – though very much alive – was removed to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Treatment for a perforated ulcer was later pronounced successful. As Morse begins his recovery he comes across an account of the investigation and the trial that followed Joanna Franks' death . . . and becomes convinced that the two men hanged for her murder were innocent . . . The Wench is Dead is followed by the ninth Inspector Morse book, The Jewel That Was Ours.
Brown (1906-1972) was a popular and respected author of more than 20 mysteries and science fiction novels (The Fabulous Clipjoint, won the 1948 Edgar Award for best mystery novel). This study looks closely at his work and chronicles his unusual life. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Good Christian people, pray attend Whilst I relate to you Concerning of a murder foul, It is, alas, too true. 'Twas on the 17th day of June This murder it was done. They did complete the awful deed Before the rising sun. A helpless female, much beloved Was travelling to her home, Three boatmen seized her as she sat The water was her home. Here for the first time complete with extensive gazetteer and map is the true story of the murder of Christina Collins on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Rugeley in 1839, the story that inspired the creator of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter, to write his award winning novel, The Wench is Dead. This much expanded edition is fully illustrated with an introduction by Colin Dexter. This guide is a must for all those with an interest in canals, history, murder and Inspector Morse as well as those who just want to explore some of the most beautiful locations in the England.
"[MORSE IS] THE MOST PRICKLY, CONCEITED, AND GENUINELY BRILLIANT DETECTIVE SINCE HERCULE POIROT." --The New York Times Book Review This time Inspector Morse brings the imposition on himself. He could have been vacationing in Greece instead of investigating a murder that the police have long since written off. But he finds the crime--the brutal killing of a suburban churchwarden--fascinating. In fact, he uncovers not one murder but two, for the fatal fall of St. Frideswides vicar from the church tower Morse reckons to be murder as well. And as he digs into the lives and unsanctified lusts of the late vicar's erring flock, the list of the dead grows longer. Not even the oddly appealing woman he finds scrubbing the church floor can compensate Morse for the trouble he's let himself in for. So he has another pint, follows his hunches, and sets out to untangle the deadly business of homicide. . . . "A BRILLIANTLY PLOTTED DETECTIVE STORY." --Evening Standard (London) "WILY. . . ELEGANT." --Observer (London)
This anthology features three Inspector Morse novels. In The Way Through the Woods, a young tourist disappears in North Oxford. In The Daughters of Cain, Morse takes over an unsolved murder. Death Is Now My Neighbour sees Morse on the trail of a killer.