Two people die in Oxford’s Jericho, a boy blinds himself and a wife contemplates her husband’s infidelity. The cerebral, literary Inspector Morse must find out who killed the seedy odd-job man, and whether Anne Scott’s death was murder, suicide or fate. All the evidence is there, but Dexter keeps you guessing till the last minute. The tortuous yet sane plot, and Morse’s cool observation of human nature makes this novel a joy to read. If you enjoyed the television series you will not be disappointed by the real thing.