Next Book in the Series Browse A–Z
This site contains affiliate links. The creator of this site may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Inspector Morse

by Colin Dexter

13 books Started 1975 Latest 1999
Publication Reading Order

The Inspector Morse is a Crime Fiction series by Colin Dexter, made up of 13 books published between 1975 and 1999. It begins with Last Bus to Woodstock (1975), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The Remorseful Day (1999), spanning 24 years of storytelling.

13books
24years active
3decades
~2yrs between books
1999latest release

Inspector Morse series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Inspector Morse series?

Start with Last Bus to Woodstock (1975), the first book in the Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Inspector Morse series?

There are 13 books in the Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter, published between 1975 and 1999.

What is the first book in the Inspector Morse series?

The first book in the Inspector Morse series is Last Bus to Woodstock, published in 1975 by Colin Dexter.

What is the latest book in the Inspector Morse series?

The most recent book in the Inspector Morse series is The Remorseful Day (1999) by Colin Dexter.

Colin Dexter (1930-2017) was a renowned British crime novelist. Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, he served as a university lecturer before becoming a full-time writer. Dexter's Inspector Morse series, featuring the brilliant and enigmatic detective, catapulted him to fame. His debut novel, "Last Bus to Woodstock," introduced Morse in 1975. Over the next 30 years, Dexter penned 13 more Morse novels, including "The Dead of Jericho" and "The Way Through the Woods." The Morse series gained critical acclaim for its complex characters, atmospheric settings, and intricate puzzles. Dexter's work earned him several awards, including the 1991 CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Fiction. The series was also successfully adapted into a long-running television adaptation starring John Thaw. Dexter's writing was praised for its wit, intelligence, and ability to create memorable characters. Beyond the Morse series, he also wrote standalone novels such as "The Riddle of the Third Mile" and "The Secret of Annexe 3." His work continues to captivate readers around the world.

View all Colin Dexter series →

About the Inspector Morse series

Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse novels are the literate, cerebral heart of British detective fiction — and the source of the beloved television series. Chief Inspector Morse is a crossword-loving, opera-adoring, real-ale-drinking Oxford detective: brilliant, irascible, melancholy, and often wrong before he is right.

Dexter's mysteries are intricate puzzles, full of false trails and literary allusion, set against the dreaming spires of Oxford. Morse's prickly partnership with the patient, decent Sergeant Lewis is the series' warm centre.

The novels stand alone but are best enjoyed in order from "Last Bus to Woodstock," following Morse's character to its poignant conclusion in "The Remorseful Day."