Last Seen Wearing

Inspector Morse investigates a cold case involving Valerie Taylor, a teenage girl who disappeared from her Oxford school two years prior. After receiving a mysterious letter claiming to be from Valerie, the police must determine if she is alive or dead while untangling a web of relationships at Roger Bacon Comprehensive School. The investigation leads Morse and Sergeant Lewis through interviews with key figures, including school staff, Valerie's family, and former students. Each conversation reveals new layers of complexity and potential motives, while the murder of a school administrator adds urgency to their search. Through methodical police work in Oxford and London, Morse confronts multiple theories about Valerie's disappearance. The case challenges his deductive abilities as evidence points in conflicting directions. The novel explores themes of truth versus appearance, the long shadow of past events, and the complex dynamics within educational institutions. It raises questions about how well we truly know the people around us.

Readers found this Inspector Morse mystery more complex and layered than the first book in the series. The plot twists keep most readers guessing until the end, with many noting they couldn't predict the outcome. Liked: - Deeper character development of Morse and Lewis - Multiple plausible theories that develop throughout - Oxford setting details - Methodical investigation process Disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the resolution unsatisfying - A few readers noted confusion with the timeline jumps Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (450+ ratings) Common reader comments: "The relationship between Morse and Lewis really starts to gel" - Goodreads "Too many red herrings" - Amazon review "Better than the first book but not his best" - LibraryThing "The plotting is intricate but rewards careful reading" - Amazon UK

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie The methodical investigation of a serial killer who chooses victims in alphabetical order mirrors the logical deduction style found in Last Seen Wearing.

A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George A British detective investigates the beheading of a farmer while uncovering dark secrets in a small village, featuring the same attention to character psychology as Dexter's work.

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie A Scotland Yard superintendent's holiday turns into a murder investigation at a Yorkshire time-share, combining the British police procedural format with complex personal dynamics.

Death of an Expert Witness by P. D. James The murder of a forensic scientist in a laboratory presents Commander Adam Dalgliesh with a case that requires the same intellectual rigor as Morse's investigations.

The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill The disappearance of multiple people from a small English town leads to a police investigation that builds tension through careful plotting and detailed police work.

🔍 The novel was published in 1976 and was only the second book in the Inspector Morse series, which would eventually grow to 13 novels. 📚 Colin Dexter worked as a classics teacher before becoming a full-time writer, which heavily influenced his portrayal of Oxford's academic setting. 🎬 The book was adapted for television in 1988 as part of the "Inspector Morse" series starring John Thaw, but with significant plot changes from the original novel. 🏆 The Inspector Morse series helped establish the "Oxford crime" subgenre in detective fiction, blending academic settings with murder mysteries. 🍺 Throughout the book, Morse's love of cryptic crosswords and real ale - traits shared with author Colin Dexter himself - play a significant role in his deductive process.