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jenmulholland's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexism
catvbailey's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found this a really enjoyable page turner, but probably enjoyed it more than others might as I live in Oxford and so am familiar with the location. Knocking down from 5* to 4* as the sexism/racism present makes this a difficult book to recommend/enjoy fully, and I did find some of the chapter openings/endings a bit repetitive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
j_squaredd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Sexism
conprimo's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Murder
bilboshadowslayer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Last Bus to Woodstock is the first book in the Inspector Morse series. I fell in love with the character through the television show, so I was ecstatic when I saw Kevin Whately (who plays Sergeant Lewis in the series) as the narrator for the audiobook.
Overall, this mystery isn't one of my favorites because I view it heavily through a 2021 lens and the way elements of the plot are written are problematic. For example, the mystery revolves around a young woman who is found assaulted and murdered; however, the way the book is written makes the sexual assault seems like it may not have been assault or the victim had a role to play in the assault because of what she was wearing, her past sexual experience, etc. Also, the reasoning behind the murder and who did it is just terrible.
This book is definitely a "first pancake" (meaning it's not the best or the prettiest but it's a start), and I do find Inspector Morse interesting enough to continue reading the series. I also want to see how his relationship with Sergent Lewis develops over time because they do have a good dynamic and think it will be interesting.
Overall, this mystery isn't one of my favorites because I view it heavily through a 2021 lens and the way elements of the plot are written are problematic. For example, the mystery revolves around a young woman who is found assaulted and murdered; however, the way the book is written makes the sexual assault seems like it may not have been assault or the victim had a role to play in the assault because of what she was wearing, her past sexual experience, etc. Also, the reasoning behind the murder and who did it is just terrible.
This book is definitely a "first pancake" (meaning it's not the best or the prettiest but it's a start), and I do find Inspector Morse interesting enough to continue reading the series. I also want to see how his relationship with Sergent Lewis develops over time because they do have a good dynamic and think it will be interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
annie_122's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder