Below is the complete list of Colin Dexter books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.
Inspector Morse Books in Publication Order
- Last Bus to Woodstock (1975)
- Last Seen Wearing (1976)
- The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (1977)
- Service of All the Dead (1979)
- The Dead of Jericho (1981)
- The Riddle of the Third Mile (1983)
- The Secret of Annexe 3 (1986)
- The Wench Is Dead (1989)
- The Jewel That Was Ours (1989)
- The Way Through The Woods (1992)
- The Daughters of Cain (1994)
- Death Is Now My Neighbor (1996)
- The Remorseful Day (1999)
Inspector Morse Collections Books in Publication Order
- Morse’s Greatest Mystery and Other Stories (1993)
Short Stories/Novellas Books in Publication Order
- Evans Tries an O-Level (1993)
- The Other Half (2015)
Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order
- Chambers Morse Crosswords (2006)
- Cracking Cryptic Crosswords (2009)
Mysterious Profiles Books in Publication Order
- Rambo (2022)
(By David Morrell) - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (2022)
(By Robert Crais) - Jack Taylor (2022)
(By Ken Bruen) - Jack Reacher (2022)
(By Lee Child) - Charlie Parker (2022)
(By John Connolly) - Hieronymus Bosch (2022)
(By Michael Connelly) - Lincoln Rhyme (2022)
(By Jeffery Deaver) - Alex Delaware (2022)
(By Jonathan Kellerman) - Tess Monaghan (2022)
(By Laura Lippman) - Charlie Resnick (2022)
(By John Harvey) - Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus (2022)
(By Faye Kellerman) - Inspector Morse (2022)
- Dismas Hardy (2022)
(By John Lescroart) - Bob Lee Swagger (2022)
(By Stephen Hunter) - Aloysius X. L. Pendergast (2022)
(By Douglas Preston) - Lou Boldt (2022)
(By Ridley Pearson) - Spenser (2022)
(By Robert B. Parker) - Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (2022)
(By Anne Perry) - John Rebus (2022)
(By Ian Rankin) - Mallory (2022)
(By Carol O’Connell) - Jane Whitefield (2022)
(By Thomas Perry) - Ian Rutledge (2022)
(By Charles Todd) - Amos Walker (2022)
(By Loren D. Estleman) - Precious Ramotswe (2022)
(By Alexander McCall Smith) - Maisie Dobbs (2022)
(By Jacqueline Winspear) - The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
(By Michael Connelly) - Condor (2023)
(By James Grady) - Ben Kincaid (2023)
(By William Bernhardt) - Repairman Jack (2023)
(By F. Paul Wilson) - Joe Pickett (2024)
(By C.J. Box) - Peter Diamond (2024)
(By Peter Lovesey) - Nathan Heller (2024)
(By Max Allan Collins) - Orphan X (2025)
(By Gregg Hurwitz)
About Colin Dexter
Colin Dexter was a British crime novelist best known for creating one of the most iconic detectives in modern mystery fiction: Inspector Morse. Through his novels, Dexter combined traditional detective storytelling with intellectual puzzles, literary references, and richly drawn settings. His books not only became bestselling mysteries but also inspired one of the most successful British crime television franchises.
Colin Dexter was born Norman Colin Dexter on September 29, 1930, in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. He grew up in the English countryside and later attended the University of Cambridge, where he studied classics. His academic background in classical literature and language would later influence his writing style, as many of his mysteries incorporate literary quotations, historical references, and complex wordplay.
Before becoming a novelist, Dexter worked as a teacher. He spent many years teaching classical languages at schools in England, including positions in the Midlands and later in Oxford. Teaching gave him both a strong command of language and a deep appreciation for intellectual problem-solving—qualities that later shaped the structure of his detective stories.
Dexter’s transition into fiction happened somewhat unexpectedly. While on holiday in Wales during the early 1970s, he began writing what would become his first mystery novel, Last Bus to Woodstock (1975). The book introduced readers to Detective Chief Inspector Morse of the Thames Valley Police, a brilliant but unconventional investigator stationed in the city of Oxford.
Inspector Morse quickly became one of the most distinctive detectives in crime fiction. Unlike many fictional investigators, Morse is known not only for his sharp analytical mind but also for his appreciation of classical music, literature, and crossword puzzles. At the same time, he is a flawed and complex character—sometimes impatient, occasionally stubborn, and often deeply introspective.
Reading Colin Dexter’s books in publication order allows readers to follow the development of Morse as both a detective and a person. The series gradually explores his relationships, his personal struggles, and his partnership with Sergeant Lewis, whose practical approach often balances Morse’s intellectual methods.
Oxford plays a crucial role in the atmosphere of the novels. Dexter uses the city’s historic colleges, narrow streets, and academic traditions as the backdrop for many of the investigations. The setting gives the series a distinctive identity, blending the scholarly environment of the university with the darker realities of crime and human conflict.
The popularity of the novels eventually led to the television adaptation Inspector Morse, which first aired in 1987. The show introduced Morse to a global audience and helped establish the character as one of the most recognizable figures in British crime drama. The success of the adaptation later led to spin-off series including Lewis and Endeavour, which explore different stages of the Morse universe.
Dexter’s writing style is often praised for its intellectual depth and intricate plotting. His mysteries frequently involve complex clues, misdirection, and subtle character motivations. Rather than relying solely on action, the novels challenge readers to think carefully about the evidence and follow Morse’s reasoning as the investigation unfolds.
Over the course of his career, Colin Dexter wrote thirteen Inspector Morse novels along with several short stories. His work received numerous literary honors, including the prestigious Gold Dagger Award from the Crime Writers’ Association.
Following Colin Dexter’s books in publication order reveals how the Inspector Morse series evolved into one of the defining works of British detective fiction. Through intricate mysteries, intellectual challenges, and a memorable central character, Dexter created stories that continue to influence crime writing and television drama decades after their original publication.