List $29.95

Written by Colin Dexter - Performed by Michael Pennington - Unabridged Fiction - 6 CASSETTES - 6.8 hours

Publisher, Audio Partners (October 2000)

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"Sleuthing in the slush following a New Year's Eve murder doesn't make Morse the merrier, but Michael Pennington's pellucid rendering of Colin Dexter's umpteenth yarn about the chief inspector does make the old griper gripping." --People Magazine, January 2001

"[Morse is] the most prickly, conceited, and genuinely brilliant detective since Hercule Poirot." --The New York Times Book Review

"A masterful crime writer whom few others match." --Publishers Weekly

"Inspector Morse mysteries always bring multiple pleasures... Narrator Pennington enhances an already excellent work. He presents differences in class, age and gender commendably. An astute listener will enjoy just the anticipation of his varied deliveries. Each of the many characters, all at a New Year's Eve masquerade party, maintain a separate identity, making this 'whodunnit' particularly compelling." --AudioFile

All the guests at the Haworth Hotel (with one exception) wake up late New Years Day following a party the night before. The guest in Annexe 3, however, is found murdered - lying in a blood-soaked bed and still wearing his Rastafarian costume. To make matters worse, the victim's female companion and other guests have vanished. Inspector Morse's inquiries have uncovered a series of confusing identities that make this mystery a stretch even for Morse!

About the Author: Colin Dexter was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, and was educated at Cambridge University. His career included 13 years of teaching classics to high school age British students, then serving as an examiner at Oxford, before he retired. Dexter originally created the character of Inspector Morse while on a rainy Welsh holiday with his wife and daughters. Like his acclaimed character Morse, Dexter enjoys crossword puzzles and classical music, and the occasional pint. Morse is a fictional detective in the city of Oxford, also the residence of his creator, which adds authenticity. Dexter himself performs The Wench is Dead, starring Inspector Morse, also available from The Audio Partners.

About the Performer: Michael Pennington was educated at Cambridge. He appeared at the Royal Court Theatre, London, and several other theaters, where he is a leading Shakespearian actor. He joined the National Theatre in 1984. In 1986 he co-founded and became co-artistic director of the English Shakespeare Company. Pennington also performs another Dexter title from The Audio Partners, Last Seen Wearing (July 2000).