979. The Daughters of Cain (Colin Dexter)

Oxford University

Synopsis:
After Dr. Felix McClure, an Oxford don, is found stabbed to death, all clues point to a former employee of the college, Edward Brooks, as the murderer. But when Brooks also turns up murdered--with the same knife that killed McClure--the case challenges even Morse's considerable mental prowess. He discovers that Brooks was a drug dealer who peddled his wares to Oxford students, abused his wife and daughter, and kept a secret--and substantial--bank account. The motives for murder abound, but all the prime suspects seem to have ironclad alibis. Morse ponders, aided by his favorite vices, nicotine and alcohol, and finally offers up the solution to the convoluted case.

My rating: 3 stars