• Inspector of the Dead

  • By: David Morrell
  • Narrated by: Matthew Wolf
  • Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (558 ratings)

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Inspector of the Dead  By  cover art

Inspector of the Dead

By: David Morrell
Narrated by: Matthew Wolf
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Publisher's summary

ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel, 2016

Legendary thriller writer David Morrell transports listeners to the fogbound streets of London, where a killer plots to assassinate Queen Victoria.

The year is 1855. The Crimean War is raging. The incompetence of British commanders causes the fall of the English government. The empire teeters. Amid this crisis comes opium-eater Thomas De Quincey, one of the most notorious and brilliant personalities of Victorian England. Along with his irrepressible daughter, Emily, and their Scotland Yard companions, Ryan and Becker, De Quincey finds himself confronted by an adversary who threatens the heart of the nation.

This killer targets members of the upper echelons of British society, leaving with each corpse the name of someone who previously attempted to kill Queen Victoria. The evidence indicates that the ultimate victim will be Victoria herself.

©2015 David Morrell (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

2016 ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel, Runner-up.

"Everything [Morrell] writes has a you-are-there quality, and that, combined with his ability to propel characters through a scene, makes reading him like attending a private screening." (Washington Post Book World)

What listeners say about Inspector of the Dead

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A plot that left be breathless.

I have to be honest and say that had I known that author David Morrell was the author of "Rambo" I probably would have never picked up the first book in this series; Murder As a Fine Art Murder as a Fine Art, but that would have been a huge mistake.

When I saw the second book Inspector of the Dead as a perused Audible I immediately purchased it last weekend. I started it then, but got side tracked and didn't get back to it until yesterday. Well it was a good thing it was Friday night because I couldn't turn it off until I finished it this morning in the wee hours. WOW! What a ride. First and foremost I adore his characters, and the plot line, it will leave readers in absolute awe. The villain in this book is so diabolical,so tenacious he scared the hell out of me! But as his back story is revealed you almost, almost root for him. As I've only read two of Mr. Morrell's books I can't say if all his books delve so deeply in the psychological aspect of why men do, or can justify their evil. But he does it so well that I feel like I've learned something. Beyond that, he's a master at transporting you back in time. You feel you're in Victorian England in the dead of winter, you feel what it must be like to be always living on the edge when one misfortune could destroy you and your family, this is why I've always loved historical fiction.

I highly recommend Inspector of the Dead. I would be remiss if I didn't also praise Matthew Wolf's narration, he is wonderful. His characterizations, and accents are flawless.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Haunting and Fascinating Crime in Victorian London

This is the second book (the first being "Murder as a Fine Art") in which Thomas De Quincey, his daughter Emily, and detectives Ryan and Becker work together to solve an intriguing string of brutal murders set in 1850s London. De Quincey was a very real person whose "Confessions of an Opium Eater" was mentioned in my high school English class when discussing Coleridge. I never realized he coined the term "subconscious" decades before Freud.

The point of view goes back and forth between the third person and Emily's first person journal. This book has a depth and poignancy that surprised me.The ending was especially satisfying.

I hope Mr. Morrell writes more books with these people/characters. I bought the Kindle version so I could savor the writing and more easily search for passages that were particularly memorable. Be sure to listen to the author's Afterword to appreciate all the research and historical detail that went into the writing of this book.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Historical accuracy, one dimensional characters.

The author took great pains to achieve historical accuracy (he pompously describes his efforts in the afterword), unfortunately, character development suffers. I was hoping the characters would be fleshed out in the second book, but they remained one dimensional. I knew exactly how each character would react in every situation. I began to experience tedium and boredom after the first hour. I did finish the book, but I won't read or listen to a subsequent book. This book might be enjoyed by a reader who favors fiction heavy with historical detail.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Preachiness is not pretty

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Less preaching on the evils of humanity. I would have enjoyed less predictably. I kept wondering if the author was giving a sermon or writing a mystery.

Has Inspector of the Dead turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Which character – as performed by Matthew Wolf – was your favorite?

Travis, loved mr. Wolf's narration

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Characters were well developed and engaging

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great historical detail

What I really enjoy about this series is the way the author's thorough research into the life and times of Quincy enriches and actually propels the plot, not just providing atmosphere. As described, you get the feeling that this story could only have happened in that time and place, that moment in history. The plot twists and dovetailing of fact and fiction are wonderfully entertaining. Very good read.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good second novel in new Morrell genre

David Morrell is an interesting author, not to mention he was my Lit professor at the University of Iowa. With his Rambo series, I reached a point where I couldn't remember if I'd read his novels based just on the titles, something which usually tells me I've had enough of an author. With the first book in his Victorian Age Thomas De Quencey series, I decided to give the author another chance. The first book, 'Murder as a Fine Art' and this book did not disappoint. You could read this book without reading the first but I always suggest reading books in order in a series. This series will supposedly end as a trilogy so one more book to come. In this second book, the author concocts a tale where De Quencey and his daughter get involved in trying to solve the mystery of a man who is killing lots of people and learn he eventually intends to murder Queen Victoria as the coup de grace in his revenge plot. I read where one of the author's goals in this trilogy is to come as close as possible in marrying fact and fiction in a novel. I'm guessing David Morrell really enjoyed himself in writing this novel. I know I enjoyed listening to it.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Solid (But Straining Credulity)

I thought this book was solid but the basic premise of the story was too similar to his first book 'Murder as a Fine Art'. It felt too derivative, partly, as only seven weeks separates the events in the two books internal chronology, which was a very odd choice for the author to make (two serial killers inspired by the past in seven weeks, not that likely even for fiction). It felt like he was trying to generate a second novel out of the same material as the first and it came out a little thin.

The performance of the story was very good and I did basically enjoy listening but I liked Murder as a Fine Art much more.

Summery, difficult second album, but I will buy the third book.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Living History

What did you love best about Inspector of the Dead?

The wonderful and vivid way the author brought Victorian England to life, but then created a story so complex that the reader is drawn into the story and living alongside the amazingly interesting characters.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The characters kept it all going, but it was impossible to walk away from the story, as it became so real, so compelling, rich in detail and depth.

Have you listened to any of Matthew Wolf’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I recall, but he was perfect.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There is an emotional complexity, and the backstory of the family that began the tragedy depicted certainly has to tug on heartstrings. The emotional ride is made more dizzying by the continued revelation of different perspectives. (This seems to reflect the philosophy of the real "Opium Eater" who was the originator of much psychology of the individual perspective.)

Any additional comments?

Great book. If you like mysteries, or books, or stories, or history...well, you understand the drift...this is the book for you. I don't know why I waited so long after I had enjoyed the first in the series to try this one. Fabulous.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good, but not as good as Murder as a Fine Art

This story is good, but honestly a lot of this book is a repeat from Murder as a Fine Art. This book does continue with the story of Thomas De Quincey and his daughter Emily.

This is a good book and probably would have been even better had I not listened to it immediately following Murder as a Fine Art.

Don't pass this up if you've listened to the first book, just wait a few months between listening to the first and second books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

FABULOUS

Would you consider the audio edition of Inspector of the Dead to be better than the print version?

Excellent historical research and a story with surprising twists and turns. I highly recommend it!

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2 people found this helpful