The Wench is Dead

Confined to a hospital bed following a perforated ulcer, Chief Inspector Morse finds an unexpected distraction in a century-old true crime book. The tome recounts the sensational 1859 trial and subsequent hanging of two men for the murder of Joanna Franks, whose body was discovered in the Oxford Canal. Initially a diversion, the details of the case begin to prick Morse's formidable intellect, raising troubling questions about the guilt of the condemned. From the confines of his ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Morse embarks on an armchair investigation, meticulously sifting through historical records and legal transcripts. His renowned 'muddled computer of a mind' becomes fixated on the possibility of a grave miscarriage of justice, compelling him to challenge the verdict of history. 'The Wench is Dead' is a masterclass in 'armchair detection', as Morse, with his characteristic blend of irascibility and brilliance, attempts to solve a cold case from beyond the grave, proving that the truth, no matter how old, can still be unearthed.