Service of All the Dead Inspector Morse Mysteries

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It is a cliché to say the book is always better than the film or TV-series it inspired. But not in this case. I must be cautious, however, because this is the first CD book (from 1979) I read about Inspector Morse and it even won the prestigious Silver Dagger award.
Enjoyed watching the quintessentially English TV-series about murders in Oxford, often at one its many colleges investigated by Inspector Morse and his assistant Lewis. They move about in Morse’s red Jaguar and in hallowed halls and studies questioning academic suspects. Breaks are used to drink inspirational pints of draft ale. Morse is single with an eye for feminine beauty, Lewis is married with children. More than the crimes, the atmosphere of brilliant privilege and ancient surroundings made the series (and its sequel, ‘Lewis’, and now its prequel ‘Endeavour’ about Morse’s early years as crime fighter) so successful abroad.
Found this book also very English, but not in an interesting way. At times it reads like a primer on the Anglican faith and church, its rituals, office holders, dress and traditions. A church in Oxford is the epicenter of a series of murders and disappearances, perhaps a suicide as well. As a police procedural, it is not good. There is little sign of note-taking, report-writing, serious forensics. Rather, Colin Dexter taxes the reader with plenty of conjecture, arguments and red herrings. Also, it is hard to bond with anyone, except perhaps with the calculating wheelchair-bound mother of the woman who has taken Morse’s fancy , Ruth, who recently lost her virginity at the tender age of 42. A Victorian touch?
Finally, the dialogues are bland and the book lacks irony or humor. It makes a dated, almost Victorian impression and I gave up 70 pages from the finish. But not before scanning the final page. Yes, Victorian is the word. Or Barbara Cartland? Will seek out a crime novel CD situated amongst professors to see if any more of his books are so badly composed, giving readers the idea they are wasting their time.