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M S Morris
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Aspire to Die: An Oxford Murder Mystery (Bridget Hart Book 1) Kindle Edition

by M S Morris (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 7,794 ratings
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Lust. Ambition. Murder.

When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. The murdered girl appeared to have no enemies, yet was killed in a brutal and bloody assault.

Haunted and driven by her own personal tragedy, newly promoted DI Bridget Hart has a lot to prove as she leads her first murder case. Her investigation uncovers a tangled web of lies, lust and ambition, and brings her into conflict with powerful interests.

But no one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where students and academics live and work side by side, and a ruthless killer waits to strike again.

Set amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford University, the Bridget Hart series is perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, JR Ellis, Faith Martin and classic British murder mysteries.

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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Bridget Hart
  2. Print length
    402 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 27, 2019
  6. File size
    996 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

A Classic Murder Mystery
Set in Oxford
Bridget Hart Series

Bridget Hart Book 1

Bridget Hart Book 2

Bridget Hart Book 3

When a beautiful, wealthy student is found dead in her room in Oxford’s most prestigious college, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is called to investigate. The murdered girl appeared to have no enemies, yet was killed in a brutal and bloody attack.

Haunted and driven by her own personal tragedy, newly promoted DI Bridget Hart has a lot to prove as she leads her first murder case. Her investigation uncovers a tangled web of lies, lust and ambition, and brings her into conflict with powerful interests.

But no one can be above suspicion within the closed and claustrophobic confines of an Oxford college, where students and academics live and work side by side, and a ruthless killer waits to strike again.

When reclusive artist, Gabriel Quinn, is gunned down outside a gallery on Oxford High Street, Detective Inspector Bridget Hart investigates the world of contemporary art, where paintings can change hands for millions in the auction room.

Bridget is convinced that the last words spoken by the artist – a mysterious code of 8 digits and a letter – are key to unravelling the mystery of his death.

But when her ex-husband, Ben, now a senior detective with the Metropolitan Police in London shows up with new information about the murdered man, Bridget’s personal and professional lives are brought crashing together with dramatic consequences.

When Detective Inspector Bridget Hart returns to her old Oxford college for a reunion dinner, she’s hoping for a fun weekend catching up with old friends. But the reunion takes a macabre turn when body parts are served up at the college feast, and one of her friends is found murdered.

With Bridget’s arch rival Inspector Baxter leading the murder enquiry, and herself a potential suspect, Bridget is forbidden from taking part in the investigation. But that doesn’t stop her from carrying out her own private enquiries.

Bridget soon realises that the murderer is someone known to her. And as the weekend continues and more bodies are found, it becomes clear that they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Can Bridget uncover the dark secrets of the past in time to halt the killer, or will she be next on the murderer’s list?

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a roller coaster ride! Detective Inspector Bridget Hart is in charge of her first murder case since her promotion. Her team is new but dedicated, hardworking, and perseverant. This is a twisty, unusual case as evidence collapses and new evidence is found. Finale is exciting and dangerous! Goodreads reviewer.


For fans of Morse and Hilary Greene, Oxford provides a scintillating background to this classy murder mystery. Goodreads reviewer.


This book is action-packed and entertaining. The characters are well-developed and the setting is deceptively idyllic since scandals are happening around every corner. Goodreads reviewer.

About the Author

M S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. They both studied at Oxford University, where they first met in 1990. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. They are married and live in Oxfordshire.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07XYCYPZR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Landmark Media (November 27, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 996 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 7,794 ratings

About the author

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M S Morris

M S Morris

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M S Morris is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of Margarita and Steve Morris. They both studied at Oxford University, where they first met in 1990. Together they write psychological thrillers and crime novels. They are married and live in Oxfordshire.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
7,794 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Constant Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good British Procedural in Oxford
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2021
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Things to like about this book: pretty much everything if you are a fan of well-written British mystery stories. The setting is Oxford, and the author does an exceptionally fine job of capturing the look and feel of both the university and the surrounding areas. This book is the first in a series of British police procedurals featuring Detective Inspector Bridget Hart. Bridget is leading her first murder investigation. The pressure is high because the murder was at the university, and because the deceased is the extremely well-liked daughter of a prominent wealthy family. The first book in a series is always tricky because the author must establish the setting, develop the cast of continuing characters, and tell a story that is entertaining enough to motivate a reader to continue to the next book. I’ve already bought the next book. This is a true procedural as the investigation is revealed step by step. Secrets are revealed; suspects are added and eliminated. The murderer seemed obvious to me, but the book was entertaining. The writing is fluent, the pacing is brisk, and the pages turn quickly. The book is not as good as the very top tier of literary mysteries such as those by Elly Griffiths, Anne Cleeves, Martin Walker, Paul Doiron, Louise Penny, Jean-Luc Bannalec, and a few others, but it is much better than average. Verdict: Very good.
33 people found this helpful
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Joanne
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story.
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2023
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Looking forward to the characters developing more. Good story - kept me guessing until the end. Will read the series!
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LC Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars Good mystery
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023
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This story contains all of the elements of an engaging mystery. I particularly enjoyed the characters. They were realistic without being two-dimensional or overly steriotypical. Just when it liked like one of them might be playing a bit too close to type, they'd do or say something which redeemed them as fully formed, if fictional, individuals. The setting, unsurprisingly, is key to this story and type descriptions and explanations of some of Oxford's peculiarities do not disappoint.
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Kindle Em
4.0 out of 5 stars Another female detective?
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
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Why not? We are 52% of the population, are we not? I always start new authors and series with trepidation but ASPIRE TO DIE was a good read, well-written, pretty good plot, and most importantly, likeable characters. While Bridget is the main focus around whom the story plays out, Jake, Ffion, Chloe, et all, are all ripe with possibilities, especially in the shadow of Oxford, which is not really within their comfort zone. The detail the Morris' s bring to the setting helps raise the plot a notch above the numerous mysteries set there. And, the plot has some good twists, too. So I am on to the second book in my new series.
One person found this helpful
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Bobbi Stoffers
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
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MS Morris brings his characters to life. This book is exciting and full of suspense. You won’t be disappointed with this book.
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J.J.
3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
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This was a nice read to pass the time. I enjoyed the fact that it’s within a country that I’m not to familiar with. I liked the book even though the mystery was predictable.
One person found this helpful
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Tommie
5.0 out of 5 stars I finished the last page and bought the next 4books in the series before I wrote the review.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
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I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in two days and when I was finished I bought the fiber book bundle to read the other four books before book 6 comes out in May . I was reminded of books like Inspector Morse and Lewis and great English mysteries of which I am a great fan. I love Oxford and enjoy the students and enjoy the atmosphere and the colleges and college life. The characters are really believable and real. The mystery is a page-turner. Very true to life and believable.
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Kim J.
4.0 out of 5 stars What an ending!
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022
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I was not sure how I was going to feel about this book. First in a series is always drawn out, and very involved in character development so that you become invested in the series. I like all of the characters in this first book. It was a great plot, not one I've seen before. And a good build up to the outcome, not just dropping into it. And I'm already invested in Bridget and her team! Can't wait to read the next one!
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Hindle.
5.0 out of 5 stars Appropriate size print for seniors with vision issues
Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2023
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Mom can follow the plot line and is interested in completing the series.
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Jennyanydots
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this easygoing series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2022
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I've read all 7 books in this series now with increasing enjoyment. They remind me a little of the Elly Griffiths archaeology/crime series with Dr Ruth Galloway, in that the mysteries are good and you want to know what happens and whodunnit, but it's the relationships between the characters that intrigue and charm and leave you wanting to know more at the end of each book. These are easy reads, but the detail about Oxford is excellent, the authors have done their homework, and the settings for the murder mysteries are all authentic. You could easily navigate your way around Oxford using these books as guides and I know Oxford well. The authors are not Colin Dexter, neither are they trying to be, and after a rather stiff start you are drawn effortlessly into the world of Inspector Bridget Hart, a single mum to a teenage daughter, with a tricky ex, a grouchy but not unlikeable boss, and a wonderful set of young colleagues who are immensely likeable and about whom you care, together with a skilfully drawn cast of characters from across Oxford, from a tour guide, a host of academics, the students and the homeless. Some of the denouements are a bit forced, too many tops of towers and teetering on balconies perhaps, but Oxford is the City of Dreaming Spires after all. I can't wait to find out what happens to these sharply drawn characters next, where the murders, ingenious and intriguing as they are, are always secondary to the development of Bridget, her daughter Chloe, sister Vanessa, partner Jonathan, together with Jake, Ffion and Ryan, her young colleagues. This would make a great gentle mysteries tv series, maybe on Amazon Prime.
10 people found this helpful
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haceel
5.0 out of 5 stars Lesenswert
Reviewed in Germany on April 13, 2021
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Eine durchaus lesenswerter Krimi. Und man kann zusätzlich seine “eingerosteten” Sprachkenntnisse auffrischen.
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Margaret Bellette
5.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Detective Mystery
Reviewed in Australia on November 6, 2023
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Fast paced with a good plot. plenty of historical facts about Oxford. praise God! No foul language or explicit sex scenes.
Thank you.
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Sharon Hallberg
4.0 out of 5 stars OK mystery
Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2023
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Too much fluff and details not relevant to the story. Too much personal introspection by the Inspector. I kept skipping pages to get back to the main story,
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