Whilst Professor Amory unveils his chess-playing computer Jason and crime novelist Kent Finn signs copies of his latest book the body of Dr Nielsen, a member of the computer team, is dragged from the river and some time later a series of drownings are discovered at the local baths. The pattern of the murders suggests a serial killer with a knowledge of chess moves and Morse finds a link between one of the victims and another member of Amory's team with a further possible connection to Finn. However he deduces with some help from Jason that the culprit is not a random killer but one seeking vengeance on those he believed wronged him in the past. At the same time he feels unable to comfort Thursday and his wife after their daughter Joan mysteriously left them. Written by don @ minifie-1

When moral crusader Joy Pettybon arrives in Oxford she receives a death threat and Morse is assigned to protect her, as well as investigating the death of young brick-layer Brian Finch, who had been working at a mansion rented by argumentative pop group the Wildwood. Morse is present when Joy and troubled lead singer Nick Wilding go head to head on a live chat show, after which gay magazine editor Dudley Jessop, an opponent of Pettybon, is badly beaten by her supporters and her repressed daughter Bettina admits to Morse her love for him and hatred of her mother. Then a vicar, Mrs Pettybon's co-activist, is poisoned with chocolates seemingly intended for her. A shameful secret from the Pettybons' past, triggering Joy's crusade, is unearthed, as is a more recent one regarding Nick's sexuality. This proves instrumental in cracking the case, despite the killer's attempts to sabotage Morse with a cocktail of hallucinogenic drugs. Written by don @ minifie-1

Police informant Terence Bakewell dies in the Fosdick ward of the Cowley general hospital under Morse's guard, in the same bed where three patients have died over the past five weeks, one of whose wife was in dispute with the hospital and is also found dead. All had been operated on by ageing surgeon Sir Merlyn Chubb and a view on the ward is that his ineptitude is responsible but Morse is puzzled to learn that in each case white lilies had been placed beside the deceased and then pathologist Max discovers puncture wounds in the bodies. A charismatic doctor falls under suspicion until Morse uncovers an incident in his past and a bereaved relative out for revenge. He also locates the missing Joan Thursday who wants her whereabouts kept from her parents. Written by don @ minifie-1

The discovery of a body on an archaeological dig sends Morse to the village of Bramford, where botanist Matthew Laxman disappeared five years earlier and where pagan customs are upheld for the forthcoming Autumn equinox. All the locals, including reclusive clairvoyant Dowsable Chattox, deny seeing Laxton until Selina Berger, whose brother works at the near-by power station, recalls seeing the missing man's car near the establishment . Whilst its director Elliot Blake assures Morse that it poses no danger it is not a welcome presence in the village, the proposed site of a new reservoir. Morse believes the locals are lying when Laxman's jacket is found on a scarecrow and Dowsable and others admit that he came to Brampton and to the power station. As the celebrations begin Morse and Thursday rush to the station to prevent an aggrieved avenger destroying the whole area before unmasking Laxman's killer. Thursday's bravery is rewarded though he is less than happy with Morse when he finally ... Written by don @ minifie-1