Except the Dying (novel)

For 2004 made for TV film, see Except the Dying.

Except The Dying

Author	Maureen Jennings
Language	English
Series	Murdoch Mysteries
Genre	Crime novel
Publisher	Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press
Publication date	1997
Publication place	Canada
Media type	Print
Pages	345
ISBN	978-0-312-16829-2
OCLC	36817211
Followed by	Under The Dragon's Tail
Website	www.maureenjennings.com

Except The Dying is the first detective novel by Canadian writer Maureen Jennings featuring the detective William Murdoch in the series The Murdoch Mysteries. It was first published in Canada by Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Press, in 1997.

Plot summary

In the first chapter, William Murdoch is introduced, as a man of strong principles, who uses his unique abilities to solve crimes, sometimes using advanced science for his time.

On the street of Toronto, in 1895, the body of a prostitute is found, murdered in a back alley. Inspector Brackenreid decides that this is an accidental death, but Murdoch feels there's more to the situation at hand.

As Murdoch digs deeper into the prostitute's death, he discovers that there is something more sinister going and that the young girl was actually a housemaid for a very rich and prominent family in Toronto.

Her autopsy reveals she was pregnant and had opium in her system, which makes Murdoch even more suspicious of her death. With the help of Constable George Crabtree, Murdoch solves the crime and brings justice for a young girl's wrongful death.

Film and TV adaptations

The novel was adapted into a 2004 television film of the same name starring Peter Outerbridge as Detective Murdoch. In 2008, Murdoch Mysteries was made into an ongoing television series starring Yannick Bisson, Helene Joy, Jonny Harris, Thomas Craig and Georgina Reilly.