Oxford Literary Festival Colin Dexter, author of the Inspector Morse novels, was at the Newman Rooms in St Aldate's last week to talk about '5 Inspiring Books', writes Martin Vaux.

He prefaced the evening by saying: "Although these are all books that are of interest to me and which made an impression, the only thing that really inspired me while I was writing was a good bottle of scotch."

With this jovial introduction, the tone for the rest of the charming event was set. He was in conversation with Radio 4's Mark Lawson, with readings from the texts by "accomplished Shakespearian actor" Ben Crystal.

After hearing an extract from the first chapter of Devices and Desires by his friend and contemporary P. D. James, Dexter commented on the stigma attached to crime writing, saying of James: "Phyllis always writes unpredictably, giving a human and tragic insight into the things she writes. I hope one day she is recognised for her innovations; she always uses the victim, and those close to them, as points of empathy that we can all associate with."

A generous and open conversationalist, Dexter exuded a bumbling charisma.

After developing hearing difficulties in 1966 he was forced to give up teaching. He spoke warmly, however, of the time when he was once to be found in the classroom, alluding to the morbid pallor of teenagers. "Given the choice between studying comedy and tragedy, the students would vote for tragedy every time. And admittedly here is a somewhat romantic and undeniable allure for people towards melancholy stories." His final choice was one of the most melancholy moments he knew in literature the death of Joe, the crossing sweeper, in Charles Dickens's Bleak House.

Afterwards, one audience member asked where, if anywhere, Dexter could have set his novels other than Oxford. He said: "I have been living here for 40 years. This is my home and, really, the only place for me in my life and in my fiction."

Let us hope, therefore, that in Oxford he remains, and that every once in a while he appears for another evening's discussion. It was, in other words, a treat.