In a moment of anguish, Morse briefly addresses Lewis as "Robbie" - the first time in the entire series he has used his sergeant's first name, and there is only one subsequent use of it (in "Cherubim And Seraphim" in series 6). Finally confirming, at least for the tv audience, that it's Robert ("Robbie"/"Robby") Lewis.
The book that Lewis reads to the children on the front porch of the Harding home is "The Magic Pudding," an Australian children's book. written and illustrated by Norman Lindsay and originally published in 1918. It is a comic fantasy, and a classic of Australian children's literature.
Curiously, some broadcasters skip this episode, mostly likely due to the relatively high volume of swear words used, which aren't normally used in the series.
Con O'Neill later played Dr Bob Massey in the Inspector Lewis episode Fearful Symmetry.