judyward's review against another edition
3.0
Oxford don, Gervase Fen, is eccentric, sarcastic, absent-minded, childish and vain--as well as utterly delightful. Edmund Crispin, the pseudonym of Robert Bruce Montgomery, first began to write mystery stories featuring Gervase Fen because of a bet. The rumor is that Gervase Fen is based on Oxford professor, W.E. Moore and this book, like Crispin's others, is full of references to English literature, poetry, and music. Set in the World War II era, there is a murder of a cathedral organist and Fen dives right in to figure out what happened. Are witches involved? German spies? Fen, of course, is miles ahead of everyone else and impatient with them as they try to catch up. A super fun read.
iceangel9's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The second in the Gervase Fen mystery series. Geoffrey is a composer. He is summoned, by his friend Gervase Fen, to the remote town of Tolnbridge to cover for a church organist who has been attacked in the church. He is attacked along the way, and when he arrives discovers the former organist has been murdered. He and Gervase must now discover who is behind the murder and a possible coven of witches, and a group of German spies. Fans of the series will love this installment. Gervase rocks!
alexactually's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
not such good fun as "the moving toyshop." moved a bit slowly, but i do like fen and a large portion of it took place on a train, which i'm keen on.
charlottesometimes's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite of the Crispin novels. He is an outstanding writer and deserves to be better known than he is.
verityw's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly I don’t even know what to make of this. It’s such a strange book. I think it’s not bad, but it’s hard to follow and needlessly complicated. And there’s not that much Fen all in all.
blackcatlouise's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1387122.html
Gervase Fen is embroiled in a mystery of murder and espionage in a West Country cathedral town in about 1940. The book is not quite successful at keeping a consistency of tone (also Crispin, like his male characters, seems a bit uncertain about women), but there are some glorious set-pieces, in particular the scene where Fen and his friend are trying to interview a clergyman who owns a pet raven and keep quoting Poe at each other. Fun stuff.
Gervase Fen is embroiled in a mystery of murder and espionage in a West Country cathedral town in about 1940. The book is not quite successful at keeping a consistency of tone (also Crispin, like his male characters, seems a bit uncertain about women), but there are some glorious set-pieces, in particular the scene where Fen and his friend are trying to interview a clergyman who owns a pet raven and keep quoting Poe at each other. Fun stuff.
fallchicken's review against another edition
4.0
A hoot, this. Supposedly not the best of the series, but good fun nevertheless. Think this may be the first detective story I've read that sent me to the dictionary, not once but several times. The spoof on The Raven cracked up me and had me dig out Poe to read that. Will look for more of this series.