rharrison_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
In this world, successful police work is almost completely dependent on stories written about the crime, and a flamboyant detective solving that crime. Unfortunately, Detective Jack of the Nursery Crime Unit is a happily married father of 5, decent, hang-dog, and just wants to get the job done. Without a loyal sergeant sidekick with excellent writing abilities, though, the criminals he catches slip through his fingers over and over again.
Mary Mary, hoping to work for the famous Inspector Chyme, instead becomes sergeant to Detective Jack instead.
Meanwhile, Humpty Dumpty--a shady, womanizing, shady financial Robin Hood giant egg--is discovered dead and in pieces.
In this world, successful police work is almost completely dependent on stories written about the crime, and a flamboyant detective solving that crime. Unfortunately, Detective Jack of the Nursery Crime Unit is a happily married father of 5, decent, hang-dog, and just wants to get the job done. Without a loyal sergeant sidekick with excellent writing abilities, though, the criminals he catches slip through his fingers over and over again.
Mary Mary, hoping to work for the famous Inspector Chyme, instead becomes sergeant to Detective Jack instead.
Meanwhile, Humpty Dumpty--a shady, womanizing, shady financial Robin Hood giant egg--is discovered dead and in pieces.
Spoiler
nopeppersplease's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
girlgeekcyclist's review against another edition
4.0
Laugh out loud funny, good, twisted plot and quite sweet resolution / ending.
shereadsometimeshewrites's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun read! The book was given to me as a Christmas present and it didn’t disappoint.
Funny, page turning and NOT your children’s nursery story.
Funny, page turning and NOT your children’s nursery story.
tabithar's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into the paper version of this book but had no trouble at all with the audiobook. I suppose some books are greatly aided by a British accent. Either way, once into listening to this book, it was a fun and twisty murder mystery. Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and Detective Sargent Mary Mary were written so well that they truly took on "life" while maintaining their complicated nursery personalities. Together, Spratt and Mary work to sort who killed Humpty Dumpty and why amidst turmoil from within the police department AND multiple characters claiming to have been Humpty's murderer.
I submit this book would be best enjoyed read aloud. This book contains some content (mainly Humpty Dumpty's partying behavior...a bit of a rotten egg some might say) that would not be well suited for reading aloud to young kids. There is no graphic content but there are certainly some aspects that remain better unexplained to the young (Humpty cheating on his wife, blackmail, drunken behavior, psychological treatment for substance abuse, unethical doctors/science practice, physical abuse, and premeditated murder attempts). It is of note that this story does contain elements of morality lessons (much like nursery rhymes) and that the negative behaviors listed above are held in a negative light.
I submit this book would be best enjoyed read aloud. This book contains some content (mainly Humpty Dumpty's partying behavior...a bit of a rotten egg some might say) that would not be well suited for reading aloud to young kids. There is no graphic content but there are certainly some aspects that remain better unexplained to the young (Humpty cheating on his wife, blackmail, drunken behavior, psychological treatment for substance abuse, unethical doctors/science practice, physical abuse, and premeditated murder attempts). It is of note that this story does contain elements of morality lessons (much like nursery rhymes) and that the negative behaviors listed above are held in a negative light.
eldiente's review against another edition
3.0
Audio - Anyone familiar with the casts of ordinary english nursery rhymes will recognize characters in this novel. It is a fanciful telling of the murder and investigation of the demise of Humpty Dumpty. Led by Detective Jack Sprat and his assistant Mary Mary, the plot and puns move smoothly with hilarity. Reading such a book causes me to reflect on why I read - to learn, to unwind, or to have fun. This book fits the later category nicely and is recommended for any wanting to fight to surpress a chuckle.
theladydoor's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a big fan of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. This book is the first in his series about Jack Spratt and the Nursery Crime Division. The two series are very similar, though the Thursday Next books take place in a universe where literature comes to life, and the NCD books are set in a world where fairy tales and nursery rhymes are real and live their lives among ordinary people. As in all of his other books, Fforde writes with such imagination and wit that the book is a joy to read.
Unfortunately for me, I put this book down in the middle and restarted it about a month later. I do not recommend this. This is a book you want to read straight through, as there are so many unique and vibrant characters, one can easily become confused.
Unfortunately for me, I put this book down in the middle and restarted it about a month later. I do not recommend this. This is a book you want to read straight through, as there are so many unique and vibrant characters, one can easily become confused.
nyxnovels's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t love this book. It was an interesting plot and clever as always but I just didn’t connect with it like I usually do with his books. Speaking of which... PLEASE MR. FFORDE WRITE MORE SHADES OF GREY I BEG OF YOU.
mcsangel2's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure why this one was just 'okay' for me, Fforde's clever Bookworld is fantastic and there's nothing else like it in fiction. But it did take me a lot longer to slog through, maybe it's because murder mysteries really aren't my thing, though this certainly isn't a regular murder mystery. At the same time, it kind of went off the rails at the end. I'll happily read the next Thursday Next installment (if it ever gets written), but I think I'll leave the Nursery Crimes at this one.