kelz31's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure quite how to log this book. It's speculative fiction, I'd say, (like a lot of other Fforde) and while I did enjoy it, it was neither as inherently clever as the Thursday Next series, nor as outwardly funny. It was a good mystery with fast pacing, and I will probably continue to read this series - I wonder which nursery character is the next to go, and what heinous crimes they'll unearth - but still prefer Thursday Next.
ruby_mae_read's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cgpc's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
franny2111's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It just kept getting quirkier. I was bursting out in laughter come the last fifty pages, and I loved all the literary references. Definitely recommended.
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 against another edition
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.