Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
All of Jasper Fforde's books are wacky, but this series has a bit too much wacky for my taste. There are a ton of plot lines going that don't seem to have anything to do with one another, characters that are strange just for the heck of it and so forth. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of his other books.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Another fantastic book by Fforde! I think this one may be better than the first, which rarely happens for me.
It's very humorous and brilliant new characters are introduced, which made for a very enjoyable read. There's honestly nothing I can criticise about this book.
I can't wait for more of this series.
It's very humorous and brilliant new characters are introduced, which made for a very enjoyable read. There's honestly nothing I can criticise about this book.
I can't wait for more of this series.
This is a book that definitely appeals to a specific audience--I mean, all things by Jasper Fforde generally appeal to a specific audience--but if you have a sense of humor and enjoy a good fairy tale/nursery rhyme every now and again, then you'd probably appreciate this book. After all, who doesn't love a good mystery about porridge smuggling?
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Goldilocks is missing, the psychotic serial killer The Gingerbreadman has escaped from high security prison, and cucumbers have started exploding, just a normal day for DCI Jack Spratt from the nursery crime police division.
Another hilarious nursery rhyme case is an excellent read
Another hilarious nursery rhyme case is an excellent read
Even better than the first Spratt novel. Fforde is absolutely brilliant and one of the most original authors I've ever read - strange to say about someone who incorporates books and nursery tales into new works, but it is so true. His view of the world is wonderfully askew. We need more like him - or at least I do.
Fforde has a mind that is both crazy and inventive. Jack Spratt is once again working to solve crime with very little help and quite a lot of hindrance from his superiors. Suspended, threatened with mental health proceedings he nevertheless pursues his case doggedly. So cleverly written
As brilliant as Fforde's books were, this one was most certainly not. The humor is crass and sparse. He's trying too hard and rather than come off witty it just comes off as though the author didn't give a damn when he was writing and just wanted to finish the book. Superemely disappointing. The plot was thready and there were some pretty huge leaps of faith being made, pace was slow and dialogue was banal. The Nursery Crime world seems to occupy the same plane as his Thursday Next novels - until you get to this book where it's hard to believe the two could coexist. Just ... really, really disappointing.
"'Tell me,' said Mary … 'do you find humans at all odd?'
'Not really,' replied Ashley … 'but your obsession with networks takes a bit of getting used to. Still, it's understandable.'
'How do you mean?'
'Because networks are everywhere. The road and rail systems, the postal service, the Internet, your friendships, family, electricity, water - everything on this planet is composed of networks.'
'But why understandable?'
"Because it is the way you are built - your bodies use networks to pass information; your veins and arteries are networks to nourish your bodies. Your mind is a complicated network of nerve impulses. It's little wonder that networks dominate the planet - you have modelled your existence after the construction of your own minds.'"
~ Mary Mary and Ashley (alien), 294-295
Jasper Fforde is often compared to another of my favourite authors, [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg]; while they both write Comic Fantasy, their styles are completely different and yet they both include startling observations about human behaviour, in all it's eccentricity, in their stories, like this gem of a quote. I'd never made that connection before, but it makes so much sense!
This book follows directly after the first, [b:The Big Over Easy|6628|The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crime, #1)|Jasper Fforde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1432412758l/6628._SY75_.jpg|2504943] (my review), and that book must be read in order for this one to make any kind of sense. And if you enjoyed The Big Over Easy, you'll love this one too, even though it's quite a bit darker in tone.
The story picks up shortly after the resolution of the Humpty Dumpty case from the first book. The Nursery Crime Division (NCD) enjoyed a brief period of public acclimation but now support has dipped to an all-time low after Jack and Mary Mary fail to convict the Three Little Pigs - cute and popular - of the death of Mr. Wolff. Then a successful and innovative capture of The Red-Legg'd Scissor-man - who cuts off children's thumbs - lands them in more trouble, as they lured him using (consenting) children as bait.
Jack is depressed and discouraged. When the Gingerbreadman - that psychotic giant cake/biscuit (there's a debate) mass murderer with the glace cherry eyes and licorice smirk - breaks out of jail, Briggs forces Jack off the case and puts Mary Mary in charge in his stead. But no one knows the Gingerbreadman like Jack (fellow arresting officer Friedland Chymes has retired to places unknown) and so Mary Mary agrees to work with him secretly.
Meanwhile, ace reporter Henrietta "Goldilocks" Hatchett disappears while investigating the cutthroat world of international cucumber competition growing, and the anthropomorphic Three Bears living in Andersen's Wood were the last to see her alive. The soon-to-open SommeWorld amusement park (which seems tasteless, but I think that's the whole point) is also involved (and was mentioned in the Thursday Next series as well).
To make matters even worse for poor Jack, Punch and Judy - noted marriage councillors despite their pre-ordained cycle of domestic abuse - move next door and cause problems between Jack and Madeline. And PC Ashley, the blue semi-transparent alien, sets his cap for a very reluctant Mary Mary.
Convoluted, confounding and confusing, this may be Fforde's craziest, zaniest novel yet (and that's saying something!). It also hinges on one of the worst jokes ever written, but nonetheless keeps you guessing despite the groantastic moment.
Some quibbles: This story veered away from traditionally known nursery rhymes - which surely can't still be in copyright? - in favour of a made-up collection of tales, centering around the mysterious Quangle-Wangle and his crew instead, but not having much context besides a bit of doggerel makes it hard to relate and loses much of the light-heartedness of the first book.
Also
As they say on the Antiques Roadshow, when talking about an item of unique value, "Just try to find another like it!" This is another thoroughly unique and madcap adventure from the fabulously imaginative Mr. Fforde! Thankfully, in the back of the book we are promised another NCD adventure, and I hope it comes along soon!
Special thanks to the friend who gifted this series to me for my birthday!
'Not really,' replied Ashley … 'but your obsession with networks takes a bit of getting used to. Still, it's understandable.'
'How do you mean?'
'Because networks are everywhere. The road and rail systems, the postal service, the Internet, your friendships, family, electricity, water - everything on this planet is composed of networks.'
'But why understandable?'
"Because it is the way you are built - your bodies use networks to pass information; your veins and arteries are networks to nourish your bodies. Your mind is a complicated network of nerve impulses. It's little wonder that networks dominate the planet - you have modelled your existence after the construction of your own minds.'"
~ Mary Mary and Ashley (alien), 294-295
Jasper Fforde is often compared to another of my favourite authors, [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg]; while they both write Comic Fantasy, their styles are completely different and yet they both include startling observations about human behaviour, in all it's eccentricity, in their stories, like this gem of a quote. I'd never made that connection before, but it makes so much sense!
This book follows directly after the first, [b:The Big Over Easy|6628|The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crime, #1)|Jasper Fforde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1432412758l/6628._SY75_.jpg|2504943] (my review), and that book must be read in order for this one to make any kind of sense. And if you enjoyed The Big Over Easy, you'll love this one too, even though it's quite a bit darker in tone.
The story picks up shortly after the resolution of the Humpty Dumpty case from the first book. The Nursery Crime Division (NCD) enjoyed a brief period of public acclimation but now support has dipped to an all-time low after Jack and Mary Mary fail to convict the Three Little Pigs - cute and popular - of the death of Mr. Wolff. Then a successful and innovative capture of The Red-Legg'd Scissor-man - who cuts off children's thumbs - lands them in more trouble, as they lured him using (consenting) children as bait.
Jack is depressed and discouraged. When the Gingerbreadman - that psychotic giant cake/biscuit (there's a debate) mass murderer with the glace cherry eyes and licorice smirk - breaks out of jail, Briggs forces Jack off the case and puts Mary Mary in charge in his stead. But no one knows the Gingerbreadman like Jack (fellow arresting officer Friedland Chymes has retired to places unknown) and so Mary Mary agrees to work with him secretly.
Meanwhile, ace reporter Henrietta "Goldilocks" Hatchett disappears while investigating the cutthroat world of international cucumber competition growing, and the anthropomorphic Three Bears living in Andersen's Wood were the last to see her alive. The soon-to-open SommeWorld amusement park (which seems tasteless, but I think that's the whole point) is also involved (and was mentioned in the Thursday Next series as well).
To make matters even worse for poor Jack, Punch and Judy - noted marriage councillors despite their pre-ordained cycle of domestic abuse - move next door and cause problems between Jack and Madeline. And PC Ashley, the blue semi-transparent alien, sets his cap for a very reluctant Mary Mary.
Convoluted, confounding and confusing, this may be Fforde's craziest, zaniest novel yet (and that's saying something!). It also hinges on one of the worst jokes ever written, but nonetheless keeps you guessing despite the groantastic moment.
Some quibbles: This story veered away from traditionally known nursery rhymes - which surely can't still be in copyright? - in favour of a made-up collection of tales, centering around the mysterious Quangle-Wangle and his crew instead, but not having much context besides a bit of doggerel makes it hard to relate and loses much of the light-heartedness of the first book.
Also
Spoiler
I did not find the bit about Mary Mary flashing the International Space Station to be in character. She *is* supposed to be quite contrary, so if Ashley had acted mortified and begged her not to do that, I could maybe see it - but not him asking (it's also out of character for the shy alien) and she basically shrugging and saying "okay".As they say on the Antiques Roadshow, when talking about an item of unique value, "Just try to find another like it!" This is another thoroughly unique and madcap adventure from the fabulously imaginative Mr. Fforde! Thankfully, in the back of the book we are promised another NCD adventure, and I hope it comes along soon!
Special thanks to the friend who gifted this series to me for my birthday!
What I loved about this book--and almost all of Jasper Fforde's novels--was the sense of wit and humor. Fforde sets his book in what seems to be the real world, but then weaves in talking bears and sociopathic gingerbreadman. His literary puns and illusions keep his books light and entertaining. Whenever I read something by Fforde, I can't help but think, "I so want to meet this guy."
This installment in the Nursery Crime series was much better than the first. I waited almost a full year after reading the first to read the second because the first was a bit slow. Definitely not the case with this one. I am already looking forward to the third in the series, scheduled for publication later this year.
This installment in the Nursery Crime series was much better than the first. I waited almost a full year after reading the first to read the second because the first was a bit slow. Definitely not the case with this one. I am already looking forward to the third in the series, scheduled for publication later this year.