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lucy_t_firefly's review
3.0
I get it; it's a spoof on the genre. Yes, it's funny and you will find witty, tongue-in-cheek moments, but I'm not sure it works as a novel. It's just too much and I felt like I was being hit over the head with it.
Did make me want a KitKat Chunky though.
Did make me want a KitKat Chunky though.
beledit's review
5.0
I found this a really, really funny book. It's a type of humour that might not work for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the clever, flat, deadpan humour of BBC quiz shows - think Lee Mack on Would I Lie to You - so if that's your thing, you'll enjoy Once Upon a Crime.
It's a spoof, a parody, a laugh... and it works. From page one right to the end. I found myself giggling through it and boring other people by reading out the funniest bits. What more can you ask for in a funny book?
Apart from the humour, it's also well written, well paced and engaging. Honestly, I can't find a thing wrong to say about it.
Now I'm off to find out what else Fergus Craig has written. He's got a new fan...
It's a spoof, a parody, a laugh... and it works. From page one right to the end. I found myself giggling through it and boring other people by reading out the funniest bits. What more can you ask for in a funny book?
Apart from the humour, it's also well written, well paced and engaging. Honestly, I can't find a thing wrong to say about it.
Now I'm off to find out what else Fergus Craig has written. He's got a new fan...
littlefrank's review
5.0
I very rarely laugh out loud at books, but this one made it happen frequently. If I was going to be an arse I'd describe it as a wonderfully absurd bit of meta-fiction which brings to mind the pomposity of Alan Partridge. Both the character of Detective Roger LeCarre and the character of the author are painfully well observed.
On top of that, I found the plot genuinely compulsive, like a really good episode of Lewis.
On top of that, I found the plot genuinely compulsive, like a really good episode of Lewis.
clarentium's review
This book is supposed to be funny. It is not funny.
The main joke is that Detective Roger Le Carre is rude and behind the times. But this isn't funny: it's annoying. He doesn't understand the modern world and his refusal to learn anything or improve himself is perhaps meant to be charming. However, it comes off as obnoxious and cringe-worthy. And yet, he is presented as a character we should root for.
Craig also overexplains every piece of technology; everything is described with a make and attributes like it's in a catalogue. This seems like it is meant as a joke, but it isn't very funny and happens a lot.
The plot also isn't mentioned much so doesn't interest me enough to make me still read.
I only got as far as I did because I grew up in Exeter. Even the novelty of something set in my hometown couldn't overcome the lack of humour in a book whose main selling point is that it's funny.
The main joke is that Detective Roger Le Carre is rude and behind the times. But this isn't funny: it's annoying. He doesn't understand the modern world and his refusal to learn anything or improve himself is perhaps meant to be charming. However, it comes off as obnoxious and cringe-worthy. And yet, he is presented as a character we should root for.
Craig also overexplains every piece of technology; everything is described with a make and attributes like it's in a catalogue. This seems like it is meant as a joke, but it isn't very funny and happens a lot.
The plot also isn't mentioned much so doesn't interest me enough to make me still read.
I only got as far as I did because I grew up in Exeter. Even the novelty of something set in my hometown couldn't overcome the lack of humour in a book whose main selling point is that it's funny.