Dark, witty, and so very British. I've been a fan since The Moving Toyshop. Recommended for fans of British mysteries and clever writing in general.

I have now read several of the Crispin books and this one has finally made me decide not to bother any more. The main reason for this decision is the main protagonist, Gervaise Fin, an Oxford professor who is irritating, boring and arrogant with a total disregard for his family and friends. There is nothing, simply nothing likeable about him and really one does need to be able to engage with a character in order to enjoy a book.


Gervaise Fen is on sabbatical in Devon to write a book. A murder had taken place in the village 8 weeks before where the main shock of the deed was the dismembered the body. A suspect has been arrested but then another.dismembered body turns up at the village fête while the suspect is in jail.. So clearly the police got it wrong and in comes Fen to the rescue.

It all gets convoluted and rather silly and I freely admit to skipping great chunks of it. I recently read The GIlded Fly another reissue by this author and find that one pretty dire as well. I am fully aware that Crispin is regarded as a fine writer in the Golden Age of Crime but not for me I am afraid. I have a feeling that Mr Crispin is rather like his creation....