Archive for March 5th, 2007
The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
ISBN 0-670-03772-9
Reviewing The Fourth Bear solely as a mystery is hard - it has so much of everything in it. The Fourth Bear is a Nursery Crime book by Fforde and features detectives Jack Spratt and Mary Mary. They are investigating the disappearance and subsequent death of Goldilocks and trying to determine if her death is related to an unusual story she was researching just before she disappeared.
The three bears make an appearance, of course, as does the violent Gingerbread man (who has escaped from his asylum), Punch and Judy, and a truly horrifying character named the Great Long Red-Legg’d Scissor-man who cuts off thumbs if children suck on them. Makes me want to sit on my hands!
But with all these interesting side trips, there is still a good mystery underneath it all. Although Jack Spratt and Mary Mary are PDRs (Persons of Dubious Reality), they are believable as detectives and take their jobs seriously and their investigation proceeds apace. And Jack’s problems at home (Punch and Judy have moved in next door and he has to tell his wife that he isn’t REAL) and Mary’s love life issues are treated much as they would be with any book protagonist.
Favorite character? A tough question. Ashley the alien is right up there. Did I guess it? Some of it. Will I read another? Definitely.
Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007
Posted: March 5th, 2007 under Fforde, Jasper, Reviews by Author.
Comments: none