Scan barcode
greybeard49's review against another edition
3.0
It is Crispin’s style that attracts me. His writing sets you down in another time period. His descriptions and characterisation are excellent. Plots are on the contrived side but really don’t detract from enjoying his books.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published in the 1940's the Gervase Fen mysteries are one of those rights of passage for crime lovers. Or at least they were in my house as I was growing up. Vintage Books have done us all an enormous favour in turning their attention back to some of the classic books - and this set from Edmund Crispin is a real job to behold. Now I have read a lot of these books before, but the chance to reread them, without having to rely on falling on fragile old copies in second-hand bookshops is a joy.
And these are still very good crime stories. Slightly eccentric in that vaguely bats sort of what-ho English style, they are built around a good solid foundation of a problem and a solution, no matter how odd the methodology might seem these days.
They are ultimately extremely enjoyable books - and Gervase Fen is a wonderfully eccentric, but extremely alert British investigating sort of chap - and I cannot recommend them highly enough - either as a reread or as a new experience if you're new to these classic English crime books.
And these are still very good crime stories. Slightly eccentric in that vaguely bats sort of what-ho English style, they are built around a good solid foundation of a problem and a solution, no matter how odd the methodology might seem these days.
They are ultimately extremely enjoyable books - and Gervase Fen is a wonderfully eccentric, but extremely alert British investigating sort of chap - and I cannot recommend them highly enough - either as a reread or as a new experience if you're new to these classic English crime books.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
Oxford Don Gervase Fen, bored with academia, decides to run for Parliament but his attention is captured by various murders that have occurred in the seemingly quiet set of villages where he is canvassing for votes. I enjoyed this book mostly for the atmosphere and characters since the plotting was not nearly as good as in previous entries.
agmaynard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can see why the pCatalogue of Crime put it on the list because of the charming set pieces, Fen running for Parliament, amusing rustics, etc. but the resolution involving skillz of a Deaf person was far fetched. I did guess the killer, though!
slferg's review against another edition
5.0
I thought I had read almost all of Crispin, but apparently I missed this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it - as always.
Fen has decided to broaden his horizons by running for Parliament. So he goes down to the borough he is campaigning for and learns about campaigning. He worries whether he will win the election since he has waited so late to start his campaign, but his contact assures him that is what will win - he's taken his oppponets by surprise and they aren't ready to deal with him. The only inn he can stay in has an overzealous owner who is trying to remodel it on his own and begins work promptly at 7 o'clock every morning - which is way too early for Fen. He sees a man staying at the inn who looks familiar though he can't recall his name or occupation. There is also a mysterious good-looking girl who attracts his attention. But mostly, he thinks he just wants to win the seat he is running for. The usual cast of characters (and I mean 'characters') makes this fun.
Fen has decided to broaden his horizons by running for Parliament. So he goes down to the borough he is campaigning for and learns about campaigning. He worries whether he will win the election since he has waited so late to start his campaign, but his contact assures him that is what will win - he's taken his oppponets by surprise and they aren't ready to deal with him. The only inn he can stay in has an overzealous owner who is trying to remodel it on his own and begins work promptly at 7 o'clock every morning - which is way too early for Fen. He sees a man staying at the inn who looks familiar though he can't recall his name or occupation. There is also a mysterious good-looking girl who attracts his attention. But mostly, he thinks he just wants to win the seat he is running for. The usual cast of characters (and I mean 'characters') makes this fun.
beledit's review against another edition
3.0
This is my second Edmund Crispin and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Entertaining, intelligent, classic British crime in a sleepy English village.
grubstlodger's review against another edition
3.0
‘Buried for Pleasure’ is the sixth book in the Gervase Fen series and the third I’d read.
It moves away from the Oxford-based mysteries, with Fen wanting to recuperate from editing Langland by running an parliamentary campaign. In some ways this shakes the series up a little but it does mean we miss two of my favourite elements of Fen’s stories; Lilly Christina III, his unruly car and Wilkes the Whisky-guzzler. There were also fewer literary jokes this time through, except the bit-part of a mystery writer who rehearses his fictional murder.
There was also a change in Fen’s character. While he did the usual thing of holding on to information, he was less moody then the early books. When confronting murder, he used to have a cold and icy rage but when a friend is killed, he doesn’t seem to care particularly. He is still arch, particularly in regard to politics (and gets to make a big anti-political speech) but breaks the fourth wall far less.
The mystery itself is not very involved but like the other books, it’s more a case of journey than destination and it’s a fun journey. Not many writers would distract the writer during the first big exposition section with the buzzing of insects… nor would they describe the noise of renovation as a ’piratical sea-fight with cutlasses’. Another piece of useful information is smuggled through the salty phrases of a grandma.
I do wonder why there isn’t a series of Gervase Fen mysteries, it’s an enjoyable world to be in and I shall pick up more whenever I see them.
Oh - and what was it with the poltergeist? Was it the landlady?
It moves away from the Oxford-based mysteries, with Fen wanting to recuperate from editing Langland by running an parliamentary campaign. In some ways this shakes the series up a little but it does mean we miss two of my favourite elements of Fen’s stories; Lilly Christina III, his unruly car and Wilkes the Whisky-guzzler. There were also fewer literary jokes this time through, except the bit-part of a mystery writer who rehearses his fictional murder.
There was also a change in Fen’s character. While he did the usual thing of holding on to information, he was less moody then the early books. When confronting murder, he used to have a cold and icy rage but when a friend is killed, he doesn’t seem to care particularly. He is still arch, particularly in regard to politics (and gets to make a big anti-political speech) but breaks the fourth wall far less.
The mystery itself is not very involved but like the other books, it’s more a case of journey than destination and it’s a fun journey. Not many writers would distract the writer during the first big exposition section with the buzzing of insects… nor would they describe the noise of renovation as a ’piratical sea-fight with cutlasses’. Another piece of useful information is smuggled through the salty phrases of a grandma.
I do wonder why there isn’t a series of Gervase Fen mysteries, it’s an enjoyable world to be in and I shall pick up more whenever I see them.
Oh - and what was it with the poltergeist? Was it the landlady?
nini_f's review against another edition
2.0
A pleasant read but one that I have to admit didnt grip my attention for long periods of time. The characters were colourful and the crimes slightly bizarre but I found I just couldn't get lost in this book.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
Edmund Crispin is wonderful. He deserves to be better known than he is. Four and a half stars.
cymrugeek's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Classic crime, slightly dated. I usually enjoy Edmund Crispin detective stories but found a few faults with this story. The faults weren't because of the age of the book. Still a pleasant read.