tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post2654273180551210923..comments2024-02-22T17:59:50.213-05:00Comments on in so many words...: Monday Review: THE MOVING TOYSHOP (1946) by Edmund CrispinYvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-73595472154503306242011-03-16T21:48:40.975-04:002011-03-16T21:48:40.975-04:00Les: I'd probably mix the thing up myself neve...Les: I'd probably mix the thing up myself never having read Pope either. Ha!<br /><br />But I love Fen's assumption that of course EVERYONE should have heard of Alexander Pope.<br /><br />I can't wait to read more of these books.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-8060376573249943522011-03-16T20:18:21.246-04:002011-03-16T20:18:21.246-04:00Yvette, I can't resist another Crispin quote, ...Yvette, I can't resist another Crispin quote, speaking of literary games. In "Sudden Vengeance," which I will be reviewing on my site in a few weeks, Fen has been hired by a movie studio as a technical consultant to lend some authenticity to a movie about an 18th-century British poet, Alexander Pope. Fen is speaking to Inspector Humbleby, trying to explain about the movie: <br /><br />------<br />“It’s based on the life of Pope.”<br /><br />“The Pope?”<br /><br />“Pope.”<br /><br />“Now which Pope would that be, I wonder?” said Humbleby with the air of one who tries to take an intelligent interest in what is going forward. “Pius or Clement, or – “<br /><br />Fen stared at him. “Alexander, of course.”<br /><br />“You mean” – Humbleby spoke with something of an effort – “you mean the Borgia?”<br /><br />“Don’t be so ridiculous, Humbleby,” said Fen. "Do you really imagine they’ve called in a Professor of English to instruct them about the Borgias? No, I mean the poet, of course.”<br /><br />-------------<br />As you have frequently observed, Yvette...HA!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-91286198675726179742011-03-16T11:38:48.132-04:002011-03-16T11:38:48.132-04:00Kathy: I meant for you to begin the Bryant and May...Kathy: I meant for you to begin the Bryant and May books by Christopher Fowler with the first book in the series. <br /><br />I don't know if all the Crispin books are filled with literary games. I've only read one: THE MOVING TOYSHOP. <br /><br />Sorry if I didn't make that clear.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-86675545597264918252011-03-16T11:35:31.664-04:002011-03-16T11:35:31.664-04:00Are all Crispins full of literary games? Start wi...Are all Crispins full of literary games? Start with first?kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-61763991051854968572011-03-16T10:44:09.225-04:002011-03-16T10:44:09.225-04:00neer: Everyone's entitled to their opinion of ...neer: Everyone's entitled to their opinion of Jane Austen - even if it's the wrong one. Ha! I love the literary games in the Crispin book. It's just the sort of thing that eccentric literary types WOULD do. As I said, I am definitely going to read more of these books. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-57951131075014116672011-03-16T10:39:29.311-04:002011-03-16T10:39:29.311-04:00Kathy: The Bryant and May books by Christopher Fow...Kathy: The Bryant and May books by Christopher Fowler are very eccentric books. They take place in the modern day but feature all sorts of 'Golden Age' type crimes. The writing is excellent. I love this series. BUT you have to read the first book first. They are funny and witty and very suspenseful. I love the idea of geriatric detectives. These stories could only happen in England. And you know what an Anglophile I am. :) Go to www.fantasticfiction.com and you'll get a list of all the books in order.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-817170924845927852011-03-16T10:36:14.195-04:002011-03-16T10:36:14.195-04:00Kathy: Interesting news. I didn't know that ab...Kathy: Interesting news. I didn't know that about Felony and Mayhem's owners. Of course, I know Parners and Crime. I've been there a few times and bought stacks of books. Ah, the good old days! I love the place! It's such a special store. One of the owners is also the publicity person and website manager for author Lee Child.<br />Small world.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-34230458620572968722011-03-16T04:54:06.527-04:002011-03-16T04:54:06.527-04:00I don't remember much about the mystery but re...I don't remember much about the mystery but remember reading the book on a train journey. Liked the author and yes did compare him to Michael Innes. After that read quite a few books of both. What I remember most about the book was the literary games and esp that comment about Jane Austen. Sorry but am not a fan of Austen so laughed like crazy and teased a friend who was very fond of her. :)neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-57020517405985802272011-03-16T03:41:59.688-04:002011-03-16T03:41:59.688-04:00I looked up Fowler, and am interested in the Bryan...I looked up Fowler, and am interested in the Bryant and May series. Is it contemporary? Is it quirky, witty? I don't know about it, but it sounds intriguing.<br /><br />And the Crispin? These are vintage, it seems, especially as I looked at publication dates. I love Felony and Mayhem, so perhaps I'll try these.<br /><br />But definitely the Fowler: These are two geriatric detectives? Right up my alley. I'm not there yet, but some days...kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-64141313114878408942011-03-15T22:05:02.121-04:002011-03-15T22:05:02.121-04:00Felony & Mayhem is wonderful. It's owned ...Felony & Mayhem is wonderful. It's owned by one of the partners at the terrific Partners and Crime mystery bookstore in Greenwich Village.<br /><br />They also are publishing the works of L.R. (Lorelei Rose) Wright, a Canadian author, who writes about a police detective in British Colombia, on the coast, so one gets beautiful descriptions of the shore and water.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-74309466494636700702011-03-15T15:46:45.623-04:002011-03-15T15:46:45.623-04:00John: Yes, there's a certain surreal nature to...John: Yes, there's a certain surreal nature to the book - at least this one. :) I love this sort of thing. Well, better late than never - right? My library has nothing. But Felony and Mayhem Publishers is reprinting them - hooray! Thanks to Les for the tip! <br /><br />It most definitely is fun finding long lost treasure on your bookshelves. ;) That's how I discovered Michael Innes, by the way.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-77575625108154551752011-03-15T15:04:06.272-04:002011-03-15T15:04:06.272-04:00One of the things I have always loved about Gervas...One of the things I have always loved about Gervase Fen is that he knows he's a character in a book (did Jasper Fforde read these books?). His occasional swipes he takes at his publisher (Gollancz) crack me up. A hoot is right!<br /><br />Love to read of all these Crispin fans. And so happy to see you have discovered him at last, Yvette.<br /><br />Isn't it fun picking up something off your shelf that's been there for years and wondering - what took me so long? That's what happened with me and my copy of <i>Miss Hargreaves.</i> I had it for over five years before I finally read the thing. But it came at such a perfect time.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-26440977456622391762011-03-15T10:35:35.805-04:002011-03-15T10:35:35.805-04:00Carol: Carol, FELONY AND MAYHEM have many of the G...Carol: Carol, FELONY AND MAYHEM have many of the Golden Age authors in reprint, including the Charlie Chan books, which is how I first discovered them. They have a good website which I have a link to on my left sideboard. As I said, I should have thought of them right away.:)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-48606514780756889902011-03-15T10:33:26.691-04:002011-03-15T10:33:26.691-04:00Les: Thanks for the tip! I should have thought of ...Les: Thanks for the tip! I should have thought of them first thing. They do a pretty good job. I'll look for SWAN SONG. I love mysteries set in the theater or opera world.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-62253552717138124102011-03-15T09:27:38.530-04:002011-03-15T09:27:38.530-04:00Thanks for that comment, Les. "Swan Song&quo...Thanks for that comment, Les. "Swan Song" is the only Crispin I could never get my hands on, even through interlibrary loan. Now I just may be able to find it.Carolhttp://www.carolkcarr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-87041046988906356582011-03-14T20:54:09.468-04:002011-03-14T20:54:09.468-04:00For what it's worth, Felony & Mayhem has b...For what it's worth, Felony & Mayhem has been reprinting many of the Crispin books. They're all fun; I'm particularly partial to "Swan Song" (where Fen tackles the opera world and an impossible crime as well), but they're all very much worth reading. Glad you enjoyed "Toyshop" so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-91939244352870352852011-03-14T19:32:03.774-04:002011-03-14T19:32:03.774-04:00Pat: If you love the vintage mysteries of the Gold...Pat: If you love the vintage mysteries of the Golden Age, then this book is for you. I loved it, Pat. But I've been reading mysteries since I was a kid. :) <br /><br />You should try it. Maybe you'll discover you like them as well.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-66637237998991418682011-03-14T19:30:51.362-04:002011-03-14T19:30:51.362-04:00Patti: My library doesn't have any of his work...Patti: My library doesn't have any of his work. I'm going to hunt around the used book dealers online. I really enjoyed this book.:)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-88738759473900085702011-03-14T19:29:50.030-04:002011-03-14T19:29:50.030-04:00Carol: I don't read horror either. Just never ...Carol: I don't read horror either. Just never got into it. I'm not fond of really dark noirish crime tales either. When I read the first book in the Bryant and May stories, I was fooled for awhile. I thought you-know-who had died. ;)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-50979389777308435592011-03-14T19:18:39.130-04:002011-03-14T19:18:39.130-04:00You've found some wonderful book blogs, and th...You've found some wonderful book blogs, and their blog events to follow, Yvette! This sounds like an interesting book!Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-69979709130213672512011-03-14T17:42:50.524-04:002011-03-14T17:42:50.524-04:00How well I remember loving this book and yet, I am...How well I remember loving this book and yet, I am not sure I ever read another of his.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-86439695606066594902011-03-14T17:26:52.727-04:002011-03-14T17:26:52.727-04:00I'd agree that the B&M books should be rea...I'd agree that the B&M books should be read in order. And I do enjoy Fowler's blog. His output is prodigious! I don't know how he manages to read, review, blog and write at such a pace. I've only read B&M, and the first book of his bio ("Paperboy"). His horror output is huge, but I haven't read any of it (not really my thing, but I'll bet they are good reads if you like that genre.Carolhttp://www.carolkcarr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-11357389243044120782011-03-14T16:54:15.782-04:002011-03-14T16:54:15.782-04:00Sue: So happy you like my blog, m'dear. I aim ...Sue: So happy you like my blog, m'dear. I aim to please. The Bryant and May series is wonderful. You need to read the first book in the series, though. Probably it wouldn't hurt to read them in order if you can. I think you'll like them. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-42656211651301022412011-03-14T16:52:40.536-04:002011-03-14T16:52:40.536-04:00Dave: I had the same problem with the JONATHAN STR...Dave: I had the same problem with the JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL - a bit too slow going. I think I'm going to listen to the audio one of these days. I have a feeling I'll like that. <br /><br />I actually have this green Penguin edition, Dave. Though, as I said, I can't remember where it came from. ;)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-50707869138879870382011-03-14T16:43:30.662-04:002011-03-14T16:43:30.662-04:00Oh, I DO love reading this blog! Now I have even m...Oh, I <i>DO</i> love reading this blog! Now I have even more authors to try out! Not come across Christopher Fowler, but am interested to read this 'Bryant & May' series having looked up info on http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ !<br />(Incidently, in the UK 'Bryant & May' are a firm that makes matches! Wonder if that's where he got the idea for the names?)SueHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11394307650434614637noreply@blogger.com