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Title: A Minor Crispin, But Still Fun
Review: It is necessary to understand that Edmund Crispin was the pen name of Robert Bruce Montgomery, a scholar of English, organist, science fiction writer and anthologist, teacher, and film score composer. His books are in the tradition of J.I.M. Stuart, an Oxford don who wrote under the name Michael Innes -- literary, erudite, and mischevious. This one is primarily an intellectual enterprise, though it does have some of the mad humor that fills his better works. I found the climactic scene too similar to part of his Frequent Hearses for comfort, and he tends to deal with his villians by having them die in a ball of fire, but we all have our faults.If you're looking for a quick and stylish Brrrrrritish Mystery, this is a pleasant read. But if you want Crispin at his best, I highly recommendThe Moving Toyshop (Classic Crime)orGlimpses of the Moon, his last full-length novel.
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