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Aug 03, 2017TheBibliopossum rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'll begin this review by referencing a series with a similar presence-- "Fables" by Bill Willingham was the first time I approached the concept of storybook characters living among us with a main character working as a detective to investigate literary criminal activity. Whether it was the writing or the accompanying artwork, it didn't sit very well with me and I skipped out after the third volume. However, Jasper Fforde had something that grabbed my attention, and it's a treat to experience. Not only did the writing feel less dramatic and more humorous (a matter of taste, I suppose), but the world building involves the "Persons of Dubious Reality", seemingly normal citizens, and extraterrestrial immigrants who interact with one-another in a silly but "this is normal" fashion. There isn't a subplot of trying to hide who you are from others, it's just how things are. I dare not give away how this whole investigation ends--it's something you have to read to believe--but it's a wild ride from start to finish and has enough tongue-in-cheek awareness that I couldn't help smirking at all the nods to typical plot points in mystery novels. Now if only the third volume of this series would be published...