Having grown up reading about the fantasy worlds of Oz and Narnia, I enjoy books that have an imaginative twist. Jasper Fforde manages this, and then some, in the first of his Nursery Crime series. He manages to create a parallel universe in which nursery characters are a part of every day life.
In "The Big Over Easy" Humpty Dumpty has a great fall - after being shot. But this time instead of all the kings horses and men putting him together again, it is the members of the NCD, Nursery Crime Division, trying to piece together his case. Lead by DI Jack Spratt, and his new DS, Mary Mary, and a team including a hypochondriac, a baroness, and an alien (they are surprisingly dull), the NCD is the most underfunded, unappreciated, and unusual department. It doesn't help that they are also battling the famous Friedland Chymes, who is trying to steal the case for his own publishablilty.
Using newspaper clippings at the beginning of each chapter, Fforde road maps the plot without giving anything away, but in such a way that as it becomes apparent, you find yourself going, "Ooooohhh". He also manages a critique of modern society and our own obsession with the media. All in all, Jasper Fforde combines witty writing, a good story line that keeps you engaged and guessing at every turn.

The Big Over Easy is the first of Jasper Fforde's Nursery Crime mysteries, a spin off from his arch, clever Thursday Next series. We are introduced to DI Jack Spratt and his new assistant Sergeant Mary Mary (and yes, she can be quite contrary) as they attempt to solve the murder of Humpty Dumpty, found smashed to bits at the base of his wall.

As in the original series, this one is enjoyable in large part because of its inside literary jokes and references, as well as its to-die-for overarching premise: a world in which the book is as important as real life and the story is everything. Often over the top but always enjoyable, Fforde has written another sly, fun mystery. ( )

Reviewed by Mrs. Foley
From library catalog - Detective Inspector Jack Spratt, head of the Nursery Crime Division of the Reading police force, teams up with his new partner Mary Mary to investigate the suspicious death of Humpty Dumpty, an ex-convict and former millionaire philanthropist who was found shattered to death in a bad part of town.

Jasper Fforde's books are a hoot...and this one is no exception. It is so interesting to see nursery characters come to life as common (and flawed) "real" people. There are a lot of references to literature to catch in his books and part of the fun is doing just that. ( )

Like The Eyre Affair, I felt that Fforde was trying to find his pace with this book. I liked the sequel better. ( )

The Big Over Easy is a delightful crime mystery. The tale is set mainly in a world of Mother Goose nursery rhymes with some mythological references. It is the first book in a Nursery Crime series from Jasper Fforde.

The main character is Jack Spratt, head detective of the Nursery Crime Division in the town of Reading. Jack is a hardworking detective who doesn't get any respect, not even from his own peers. Jack's self-absorbed arch-nemesis is fellow detective Freidland Chymes. Apparently, Chymes will stoop to any level to shine, especially at the expense of Jack Spratt. There is unpleasant old history between the two, which never stopped simmering.

The mystery surrounds the murder of Reading's philanthropist, Humpty Dumpty. This isn't your usual version of Humpty Dumpty. He is a wealthy ovoid with problems, including a drinking one, who never meant a woman he didn't love...literally. The hosts of possible suspects, friends, business associates, ex-wives and lovers read as the list of Who's Who of Mother Goose. I love how Jasper portrays the nursery characters as real people with real issues, but somehow he manages to keep a tone of the whimsical.

My only criticism of The Big Over Easy is that towards the end, the plot twists were too many and the plot line became a bit overdrawn. Nevertheless, I do plan to read The Fourth Bear, the second book in the Nursery Crime series. Jasper Fforde has developed an unique fantasy world which can only get better with time. I look forward to following how this incredible fun and funny series matures. ( )