(no subject)

So I called the contractor this afternoon and they were dismayed and very apologetic, and are going to arrange to have their plumber come out ASAP and fix things and look at the damage; they should be calling me tomorrow to let me know when they'll be out.

Meanwhile, it's probably getting about time to go check the water level in the gravy boat...

Books 2008 - #5 and 6

#5: Jasper Fforde, The Big Over Easy
#6: Jasper Fforde, The Fourth Bear

These are books one and two of the "Nursery Crime" series, which revolves around Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his underling/partner Mary Mary as they try to solve bizarre crimes involving nursery rhyme characters. Set (naturally) in the town of Reading, in The Big Over Easy they are attempting to solve the murder of a philandering, alcoholic, scam-artist Humpty Dumpty, and in The Fourth Bear the victim is Goldilocks. In neither book is the plot and resolution in any way straightforward, and instead meanders you through a series of absolutely brilliant encounters with a variety of fascinating and occasionally ridiculous people. The character Lord Spongg from the first book, who has giant bronze anteaters in front of his palatial, highly-eccentric home, was an instant favorite and one I sincerely hope we meet again. (I have to say I'd personally opt for marble instead of bronze, but the idea of marble anteaters in front of my own house holds a distinct appeal I haven't quite shaken off. It could be done, y'know!) I enjoyed the second book more than the first, even though both were wonderful, and I don't know if that's because the characters had done their settling in in the first book and could get around to being who they were and getting on with business in the second, or if the ultimate premise of the second book (SERIOUS MAJOR SPOILER HERE [rot13]: tvnag rkcybqvat ahpyrne phphzoref -- if you have even the slightest intention on reading these books, DON'T uncypher that!) was just so amusing and ridiculous and unexpected as to make me extraordinarily pleased with the whole book. And it actually almost made sense, dammit! If you can pull something like that off, you *know* you've got talent.

Anyhow, both are silly and unpretentious and highly entertaining, and it's the often-tangential details that really make them superb. Definitely recommended!