The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime

This delightful ASCII-to-Audio book is a whimsical, often laugh-out-loud-silly, sequel to "The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime" (which in itself should be regarded as a diversionary sub-sequel to "The Well of Lost Plots") and although it takes a chapter to get used to yet another new narrator, he's also very good.

The story line is no less complex, but it does tend to be a touch more farcical than the previous entries by Mr. Fforde. Worry not, this author knows how to tie up loose ends as no other author of speculative fiction in the English language. Well, he does tend to have a lot of ends in his hands compared to most, but it's a fine juggling act. Don't worry, just get it. It'll be over way too soon.

When Mr. Fforde steps out of the story to address the listener/reader directly for the first time in his books that at least I can remember, he does it quickly and well. And he does leave a broad hint that a certain favorite Spec Ops character is heading our way again.

The Toad, 2006

This story is amazing! I haven't read someone (ok, listened) who can take simple tales and turn them inside out while spinning a tale of suspense and intrigue quite like J.F. The story is hysterical, the characters outlandish, the plot devices aren't predictable, and the use of childhood stories very original.

This is a must for anyone who likes the Xanth novels and other light hearted fantasy / SF type novels.

It inspires me to make sure my kids learn all of the fables this story uses so that they will appreciate the story in their later years.

I think I have listened to this title at least half a dozen times.

Not different from the author's other works, but with a certain Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Black Adder, Monty Pythonesque flair that had me laughing so hard I nearly ran off the road. Other than being careful when driving, the only other warning I would give to American readers is that you need to brush up on your Edward Lear poetry in order to fully appreciate characters such as the Dong with a Luminous Nose.

Neither of the Nursery Crime novels are as interesting as the Thursday Next series, in my opinion, and this one was not even as good as The Big Over Easy. That said, there are still some clever moments and some that will make you smile. The narration is very good and the story moves along at a snappy pace. Not a bad listen, but I will be very happy to see Thursday come back.

The whole premise, with nursery rhyme characters may seem shallow - but in fact the story is clever in its depth of wit and the author is brilliant in a very unique way.
Fans of the Thursday Next series will surely enjoy it -
if you are new to Jasper Fforde, expect a satirical kind of humor and action sequences that only occur after the plot has fully developed. It is more cerebral than emotional - except that I have come to love it!

I would definitely recommend this book to friends and strangers! It's so funny along with the mystery of solving the crimes. I was so sad when it came to an end!

The most memorable parts for me were the way all the nursery rhyme characters fit in to the story. One line that I truly laughed out loud at was when they talked about the right to arm bears. It still makes me laugh! I also loved the part when Mary goes on a date with Ashley. It was great!

I always check to see if Simon Vance is the narrator because he is truly my favorite of all! This performance was amazing because of the many different voices that he had to be.

I would love to have been able to listen to all of it in one sitting. I would even just sit in the car for a long time after I got home so I could listen to the story as long as possible.

I loved this book even more than

I read Over Easy: A Nusery Crime and couldn't get enough. This is the funniest book I've read in a while and NEED to read more. Super sharp wit. I would recommend this and any Jasper Fforde story that comes along. Simon Vance gives excellent voice.

I absolutely LOVE this author’s style. Anyone who can take nursery rhymes and create murder mysteries replete with humor and satire is a major plus in my book.
In the second installment of the Nursery Crime series, the Goldilocks and the Three Bears are caught in a national conspiracy and the Gingerbread Man is blood thirsty as ever. Obviously this is not a nail-biter (unless you suffer from Mother Goose phobia) but it is certainly clever.
My only issue is that there are times when the story was a little boring and nothing irks me more in a mystery than when characters are introduced at the last minute who end up playing a pivotal role in the plot. I feel like it’s a cop out and it cheapens the story.
In any case, I do recommend this book if anything for the humor and to marvel at the twisted lives of our much beloved nursery rhymes.
Lastly, I will add, that the narrator of this book is AMAZING. Loved listening to every minute!

This is so enjoyable. There are only 2 books in the series; they don't have to be done in order but it helps.
The first and also exetremely worthwhile book is 'The Big Overeasy'. I hope that everyone listens to these and delights in them like I have.

If you're the sort who find all British humour funny. If even the silliest most repetitive stuff tickles your funny bone, then you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, steer clear. It's dreadfully dull.