Once Upon a Crime

The Brothers Grimm Mysteries, Book 2

By: P. J. Brackston

Narrated by: Kate Reading

From New York Times best-selling author P. J. Brackston comes the prequel to Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints.

Gretel - yes, that Gretel - is now 35, very large, still living with her brother, Hans, and working as a private investigator.

The small, sleepy town of Gesternstadt is shaken to its pretty foundations when the workshop of the local cart maker is burned to the ground, and a body is discovered in the ashes. It is Gretel who notices that the cadaver is missing a finger. At first she does not see this as significant, as her mind is fully focused on a new case. Not that she doesn't want to investigate an intriguing murder, but her client is willing to pay over the odds, so she must content herself with trying to trace three missing cats. It is not until she is further into her investigations that she realizes the two events are inextricably and dangerously connected, and that the mystery of the missing cats will lead her into perilous situations and frightening company.

Gretel soon finds herself accused of kidnapping Princess Charlotte, locked up in the cells at the Summer Schloss, repelling the advances of an amorous troll, strapped to a rack in Herr Schmerz's torture chamber, and fleeing a murder charge. With dubious help from her brother (whose scant wits are habitually addled by drink), she must prove her innocence, solve the puzzle of the unidentified corpse, and find the stolen cats before they meet a grisly end.

©2015 P. J. Brackston (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Enjoyable, different and interesting characters

First Kate Reading is a great narrator. this book will definitely put her in my top 3 of female narrators. she did a great job on the men, differentiating all of the characters, the accents, but most importantly giving life to the story. I feel as if too many authors are trying to cut corners (save money) by getting crappy narrator. I said I FEEL. But this was really narrated well.

P.J. Brackston wrote a grown up fairy tale. If you like mysteries, with lots of twists and turns and don't try to figure it out just read it for the fun and relaxation of it. this is for you. These are interesting characters that I want to get to know better. They may be fairy tale characters, but they are so relatable.

I am moving right on to the next book!

Witty and thoroughly entertaining.

Really enjoyed this book. Did not read 1 in the series but didn't make any difference. PJ brackston puts those skills to good use allowing her humor and wit to shine through in these imaginative , wildly amusing, wonderfully clever faerie tales. A good helping of Pratchet, a dollop of Butcher, Hearne and Holmes. With a side of Bratwurst. I like this series not only for its whimsy, storybook elements, and enjoyable mix of characters, but also because it has a smart, funny female protagonist, Gretel, who happens to be a private detective, a premise that lends itself well to a fun adventures in future books.

Clever twist on classic fairytale characters, Gretel and Hansel!

Entertaining, clever read! Recommended by a new Audible user/veteran audio book listener! Took me a minute to get used to the descriptive language in the beginning; but, I either got used to it or it evened out as the story went on. The narrator has lovely tone and was very comfortable to listen to. I listened at 1.3x speed.

Enjoyable but should be book one in the series

I very much enjoyed both books so far in this series, but it's quite obvious that they were written and meant to be read Once Upon a Crime first and then Gretel and the Case of the Missing Frog Prints second. I don't know why they were published out of order with OUC being described as a "prequel," because this book ends chronologically exactly where GCMFP begins. There's a lot of exposition and universe building in OUC that would have been helpful when reading the first book in the series, GCMFP. I'm sure this unusual publication order had more to do with marketing (perhaps because Gretel's name is in the title of GCMFP?) or production schedules and not the author's intention.

Although both books are enjoyable and understandable in the current series order, I would recommend reading the second book (GCMFP) first and the first book (OUC) second! I like this series not only for its whimsy, storybook elements, and enjoyable mix of characters, but also because it has a smart, funny female protagonist, Gretel, who happens to be a private detective, a premise that lends itself well to myriad fun adventures in future books.

Just lovely!

Another excellent story with Detective Gretel. Charming, a nicely paced storyline, and very well told.

A deliciously flawed, fun and fierce female protagonist

Putting it plainly, I haven’t read the first in this series. But this sequel is so good that I hope the author writes another. Gretel of this imagination and world is brave and funny and smart. I’ve recently started to explore fantasy fiction, and find that such easy-going, likeable, clever heroines or even other female characters of this type in the genre, are not exactly abundant. I am delighted to find a female lead carry a story so brilliantly on her “big” beautiful shoulders. You’ll see what I mean. The mystery element is alive and vibrant. Other characters are tangible too. Ms. Reading reads wonderfully as only she can.

Misnumbered

This is obviously the first book in the series and not the second as it's ending is where the nominally first book (Gretel and the Missing Frog Prints) begins. Despite being in the wrong sequence, I've enjoyed both stories immensely and Kate Reading ( is that her real name? ) is one of the best voices in the business. I am eager to begin the next book!

Answers what became of Hansel and Gretel.

Loved the story! Dry sense of humor with many laughs. No story spoilers from me.

Delightful

A good helping of Pratchet, a dollop of Butcher, Hearne and Holmes. With a side of Bratwurst.

A Delight!

*I think the series numbers have been mixed up by Amazon/Audible as this is clearly book 1 in the series.
This book was so so fun and funny and smart and quick witted and punny. Now I have an excuse to listen to the other book again since they are out of order.