As a rule, I’m not much of a date watcher and so I tend to miss anniversaries and the like unless someone points them out to me. Today’s post is a case in point; I hadn’t twigged it was the centenary of the birth of Edmund Crispin until someone mentioned it on Twitter (and I’m sorry I can’t remember who). So as I love the Gervase Fen books I thought it was a good time to dig out my collection and share my thoughts on this great detective and his author!!
Edmund Crispin was actually a pen-named, used by the composer (Robert) Bruce Montgomery; and under that name he was responsible for all manner of film scores including a number of ‘Carry On’ movies, as well as documentaries and thrillers. Alongside this he composed church music, operas and orchestral works, although little of this is available in recorded form, and in the main I think his musical work is very much overlooked. However, as an author he’s better remembered and his Gervase Fen Golden Age Crime novels are much loved by aficionados of the genre.
Crispin’s sleuth, Professor Gervase Fen of the fictional St. Christopher’s College, Oxford, appears in nine full-length mysteries and a number of short stories (the bulk of which are collected in two volumes). For reference, these are the titles:
Novels:
The Case of the Gilded Fly (1944)
Holy Disorders (1945)
The Moving Toyshop (1946)
Swan Song (1947)
Love Lies Bleeding (1948)
Buried for Pleasure (1948)
Frequent Hearses (1950)
The Long Divorce (1951)
The Glimpses of the Moon (1977)
The short story collections are:
Beware of the Trains (1953)
Fen Country (1979)
I’ve read that there are at least two uncollected stories, but have alas never been able to track them down – one day, maybe! 😀
Montgomery himself had attended St. John’s College in Oxford in the 1940s, and amusingly plonks St. Christopher’s right next door to it in his books – it’s obviously a setting with which he’s familiar! At Oxford he was friends with Philip Larkin, Kingsley Amis and Charles Williams (the Inkling responsible for some very wonderful and bizarre fictions). The latter was apparently responsible for urging Montgomery to write the Fen books after Bruce had been kept up all night, spellbound and absorbed, reading a John Dickson Carr novel – and certainly as Crispin he did allow locked-room elements to sneak into his mysteries!
Fen himself is a wonderfully entertaining and eccentric detective; erratic, prone to dashing off and tearing round Oxford at the drop of a hat, constantly exclaiming “Oh my paws and whiskers” and trying the patience of all around him, he’s a marvellous creation. His detection methods seem abstruse, but he generally gets to the solution and the books are always huge fun to read (and very, very funny). Darker elements creep in, themes of music and theatre often turn up, and the Oxford settings regularly used are lovely. Crispin certainly could write, too – there are some wonderfully atmospheric passages in his works and reading his books is always satisfying.
I first discovered Gervase Fen and his exploits back in my twenties, and if I recall correctly the first Crispin I read was “The Moving Toyshop”; I believe it’s considered his masterpiece, and if it isn’t, it should be. I went on to amass and read everything else which was available and I regularly return to his books (both “The Case of the Gilded Fly” and “Holy Disorders” have appeared on the Ramblings as lovely re-reads). It’s the wonderful mixture of character and setting and plot and humour which always gets me; and the books are littered with literary references which often have me literally laughing out loud. One particular favourite, which I mentioned in my post on “Holy Disorders”, revolves around a chapter riffing on Poe’s “The Raven” and it has me falling about every time I read it. Really, I shall have to re-read one of his books after having written this post!!
Another aspect I adore about the Fen stories is Crispin’s regular breaking of the fourth wall; he often has Fen or other characters dropping in asides which makes it clear to the reader that the characters know they’re taking part in a fiction, and I think reading “The Moving Toyshop” was my first encounter with this trope. It’s always cleverly done and never fails to make me laugh!
Over the decades I’ve read many, many books and authors, including masses of crime novels; some I’ve loved but don’t need to return to, and some will stay with me all my days. The Gervase Fen stories fall into the latter category; they’d come with me to a desert island, because I would always be guaranteed an absorbing read and a good laugh – I love these books to bits. Crispin/Montgomery had a marvellously productive life, yet I haven’t noticed his centenary being particularly marked, which is a great shame. So happy 100th birthday to the creator of Gervase Fen (amongst many other achievements); here’s hoping his books continue to be read and loved, and if you enjoy Golden Age Crime, great writing and slapstick, I definitely encourage you to read Edmund Crispin’s books!
Kirsty
Sep 27, 2021 @ 09:17:40
What a fantastic post, from a fellow Fen fan!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 10:34:22
Thank you! 😀 I do love Fen…..
A Life in Books
Sep 27, 2021 @ 10:36:18
I like the sound of the ‘breaking of the fourth wall’, not a term I’ve come across before.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 11:26:56
It’s kind of like when a character talks to the audience in a film or play. Love it when it happens in a book!
A Life in Books
Sep 27, 2021 @ 11:52:03
Oh, I love that when done well. Tilda Swinton does it beautifully in Orlando.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 11:54:54
Then I highly recommend the Fen books – such fun! 😀
Rawdon Crawley
Sep 27, 2021 @ 10:59:58
“Crispin/Montgomery had a marvellously productive life”
I wish that was true, but he wrote only one book after 1951 (and The Glimpses of the Moon was a disappointment, I thought) and churned out stereotypical comic film scores on demand while he abandoned the serious work he wanted to do and died of drink.
A tragic waste of talents – perhaps even genius.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 11:23:18
I haven’t studied his biography closely, but suspect you’re probably right and I should have said “marvellously productive early life”. I do think he was a genius as a writer – and I wish I knew more about his proper music, though there doesn’t seem to be much of a chance to access it. The demon drink is responsible for a lot…
mallikabooks15
Sep 27, 2021 @ 11:56:41
Enjoyed this post; I’ve read only a couple of the Fen books so far but enjoyed them very much– loved Mr Merrythought in Love Lies Bleeding as well. I am hoping to pick up Gilded Fly in time for the centenary in early October.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:16:06
Thank you! The books are lovely, and I must admit to being tempted to go on a re-reading binge. Hope you enjoy Gilded Fly! 😀
mallikabooks15
Sep 27, 2021 @ 17:27:32
Thanks🙂 am sure I will. I enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 18:26:12
😀
Margot Kinberg
Sep 27, 2021 @ 12:01:36
Lovely post, and you make very well-taken points, too. One thing I’ve always liked about these books is the wit that’s woven into them. It’s, for my taste, just the right amount to lighten the story.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:15:35
Thanks Margot. You’re quite right about the wit – his humour is a joy, but it never overshadows the mystery.
rosemary blasdale
Sep 27, 2021 @ 12:21:30
Love the post, especially as I have not long discovered Mr Crispin. Thank you. Your posts are always such an uplifting read.
If you do a search on the author on abebooks, up come two collections of short stories. “As the Inspector Said”, which contains “Cash on Delivery”, while the Argosy Magazine of May 1955, lists “The Perfect Criminal”.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:07:24
Thank you – most kind! Crispin is always such a joy, and thank you for the hint about missing stories – I shall investigate…. ;D
madamebibilophile
Sep 27, 2021 @ 12:22:44
I adore these mysteries! I had no idea it was Crispin’s centenary. A wonderful celebratory post Kaggsy!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:06:53
Thank you! I had no idea until recently either, so I’m glad someone tipped me off. Always happy to revisit Crispin!
Cavershamragu
Sep 27, 2021 @ 12:51:45
I agree completely – his books are such good fun with lots of cleverness along with great postmodern jokes. He was good friends with Amis (he turns up as “Uncke Bruce” in a Martin Amis memoir). He was also an important editor of SF collections for a while. Thanks Karen, had no idea it was the centenary. Well worth celebrating!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:06:26
Definitely is, and this nearly slipped past me! Such a good author and I do love his books – they never disappoint! 😀
Jo Chern
Sep 27, 2021 @ 13:47:57
Crispin is one of my absolute favorites from GAD (and Kate would tell you I do have rather a lot of favorites!). I either reread or relisten (some very good audio books of the Crispin titles read by Philip Bird who has become Fen’s voice in my head even when I read) often. Crispin and Jerome K. Jerome are my driving buddies. Play on repeat. Thanks for the mention of the centenary!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:05:25
He’s just marvellous, isn’t he? Always great joy on a re-read, and I totally agree about Jerome too. I could revisit Three Men in a Boat any time! 😀
JacquiWine
Sep 27, 2021 @ 13:49:20
A really lovely post, Karen! I recall thinking that I ought to try Crispin when those smart reissues of some of his most famous mysteries came out a few years ago, but I’ve yet to get around to him. That said, I believe there’s a Crispin story in the Murder by the Book anthology, which I hope to read soonish – so that will be my intro, I think!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 27, 2021 @ 16:01:23
Thank you Jacqui! Yes, there is a Crispin in that anthology, and it’s great though perhaps not representative. I do recommend reading his novels if you get a chance – such fun! 😀
heavenali
Sep 27, 2021 @ 20:20:22
Great post, I haven’t read any Edmund Crispin novels though I know I know I’ve read at least one short story in a BLCC anthology. You really make his mysteries sound appealing though, and I think I may have one tbr that you sent me.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:28:03
Ah yes – I think I did send one! Do read it if the mood takes you – such fun! 😀
BookerTalk
Sep 27, 2021 @ 21:37:35
I’ve never heard of this author but you make him sound so interesting I absolutely have to find one of his books now. Though you might just have sparked a bit of a bidding war on any that are available on line….
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:27:36
Oh, do! He’s such fun, and I think most of his books should be available without having to break the bank!!
BookerTalk
Sep 28, 2021 @ 10:23:40
That’s good to hear.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 11:19:41
😀
Julé Cunningham
Sep 28, 2021 @ 00:55:17
A wonderful post on one of my favorite GAD detectives, what a great creation Fen is! The humor and cleverness in the books is an absolute balm sometimes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:24:25
He’s one of my favourites too and you’re right – the humour in his writing is such a joy!
WordsAndPeace
Sep 28, 2021 @ 03:01:27
I have yet to read this author, the first time I heard about him was probably through you!
I did ysome search and found on wikipedia the title of the 2 uncollected stories, with reference:
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:23:57
He’s a wonderful author – hope you can track something down, I really do recommend him!
WordsAndPeace
Sep 28, 2021 @ 03:04:18
oops, clicked too early:
Uncollected stories
“St Bartholomew’s Day”, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (February 1975)
“The Hours of Darkness,” Bodies from the Library, 2, ed. Tony Medawar (Collins Crime Club, 2019)
I did more search for you and found The Hours of Darkness. I can send you the ebook where the story is, for free. Please send me an email (contact info on my blog: https://wordsandpeace.com/contact-me/) and tell me if you prefer epub or kindle. With the reference, your library should be able to find the other one for you
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:23:24
Thank you, have done so!
WordsAndPeace
Sep 28, 2021 @ 03:06:03
Oh I see it’s still published. If you contact them, they should be able to tell you how to get February 1975: https://www.elleryqueenmysterymagazine.com/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:23:15
Excellent!
WordsAndPeace
Sep 28, 2021 @ 03:08:14
Found it: available on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ellery-Queens-Mystery-Magazine-February/dp/B001E3LK38/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ellery+queen+mystery+magazine+february+1975&qid=1632794851&s=magazines&sr=1-1
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 09:22:01
Thank you! 😀
Calmgrove
Sep 28, 2021 @ 13:17:01
I can only take so much Fen at a time so have only read ‘Fly’ and ‘Toyshop’, but shall doubtless get to others in time. Breaking the fourth walk and copious literary references are clearly his trademark tics, clearly influencing later writers (Jasper Fforde I think must be one of them), and I agree Montgomery does these really well.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 28, 2021 @ 14:34:13
They’re great fun to read, I find, and yes – very influential, though I don’t know that those who followed his lead were as successful as he was!
Jane
Sep 29, 2021 @ 16:42:39
I haven’t read any Gervase Fen stories and really think I should – I love the way you go hunting around in your stacks and come up with beautiful editions!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Sep 29, 2021 @ 20:45:13
I do recommend the books – so enjoyable and Crispin was very much a one-off. I’ve had these books for decades and would never part with them – I love a green Penguin!
buriedinprint
Oct 03, 2021 @ 21:59:48
I know I just mentioned that I loved another photo of your vintage collection(s) but these, these are my new favourites. And, in that author photo, is the cigarette actually still smoking? Heheh What a pleasant escape these would make. Besides just looking at them, I mean.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 04, 2021 @ 09:09:17
It probably is because that was back in the day when such things were acceptable! It’s a wonderful image, isn’t it? 😀
Edmund Crispin and Gervase Fen – a coda! | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
Oct 20, 2021 @ 07:01:07
wholetale
Oct 28, 2021 @ 21:51:31
His selections of SF in the Faber Best SF series are, I reckon, more important than the detective stories, where I find the whimsy spread a little too thin and the Oxonian cronyism spread a little too thick (though still a little like Sayers and water). The really short puzzles of Fen Country are, however, challenging.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2021 @ 13:57:14
LOL, well I’m a fan of whimsy *and* Wimsey so this was all very suited to me. I should really get round to exploring his sci fi anthologies one day, though!
Looking back on highlights of 2021’s reading… | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
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