I found this title on a list of detective series to try. The premise of nods to existing works of literature was enticing, so I went for it. In a word, I'd say this is a mashup of Artemis Fowl and Stephanie Plum, which is a -guarded- compliment. Ideas like the bookworms and the prose portal are straight out of something Eoin Colfer might have dreamed up, while the strong female detective lead with a slightly dotty family and unconventional pet is giving Ms. Plum. All in all, though, the book didn't deliver the literary thrill ride I had been led to expect. Damn you, book hype! One thing that is worth sticking around for is the Rocky-Horror-inspired performance of Richard III. The overall narrative arc doesn't make for promising sequels, but I did give in and read the second book in the series. I mean, it's summer and I needed a break. That's the end of the road for me and the Thursday Next books, though.