The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin

Now, once again I warn you, do not confuse this book with Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop. This book is a comic crime novel, or a pastiche or a satirical comment on crime novels of the 1930s (as it is set in 1938, though was published, and I guess written, in 1945), etc. Anyway, this book is hilarious, not only is it exciting, rich in interesting and vivid characters, but also very very funny. The image of an Oxford Don and famous British poet racing around Oxford town, chasing a young woman, drinking at all hours, waking up in cupboards, being tied up by thugs and in general acting as if they are James Bond when they aren't. If none of these scenarios appeal to you, then this book probably isn't for you, but if you at all like books and have read a few you might enjoy my favourite part: the literary games. Richard Cadogen (the poet) and Gervase Fen (the Don) play ridiculous games, but I won't ruin it for anyone.

Here is the plot, and I am so sorry to have previously been remiss in stating it:
Cadogen is a poet, he even has a publisher and this is where we first meet our indefatigable hero, talking his publisher into lending him some money (50 pounds!!!!!), so he can go on holiday and have an adventure. Being middle aged and a little tired, Cadogen feels he needs some excitement in his life, so he can be inspired to write more poems. He decides to go to Oxford, his old university city and jumps straight on the train (by the way, I am not ruining the story for you, this all happens in the first chapter!). He has to hitch a ride to the outskirts of Oxford, because of train confusions (nice to know they happened back then too) and ends up walking into Oxford when he spots a Toyshop with the door slightly ajar...

Now I will stop, the rest of the story involves a dead woman and getting knocked unconscious, police stations, running away, a car that backfires, moving shops and the wonderful Fen and Cadogen looking for clues and chasing up leads.

Absolutely brilliant to the last page, this book is a classic. I've also heard P.D. James named it as one of her favourite books too, so I guess I have some good company.

As a little plug, if you do happen to buy the Magic Toyshop instead, never fear that book is absolutely genius, though not terribly funny.