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Las Fables #1
Nursery Crimes
This is the city of Las Fables. I work here. I’m Detective Peter Peter. I put ‘em in the pumpkin shell.
Las Fables is a land of fairy tales and rhymes. Sure, it used to be made of sugar and spice, but Mother Goose flew the coop and hasn’t been seen in years. Darkness has settled over the town, whiffling and galumphing down the yellow brick lanes.
When the Seven Dwarves are gunned down in the Old Woman’s Shoe Bar, Detective Peter Peter and his partner Jack Horner are on the case. No matter how over the hill and far away the clues take them, they’ll see that justice is served–not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
Of course it isn’t just crime on Peter Peter’s mind. There’s a dame named Muffet who’s got him in a tizzy. And it’s gonna take all of his will power to keep his heart from tumbling down after her.
Las Fables is a land of fairy tales and rhymes. Sure, it used to be made of sugar and spice, but Mother Goose flew the coop and hasn’t been seen in years. Darkness has settled over the town, whiffling and galumphing down the yellow brick lanes.
When the Seven Dwarves are gunned down in the Old Woman’s Shoe Bar, Detective Peter Peter and his partner Jack Horner are on the case. No matter how over the hill and far away the clues take them, they’ll see that justice is served–not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
Of course it isn’t just crime on Peter Peter’s mind. There’s a dame named Muffet who’s got him in a tizzy. And it’s gonna take all of his will power to keep his heart from tumbling down after her.
- GenresFantasyFairy Tales
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2024
45 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Devon Monk
89 books2,063 followersDevon Monk is a national best selling writer of urban fantasy. Her series include Ordinary Magic, House Immortal, Allie Beckstrom, Broken Magic and Shame and Terric. She also writes the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story which can be found in her collection: A Cup of Normal, and in various anthologies. She has one husband, two sons, and lives in Oregon. When not writing, Devon is either drinking too much coffee or knitting silly things.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 12, 2024
Well, this probably one of the most creative pieces of storytelling that I discovered for the last several years. I mean, it involved NURSERY RHYMES character!!
The main character is detective Peter Peter (from Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater), his partner is Jack Horner (from Mother Goose's Little Jack Horner), and another of his staff is Muffet (from Little Miss Muffet)... and the initial case that opened this book is there in Chapter 1
The Dwarves were dead...
I really enjoyed this story - I mean, yes, it was laying very thick on the nursery rhymes character at times. As a reader who is NOT an English native, there are characters whose reference lost on me because they aren't familiar. But the overall story was fun and imaginative and I loved it!
I would love to read more of the Las Fables world - I want to read Peter and Jack and Muffet solve more crimes. I want to read Peter and Muffet dating as well as Jack and (Boy) Blue. These sound like a great universe to be immersed into. And that's why Devon Monk is one of my favorite authors in this genre.
The main character is detective Peter Peter (from Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater), his partner is Jack Horner (from Mother Goose's Little Jack Horner), and another of his staff is Muffet (from Little Miss Muffet)... and the initial case that opened this book is there in Chapter 1
The Dwarves were dead...
I really enjoyed this story - I mean, yes, it was laying very thick on the nursery rhymes character at times. As a reader who is NOT an English native, there are characters whose reference lost on me because they aren't familiar. But the overall story was fun and imaginative and I loved it!
I would love to read more of the Las Fables world - I want to read Peter and Jack and Muffet solve more crimes. I want to read Peter and Muffet dating as well as Jack and (Boy) Blue. These sound like a great universe to be immersed into. And that's why Devon Monk is one of my favorite authors in this genre.
September 7, 2024
Book Summary:
Detective Peter Peter has his hands full when it comes to Las Fables. One would think that the nursery rhymes' characters are well-behaved, but they'd be wrong. The latest murder proves that. With the Seven Dwarves dead, Las Fables is on the cusp of something they can't avoid.
Peter Peter and his crew must work overtime to solve the murder. Unfortunately, it's not the only challenge they will face while handling this case as Las Fables slowly unravels.
My Review:
If there’s one thing I can say about Nursery Crimes, it’s that it is, by far, the most unique novel I’ve read in recent times. No, seriously. I’ve NEVER seen a take on classic fairy tales like this. I love how fun and different it is.
Well, I say fun, but Nursery Crimes is actually quite gritty. The name probably gave that away. It has a great sense of humor about itself, with the protagonist and countless other characters poking fun at their stories as we go along.
Even the best foundation means little if the writing isn’t up to par. I really enjoyed Devon Monk’s writing here. She found ways to surprise me again and again throughout this book. Even the fact that it’s a series is (almost) surprising. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
Highlights:
Nursery Stories Turned Dark
Humorous Retelling
Murder Mystery
Unique Take
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Detective Peter Peter has his hands full when it comes to Las Fables. One would think that the nursery rhymes' characters are well-behaved, but they'd be wrong. The latest murder proves that. With the Seven Dwarves dead, Las Fables is on the cusp of something they can't avoid.
Peter Peter and his crew must work overtime to solve the murder. Unfortunately, it's not the only challenge they will face while handling this case as Las Fables slowly unravels.
My Review:
If there’s one thing I can say about Nursery Crimes, it’s that it is, by far, the most unique novel I’ve read in recent times. No, seriously. I’ve NEVER seen a take on classic fairy tales like this. I love how fun and different it is.
Well, I say fun, but Nursery Crimes is actually quite gritty. The name probably gave that away. It has a great sense of humor about itself, with the protagonist and countless other characters poking fun at their stories as we go along.
Even the best foundation means little if the writing isn’t up to par. I really enjoyed Devon Monk’s writing here. She found ways to surprise me again and again throughout this book. Even the fact that it’s a series is (almost) surprising. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
Highlights:
Nursery Stories Turned Dark
Humorous Retelling
Murder Mystery
Unique Take
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
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October 16, 2025DNFed
I was sooo excited to start reading this book, but unfortunately DNFed it 1/3 in. There are SO MANY references and allusions and shout-outs to various stories, some very obscure and some not even to nursery rhymes or fairy tales (lots of Alice in Wonderland / Through the Lookin Glass and at least one to The Wizard of Oz), and at some point it became too much. I also found the story surprisingly boring for such a unique premise. And then we have a scene with "corsets make you faint" bullshit, which is inexcusable (even if it's about a character who wouldn't know how to wear a corset properly - that whole scene is full of clichés in general. Also, why the hell was it the whole corset-bustle-garters-frills-highheels outfit in an otherwise modern-ish setting of noir Las Fables?).
I was sooo excited to start reading this book, but unfortunately DNFed it 1/3 in. There are SO MANY references and allusions and shout-outs to various stories, some very obscure and some not even to nursery rhymes or fairy tales (lots of Alice in Wonderland / Through the Lookin Glass and at least one to The Wizard of Oz), and at some point it became too much. I also found the story surprisingly boring for such a unique premise. And then we have a scene with "corsets make you faint" bullshit, which is inexcusable (even if it's about a character who wouldn't know how to wear a corset properly - that whole scene is full of clichés in general. Also, why the hell was it the whole corset-bustle-garters-frills-highheels outfit in an otherwise modern-ish setting of noir Las Fables?).
August 1, 2024
ok
Monk is a good writer who has taken a novel idea and given it a creative twist. The only problem is the extreme over use of cliches got very tiresome about 1/4 of the way through that my interest wandered. The story is reminiscent of Jasper Fforde’s ‘Nursery Crimes’ series which was very well done. Stop trying so hard with the references and spend more time on the backstories.
Monk is a good writer who has taken a novel idea and given it a creative twist. The only problem is the extreme over use of cliches got very tiresome about 1/4 of the way through that my interest wandered. The story is reminiscent of Jasper Fforde’s ‘Nursery Crimes’ series which was very well done. Stop trying so hard with the references and spend more time on the backstories.
November 13, 2024
I've always viewed adults through their wounded inner child, and this adult fable is one for the ages. Nursery Crimes delves into the idea of fate, the grief that can ensue when you are doomed to your fate, unable to rewrite your own story...and the grief (and fear) when your story changes and you are unprepared to go down a new road. Devon Monk boldly goes through the fairy tale trope, telling a story that is at once familiar and unexpected.
October 13, 2025
Amazing
From the first page, which was the most entertaining piece of writing I’ve seen in a long time, this was a story obviously written by someone who loves the stories that are at the heart of childhood, and who loves to play with language. Highly recommend.
From the first page, which was the most entertaining piece of writing I’ve seen in a long time, this was a story obviously written by someone who loves the stories that are at the heart of childhood, and who loves to play with language. Highly recommend.
July 5, 2024
Great book
Very funny. Loved the format. Wonderful characters. Reading this was lots of fun. Really really good book, and I'd like to read a sequel.
Very funny. Loved the format. Wonderful characters. Reading this was lots of fun. Really really good book, and I'd like to read a sequel.
July 6, 2024
Retelling of fables
Imaginative retelling of favorite nursery rhymes, all grown up fables. I enjoyed the character changes and the new beginnings of their stories
Imaginative retelling of favorite nursery rhymes, all grown up fables. I enjoyed the character changes and the new beginnings of their stories
July 8, 2024
Very clever re-telling of nursery rhymes. Very interesting story with a good ending.
July 8, 2024
A little heavy on the fairy tale tropes on occasion, but overall a fabulous and fun book. Can't wait for the next!
July 18, 2024
Hookey but so clever and fun. I admit to out right chuckles and sometimes loud laughter.
December 24, 2024
You know, this was weird but it was cute. It takes some really talent to run with this theme and fit the language to the story for the whole book! I’m glad I picked it up.
December 29, 2024
This was such an amazing surprise. From the minute I began reading, I fell into the cadence of an old detective noir story. Reminiscent of an old Mickey Spillane novel.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews