Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Rivers of London


Until recently, Peter Grant was a probationary constable in that mighty army for justice know to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and to everyone else as the Filth). His only real concern in life was how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit (they who make a "valuable contribution" to policing by doing the paperwork so real coppers don't have to). Then, on his last night as a probie, he takes a witness statement from a gentleman who, despite being already dead, is still disturbingly voluble. This brings him to the attention of Chief Inspector Nightingale who, aside from being the head (and sole member) of the most specialist unit at Scotland Yard, is also the last wizard in England. And that's when the story really starts...

Ben Aaronavitch's novel has been described as what could have happened if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Old Bill. Rivers of London is set in a very vividly real world with the unreal intersected to marvellous and often comedic effect.

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