Cool Covers of the Future

Broken Homes didn't make it on to my Top Ten as I spotted the new cover only moments ago over at The Folly.  Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to Peter Gant's latest adventure, even though the last two books haven't lived up to the amazing Rivers of London.  Most of all I'm glad they've kept with the same style of cover - don't you just hate it when they change mid-series? - as they're really very clever and I haven't seen anything similar yet.

 

 

Whispers Underground

I was really impressed with Ben Aaronovitch's first book, Rivers of London, but not so much by the second offering, Moon Over Soho.  However, I was prepared to forgive a 'sophmore slump' and hoped that Whispers Under Ground would be a return to form.

It's December, and Peter Gant is investigating the death of a young American artist who was found at Baker Street tube station.  With Inspector Nightingale busy, the case leads Peter to into the hidden depths of the London Underground, with an FBI agent hot on his heels.  

As always, Aaronovitch's knowledge of London is impressive, as is the way he weaves said knowledge into the story seamlessly.  However, I didn't feel that much happened or engaged with Peter's investigation until the last hundred pages.  In some instances it felt that Aaronovitch was shunning the magic aspect of the series for a more conventional set up.  I had been told by another reader that more was revealed about the faceless man, but this was not the case.  Or at least not in a substantial way that would make me eager for the next instalment.  Perhaps when Aaronovitch has a plan for the series and knows where it will end the stories will improve and he will exploit their full potential.  Nonetheless, Whispers Under Ground is a very well written, witty and informative piece of fiction and well worth a read. 

Rivers Of London & Moon Over Soho

I reserved Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London after a recommendation from a good friend.  While we have different tastes, we're both fans of Harry Potter and so it's not surprising that she read ROL as it is described as if 'Harry grew up and joined the fuzz'.  It isn't as literal as that but it is definitely a good line to use for those who have trepidation into delving into the paranormal/fantasy genre.  Or for those who have grown up with the Potter books and are now looking for a more adult read without all the sexy time that vampire novels seem to be so concerned with.


Peter Gant has just finished his probationary period with the MET, and is afraid that he's going to be stuck on desk duty, rather than being a 'proper' copper.  After a strange meeting while guarding a crime scene, Peter is informed the next day that he is to join the Economic and Specialist Crime Unit.  The only other member of the unit is DCI Nightingale, and Peter is required to move to 'The Folly' where he is inducted into the world of the supernatural.
What follows is a good crime story, with plenty of twists so at times I had no idea what to expect next.   There's a few parts that are obvious, but I'm willing to overlook them because I love that Aaronovitch can appropriately distribute his vast knowledge of London and it's history throughout the book.

The second book in the series, Moon Over Soho, picks up a few months after the events of ROL, this time Peter's efforts are focused on the Jazz scene in, yes you guessed it, Soho.  There's two cases on the go: a woman who has been dismembering males, and a man found dead at a jazz club.  I don't think I enjoyed this tale as much.  I wasn't in a rush to finish it which is normally a bad sign.  I felt that there was an element of trying too hard to set up an ongoing series, and that this book was merely a bridge between the first novel and what is to come.  However, I'm still putting Whispers Under Ground (Book 3) on my wishlist, and would definitely recommend to anyone who's fan of paranormal crime fiction.