Splashing into the Rivers of London

I’d seen this author and series pop up from time to time in CBR, and my curiosity finally overcame my aversion to jumping into a series. How could I continue to ignore the siren call of that terrific cover?!

I am ever-so-glad that I went ahead and judged a book by its cover, because I thoroughly enjoyed this police-procedural-gone-off-the-rails. It had all of the inner workings of the police bureaucracy that I, for some reason  find strangely enthralling. The officers had all of the spark of Tana French’s detective teams without the perpetual doom and gloom (which I love- don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you just want something fun). Things do get dark; gore, murder, and the like- but it’s all wrapped up in a swift moving and oddly educational story.

Sometimes you just want to sit down and get lost in a barrage of both the familiar and the strange. The every day people of London and its many neighborhoods play host to many things that go bump in the night; there are ghosts, trolls, gods- all the old favorites. Speaking of old, this novel also serves as a crash course in the history of London and the mighty river that gives it life. I particularly enjoyed the segues that dealt with architecture, theater, and modern office design. There’s something for everyone!

Speaking of everyone, this novel also features a diverse roster of first-rate characters. People from many corners of the world are represented, for the most part, with respect and care. I was a little wary at first with the grand statements made about people of different races, creeds, and beliefs by a white author, but when I did a little research it seems that he is often pointed out as an author who strives towards intersectionality, so hooray! If I am mistaken here PLEASE let me know; I do not want to throw my support towards people who throw others aside.

I look forward to spending more time in this weird but oddly familiar world.