To escape all the tragic news last Friday I started reading The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. It worked like a charm, by end of Sunday I was also done with Moon Over Soho and now on Wednesday I’m in the middle of Whispers Under Ground.

I promised myself to take a break after Moon Over Soho, but couldn’t stop myself.

It’s pure entertainment. A procedural with slight touch of magic. Not taking itself too seriously, not related to Scandinavian or typically British procedurals, it leaves behind their darkness and damaged detectives. PC Grant has a gift, but also has numerous flaws, being easily distracted and very curious being two main ones.

Plot relatively simple, but keeps you interested. Characters sometimes a touch too sketchy, but for me the main character is London and her history. I came to London five years ago and while I picked up the main historical and anecdotal references there’s still a lot for me to learn, those books definitely proved it. It happened several times that I had to google something to understand the reference made and it ended up in me spending another half hour reading about London history.

I like the language a lot, cheeky and distanced, but never cold. Aaronovitch seems to genuinely like his characters and makes them likable.

While reading Moon Over Soho I was convinced that The Rivers of London was better, that’s why my resolution to take a break after Moon… When I got to the ending it was so good I just couldn’t stop myself and right away started on Whispers Under Ground.

Good entertainment and great way to find out a bit more about the city I live in.

More to come, I already have some funny quotes picked.

Have you read the books? Like it? Hate it?

Photo by Violetta Kaszubowska