Although I enjoyed Ben Aaronovich’s Rivers of London I did find myself frequently stopping and thinking “do I like this? Really?”.

A supernatural murder mystery set in today’s London of coffee shops, mobile phones and traffic jams might not be to everyone’s taste, but you may well want to give it a chance. It’s the kind of book you’ll either be a great fan of or entirely frustrated by.

Clearly very influenced by Terry Prachett, Aaronovitch comes with all the master’s strengths and weaknesses. There’s a strong momentum and lightheartedness that makes the book easy to read but the flippancy isn’t always going to be to everyone’s taste.

There’s also a steady stream of new and eccentric characters. While I’m aware this is what people love about Prachett for me it makes him almost unreadable. There was a time that even one vampire in a book was seen as “plenty” but we live in an age dear reader where if you haven’t introduced at least a half dozen new mythological beasts in each chapter you are somehow behind the times.

I’m the sort that is so easily pleased that one supernatural beastie on the rampage through London would be enough, so three dozen incidental sprites, ghouls, ghosts, vampires and wizards leaves me jaded and listless. This is the stylistic equivalent of a cola addicted ten year old where everything has to be action and the lack of space to breath means we lose the possibility of depth.

I don’t want to be mean because the book has a certain something. It’s written in a personable style and is trying to entertain with a worthwhile story. Certainly most of what lets the book down for me others will find a strength, with one exception. The story’s central who-done-it aspect is comprehensively undermined by the publisher’s decision to publish a picture of the murderer on the cover of the book. Not cool people, not cool.

All in all Rivers of London was worth dipping into but whether it has its hooks into me enough to buy the sequels… well, we’ll see.

 

13 Comments

  1. In all cases, you need before you’ll be able to unlock your iPhone to
    jailbreak it first. It gives you the message above
    and discovers that it’s in fact jailbroken if successfully.

  2. Parents and the other adults of the house used this monster to frighten us in order to
    make us listen to them.

  3. organizmu says:

    Każdy spośród nas zetknął się z problemem, rekomenduję zapoznanie się z materiałem.

    swim test kraków, swim test kraków grochowska

  4. Jamison says:

    This browser stands at the very top of the items in terms of usability
    and affordability. If is above 3.41, downgrade your PS3 with it.
    no should buy another jailbreak devices. This method includes jailbreaking your phone first.

  5. While pheromones for women aare available in both fragrance and concentrate form, thhe use
    of them mirrors the same rules as it does for the
    men. When you find these stations, you’ll easily be able to upgrade
    your weapons in Bioshock for free. Does the product information clearly indicate that pheromones are present, what type they are and in what quantity.

  6. This really is definitely a plus to signing on with this kind of a
    website. Cross Dressing Guide – Learn everything about feminization and pass as a genetic female today.
    Lately, on the web there has been growing improve in the amount of Asian cam performers, the reason why for this differ.

  7. If you wish for to take much from this piece of writing
    then you have to apply such techniques to
    your won blog.

  8. hipnosis says:

    Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to
    put this short article together. I once again find myself
    personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  9. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
    and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be
    benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  10. Mɑy I simply just say what a comfoгt to discover a ρerson that really understands
    what they are discussіng on the internet. You ɗefinitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make
    it imрoгtant. More and more people must check this out and սnderstand this side of yoսr story.

    I was surprised that you are not more popular given thɑt ʏou certainly possess
    the ɡift.

  11. Shannon says:

    WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for escorts

  12. gelang event says:

    menurut saya bllog yang anda tulis ini menjadi inspirasi
    banyak orang. Thank you gan.

  13. keren dan bagus sangat mempermudah sekali aftikel ini gan.
    Benar-benar meningkatkan wawasan saya. Salam kenal

Leave a Reply to monster high dress up games frankie