Moon Over Soho

Moon Over Soho (2011) Ben Aaronovitch

Peter Grant is not just a constable in the London’s Metropolitan Police, he’s also the Met’s only apprentice magician. And while he’s governor/master is recovering from being shot, Peter’s on his own probably more than he should be.

So it is Peter who is called in when Dr. Walid discovers something unusual with what was originally thought to be a natural death.

“You can’t die of jazz,” said Dr. Walid. “Can you?”

I thought of Fats Navarro, Billie Holiday, and Charlie parker who, when he died, was mistaken by a coroner for a man twice his real age.

“You know,” I said, “I think you’ll find you can.”

I find that passage both fabulous and horribly, depressingly true.

First and foremost, let me say that I appreciate that each book is its own story arc. There are bits left for the next story, but we aren’t left hanging.

Second, I was very glad to see Leslie back. And although the bit at the end is a tease, I didn’t mind it because it gave hope for Leslie, which she badly needed.

Thirdly, I just enjoyed the writing.

“No hardware connections, no USB ports, three-inch floppy disks that they don’t make anymore–this is security through obsolescence.

That really cracked me up.

If you haven’t read the first book, Midnight Riot, I highly recommend you read that first. I don’t think you’ll need to read it to understand what is happening in this book, but I think it would be worth your while.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Del Rey

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