Bryant & May on the Loose

Bryant & May on the Loose (2009) Christopher Fowler

At the close of Victoria Vanishes, the PCU was disbanded, the staff placed on leave, and Bryant remains at home, barely able to get out of bed and slowly slipping away.

However, the accidental discovery of a body by a staff member at loose ends brings the group back together, at least for a time, as they attempt to discover a link between the headless bodies and a man haunting the area while dressed as a stag.

The start of the story is almost a perfect treatise on why you need to keep busy when you retire–Bryant is dying by inches, not from any thing, but instead from a lack of reason to get out of bed in the morning.

One of the things I was particularly fascinated by was the history of the horned god as it related to the area, to the green man, and how all of it was subsumed by Christianity–there is a good deal of history in this story, all of which I found fascinating.

It was also interesting–although more than a little depressing–to see how the various members of the PCU reacted to the loss of their jobs. I think I found Janice’s reaction the most interesting. Of course I can’t say much else along those lines without big giant spoilers. Nevertheless I liked seeing her change.

I am still enjoying this series, and await the publishing of the next book in paperback. (Sorry Christopher Fowler. It’s nothing personal, I just dislike hard back books.)
Rating: 8/10

Published by

• Browse the archives:
  
• Daughter of Fortune » »
• « « Ghost of a Chance