Published by: Gollancz
Genre: Crime / Fantasy
Blurb on the back of the cover
Something violently supernatural had happened, something strong enough to leave an imprint on the corpse of part-time jazz saxophonist Cyrus Wilkinson as if he were a wax cylinder recording. He's not the first musician to drop dead of a heart attack right after a gig, but no one was going to let me start examining corpses to check for supernatural similarities. Instead, it was back to old-fashioned police legwork. It didn't take me long to realise there were monsters stalking Soho, creatures feeding off the gift that separates great musicians from those who can raise a decent tune. What they take is beauty. What they leave behind is broken lives.
And as I hunted them my investigation got tangled up in another story: a brilliant trumpet player, Richard 'Lord' Grant - my father - who managed to destroy his own career. Twice.
Policing: most of the time you're doing it to maintain public order. Occasionally you're doing it for justice. And, maybe once in a career, you're doing it for revenge.
My Review
The Rivers of London books are one of my favourite fantasy series. I have read up to book 6. I read that one recently and realised so much time had passed, I forgot some crucial details, so I decided to go back to the beginning.
First Impressions
It was a while ago, but I recall that I loved the first book (Rivers of London) enough to buy the next two (Moon over Soho and Whispers Underground) at the same time.
The upside
Moon over Soho is a mystery about jazz musicians who are being killed just after they perform at clubs in the area of Soho. No one knows how or why, but it's clear that something supernatural is going on. Which is why PC Peter Grant is called to the case.
Peter Grant is one of my favourite fictional characters. He is a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter, with a sprinkle of Dr Who. What's not to like? Having gotten to know this character over the series, going back to the earlier books reminded me of the journey he has taken. He was a new police officer in book one (and somewhat inept). In this one he is still green - and still quite inept. Which provides comedy value. That said, he is nobody's fool and he delivers professionally when he needs to. He makes for a better apprentice wizard, learning quickly from the master (his boss, Nightingale).
I like a good mystery and this one kept me interested all the way.
The downside
There was none
The verdict
Moon over Soho is a really fun read. Amusing and hugely entertaining.
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