It's not Porn!

Grammer.

I do not think grammer  is wonderful, but it is nessesary.  I once went to a letter writing course through work. Now I have completed pretty much all of the "learnings" that my department can offer, however these courses are mandatory so a colleague and I went along. It was possibly the best course that I have ever been on. Admitedly a loony came and sat next to me, as always. But it was informative and fun. 

The reason I am bringing this up is because in my post about 50 Shades of Grey I recomended  Midnight Riot. I may have inadvertantly inferred that it was erotic literiture. 

Well it's not. 

I would like to apologise toanyone who ran out and brought it on that premise. You may have been disapointed with the lack of steamy licenciousness/ But hopefully not with the story.

So what it it about?

 Peter Grant is a young policeman in the London met. He is ambitious, intelligent and doomed to a life of paperwork. But while working a murder case in Covent gardern his life is changed after he finds an eyewitness to the crime. But Peters problem is that the witness is also dead.  Peters encounter with the ghost also introduces him to Inspector Nightingale and the world of paranormal investigation. 

Ensue mysterious hyjinks.

I liked this book very much.  I was reading this while I was meant to be reading Fifity shades of Grey.  But this was more fun, and the writing is considerably better

Ben Aaronovitch the author has done extensive research into police procedure and also research into jazz, mythology and African English culture. The character Peter Grant is African and this aspect of the narrative is well written into the story. I used to live in South London and I had quite a few Nigerians as neighbors, and reading about his mum brought back fond memories of Elephant and Castle for me.

The characters are believable and the story is well told.  Ben Aaronovitch is a highly experienced writer who mainly writes teleplays. He is well known for writing Doctor Who stories, and this is his first book. But it is a good one. He balances Peters (and our) introduction to this paranormal London with the mysteries this London contain without losing pace with the investigation.

You could make some comparisons to Jim Butchers  Dresden files but I think this book is much better.  While both being about urban fantasy, Aaronovitch has created a more plausible and likeable character and world.

If  you think this might be your sort of thing then try it.

Eight magical Monkeys

P.S. IT IS NOT PORN