Every Sunday we are taking a look at the world of books. I read a lot and always want to share my opinions on what I read, so I thought it would be fun to write reviews. Today we are looking at a book that has crime, mystery and gore.

Rivers Of London (2011)

Ben Aaronovitch

Synopsis

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else).

My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit – we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to – and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May.

Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluble, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden …and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos – or die trying.

– from Waterstones

Positive Points

If you like the sci-fi and gore then this could be a book that you would be interested in. The story starts off engaging and fast paced with a mystery to solve in the police force. It is a book that has elements that feel like Doctor Who so if you are a fan of that then you will enjoy the surprises and twists and turns of this book.

Negative Points

I found that this book was incredibly gruesome at points that I personally was not a fan. I also found parts of it were surreal and as a reader I did not enjoy it at times.

Overall Review

If you are a fan of sci fi murder mysteries then this is a book for you. It is part of a series so if you enjoy this book then there are more to read as well. It can feel very random at times but if you like this sort of genre then stick with it.

Rating : *** 3 Stars