Midnight Riot

Midnight Riot
by Ben Aaronovitch

This is the first volume in a new series, which capitalizes effectively on the hot trend of contemporary urban fantasy. Peter Grant is a new London police constable who seems to have a touch of the paranormal to him. On one of his first major cases -- guarding a crime scene -- a witness comes up to him to report having witnessed the murder. Only...the witness is a ghost. Grant's special abilities bring him to the attention of his superiors, who assign him to become an apprentice to Scotland Yard's only magic-using detective, and Grant soon finds himself immersed in the daily grind of a copper who has to deal with demi-gods, vampires, and river spirits as part of his job. And not only that, but also all the paperwork that the paranormal generates as well. This is a marvelous introduction to Aaronovitch's gritty, realistic world. There's a lot of humor mixed in with deadly seriousness. A second volume (Moon Over Soho) is already out, and more are planned. I recommend this to any fans of the Dresden Files novels of Jim Butcher, especially if you like a strong British flavor to your urban fantasy. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library (check out Scott's monthly book column -- It's All Geek to Me!)

[ official Ben Aaronovitch web site -- including the official site for this series ]

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