I am delighted to share my review today for the 2nd book in the Rivers of London series. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch sees Constable Peter Grant investigating the deaths of Jazz Men under the leadership of his mentor DCI Nightingale.

The song. That’s what London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho’s 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body—a sure sign that something about the man’s death was not at all natural but instead supernatural.

Body and soul. They’re also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace—one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered promise of a young jazz musician: a talented trumpet player named Richard “Lord” Grant—otherwise known as Peter’s dear old dad.

MY REVIEW

Having read the first book in the series, I knew I wanted to continue with this. Book 2 follows on from the first book and continues with the same humour and madcap antics of Constable Peter Grant. He is not only a constable but also an apprentice with one of the force’s most minor departments. It is run by one man who is supposed to take it easy.

Peter’s wingman was left with a large section of her jaw missing after being caught in a magical crossfire. While on leave, she offers to help Peter with his latest case. It has family connections. Jazz men are being murdered, and Peter can detect the remnants of music on their bodies. He has been brought in because of this and works alongside the ‘standard’ officers in the MET.

Once again this is a fabulous read, it is fast-paced and brings back some characters that I had met in the first book, those being the relations of Mother Thames. As Peter investigates he comes into contact with wanna-be Jazzmen, this is where his father’s love of Jazz comes into its own and it is why Peter is an invaluable asset in this case.

Where there is one body another will follow, and another and yeah you guessed it another. As the bodies line up the mystery deepens and some wonder what is behind these murders. It is a dark force and one that Peter is not equipped to stand up to, although he does try, dear of him! He is still in the early stages of learning his magical craft, and this is proving something that does need a lot of practice.

I think one of the things that I enjoy about this series is the way the magic sits side by side as such with the normal everyday stuff. Only certain people are aware of the department and it works well. Peter is not a mixer so he is rather suited to working with one other person.

I also really enjoy the journey around the streets of London, its back alleys, its dodgy areas and also all the other weird and wonderful things that the author brings into his story.

As I mentioned I am enjoying this series and it is one that fans of urban fantasy and mystery genres will most likely enjoy. I do think that reading this series in order is good as the first book gives a great basis for the characters and the way things work. Fabulous second book and I am looking forward to the next one. I would definitely recommend this and the first book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ben Aaronovitch’s career started with a bang writing for Doctor Who, subsided in the middle and then, as is traditional, a third act resurgence with the bestselling Rivers of London series.

Born and raised in London he says that he’ll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.

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