Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch – review

The publisher’s book description:

BODY AND SOUL 
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.

What I expected:  Having read and enjoyed Midnight Riot earlier this year, I expected to like this new story of Peter Grant’s adventures.  Of course, since this is the second book, all the freshman stuff has already been taken care of, we know the main players and their situations and surroundings, so I also expected to get more story for my money in this one.  I expected more investigative work, more supernatural bad guys, and, of course, more magic.

What I got:  I got more and less than I expected.  I was a little disappointed in the amount of Grant’s study and experimentation.  Of course there is quite a bit that happens behind the scenes that we hear about, but I would have liked to have that a little more up front.  Even though I stink at actual scientific method work, I enjoy reading about it.  Because it fascinates me completely.  I love hearing about experimentation and each new iteration of something with differing variables to attempt a set result. 

I was very happy to see that the investigation was handled mostly by Grant, as Nightingale stayed in the background due to being somewhat out of commission from the events in the first book.  I did not expect the very clever and historically interesting background to the central mystery, and was pleasantly surprised by it.  Aaronovitch has now expanded what I expect from this series, and I hope that the next installment, which I am very much looking forward to, doesn’t disappoint!

What I enjoyed:  I love the character of Peter Grant.  I love his attitude, the way he approaches magic, the way he works with and around the police systems, and his voice.  He’s fun to listen to.  I enjoy the way he tweaks the nose of his teacher, how he does the right thing while groaning the entire time, how he is considerate of others without being sappy and overly solicitous.  I also like the little glimpses into his past and his family.  I love how he approaches magic as a scientific playground – a mad scientist with a new element to study!

What I did not enjoy:  Grant’s romantic entanglement with a person connected to an official police investigation seemed a bit out of character for him.  It is quite possible that the nature of the person he becomes entangled with had a big hand in it, but I would have expected for Grant to have twigged to that nearly right away.  The jazz tunes involved alerted me immediately.  But we are all fallible, and I don’t suppose there is anything wrong with finding someone to enjoy time with.  I just felt that not only the portents but also the fact that she was connected to an investigation would have steered him clear – no matter the attraction.

Cover Thoughts: Like the first, this cover is so very Americanized.  It is showcasing violence and destruction rather than anything else.  From the cover a prospective, reader might infer that this is some sort of book version of a first person shooter video game.  I do think the cover is attractive,–it was well crafted and all of the elements blend well–but I just don’t feel that it fits the atmosphere of the story.

Would I recommend this book, and if so, to whom?  I would most definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book, and also to those who enjoy stories about detectives who use magic and include one or more supernatural beings.  If you like Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden, John Levitt’s Mason and Louie, or even Andrews’ Kate Daniels or Monk’s Allie Beckstrom, you will most likely enjoy this series, as well.  So if you are waiting for Ghost Story or sad about having just finished Magic Slays or disappointed that there are no more Mason and Louie stories forthcoming, you might want to give this new series a shot.