Moon Over Soho

By Ben Aaronovitch
Second in the series, the first of which I wrote about last year, which you're welcome to read about for the core concept, but if you can't be bothered, the Metropolitan Police's last surviving detective magician is a bit surprised to find a viable apprentice. Together they keep London safe from those threats that most coppers wouldn't believe in.
The book is good, in a not especially demanding manner. Constable Grant, the apprentice investigates a series of deaths which might or might not be related to hypothetical jazz vampires, DI Nightingale recovers from injuries sustained in the last book and does not give Grant anything like the bollocking he deserves for various bits of hugely unprofessional conduct.
We get some more history of English magic, with tempting hints about just why there are so few surviving practitioners, and Nightingale's ability to destroy a Mark III Tiger with one shot. These things are related, I suspect most of his peers weren't as handy with a fireball. I don't really want to burble on all about the details, scant as they are.
All good fun, despite the unusually downbeat ending. Next book is due in a few months time, I might even read it before it's been sat on a shelf for eight months.
Did I say before, (checks), yes, I remain surprised at the lack of news of the TV series. Aaronovitch is, let's face it, someone who started off as a TV writer (two McCoy era Dr Who stories, good ones at a point that wasn't a given) and the Rivers of London series does at times seem to be waving placards suggesting a series. Eternal Law and Demons shows that ITV is still fishing about looking for a modern fantasy answer to Doctor Who, and if I were in that job, this is one I'd be looking at hard.
Young, charismatic, mixed race lead. Silver haired mentor with seriously flash car and more history than you'd expect. Plucky WPC to ask the sensible questions. Sinister housekeeping.... something. There's even a comedy dog and an Asian pathologist.
Now I'd be the first to admit, so far very attempt by ITV to get into this market have fallen flat on their face, but I'm telling you - sooner or later someone's going to give this a go, and it just doesn't seem like BBC material. ITV do seem to like dabbling with the modern day fantasy genre, and they seem rather more prepared to try something aimed at grownups. OK, the Beeb did have the Life on Mars series, though the whole time travel aspect was mainly an excuse for retro, and a means of showing up the racism and sexism of the times without having to seem to approve of it.
It'll come. And I shall probably be hugely disappointed by how badly they do it, and yet still sorry to see it cancelled after only one series.

Snuff

By Terry Pratchett
I can't believe that anyone who's not brand new to this blog (and if you are, welcome) would have the slightest doubt that a new Discworld book was a joy to behold. Especially given that at some point, probably sooner rather than later, we will be delivered The Final Discworld book. An embuggerance indeed.
So, a new Discworld. A new Sam Vimes story at that. Of course I enjoyed it. Of the Discworld sub-series I've always liked the Watch best, the police procedural works nicely thank you.
There's a darkness to this book. Snuff. Powdered tobacco? Killing? Both play their part, along with slavery and genocide.
The goblins being enslaved and slaughtered are less than human, pathetic creatures living in squalor, which is surely one of the classic justifications for any manner of inhumanity.
As should come as very little surprise, there's barely a pause between Vimes finding out about such goings on, his resolve to do something about it and his recruiting the first goblin constable. There is then murder, skulduggery and boats to be saved from the suddenly flooded river, all while Sam strives to offend only the people Lady Sybil wants him to and give Young Sam the country holiday he deserves, complete with samples for his growing collection of poo.
It's great fun, moving along at such a rollicking pace that you barely notice the holes in the plot, and when you do, you don't especially care. There is a big unanswered question as to the nature of the supernaturally useful goblin 'Stinky', but the test is tied up pretty well.
It's a new Discworld. That was really all I needed to say.

And sorry, I thought I'd posted this about a month ago...