Here’s what I’ve learned after reading just two books in Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London urban fantasy series. It doesn’t pay to be Peter Grant’s girlfriend. Moon Over Soho, the second book in the series, provides another series of educational adventures for the young police officer turned wizard’s apprentice.

Dr. Walid is the one who originally calls in Peter Grant while Grant’s boss, DCI Thomas Nightingale, is recuperating after being shot. A jazz musician, Cyrus Wilkinson, dropped dead in a pub two days earlier. It appeared to be a heart attack, but Dr. Walid detected, and suspects, magic. Peter, the son of a jazz legend, Richard “Lord” Grant, recognizes the saxophone solo rising from the corpse, “Body and Soul”. It’s a song that will lead Peter into multiple clubs around Soho, involving him the search for answers as to why jazz musicians died before their time. And, Peter will also become involved with Simone Fitzwilliam, Cyrus’ lover.

While investigating, Peter recognizes magic books that he’s using as textbooks. Nightingale fears they may be dealing with a black magician who uses magic to cause injury to others. And, that investigation grows more dangerous the deeper they go into the past.

At the same time, Grant assists while others are looking for a “Pale Lady” who attacks men. Unfortunately, he makes the mistake of sending a god to do a policeman’s work. The attack on young Ash Thames threatens all agreements with the river gods. And, Peter’s actions in rescuing the young god threaten the wizards’ finances.

While this urban fantasy series fascinates me, I’ll admit I had a hard time remembering the victims, and which case they were involved in. There were a few too many named victims, all male, in both investigations, and I couldn’t keep them straight.

Saying that, it’s fascinating to watch Peter Grant’s growth as a young wizard. The police officer with a scientist’s curiosity is still experimenting. He has a long way to go to compete with black magicians. And, he has a long way to go if he’s ever to keep a girlfriend.

The series is witty and clever, with its own history. Moon Over Soho marks a period of growth and exploration for our young wizard-in-training.

Ben Aaronovitch’s blog is at http://temporarilysignificant.blogspot.com

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch. Ballantine Books, 201l. ISBN 9780345524591 (paperback), 288p.

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