Number 11 in the Bryant and May series, and a cracking good read. As I suspected last time, Mr Merry is the new villain but with a good twist. This story is more Bryant's than May's, the more eccentric detective having the lion's share this time around, but that is fitting as it is Bryant who has to face his childhood fears and ultimately prevail. The crimes are the usual strange blend of the surreal and the ridiculous, being body snatching and stealing the ravens from the Tower of London, and are nicely interwoven.

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Another great addition to this series. The mystery is well written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Bryant and May are on the case(s) and of course have new oversight. ( )

This was so much fun. Good old-fashioned detective work pitted against the modern technology of police work. It is sort of like Columbo went to London. For me the best part was the location, Bloomsbury, one of my favorite places in London. The quirky characters make me want to read more of this series. What a PBS show this book series would make. ( )

Once again Christopher Fowler delivers! Littered with quirky facts about London, this was again a delightful read. As always the PCU is under threat, this time mainly because their methods don't conform with those of 'modern' policing.

The novel was a "back number" for me, #11 in the series. The crimes are peculiar: a corpse apparently rising from its coffin despite being buried two days earlier, a young man of promise is killed in a hit and run, and someone has stolen the ravens from the Tower of London.

Excellent characterization and fascinating threads to the story. ( )

I m horrified. I received this book from the Early Reviewers program back in December. I really thought I had reviewed it and only now realized that I had failed to do so. I apologize a hundred times!

I've read this author's book Plastic a while back and it was so funny and entertaining that I simply had to give the Bryant and May series a try. These guys are pure gold! Two elderly detectives on the Peculiar Crimes Unit in London, they are the quintessential Odd Couple. But boy do they work well together and nothing seems to faze them... not zombies or wizardry or body snatching or kittens in the unit. Certainly not their commander. Well written, full of humor and a good mystery to boot! I will be going back for the rest of the books in the series.

Recommended! ( )