In this story, the team are still reeling from events at the end of the previous book in the series, but must knuckle down to investigate an unexplained death on the London Underground, while still attempting to recapture the serial killer Mr Fox.

The story held my interest from start to finish and I enjoyed the interplay of the various characters as they try to deal with an odd household of students. There was some good action as when DS Longbridge has a run-in with Mr Fox. The setting, using the tube and some of the history associated with it, was also intriguing, and we finally get to know the true story of Mr Fox, who he really is, and the reason for his murderous career, which was satisfying as at least the author has not dragged out the story of his escape and recapture into more books, as some other writers might have been tempted to do. ( )

In this seventh B & M mystery, it is a few weeks after the disbanding of the Peculiar Crimes Unit at the end of 'The Victoria Vanishes' by their arch-enemy Kasavian. Arthur Bryant is sinking into depression, not even wanting to see his partner May. May makes an attempt to appeal to Kasavian's subordinate, when one of the team members finds a headless body in the King's Cross area while doing some casual work, on the basis that the area is being redeveloped for the 2012 Olympics and other things, and a loss of public confidence could damage that, with investors perhaps pulling out. But he gets nowhere.

Then Bryant's interest is rekindled at the news that a man is dressing up as an antlered figure in the area and possibly assaulting or kidnapping women. Another headless body is discovered in the same area. Eventually, the unit is given a limited remit to reform, but has to manage without access to normal police facilities and set up shop in a derelict ex-warehouse that was once used by an occult society. As with other B & M's the folklore of old London, and the past is interwoven into the events of the present. The only thing that held me back from a 5 star award is the ending, although I also get the impression that the story will be followed up in a later book. ( )

The Peculiar Crimes Unit is again under attack, decommissioned and unhoused. But a decapitation in a rapidly developing part of London gives them some wiggle room. Is it ancient legends? Or something else? ( )

Not really paranormal, more of a police procedural with overlays of paranormal for flavor. The PCU has been closed but these detectives just won’t quit. This puts them against an all too human but still very evil human opponent, as well as the weight of the British police establishment. I need to find the rest of the series. ( )

Depressing beginning and sad ending with a whole lot of entertainment & education in between. ( )