PECULIAR CRIMES -- bookish post for February (oops)

 Running a little late on my personal reading goal of trying to write about what I'm reading at least once a month.

 

  I've fallen in love with a new (to me) mystery series.  It is the Peculiar Crimes Unit series by Christopher Fowler.  The series is set in London and features Bryant and May, the Unit's senior (in both senses of the word) detectives. 

These are great police procedural mysteries but there is much more to them. 

 The books are well-researched and filled with great facts and trivia about the wonderful (and sometimes not so beautiful) City of London. 

In addition, the main characters are not kids -- in fact they are sometimes described as elderly.  But yet, they are bright and active.    What's not to like!

The first one of the series that I read was plucked from the North Fort Myers Library new book shelf during my bi-weekly treasure hunt.   I made a mental note to add the series to my (ever-growing) To-Be-Read list.  The next time I went back, I found another of the series right in the same spot.  I figured this was a sign, so after I'd returned that one, I started searching the back shelves for the earlier books. 

Arthur Bryant and John May were hired as new (and very young) detectives for The Peculiar Crimes Unit, which  was formed during the London Blitz.  The purpose of the Unit was  to deal with street crimes that were occuring with greater frequency at that time.  The Unit freed regular police staff as it investigated what were understatedly referred to as 'peculiar crimes'.  It has continued through the years under various overseers.

Arthur Bryant is a genuinely eccentric character who knows the history of London inside and out (he moonlights as a walking-tour guide).  Bryant's  head is filled with facts, which may seem to be distracting, but often prove of huge help.  He works on instinct and has a stable of community characters on whom he depends on for their insights and he often uses them in ways that are not quite according to police procedure. 

John May, his partner of many years, is more a by-the-books detective.  He believes in doing the detail work and he and his staff do it.  But he works very well with -- and deeply respects -- his unusual partner.  Together and with their staff (each of whom is eccentric in his or her own way) they make a great team.

I love the characters in this series and even though the books can be  grisly, I often laugh out loud while I'm reading.   I haven't even finished the whole list yet, but I am already hoping that Mr Fowler is at home writing a new one right now! 

One caveat:  if you start this series, I recommend doing as I say not as I did and beginning at the beginning.  I caught on really quickly (as with most mystery series, enough background is repeated so that the books make sense as stand-alones), but in one case, because I started in the middle, there was a continuing case that I read the end of before I read the beginning.

   

 Our pictures show some of the London peculiarities that Arthur Bryant knows intimately and which feature in some of the ones I've read:  The British Museum,  London pubs, and the undeground subway(the Tube) .  All places that we visited and  wished we had more time to get to know!

 

Here is the list of books (so far, I hope) in order of publication:

Full Dark House

The Water Room

Seventy-Seven Clocks

Ten-Second Staircase

White Corridor

Victoria Vanishes

Bryant and May On the Loose

Bryant and May Off the Rails

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Comments

[Quotes About Life]

Sounds captivating. Thanks.

[Rita aka Cashjocky]

Sallie this sounds like a fun read. I am going to click over to Barnes and Noble and add these to my Nook. I always injoy a good mystery. Thanks for the review.

[Clair Z.]

Hello Sallie, this is my first time here. I came over from Nan's blog, Letters from Hill Farm, and dropped in because I really like the name of your blog.

Lucky for me, my library here in southern New Mexico has the first book in this series, so I've added it to my list. Thank you!

[Quasi Serendipita]

Once again books about London that I don't know about!! They sound great. I can feel my London-commuting-anxiety rising as I look at that last picture... these days I leave a little more time and take the bus!

[dianne]

I have a pile of books to read next to the pile I swore I'd be done with by now
and then there are the other piles and the shelves!!
that said, this series sounds great
I guess I'll need to find more floor space :)

[Mike B.]

Sounds somewhat similar to one I'm reading now called "Kraken" by China Mieville. Also takes place in London, also about a peculiar crimes unit, but definitely falls within the fantasy/science fiction realm.

[sandie czosek]

You make them sound good - I'm going to check them out! Thanks. sandie

[Hazel]

Your detailed photos and local history is fantastic!!!

[diane]

You're hooked!

[Annie]

Thanks, Sallie, for this long ad interesting review ! I don't know if these books are translated in French but I hope it !

[Margot]

Oh Sallie, I think you have uncovered a gem of a series. These sound very good. The best books for me have what you mentioned - great characters and a story that makes me laugh out loud.

I checked my library's website to see if they have any of them and they do have four. You have me eager to read these. Next I'm going to check the Kindle Store. Thanks in advance for many pleasurable reading.

[Genie Robinson]

Oh golly Miss Molly, Sallie. I adore British mysteries. How could you tempt me so when I am already up to my neck with school and then the E-Course on Photoshop I am taking from Kin Klassen. I try to read 1 chapter a night and 1 at school in another book each day. If I have too many bad kids in my suspension room then I do not the read, but I really hang in there for that chapter before nodding off. I am going to get the first one of this series for my iPad...can’t wait.I adore the Aunt Dimnity Series ...do you know about it? It is not bloody but it surely is fun. I just love reading all of your comments on my pictures. The ones I am posting now on the Climbing blog are mainly ones I have been working on for my class. You can certainly tell the difference. If I go a few days without commenting so not fear...I am looking but do not have the time to type out my responses. I am having to let some of the memes stay on hold for a bit, but once the class is over I will get back to it. Don’t give up on me....I am still looking. Hugs...G

[Lady Fi]

Sounds like a great series... Will definitely have to check this out.

[Sondra]

Hi Sallie, the book series sounds great, I love a good Who Done IT Mystery...
I enjoy listening to Audio books and I have heard many of the ALpahbet Series of Sue Grafton, and I went through all of Sue Henry's RV Traveler and Alaska Series...and Tony Hillerman's all of his--(loved his work too bad he is no longer with us)books are such a great addition to life!!

[Judy Friend]

Hi Sallie, the books sound very interesting. I will have to add the author to my summer reading. With working full time I just don't have the time during the week and by the weekend I'm trying to catch up on other stuff. Since I am a Kindle person I will check them out on Amazon and download the first in the series. Hope you are enjoying this great weather we are having. Jude

[Arti]

I love to read such books, I am a big fan of Dan brown!!
Will check if can lay my hands on these books!!
Have a great day:)

[Carletta]

I'm always looking for something different. It sounds fun.
I particularly like series if I've liked the first book and don't want it to end.

[Martha Z]

This sounds like something we might like, I'll have to check the library.

[Marilyn]

I like the sound of these books and being set in London appeals to me too. I spent some time there many years ago and would love to revisit even if it is in fiction.

[Mickie Brown]

Sallie, thank you so much for the nice comments on my blog--I really appreciate them. It is a little difficult to keep up with everyone--becoming a fulltime job (but a "fun" one). There are just so many creative people out there that do so many great things. The book series looks interesting--I'm always glad to have someone's recommendation-thanks. Your night-blooming cactus shot was beautiful--yes, all our thoughts are with the people of Japan. Such a lovely way to spend an evening--sitting on the dock enjoying the sky, the friendly "visitors", a glass of wine, and the peace and quiet that envelopes the area. I'd like to be there doing just that. Have a great week. Mickie