Bryant & May On The Loose: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
Volume 7 in the Peculiar Crimes Unit series which stretches at this time to 10 volumes. Following the closure ofcthe PCU due to a beaurocratic loophole, the volume starts with the team scattered and Arthur practically a bed bound recluse but following the discovery of a headless corpse and sightings of a figure resembling an ancient fertility figure and protector of the green, the team comes back together. As always, its Arthur Bryant, an octogenarian detective with a penchant for the bizarre, the hidden histories and the just plain peculiar that steals the book with his younger (by 3 years) sidekick John May trying to rein in his weirder and more out there schemes and ideas. The rest of the PCU also play their part and the mystery at the heart of the book is up there with the best in the series. This is either book 7 or 8 (can't quite tell) about police detectives working for the "Peculiar Crime Unit" in London. Unfortunately, this is the first one I've read, and it opens with the PCU having been disbanded after upset their superiors a few too many times and all the detectives sitting around depressed and broke, trying to work out what they should do next. The exposition and character development all happened (I assume) way back in the first couple of books, so you didn't really get to know the characters in the way you do when you read things in the right order. Despite this, it was enjoyable. The author's aim is to write "Golden Age mysteries" set in the modern world, and the somewhat curmudgeonly detectives find themselves re-banded, temporarily and unofficially, when headless bodies start turning up in the Kings Cross regeneration project. I liked how the modern murder case and logical detecting work was mixed up with some of the old myths, legends and histories of the area. I'd definitely like to read more - the question is whether I go back to the beginning to pick up on the character development, or whether I follow through the hints for what comes next, as they were left with a very strong set-up for the next book in the series and it's definitely piqued my curiosity. Or, more probably, do I read them in random order as they turn up in the library? Has anyone else read them? Any thoughts?
What do You think about Bryant & May On The Loose: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery (2009)?
The evil Mr. Fox is introduced. Longbright has second-sight. The PCU loses one of its own.
—lizzie
Still one of the best series I have read. I've already ordered the next installment.
—Jayne
Another gripping installment. Bit of a cliff hanger. Can't wait for the next!
—miltonlass
Another installment in one of my favorite series!
—aneeqah30
