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Original poster

If I like Rivers of London

59 replies

PlayOnWurtz · 12/08/2017 16:44

What else should I read? I like fantasy set in real places which I realise is a bit of a niche!

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TheRattleBag · 29/08/2017 14:53

Try 'The Glass Books Of The Dream Eaters' by Gordon Dahlquist. It has two sequels too whose names escape me. Very strange but weirdly enjoyable! Set in Victorian times, but not quite as we know them.

AlpacaLypse · 29/08/2017 14:47

While merrily downloading free books for a sunny beach holiday - therefore mostly HEA romances - I discovered Emily Larkin. Since they were freebies I hadn't even bothered to read the blurb. So there I was, reading what seemed to be a standard Jane Austen era set romance, when suddenly Magic comes in. The first of the series, Unmasking Miss Appleby, is still free. Well researched, intelligent, and written in English english.

whatashower · 19/08/2017 12:52

A great big huge vote for the Bryant and May series, total joy and magical on audiobook as well.

SoupDragon · 18/08/2017 15:10

The skyscraper series by Tom Pollock

Just finished the first one of these. I found it too dark for my personal taste but the idea and story was good. Dark isn't quite the right word though but I can't think what is! It's the other end of the spectrum to the St Mary's books anyway. Those are pure froth (enjoyable for when I just want froth though)

I'm currently on the first Thursday Next book but I am irritated by the stupid names, which is a shame as again, the story is good.

TheABC · 18/08/2017 15:09

Take a look at Mike Carey's Felix Castor series. Same gritty feel as the Rivers of London (and also based in London!), with an exorcist instead of a cop.

UnaOfStormhold · 18/08/2017 15:05

Ah, Diana Wynne Jones! Have just read the Islands of Chaldea - lovely but bittersweet to know that there are no more new books of hers to read!

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 18/08/2017 14:39

Adding several of these to my TBR list on Goodreads.

Fantasy set in real places - have you already read The Bone Clocks (and the follow up) by David Mitchell? I think those count.

I really didn't like the St Mary's books (or at least the first one) - I like a bit of a darker edge to this sort of fiction.

Tw1nsetAndPearls · 18/08/2017 12:01

I agree with @RueDeWakening " Discovery of Witches"

QueenRefusenik · 18/08/2017 09:45

Another vote for Diana Wynne Jones. Many may be technically YA but they work on many levels, and some are definitely adult (Fire & Hemlock; Deep Secret; Wild Magic). Also, bit of a wildcard but try some Barbara Hambly. Many are actually excellent whodunnits, just in a fantasy setting. Try the James Asher vampire series, bk 1 Those Who Hunt the Night; the Windrose Chronicles, starting with The Silent Mage; and Sun Wolf and Star Hawk booms, The Ladies of Mandrigyn. A bit grittier are the Daniel Polansky Low Town books, starting with The Straight Razor Cure.

bookworm14 · 17/08/2017 14:24

I hope he enjoys it, Elkie! DWJ was a genius.

elkiedee · 17/08/2017 13:55

bookworm14 - I was just about to suggest Diana Wynne Jones. Not so much places but they mix very real situations with fantasy. Have just got my 10 year old to start reading Charmed Life and hoping he will want more, but these may be the children's books I most often see adults reading.

PocketNiffler · 14/08/2017 20:28

The night watch books from terry pratchett are similar in that they're police fantasy. Faves are thud! And night watch. Don't need to read rest of series. Ankh morpork very similar to London.

bookworm14 · 14/08/2017 20:26

Also if you're happy to read YA/kids' books, The Homeward Bounders by Diana Wynne Jones might be your kind of thing. Or any Diana Wynne Jones, really.

bookworm14 · 14/08/2017 20:22

The City and the City by China Mieville. Genius urban sci-fi/fantasy.

CoolCarrie · 14/08/2017 19:56

Christopher Fowler's books are excellent, highly recommend, the first one is Full Dark House. You don't have to read them in order, but there are recurring characters so it would be better to do so.
I can third Jodi Taylor's St. Mary's series.

CheckpointCharlie2 · 14/08/2017 18:03

YY CMOT!!!! And Snickers I like him too.

Original poster
PlayOnWurtz · 14/08/2017 15:30

Have been on a downloading spree thank you

With Fforde either the Eyre Affair and then onto the rest of the Thursday Next books or the Nursery crimes books

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UnaOfStormhold · 14/08/2017 14:42

Where's a good place to start with Jasper Fforde?

SnickersWasAHorse · 13/08/2017 09:50

Has anyone said Christopher Brookmyre yet?

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 13/08/2017 09:47

I already downloaded the first Rivers of London book.

SoupDragon · 13/08/2017 09:45

I hate threads like this... they end up costing me a fortune! I'm not sure if it's a downside or upside of owning a Kindle.

ThursdayLastWeek · 13/08/2017 09:16

Jasper Fforde obviously Grin

Have you read any Christopher Moore? I started with A Dirty Job and loved it!

CMOTDibbler · 13/08/2017 09:10

I love Jasper Fforde, but if he doesn't crack on and finish writing the sequel to Shades of Grey I am really going to be Very Cross with him!

Original poster
PlayOnWurtz · 12/08/2017 23:42

I'm glad there are other Fforde Ffanatics on here. I love every bonkers word of them (apart from his last Thursday next book). He's a thoroughly nice bloke too.

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WinterIsComingKnitFaster · 12/08/2017 23:15

If you're up for historical then Naomi Novik's Temeraire series (the Napoleonic Wars with dragons) is fun. Strange and Norrell is phenomenally good but it's not exactly a light read.

I gave up on the Paul Cornell series - just a bit too grim.