London Falling by Paul Cornell

I really enjoyed this new British urban fantasy offering. The gritty realism of the police protagonists is strongly reminiscent of the style of British police procedurals that began with the BBC classic The Sweeney.

The slow start to the story focused on world building and the introduction of the protagonists. They are flawed and do not exhibit any extraordinary talents. This sets the table for a gritty story more often found in the horror genre.

I like the banter among the team mates. It is often witty without sounding forced.

The West Ham football club details add verisimilitude, but I dislike English soccer because its so historically deep and jock heavy. Its NFL fanaticism to the nth power.

Decades ago, these characters were first created for a television series pitch overseen by the tremendous talents of Steven Moffat and Beryl and Sue Vertue. The story has changed out of all recognition since those days, but their support and encouragement remain, and I owe them many thanks.

Haha! I knew it.

‘Good. It is time that defines whether something is real or not. Time is what makes what people experience a tragedy or a love story or a triumph. Hell is where time has stopped, where there’s no more innovation. No horizon. No change. I sometimes think Hell would suit the British down to the ground, and that, given the chance, they’d vote for it. You’d better make sure they never get the chance, eh?’

A little bit of politics never hurts.