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The Water Room
The Water Room: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery | Christopher Fowler
16 posts | 23 read | 9 to read
They are detection’s oddest couple: two cranky detectives whose professional partnership dates back half a century. Now Arthur Bryant and John May return in a case of multiple murder that twists through a subterranean course of the secrets, lies, and extreme passions that drive even ordinary men and women to the most shocking crimes…. They are living legends with a reputation for solving even the trickiest cases using unorthodox, unconventional, and often completely unauthorized methods. But the Peculiar Crimes Unit headed by Detectives John May and Arthur Bryant is one mistake away from being shut down for good. And when the elderly sister of Bryant’s friend is found dead in the basement of her decrepit house in Kentish Town, they find themselves on the verge of making exactly that mistake. According to the coroner, Ruth Singh’s heart simply stopped beating. But why was a woman who rarely left the house fully dressed for an outing? And why was there river water in her throat? Convinced that the old lady didn’t die a natural death, the detectives delve into a murky case with no apparent motive, no forensics, and no clues. And they’ve barely launched their investigation when death claims another victim. Suddenly they discover some very unnatural behavior surrounding Ruth Singh’s death by “natural” causes—from shady real estate developers and racist threats to two troubled marriages, from a dodgy academician working London’s notorious “grey economy” to a network of antiquities collectors obsessed with Egyptian mythology. And running beneath it all are the sweeping tentacles of London’s vast and forgotten underground river system. As the rains pour down and the water rises, Bryant and May must rely on instinct, experience, and their own very peculiar methods to stem a tide of evil that threatens to drown them all. From the Hardcover edition.
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Smarkies
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Pickpick

Another book in the Peculiar Crimes Unit. These books also delve into aspects of London which I am not familiar with - in this case the lost rivers which are now underground. A little meandering at times but the dry wit does help me through.

29 likes1 stack add
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Ksvz
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
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Mehso-so

Jan 21 - bk 2 crime mystery - far better than the first book. Fun, light hearted, and quick. I was going to give it a pass based on book one. Glad I gave it another chance.

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Tonton
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Pickpick

Third in a series about cranky, eccentric Bryan, and suave, silver fox May, in the Peculiar Crimes Unit of London‘s Metropolitan Police. Extremely unorthodox and reliant on instincts and arcane knowledge, the pair bicker like a old married couple;they are in a sense, and the rest of the unit including Crippen the cat are hilarious. This time they solve how a woman drowned sitting in a chair in a dry basement. Let the 7 lost rivers of London run!

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Texreader
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
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My purchases this week from the Mysterious Bookstore here in NYC. What a cute store! I loved it! So many matching sets of books. I wanted to buy them all!

Craftylikefox I LOVE the Bryant and May series!!! 6y
mrp27 In all my years of traveling/living in NY I can't believe I've never been to this bookstore! 6y
79 likes2 comments
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ChristyM
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
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Pickpick

A little bit of a sophomore slump for this series... I quite enjoyed Full Dark House, but this follow-up was slow going for the first third. I stuck with it for the quirky characters. (Why do so many of my recent reads deal somehow with lost rivers of London?)

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Jesskathkarl
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
Pickpick

I really struggled with this book but ended up getting sucked in...around page 200! Last 150 pages were great though!

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Jesskathkarl
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
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Page 200 and I'm finally getting into it. I felt I should just power through and not give up! Only 100(ish) pages to go!

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Jesskathkarl
Water Room | Christopher Fowler
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"He's got the charm of a rectal probe..."

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Craftylikefox
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Pickpick

The snow started dumping early this morning in Maine so I could just stay home and finish my book :) I already have plans to read the third in the series. So pleased to know that there are a bunch of books in this series. It's a great story and weaves in some myths and Egypt (my wheelhouses) and forgotten rivers of London. Love the main characters and only wish I could meet they in real life.

MrBook 😻 7y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Craftylikefox
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When I have to split my lunchtime between reading and knitting a Christmas present. this is when I should really get into audio books.

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DGRachel
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From the New York Times Book Review blurb on the back: "They're old, they're cranky, and their chaotic work habits inevitably lead to disaster. But life always seems livelier whenever Arthur Bryant and John May are on a case!"

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bookishdawg
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Pickpick

This series from Christopher Fowler is such fun... Two detectives past retirement age that are tasked with solving "peculiar crimes". Engaging and well-written. #faveaugustread

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AiBBot
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Pickpick

If you want to read a fast-pace police/mystery book where the characters are beautiful, young, and full of angst, do not read this book. If you want to read a book about some old school policing that is based in London (past and present) and full of colourful characters, read this book.