The story unfolds in an unusual way. We are in the present day and almost at the outset one of the two protagonists is killed in an explosion. As the remaining half of the crime-solving duo tries to find out what happened, we are transported back in time in a parallel plot as we are told about the first case the pair worked on together in war-torn Britain in the 1940's.
I found it interesting to follow the story in such a way. The killing-off of a major character seldom happens in the very opening of the first book of a series, but of course by then all of his major adventures that will be recounted in the books to came have taken place. But knowing this information adds a sad solomn overtone each time his name is mentioned in the book.
I think Fowler's style - described as 'urban unease' that has been cultivated in his other fantasy/horror novels allows this book to rip along at great pace and I'd have no hesitation in reading any of the other books in this series. I can't wait for it to be made into a tv show.
