Paul Cornell might be name familiar to all you nerds out there, writing for comics such as Marvel and DC. You might also know him for his writing on small TV shows…anyone ever heard of Doctor Who?
LONDON FALLING is Cornell’s fourth novel (not counting the books he has written for Doctor Who, of course) and as you read the few pages, it does take a little while to get in to, especially if you are from where the book it set, it becomes almost too hard to believe.
The idea of the abnormal happening in the most similar places will always be an interesting plot device, but it takes a special kind of writer to actually execute it well. Cornell sets up the story in the most normal way, with a detective inspector James Quill ready to complete the biggest drug bust of his career, but when his suspect suddenly combusts in custody (the description being a personal highlight of mine) the main plot device kicks in, and mixing promising characters, a well thought underworld element and a hint of London slang, author Paul Cornell manages to hit the nail completely on the head to the idea of Urban Fantasy.
One problem with the book is how the ridiculous the plot can get. Like the story of Mora Losley, a serial killer who has made a vow to kill any football player that score a hat trick against her beloved team West Ham, and how the operation team touching her voodoo soil suddenly gives them ‘The Sight’ it does become a little over the top sometimes. But you soon realise after a while that is fiction, and it is not supposed to be realistic. Once you get over that bump, the book comes a lot more enjoyable.
LONDON FALLING shows a lot of promise through out, and while it might not necessarily be a scary novel; the chilling occult element to the plot does bring a chill to your spine. Imagine that BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER had a bastard love child with old ITV police drama THE BILL, and you have this thrilling book.
LONDON FALLING is out now and available to order here!
